Hope you all had a fine Thanksgiving, and we won't get into Black Friday. Let's just say I wrote a few poems about it, and studiously avoided all stores.
I wrapped up my five-event sprint with a week off, unplugged
and recovering at home. Catching up on the pile of paperwork I had been throwing in my apartment the past few weeks, I flipped through a journal picked up at the Florida writers conference. I had forgotten about reading this interview, with Robert Birnbaum and author Sandra Cisneros. In it, Ms. Cisneros admitted:
"I don't have very much contact with other writers. I don't get invited to these things, or I don't go to them... It's very rare. Even when I do these book fairs...I come in and I go out. I can't hang around with lots of people these days because I am hypersensitive. So when I am around a lot of people or a big roomful of people, I get almost autistic. I get overwhelmed and really tired...
"I think because the kind of work...is so intensive with people that perhaps, whether you realize it or not, you are just absorbing everybody's buzz. I feel like I am in a box of bees when I am in a room with lots of people and I'm just looking for the door."*
Sandra, you are not alone in the bee box! Anyone else recognize the symptoms?!
I had first read the interview after fleeing the conference, having absorbed way too much people buzz. Sitting on a park bench in St. Augustine, I had laughed out loud in recognition. Busted!
Very few people have articulated just what happens to the monastic inclinations of the average (introverted) writer, in the face of conferences, book signings and readings. A box of bees.
Thank you, Sandra Cisneros, for your gift of words! After a week off, I'm ready to emerge again. Whether you like buzz or not, there is honey in that bee box!
Next event:
Dec. 6: "PoeTea," 3:30-5:00 pm, at OM,
285 Lynnwood Ave., Tyrone, GA. Readings, signing, poetry exercises,
tea and light refreshments. Sponsored by the OM Bookstore, with
discounts for the season, so c'mon in, sip some tea, write a poem, and
squeeze in some Christmas shopping to boot!
*From "Writers Ask," published quarterly by the editors of Glimmer Train Stories...a journal I've never succeeded in scoring an acceptance! Issue #58, Winter, 2012, Glimmer Train Press, Inc.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Five Events Later....
What a sprint! I confess this last one was an effort to get to. A Friday night after an intense work week, following a month of intensity with the book tour, and I was ready for a night off.
But, fighting fatique, I hauled my brain into gratitude mode, and, with roadie Arwen, my books over to the Peachtree City Library for An Evening of American Pie & Poetry. It was an astonishing night. One of the organizers counted over 60 people--a shocker, frankly. Before the event started, we writers had our typical conversation: "Wonder how many will come tonight..." Kudos to Paul Lentz for a stellar PR job, and a crew of worker bees who helped set up, serve coffee and goodies, and Tom Watts, working his folk/Americana/blue music.
My new French poet friend (from the Books Down South event) showed up. A number of colleagues showed up, plus new fans and the usual suspects of fellow writers from our writers' circle. Pies were sliced, Blue Donkey Coffee served. There was a festive, expectant air--helped no doubt by the approaching holiday.
And off we went...me in the hot seat with first position, followed by a fantastic story teller reading one of Paul's stories, and fellow FLP poet Sara DeLuca, reading her works. Tom played a set, and then we reprised poems, story, poems. The evening was over before we knew it. And, IMHO, a home run. Thanks to all who made it happen, who listened, supported, participated, served.
In fact, I'm already at work on reprising what proved to be a very successful formula. Watch this space for another event in January. In the meantime, I'll close the year out with one more event in December:
Dec. 6: "PoeTea," 3:30-5:00 pm, at OM, 285 Lynnwood Ave., Tyrone, GA. Readings, signing, poetry exercises, tea and light refreshments. Sponsored by the OM Bookstore, with discounts for the season, so c'mon in, sip some tea, write a poem, and squeeze in some Christmas shopping to boot!
You can also order your stocking stuffers here: link for The Boatman's Daughter, and Poems from the Boatyard is now available on Kindle.
Have a very happy and meaningful Thanksgiving!
But, fighting fatique, I hauled my brain into gratitude mode, and, with roadie Arwen, my books over to the Peachtree City Library for An Evening of American Pie & Poetry. It was an astonishing night. One of the organizers counted over 60 people--a shocker, frankly. Before the event started, we writers had our typical conversation: "Wonder how many will come tonight..." Kudos to Paul Lentz for a stellar PR job, and a crew of worker bees who helped set up, serve coffee and goodies, and Tom Watts, working his folk/Americana/blue music.
My new French poet friend (from the Books Down South event) showed up. A number of colleagues showed up, plus new fans and the usual suspects of fellow writers from our writers' circle. Pies were sliced, Blue Donkey Coffee served. There was a festive, expectant air--helped no doubt by the approaching holiday.
And off we went...me in the hot seat with first position, followed by a fantastic story teller reading one of Paul's stories, and fellow FLP poet Sara DeLuca, reading her works. Tom played a set, and then we reprised poems, story, poems. The evening was over before we knew it. And, IMHO, a home run. Thanks to all who made it happen, who listened, supported, participated, served.
In fact, I'm already at work on reprising what proved to be a very successful formula. Watch this space for another event in January. In the meantime, I'll close the year out with one more event in December:
You can also order your stocking stuffers here: link for The Boatman's Daughter, and Poems from the Boatyard is now available on Kindle.
Have a very happy and meaningful Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Flagler College
After a quick check-in at the Holiday Inn, I headed over to Flagler College, where the Other Words Conference would be held, and into the adventure of parking in St. Augustine. I easily found the college (after a quick detour to a boatyard :), and as for parking...let's just say a good workout was in order anyway, after the 6-hr. car ride.
I registered and looked for the Finishing Line Press peeps, who were nowhere to be found, and spent the few minutes I had left photographing the incredible rotunda and decoration of the front hall. Architectural ecstasy. (Yankees, picture a Newport mansion...even the bathroom had a fireplace in it!)
One elevator ride later, to the 4th floor of Ponce de Leon Hall, more goodness awaited: the newly opened, newly renovated Solarium, the crown jewel of a National Historic Landmark. I confess it held my attention longer than the opening poets. More photos, a few sketches, and jottings of thoughts inspired by the arrival in a coastal town.
The building was one of two posh hotels Henry Flagler built in the 1880s—an incredible Spanish Renaissance–revival structure with towers, turrets, and stained glass by Tiffany. When we moved from readings to nibbles, I followed some out onto the terraces, where St. Augustine twinkled by Matanzas Bay. Magical. "I get to spend four days here?!" I marveled. With only my iphone with me at the time, I quickly filled my camera roll with dozens of shots of the panoramic views (none of which I can download at the moment unfortunately--but do follow the links above).
The renovation completed this summer, to mark the 125th anniversary of construction of the hotel. Ponce became Flagler College in 1968, and the Solarium was used as a library, occasional classroom, writing lab, and offices for the college newspaper. It was closed off in the 1970's for safety reasons. What a shame. What joy for me. Writing, talking about writing, learning about publishing, editing and the digital convolutions going on in all of the above, in a national landmark, surrounded by beach, boat and salt marsh...can you spell B.L.I.S.S.?!
I registered and looked for the Finishing Line Press peeps, who were nowhere to be found, and spent the few minutes I had left photographing the incredible rotunda and decoration of the front hall. Architectural ecstasy. (Yankees, picture a Newport mansion...even the bathroom had a fireplace in it!)
One elevator ride later, to the 4th floor of Ponce de Leon Hall, more goodness awaited: the newly opened, newly renovated Solarium, the crown jewel of a National Historic Landmark. I confess it held my attention longer than the opening poets. More photos, a few sketches, and jottings of thoughts inspired by the arrival in a coastal town.
The building was one of two posh hotels Henry Flagler built in the 1880s—an incredible Spanish Renaissance–revival structure with towers, turrets, and stained glass by Tiffany. When we moved from readings to nibbles, I followed some out onto the terraces, where St. Augustine twinkled by Matanzas Bay. Magical. "I get to spend four days here?!" I marveled. With only my iphone with me at the time, I quickly filled my camera roll with dozens of shots of the panoramic views (none of which I can download at the moment unfortunately--but do follow the links above).
The renovation completed this summer, to mark the 125th anniversary of construction of the hotel. Ponce became Flagler College in 1968, and the Solarium was used as a library, occasional classroom, writing lab, and offices for the college newspaper. It was closed off in the 1970's for safety reasons. What a shame. What joy for me. Writing, talking about writing, learning about publishing, editing and the digital convolutions going on in all of the above, in a national landmark, surrounded by beach, boat and salt marsh...can you spell B.L.I.S.S.?!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Sailing along...
The book tour continues, with another event under my belt, new friends and connections, and a few less copies of books on hand.
Books Down South was an awesome gathering of local literati, filled with a lot of energy and camaraderie. My highlight: I was stationed next to a French poet! How cool is that? So while the literati swirled around us, Brigitte Byrd and I chatted in French. If anyone approached our table, Brigitte leapt up to announce, "We are the poets!" Who could resist the charm of a French accent?!
Well, quite a few actually. We had a few sales, and while I was quite satisfied with mine, Brigitte was frustrated. When one of the organizers consoled us with typical American cheer--"It's more about the connections you make than the books you sell!"--Brigitte stared her down. Awkward silence. The typical French reaction at that point would have been to flip all the books up in the air, and storm home to write about it.
Sure enough, as soon as our chirpy organizer left, Brigitte looked at me and said in French, "That's not French. We would fling all these books in your face and leave!"
I laughed, and she relaxed a little as I bought one of her books and asked her to sign it. We will be in touch for coffee soon; in the meantime, I am enjoying her "Song of a Living Room." Brigitte has invited me to read at Clayton State University's poetry lecture series next year. Mais oui! Bien sur!
In the meantime, the next clambake for me is in St. Augustine, FL. I leave Thursday, coming back in time for the Dogwood Gallery evening. And another event has edged into the calendar the following week.
Looking for more amazement and hope you are part of it!
Nov. 7-10: 2013 Other Words Conference, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL. I'll be attending as a poet with Finishing Line Press, but this also affords time to promote my book, take advantage of a number of workshops, and network. I'm looking forward to a little change of pace and a day or two to explore St. Augustine.
Dec. 6: "PoeTea," 3:30-5:00 pm, at OM, 285 Lynnwood Ave., Tyrone, GA. Details to follow!
Reminders:
To order The Boatman's Daughter, here's the link.
Poems from the Boatyard is now available on Kindle.
Website: theliteryarboatyard.com, & iphone app!
Books Down South was an awesome gathering of local literati, filled with a lot of energy and camaraderie. My highlight: I was stationed next to a French poet! How cool is that? So while the literati swirled around us, Brigitte Byrd and I chatted in French. If anyone approached our table, Brigitte leapt up to announce, "We are the poets!" Who could resist the charm of a French accent?!
Well, quite a few actually. We had a few sales, and while I was quite satisfied with mine, Brigitte was frustrated. When one of the organizers consoled us with typical American cheer--"It's more about the connections you make than the books you sell!"--Brigitte stared her down. Awkward silence. The typical French reaction at that point would have been to flip all the books up in the air, and storm home to write about it.
Sure enough, as soon as our chirpy organizer left, Brigitte looked at me and said in French, "That's not French. We would fling all these books in your face and leave!"
I laughed, and she relaxed a little as I bought one of her books and asked her to sign it. We will be in touch for coffee soon; in the meantime, I am enjoying her "Song of a Living Room." Brigitte has invited me to read at Clayton State University's poetry lecture series next year. Mais oui! Bien sur!
In the meantime, the next clambake for me is in St. Augustine, FL. I leave Thursday, coming back in time for the Dogwood Gallery evening. And another event has edged into the calendar the following week.
Looking for more amazement and hope you are part of it!
Nov. 7-10: 2013 Other Words Conference, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL. I'll be attending as a poet with Finishing Line Press, but this also affords time to promote my book, take advantage of a number of workshops, and network. I'm looking forward to a little change of pace and a day or two to explore St. Augustine.
Nov. 14: Dogwood Gallery, 6:30-8:30 pm: Book Launch Party. Stop for some poetry, art, wine and nibbles!
Nov. 22: An American Tour in Words and Music: Friends of the Peachtree City Library invite you to “An
American Tour in Words and Music” from 7:00—9:00 PM on Friday, November 22.
Local authors Pat Butler, Sara DeLuca, and Paul Lentz will read from their
recently published books. Music will be performed by Tom Watts, and
will include selections from his recent album, “One Sweet Day.” (This is an “after-hours event; only the front
door of the library will be open.)
Pat is the author of the autobiographical chapbooks, “Poems
from the Boatyard” and “The Boatman’s Daughter.” Sara’s poetry has been
published in numerous regional and national journals. She will read from her
new chapbook, “Shearing Time.” Paul writes of rural Georgia during the Great
Depression in his coming-of-age novel, “The Gospel Truth: Tales from Ty Ty.”
Refreshments by Blue Donkey Coffee—a regular at the Peachtree
City Farmers Market in the Aberdeen Village Shopping Center.
Reminders:
To order The Boatman's Daughter, here's the link.
Poems from the Boatyard is now available on Kindle.
Website: theliteryarboatyard.com, & iphone app!
Friday, October 25, 2013
We have arrived in port...
...and my second child has had quite a busy week...but we're sleeping through the night :)
The Boatman's Daughter arrived, Poems from the Boatyard went Kindle, and my first book event took place last Saturday.
If you're missing the festivities because you didn't get a chance to pre-order, here's the link again.
Round 2 in my Fall book tour comes up tomorrow, with the Books Down South inaugural event (see below). My bags are loaded and my photographer is ready in the wings (BTW, you can see her capture of the first event on Facebook. Thank you Silvi!) All these are being fed to Stephen Andrews as he squirrels away at my new website, with technology I barely know exists. We're getting there. Take a peek: www.theliteryarboatyard.com, and don't forget to download the iphone app!
Thanks for the encouragements and FB likes and comments - generous, kind and abundant!
Onward!
October 26: Books Down South Book Fair, 10 am - 3 pm, at the former Rivers Elementary School, Sandy Creek Rd. & Veteran's Pkwy, Fayetteville, GA. Book sellers, Author Signings, Storytelling, Children's Readers, Speakers, Giveaways.
Nov. 7-10: 2013 Other Words Conference, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL. At the request of Finishing Line Press, which will have a table at the fair, I will attend as an FLP poet, and can promote my book. This also affords time to take advantage of a number of opportunities: getting to know more of the publisher's associates, attend workshops, and network. I've never done anything like this before, so ready to plunge into the next level of author development.
Nov. 14: Dogwood Gallery, 6:30-8:30 pm: Book Launch Party. Stop for some poetry, art, wine and nibbles.
Dec. 6: "PoeTea," 3-5 pm, at OM, 285 Lynnwood Ave., Tyrone, GA. Details to follow!
The Boatman's Daughter arrived, Poems from the Boatyard went Kindle, and my first book event took place last Saturday.
If you're missing the festivities because you didn't get a chance to pre-order, here's the link again.
Round 2 in my Fall book tour comes up tomorrow, with the Books Down South inaugural event (see below). My bags are loaded and my photographer is ready in the wings (BTW, you can see her capture of the first event on Facebook. Thank you Silvi!) All these are being fed to Stephen Andrews as he squirrels away at my new website, with technology I barely know exists. We're getting there. Take a peek: www.theliteryarboatyard.com, and don't forget to download the iphone app!
Thanks for the encouragements and FB likes and comments - generous, kind and abundant!
Onward!
October 26: Books Down South Book Fair, 10 am - 3 pm, at the former Rivers Elementary School, Sandy Creek Rd. & Veteran's Pkwy, Fayetteville, GA. Book sellers, Author Signings, Storytelling, Children's Readers, Speakers, Giveaways.
Nov. 7-10: 2013 Other Words Conference, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL. At the request of Finishing Line Press, which will have a table at the fair, I will attend as an FLP poet, and can promote my book. This also affords time to take advantage of a number of opportunities: getting to know more of the publisher's associates, attend workshops, and network. I've never done anything like this before, so ready to plunge into the next level of author development.
Nov. 14: Dogwood Gallery, 6:30-8:30 pm: Book Launch Party. Stop for some poetry, art, wine and nibbles.
Dec. 6: "PoeTea," 3-5 pm, at OM, 285 Lynnwood Ave., Tyrone, GA. Details to follow!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
We have a sighting!
The good news came in double doses yesterday, to close out my Friday work day: The Boatman's Daughter has shipped, and Poems from the Boatyard will be going to Kindle format! Yippee!
So today began with preparing the next set of docs and images for another format...reminding me of visa application days...subject of my third collection being worked on! Stay tuned for that one. The Kindle format will be available internationally, so my global peeps can finally get a copy.
You should have your pre-ordered copy this week, and if you didn't get a chance to pre-order, here's the link again.
A new website is almost complete, but you can take a peek now: www.theliteryarboatyard.com, as is the new iphone app. Many thanks to Stephen Andrews for the hours of technical wizadry he has invested in the Boatyard. If you need website design, you want to work with Stephen!
And don't forget the Fall line up of literary events! Hope you can make one, and hope you enjoy the poems. Thanks for your patience in this last delay, and see you around the county or Boatyard!
Fall Schedule:
October 19: Open Mic Matinee, Poetry & Spoken Word Performance, 1:00 pm, Fayette County Public Library, 1821 Heritage Park Way, Fayetteville, GA 30214 · 770-461-8841. Reception and Book Signing to follow, including light refreshments.
October 26: Books Down South Book Fair, 10 am - 3 pm, at the former Rivers Elementary School, Sandy Creek Rd. & Veteran's Pkwy, Fayetteville, GA. Book sellers, Author Signings, Storytelling, Children's Readers, Speakers, Giveaways.
Nov. 7-10: 2013 Other Words Conference, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL. At the request of Finishing Line Press, which will have a table at the fair, I will attend as an FLP poet, and can promote my book. This also affords time to take advantage of a number of opportunities: getting to know more of the publisher's associates, attend workshops, and network. I've never done anything like this before, so ready to plunge into the next level of author development.
Nov. 14: Dogwood Gallery, 6:30-8:30 pm: Book Launch Party. Stop for some poetry, art, wine and nibbles.
Dec. 6: "Poetry Tea" at OM, 285 Lynnwood Ave., Tyrone, GA. Details to follow!
So today began with preparing the next set of docs and images for another format...reminding me of visa application days...subject of my third collection being worked on! Stay tuned for that one. The Kindle format will be available internationally, so my global peeps can finally get a copy.
You should have your pre-ordered copy this week, and if you didn't get a chance to pre-order, here's the link again.
A new website is almost complete, but you can take a peek now: www.theliteryarboatyard.com, as is the new iphone app. Many thanks to Stephen Andrews for the hours of technical wizadry he has invested in the Boatyard. If you need website design, you want to work with Stephen!
And don't forget the Fall line up of literary events! Hope you can make one, and hope you enjoy the poems. Thanks for your patience in this last delay, and see you around the county or Boatyard!
Fall Schedule:
October 19: Open Mic Matinee, Poetry & Spoken Word Performance, 1:00 pm, Fayette County Public Library, 1821 Heritage Park Way, Fayetteville, GA 30214 · 770-461-8841. Reception and Book Signing to follow, including light refreshments.
October 26: Books Down South Book Fair, 10 am - 3 pm, at the former Rivers Elementary School, Sandy Creek Rd. & Veteran's Pkwy, Fayetteville, GA. Book sellers, Author Signings, Storytelling, Children's Readers, Speakers, Giveaways.
Nov. 7-10: 2013 Other Words Conference, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL. At the request of Finishing Line Press, which will have a table at the fair, I will attend as an FLP poet, and can promote my book. This also affords time to take advantage of a number of opportunities: getting to know more of the publisher's associates, attend workshops, and network. I've never done anything like this before, so ready to plunge into the next level of author development.
Nov. 14: Dogwood Gallery, 6:30-8:30 pm: Book Launch Party. Stop for some poetry, art, wine and nibbles.
Dec. 6: "Poetry Tea" at OM, 285 Lynnwood Ave., Tyrone, GA. Details to follow!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Books Down South
Another event makes it onto my busy fall calendar: Books Down South launches this month, a premier event in the Southern Arc (southern suburbs of Atlanta). This is a pretty big deal in these parts, featuring 40 local and regional authors, including some NY Times bestselling ones. Our local literary world of publishers, authors, and libraries is abuzz. Glad to be part of making a little Peachtree City history here, even if we're nowhere near a boatyard. See schedule below and come help us make this a home run event!
I'll be sharing a book-signing table with two friends from my writers' circle, and we will be donating one of the giveaway gift baskets.
Update from Finishing Line Press: the galleys have gone to the printer this week, and The Boatman's Daughter is queued up! She is due to birth this month, although I have alerted FLP that my first event is in two weeks, and would be much obliged if I could receive some copies before then!
Fall Schedule:
October 19: Open Mic Matinee, Poetry & Spoken Word Performance, 1:00 pm, Fayette County Public Library, 1821 Heritage Park Way, Fayetteville, GA 30214 · 770-461-8841. Reception and Book Signing to follow, including light refreshments.
October 26: Books Down South Book Fair, 10 am - 3 pm, at the former Rivers Elementary School, Sandy Creek Rd. & Veteran's Pkwy, Fayetteville, GA. Book sellers, Author Signings, Storytelling, Children's Readers, Speakers, Giveaways.
Nov. 7-10: 2013 Other Words Conference, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL. At the request of Finishing Line Press, which will have a table at the fair, I will attend as an FLP poet, and can promote my book. This also affords time to take advantage of a number of opportunities: getting to know more of the publisher's associates, attend workshops, and network. I've never done anything like this before, so ready to plunge into the next level of author development.
Nov. 14: Dogwood Gallery, 6:30-8:30 pm: Book Launch Party. Stop for some poetry, art, wine and nibbles.
Dec. 6: "Poetry Tea" at OM, 285 Lynnwood Ave., Tyrone, GA. Details to follow!
Thanks for your interest and see ya around the Boatyard!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)