extended hiatus

Due to expanded commitments to my small press, I've been forced to cut down on some other projects. I would be delighted if someone else came forward to carry on this blog. Meanwhile, I hope some of the links and contacts herein are of some use.

-RM

6/1/08

Seminar for Younger Poets: Bucknell: 6/28/08

The Bucknell Younger Poets will present their final reading on Saturday, June 28. 7:30pm [NOT 7:00] in Bucknell Hall.

The annual Seminar selects 10-12 undergraduate poets from a national pool of applicants to attend the Bucknell campus and participate, free of charge, in a three-week poetry program. This year's staff are Erinn Batykefer, K A Hays, Deirdre O'Connor and G C Waldrep. Guest poets are Tracy K Smith and Kazim Ali.

This reading is free and open to the public.

Oscar Wilde Award: deadline 6/27

The postmark deadline for the annual Oscar Wilde Award is June 27. Read full details by clicking here.

Bill Wunder: Philly: 6/26/08

Thursday, June 26, 6pm:

Robin's Bookstore (108 S 13th St, Philadelphia) presents Bill Wunder, author of Pointing at the Moon (Wordtech).

For more information, see: http://www.robinsbookstore.com/events/062608.html.

Adrienne Su: Camp Hill: 6/26/08

Thursday, June 26: Adrienne Su will be the Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel's featured reader at the Crimson Frog Coffeehouse, 1104 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill.

Adrienne Su is author of two poetry books, Middle Kingdom (Alice James) and Sanctuary (Manic D). A third verse collection, Having None of It, is scheduled for January publication by Manic D Press. Su, poet-in-residence at Dickinson College in Carlisle and director of the school's creative writing program, received a National Endowment for the Arts poetry fellowship last year. Her residencies include The Frost Place, Robert Frost's homestead, in New Hampshire, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Adrienne Su's poems have appeared in numerous poetry journals, including the anthologies Best American Poetry 2000, The New American Poets and Asian-American Poetry: The Next Generation.

A 7pm open reading will precede the feature presentation, which begins at 8 o'clock. The Crimson Frog is located in the Cedar Cliff Mall. For additional information: 761-4721. The cartel's Michael Lear-Olimpi will host.

Michele Belluomini & Cathleen Miller: Philly: 6/24/08

Tuesday, June 24, 6pm:

The Moonstone Poetry Series at Robin's Bookstore (108 S 13th St, Philadelphia) presents
Michele Belluomini and Cathleen Miller. Hosted by Justin Vitiello; open reading to follow.

For more information see: http://www.robinsbookstore.com/events/062408.html

Kazim Ali: Bucknell: 6/23/08

The Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets will present a reading by guest poet Kazim Ali on Monday, June 23, 7pm in Bucknell Hall. Also reading will be six of the twelve Bucknell Younger Poets.

This reading is free and open to the public.

Jerry Wemple: Shikellamy State Park: 6/21/08

Saturday, June 21, 2-4pm: Bloomsburg poet Jerry Wemple will read his work at the Shikellamy State Park Overlook as part of the Friends of Shikellamy State Park Summer Solstice Celebration. Wemple will be joined by singer/songwiter Jessica Jellen. For more information on this and other scheduled events, click here.

A.B. Spellman: Philly: 6/20/08

Friday, June 20, 6pm:

Robin's Bookstore (108 S 13th St, Philadelphia) will sponsor a poetry reading by A.B. Spellman, author of Things I Must Have Known (Coffee House Press).

"A.B. Spellman writes with the ease and fluidity of his favorite jazz musician John Coltrane blowing his horn. The poems slide from the page and sometimes knock you down with their grace, insight and rhythm. This is a book and a writer to savor." -Jane Alexander

For more information see: http://www.robinsbookstore.com/events/062008.html

Tracy K Smith: Bucknell: 6/12/08

The Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets will present a reading by guest poet Tracy K Smith on Thursday, June 12, 7pm in Bucknell Hall. Also reading will be six of the twelve Bucknell Younger Poets.

This reading is free and open to the public.

River Poets: Bloomsburg: 6/10/08

Tuesday, June 10th, 7:30pm: The River Poets will have their June reading at Phillips Emporium, Bloomsburg. The featured readers are Marlin Wagner and Kathy Dobash. MC: Mary Lou Wagner. Theme: Two, each his own.

Marlin Wagner is a photojournalist whose photo undercuts (that's actually an actual term for what most people call captions, actually) have morphed into Haiku verse. These he may lay upon those who choose to ignore this warning and attend the June session of River Poets.

Kathy Dobash is an artist from Hazleton. Read more about her at www.myspace.com/kathydobash.

Erinn Batykefer, Katie Hays, Deirdre O'Connor, G C Waldrep: Bucknell: 6/10/08

The Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets staff will read their work on Tuesday evening at 7pm in Bucknell Hall. Readers are Erinn Batykefer, K A Hays, Deirdre O'Connor, and G C Waldrep.

This reading is free and open to the public.

Ryan Eckes/ Kristine Grow/ Joyce Meyers: Philly: 6/10/08

Tuesday, June 10, 6pm:

Moonstone Poetry Series at Robin's Bookstore presents Ryan Eckes, Kristine Grow, and Joyce Meyers. Hosted by Justin Vitiello; open reading to follow.

For more information see: http://www.robinsbookstore.com/events/061008.html

Samantha Barrow Presents: Philly: 6/9/08

Monday, June 9, 7pm:

Poetry at Robin's Bookstore (108 S 13th St, Philadelphia): Samantha Barrow presents Monica McIntyre, Maleka Fruean, CA Conrad, Victoria Pearson, and Gweny Love.

Samantha Barrow Presents is a loosely seasonal event curated by Samantha Barrow. This is the kickoff event, woo hoo!

For more information see: http://www.robinsbookstore.com/events/060908.html

update: Karen Lillis

Karen's poem "Wooden Splinter" appears in the current (summer) issue of Avatar Review (click to read the poem).

Karen has also started a LibraryThing catalog of many Pittsburgh small press items, including poetry books, chapbooks, literary journals, as well as other formats like comics and zines:

Click here to check it out!

MPWA Regional Poetry Contest Reading: Scranton: 6/7/08

Saturday, June 7th, 7:30pm:

The seventh annual MPWA Regional Poetry Contest will present their work at AFA Gallery, 514 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton PA. You are invited to attend. The cost is 4 dollars for non-winners and the general public, and 2 dollars for MPWA (Mulberry Poets and Writers Association) members.

The First Place winner, Tara Shoemaker Holdren, will be on for 12 minutes; Second Place Karen Beebe for 10, and Third Place Paula Gannon for 8 minutes. After an intermission, Honorable Mention poets will present their poems.

PARKING: Because of construction in the vicinity of AFA Gallery, you will not be able to park on Lackawanna Ave. But around the block and in the Steamtown Parking Garage there will be ample parking. The street meters are not enforced on Saturday evening.

MPWA's 30th Season is supported in part by PA Partners in the Arts (PPA), the regional arts funding partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency. PPA is administered in this region by The Scranton Area Foundation.

Review: Peter Krok's Looking for an Eye

Follow this link to read Donald Riggs' review of Peter Krok's Looking for an Eye in the summer 2008 issue of Per Contra.

Click here to read more about the book at the FootHills Publishing web site.