A personal message

Thank you everybody for all the kind words and messages.

In case you didn't hear, after 31 years as a copy editor at The Indianapolis Star, the paper laid me off in a cost-cutting move. Though I've been anticipating this moment for the past two years, when it finally happened, I felt panic-stricken, even ashamed that it happened to me. Now, I feel relief that the ordeal is over.

I worry about the co-workers left behind, and especially some who got the ax after I left the building. While I was prepared, financially and emotionally to take the hit, I worry about my colleagues. I regret not being there when they received the terrible news. If you're of the praying persuasion, I urge you to think of them.

John Hawn

Mitchell L.H. Douglas in the InKY reading series

Adam Piper's 'And Life Remains'

A PR release about Adam Piper's poetry collection, And Life Remains:

http://www.mmdnewswire.com/adam-piper-5306.html


UPDATE: Here is a Kirkus review of Adam's collection:

http://www.kirkusreviews.com/kirkusreviews/discoveries/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003990376&imw=Y

If you wish to purchase, click on this Amazon link.

News from Jan Flexon

Jan Flexon, the lead singer of the Dancin' Nancys and host of Friday Underground events at Bookmama's, announced that her book, Words Are Electric, But Not Always Static Free (New Century Publishing), will be available in August.

She also will have work published in the inaugural issue of Icahabod's Sketchbook, an anthology published by Bookmama's. (Other contributors include Lylanne Musselman, Jennifer Lemming, Carolyn Everett and Miranda Marisco.)

Jan also will be part of the Kellogg Writers Series at the University of Indianapolis on Sept. 23.

The Dancin' Nancys are part of the compilation CD Give a Girl a Chance, which will benefit the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the New Community Project and the Young Peacemakers Film Project.

Indiana Authors Award

James Alexander Thom wins the first Indiana Authors Award (national author category).

Poet Jared Carter is a finalist in the regional author category.

Details at http://www.indianaauthorsaward.org/the-authors/the-finalists/

Th awards dinner, where the other category winners will be announced, is scheduled for 6:30. Sept. 26 at the Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis.

Lylanne Musselman's new chapbook

From Lylanne:

NEWS: I'm thrilled to share that Winged City Press is publishing my
chapbook, A Charm Bracelet For Cruising. Winged City is an imprint of
New Sins Press and publishes by invitation only. More info will follow on
availability, readings, book signings, etc.

Congratulations, Lylanne.

Alyssa Chase on running

Alyssa Chase, an Indianapolis resident, has been using Facebook to post poems based on her daily runs. Sample:

What would Whitman say about this creekside road? At the bend by the wild
raspberries, cars fly fast enough to kill a starling, a baby robin; drag slow
enough to drop a condom, neatly plopped atop its wrapper.

Check out some of her other run reports:

http://www.facebook.com/alyssachaserebein

An anthology edited by Blair Karsch

Sylvia Andrews' Indianapolis Examiner review of Bigger Than Cool, an anthology of youth poetry edited by Blair Karsch:

http://www.examiner.com/x-10370-Indianapolis-Books-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Bigger-than-cool

Limericks from an arts reporter

One of the topics I've been wanting to blog about is a chapbook titled Limericks With Latitude, written by Indianapolis Star arts reporter Jay Harvey. He issued it last July, and in the intro, Jay acknowledges the limerick's lowly status as an artform: "Often condescended to as a low form of verse, associated with scurrility and obscenity, the limerick to me has proved to be flexible as to theme, manner and subject. May the common result ve the reader's delight." Later, he asserts: "I hope I have left the limerick a more capacious vehicle for concise fun, even when the mood is reflective." A sample:

O Careless Love
(A single mom turns down a proposition)

He says, Now don't worry, let's get it on, I'm shootin' blanks.
Well, sex can be good, I guess, when the damn rest of life tanks.
Next day, he took off, I got plastered,
Now I got me a miniature bastard
To remind me what men are like. Do I need lovin'? No thanks.

You can read Jay's insightful arts blog at
http://blogs.indystar.com/upstage/, but don't expect to read any limericks. Which is too bad. Wouldn't you like to read jazz reviews in the form of a limerick?

New book from Dan Carpenter

I ran into Dan Carpenter yesterday, and he confirmed that his collection of poetry, More That I Could See (Restoration Press), is something he can hold in his hands. He's investigating plans for a book-launch reading and signing. Details to come.

New book from Chris Forhan

Chris Forhan's Black Leapt In, the Barrow Street 2008 Prize Winner, is available from Sparrow Street Press ($16.95). You can order at www.barrowstreet.org.

Linda Lee, private writing instructor

Private writing instructor Linda Lee

Contact: 317.475.0628 or email pennyroyal@ameritech.net

Tuesdays: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Park Central North, 64th Street and Hoover Road, Indianapolis
Thursdays: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at First Friends Meeting, 3030 E. Kessler (near Glendale), Indianapolis.

Cost: $40 per month or $15 per class session.

Description: Do you enjoy writing? Do you find it difficult to make time to write? These workouts will get you started again or help you begin. Using prompts and varied themes, Linda Lee will help you grow in your own style of writing. The exercises include poetry or prose selections and sometimes include drawing, sounds, objects, meditation, or group interaction; some take ten-minutes, some are longer. Sharing your work is always optional. Topics vary and are chosen with sensitivity to group interests.