JL Kato's Poetry Notebook: April 2010

Apr 29, 2010

Nature Poetry Workshop

Press release:

Merry Lea to Offer Poetry of Nature Workshop

WOLF LAKE, Ind. – Writers who love the outdoors will gather at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College, Saturday, June 12, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. for a day of word play among some of Indiana's finest wetlands, woodlands and prairies.

This is a workshop for poets who love nature and naturalists who love poetry. Writers of other genres who struggle to describe the natural world accurately will also benefit. Poet and naturalist Todd Davis will team up with ecologist and poet Mary Linton to offer inspiration and guidance in the kinds of settings that inspired William Wordsworth, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, and Jane Kenyon. Continuing education credits may be available for teachers.

Dr. Todd Davis teaches creative writing and environmental studies at Penn State University Altoona. His poems have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and have appeared in such journals and magazines as The North American Review, Indiana Review, Iowa Review, West Branch, River Styx, Arts & Letters, Quarterly West, Green Mountains Review, Poetry East, Many Mountains Moving, Natural Bridge, Epoch, Rattle, The Louisville Review, The Nebraska Review, and Image. Davis is the author of two books of poetry, Ripe (2002) and Some Heaven, (2007).

Dr. Mary Linton is a wetland ecologist with an emphasis on the biology of top wetland predators. She taught college biology/ecology for 19 years, including 13 years at Goshen College where she served as the Lindsey Fellow at Merry Lea. Linton studies tiger salamander, Blanding’s turtle and predaceous diving beetle populations in Wisconsin’s wetlands. Her poetry has appeared in Appalachia, Aethlon, Blueline, Builder, Country Feedback Magazine, Poetry Motel, and Seeding the Snow.

Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College, is an 1,189-acre nature preserve just south of Wolflake, IN, midway between Goshen and Fort Wayne. Summer will be on the upswing at the time of this workshop, with trees in new leaf and songbirds defending their nests and dragon and damselflies skimming the marshes.

E-mail Jenneifer Halteman Schrock at jenniferhs@goshen.edu or call 260-799-5869 for more details and a registration form. The registration fee is $90 and includes lunch. To learn more about Merry Lea, visit their web site at www.goshen.edu/merrylea.

Poems on Indiana Humanities Council blog

Heads-up: Friday April 30

Looking to end National Poetry Month with a spark, flare and sizzle?

FRIDAY, APRIL 30
8 p.m. Try the POWERi Slam at the Earth House, 237 N. East St., Indianapolis The top 12 slam poets culled from preliminary rounds will compete for a spot on the the first POWERi Slam Team. Poets will compete in four rounds of eliminations until only one is left standing. The final four poets will receive a new group of seven judges as they go head to head. Finalists are Hypnotiq, Lance Newman, Adam Henze, Devon Ginn, Truth B Told, Alkemi, JusWill, Anna, Cory Taylor, A Man Named Relik, Jason Ammerman, Mike C. $8 at the door. Contact: Saint Peace 317-701-2402 thesaintpeace@gmail.

For future events, click on the May 2010 link to the right.

Apr 28, 2010

Heads-up: Thursday, April 29

National Poetry is winding down, but that doesn't mean the events are. Today's (Thursday, April 29) highlight is the last reading of the year for IUPUI students at Mo' Joe Coffeehouse. Also, spoken-word diva Nsaychable will be performing at Urban Element. Add to that the usual Thursday open mics, Kafe Kuumba and In the Company of Shakespeare.

7 p.m.-9 p.m. Kafe Kuumba at The Way, an open mic, meets every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Scott United Methodist Church, 2153 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave. (formerly Martindale Ave.), Indianapolis. Free. Contact James Depp, 317-895-4919. Sponsored by Midtown Writers Association.

7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. In the Company of Shakespeare, An Evening of Poetry (open reading) at Lazy Daze Coffeehouse, 10 S. Johnson Ave., Indianapolis. Host: Charles Munsey III. Free. Every Thursday. 317-353-0777 or http://www.lazydazecoffeehouse.com/.

7:30-9 p.m. IUPUI Student Reading at Mo' Joe Coffeehouse, 222 W.Michigan St., Indianapolis. Free.

8 p.m.-10 p.m. Writer's Bloc, a spoken-word event, at Urban Element, 901 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. 317-423-2938. This week's featured poet is Nsaychable.

Apr 27, 2010

May calendar is up

The May calendar of poetry events is available for viewing. Click on the May 2010 link in the upper right-hand corner.

Please check and send me updates, if necessary. If you find a broken link or a discontinued event, let me know. And if you have an event you'd like to publicize, send the pertinent info to jl.kato(at)sbcgloabl.net.

Questions to readers: Is there an open mic for poets at Zing Restaurant in Indianapolis?
I need information of poetry events in Nashville. Do you know of one? I keep hearing rumors that one exists.

Heads-up: Wednesday April 28

The action on Wednesday moves out of Indianapolis and to Shelbyville and Greencastle.

7 p.m. Dan Carpenter, author of More Than I Could See, is the featured poet at the Strand Theatre, 215 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. An open mic follows.

7:30 p.m.The James and Marilou Kelly Writers Series presents poet Crystal Williams at Peeler Arts Center Auditorium, DePauw University, 100 E. Seminary St., Greencastle. Williams, Mary R. Field Distinguished Visiting Professor of Creative Writing, received her BA from NYU and her MFA from Cornell University. She is currently an associate professor at Reed College in Oregon and she has been a visiting professor at Columbia College in Chicago and an artist or scholar in residence at College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Wooster College, and even the Washington, D.C. jail. Williams’s work has appeared most recently in the American Poetry Review, Court Green, and Callaloo. She is the author of three books, Kin, Lunatic, and Troubled Tongues, which won the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award, a prize given to a collection of poetry by an African-American poet.

Apr 25, 2010

Heads-up: Monday, April 26

The last in a series of readings at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, in honor of National Poetry Month:

12:15-1:15 p.m. The Artsgarden Poetry Series presents Lylanne Musselman and Jim Walker at the Artsgarden, Illinois and Washington streets, Indianapolis. Free. Organized by Indiana Poet Laureate Norbert Krapf. http://www.krapfpoetry.com/.

Apr 24, 2010

Heads-up: Sunday, April 25

National Poetry is not yet over. A couple of events for Sunday evening:

6 p.m. Michael ll. collins at The Way, 2153 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave., Indianapolis. 317-923-4300. Doors open at 5.

8 p.m.-11 p.m. The CommUNION at Midtown Arts and Coffee Lounge, 519 E. 38th St. (just east of Central Avenue), Indianapolis. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. Cover varies. 317-223-1288 or www.myspace.com/midtownartscoffee. Every Sunday.

Apr 23, 2010

Heads-up: Saturday, April 24

Two writers' groups, a student reading at IU, and a themed reading at Bookmamas are today's poetry events:

10 a.m. Indianapolis Writer’s Group (open to all writers) meets at New Century Publishing offices, 1040 E. 86th St., Suite 42A, Indianapolis. Free. Every fourth Saturday of the month. (317) 663-8741. http://www.newcenturypublishing.org/.
2 p.m.-5 p.m. The Humpback Barn Poets meet every Saturday at Art and Soul by Phoebe Gallery, 409 S. Walnut St., Muncie. Bring poems to share or simply come to discuss poetry. Contact Jeff Pearson jjopcelia@comcast.net.
6 p.m. Indiana University Third-Year Student Readings at Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Grand Hall, 275 N. Jordan Ave., Bloomington. Featuring Marcus Wicker, Nina Mamikunian, Bradley Bazzle, and Andres Sanabria.

7 p.m. Down the Rabbit Hole, a special reading, features Jan Flexon, Pat Harvey, JL Kato, Miranda Marsico, Lylanne Musselman, Richard Pflum, Mary Sexon and Elizabeth Weber at Bookmama's, 9 S. Johnson Ave., Indianapolis. An open reading follows.

Apr 22, 2010

Heads-up: Friday, April 23

Bloomington is the spot for literary poetry on Friday:

7 p.m. The Hart Rock Poetry and Open Mic Series. Featured poets are Peter Bethanis and Patricia Coleman. Free. Rachael's Cafe, 300 E. Third St., Bloomington. Open-mic readers will have up to three minutes to share their own, or another’s works. Usually every fourth Friday (except July, August or when otherwise announced). poetry@hartrock.net 812-330-1882. Peter Bethanis's poems have appeared in over fifty literary journals including Poetry, Tar River Poetry, Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, Lullwater Review, Country Journal, and Cape Rock Review among others. In 1995 he was selected by James Dickey as winner of the Eve of St. Agnes Poetry Prize sponsored by Negative Capability. He has been twice selected by Joseph Parisi as a featured poet on Poetry Magazine's website, and has been a finalist in the National Poetry Series, The Robert Frost Poetry Prize, and the Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize. He is the author of two books, "Dada and Surrealism for Beginners" from Random House, and a collection of poems, "American Future," from Entasis Press. American future has been reviewed in several literary journals including Rattle. Peter earned his MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and has been teaching for twenty years. He is currently a professor in the writing program at Ball State University where he has taught for over a decade. Patricia C. Coleman is a member of 5 Women Poets and became involved in storytelling through the Bloomington Storytellers Guild more than 15 years ago. Her poems have appeared in a few literary journals and books including Sketchbook, Matrix Mag, Linen Weave of Bloomington Poets and the Green Dove Peace Poetry Gallery. She has been involved in a variety of poetry, book and multi-media projects.

8:30 p.m. Indiana University Third-Year Student Readings at Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Grand Hall, 275 N. Jordan Ave., Bloomington. Featuring Raleigh Song, Lana Spendl, and Kelly Wilson.

For spoken-word open mics, check these places:

8 p.m.-11 p.m. Healing for the Soul Open Mic at Earth House Collective, 237 N. East St., Indianapolis. Host: Sleepy P. 317-636-4060 or http://www.earthhousecollective.org/.

10 p.m.-2 a.m. Write On Open Mic at the Poetry Spot 1111 W. 34th St., Indianapolis. Every second and fourth Friday of the month. Cover varies.

Apr 21, 2010

Report: Rusty C. More, Bonnie Maurer, April 20, 2010.

OK, so Chi Sherman rocks. This is the third poetry event I found on her arts blog for Nuvo. Here, she covers a reading by Rusty C. Moe and Bonnie Maurer at he Jewish Community Center on April 20.

http://www.nuvo.net/ArtsBlog/archives/2010/04/21/taking-a-cotton-to-a-conversation-with-poetry

Report: Jessica Care Moore, April 15, 2010

Chi Sherman again, writing in her Nuvo arts blog, reviews Jessica Care Moore's performance:

http://www.nuvo.net/ArtsBlog/archives/2010/04/19/you-definitely-need-to-care-moore

Report: Indianapolis Poetry Slam, April 14, 2010

Chi Sherman reports on the April 14 Indianapolis Poetry Slam at the Elbow Room:

http://www.nuvo.net/ArtsBlog/archives/2010/04/19/old-haunts-and-new-styles

Heads-up: Thursday, April 22

Another typically busy Thursday night for poetry, the traditional evening for open mics. But first, special events from cllege students.
6:30-8 p.m. Students from Ball State University’ English 409 class (Creative Writing in the Community) will read excerpts of poetry and prose at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main St., Muncie. Free.

6:30 p.m. Indiana University Third-Year Student Readings at Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Grand Hall, 275 N. Jordan Ave., Bloomington. Featuring Juliana Crespo, Kinzee Ellis, Ashley Rutter, Magda Sokolowski, and Ryan Teitman.

A place to share poetry (and other writings) while completing an exquisite corpse. (If you don't know what an exqusite corpse is, you'll need to attend to find out.)

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Writers Speak Volumes! A poetry/prose open reading, usually on the fourth Thursday of every month at Bookmama's, 9 S. Johnson Ave., Indianapolis (in Irvington across the street from Lazy Daze Coffee House). Host: Lylanne Musselman. Free. Participants can read their works, share a favorite poet or listen. Participate in the Exquisite Corpse exercise. lylanne22@yahoo.com. This month's suggested prompt: What would the 15 year-old you think about the 21st Century (i.e., Facebook, cell phones, the Internet)? Would it seem like science fiction?

A lineup of spoken-word open mics:

7 p.m.-9 p.m. Kafe Kuumba at The Way, an open mic, meets every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Scott United Methodist Church, 2153 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave. (formerly Martindale Ave.), Indianapolis. Free. Contact James Depp, 317-895-4919. Sponsored by Midtown Writers Association.

7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. In the Company of Shakespeare, An Evening of Poetry (open reading) at Lazy Daze Coffeehouse, 10 S. Johnson Ave., Indianapolis. Host: Charles Munsey III. Free. Every Thursday. 317-353-0777 or http://www.lazydazecoffeehouse.com/.

8 p.m.-10 p.m. Writer's Bloc, a spoken-word event, at Urban Element, 901 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. 317-423-2938.

You can check other April poetry events by clicking on the April 2010 link on the side rail.

Apr 20, 2010

Wanted: Correspondents

One of the things I'd like to do on this blog is to review or cover events, be it Seamus Heaney at Indiana University or the Indianapolis Poetry Slam at the Elbow Room. But since I can't be everywhere, and I won't critique friends and associates, I'd like to open it up to you. Would you, the reader, be willing to send a brief review (one or two paragraphs) on events you attend? If you're a good writer, and contribute frequently, I'll let you be a co-adminstrator to this site, where you can post directly. Interested? Then send reports to jl.kato(at)sbcglobal.net. Please, reveal conflicts of interest.

P.S.: This offer is good for book reviews and commentary.

Heads-up Wednesday, April 21

Best bet:
7:30 p.m. The Rufus and Louise Reiberg Reading Series presents poet Ed Hirsch at IUPUI’s University Library Lilly Auditorium, 755 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis. Free. For more information, contact Terry Kirts at tkirts@iupui.edu or (317) 274-8929. Winner of a National Book Critics Circle Award in 1986, Hirsch is the author of eight collections of poetry, including The Living Fire: New and Selected Poems (forthcoming in 2010) and the best-selling book How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love With Poetry.

Another event of interest:
7 p.m. The Bloomington Poetry Slam at Rachael's Cafe, 300 E. Third St., Bloomington. Contact Tony Brewer at Beatnic_a_go_go@yahoo.com.

Apr 19, 2010

Heads-up: Tuesday, April 20

A busy day for poetry, with two opportunities to workshop, two featured readings,and two open mics.

First, the featured readings:

7 p.m. Two Voices: A Conversation, With Poetry featuring Bonnie Maurer and Rusty C. Moe discussing and reading their poetry. Geoff Lapin, a cellist with the Indianapolis Symphony Irchestra, will accompany the poets. Jeiwsh Community Center, 6701 Hoover Road., Indianapolis. Free, but preregistration preferred; you may register at the door, space permitting. Call 317-251-9467 or visit http://www.jccindy.org/page.aspx?id=172632.

7 p.m. Central Indiana Writers’ Association presents poet/artist Lylanne Musselman as the featured guest speaker at Borders Bookstore, 7565 U.S. 31 South, Indianapolis. Lylanne will share her poetry world, the many opportunities she has to speak and how she submits her poetry to be published. Lylanne teaches writing at IUPUI, Ivy Tech Community College and The University of Indianapolis School of Adult learning. Free. For more information please contact Shirley Martin 317-410-6204 or Norma Gardner, njgardner2@att.net

The other open mic: 7 p.m. Indy Open Stage. Poets welcome at the Vollrath Tavern, 118 East Palmer St., Indianapolis. http://www.vollrath.com/. Every Tuesday.

Opportunity to workshop:

6:30 p.m. Coffee, Tea and Poetry group meeting at Noble Coffee and Tea, 933 Logan St., Noblesville. Contact Alice or Mary Couch at 317-773-0252. Meets every third Tuesday of the month.

8 p.m. Poetry Salon, an evening of conversation and critique, led by Richard Pflum. 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis (just west of the Indianapolis Art Center. Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Bring copies of original poetry for feedback. 317-356-2048 or drahcir@indy.net.

Apr 18, 2010

Heads-up: Monday, April 19

Dan Carpenter and I will be reading poems to a lunchtime crowd in the Indianapolis Artsgarden from 12:15 to 1:15 Monday. Betcha you can't hear just one.

Apr 17, 2010

Heads-up: Sunday, April 18

3 p.m. A special reading by several community poets at the Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis. Also see Poetry in Paint, an exhibit featuring collaborative works between poets and artists. Free. This event replaces the Garfield Park Poetry Circle, with host Michael Rogers. For information, call him at 317-784-2958 or the Garfield Arts Center at 317-327-7275.

8 p.m.-11 p.m. Spoken word the CommUNION at Midtown Arts and Coffee Lounge, 519 E. 38th St. (just east of Central Avenue), Indianapolis. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. Cover varies. 317-223-1288 or www.myspace.com/midtownartscoffee. Every Sunday.

Haiku on demand

This is a call for people who can create haiku on demand in a public setting and have a good time doing so. An opportunity might be available to you. For details, notify me at jl.kato@sbcglobal.net.

Apr 16, 2010

Heads-up: Saturday, April 17

2 p.m. Nature Poetry Reading at Mounds State Park, Anderson. In honor of Earth Day, poets are invited to read their works at an open mic. Door prize drawings for poetry books will be given out. In the Picnic Area. $5 per car gate admission.

Apr 14, 2010

Heads-up: Thursday, April 15

Jessica Care Moore at 7:30 p.m. at Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., Indy.

Other events:
5:30 p.m. Seamus Heaney at the Fine Arts Auditorium, Indiana University. Bloomington. The 1995 Nobel Laureate for Literature will speak as part of the "Cultural Conflicts" lecture series. Many scholars consider Heaney to be the best living poet of the English language. This freec lecture is sponsored by IU's College Arts and Humanities Institute (CAHI). cahi@indiana.edu

7:30 p.m. Book release reading for Between Water and Song: New Poets for the Twentieth-First Century, edited by Norman Minnick. Featured readers are Marlena Mörling, Eugene Gloria, Maurice Manning and students of Marian University and Ivy Tech Community College at Allison Mansion, Marian University.

Apr 13, 2010

Heads-up: Wednesday, April 14 events

Hump day means you can slam in Indy or take a road trip to Greecastle:

7 p.m. The Indianapolis Poetry Slam at the Elbow Room, 605 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. Sign-up at 6:30. Featured guest: Billy Tuggle of Chicago. Every second Wednesday of the month. Must 21 or older. $3. Host: Erin Livingston, 512-767-4680 or indypoetryslam@gmail.com. Will an additional nationally known spoken-word celebrity be present? Perhaps.

7:30 p.m. Book release reading for Between Water and Song: New Poets for the Twentieth-First Century, featuring Norman Minnick, Marlena Mörling, Eugene Gloria, and Maurice Manning at Prindle Institutue for Ethics, DePauw University, Greencastle.

Tasha Jones: NUSPA nominee

Tasha Jones, Indianapolis, is a nominee for a National Underground Spokenword Poetry Award in the category of Best Spokenword Female. Winners are determined by votes. To particpate, access this form:
http://www.nuspa.greatpublishing.com/castyourvote.html

Vicki Kennelly Stock: 1947-2010

http://www.wix.com/jenniferastock/VICKISTOCK

Apr 12, 2010

Heads up: Tuesday, April 13

Tuesday's highlighted events:

7:30 p.m.The Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series presents Mark Strand in the Reilly Room, Atherton Union Building, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poet.html?id=6621

or

7 p.m. genesis 2010 Spring Release Party features a student reading and art exhibition at the Lilly Auditorium University Library, Lower Level, IUPUI.

Lunchtime poetry

If you're in Downtown Indy today, why not stop at the Artsgarden and let Terry Kirts and Allyson Horton entertain you with their poetry? The wordfest begins a little after noon to 1:15.

See you there.

Apr 11, 2010

Anne Haines poem in journal

Anne Haines' poem "So What" appears in the literature and music journal Shaking Like a http://shakinglikeamountain.com/shaking/2010/04/10/so-what/

Apr 10, 2010

Heads up: Sunday poetry

Planning to go out tomorrow (Sunday, April 11)? Here are some poetic suggestions. I'm planning to hit the first two events listed.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Humpback Barn Poets are back for Poem Sunday (the Sunday after Easter) in celebration of World Poetry Month. At the Founders Gallery, Gallery 308, 308 E. Main St., Muncie, featuring Michael Brockley, Sherita S. Campbell, Amy Genova, and Jeffrey O. Pearson. Open mic follows. Free. Light refreshments served afterward. http://www.gallery308.org/

7 p.m. An Evening With the Muse presents the Reservoir Dogwoods (Tony Brewer, Joseph Kerschbaum, Jasom Ammerman and Matthew Jackson) and an open mic at the Writers' Center of Indiana, 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis (in the Cultural Complex Center just west of the Indianapolis Arts Center). Free. Host: Rohana McCormack, (317) 259-7900. Every second Sunday of the month. THE RESERVOIR DOGWOODS is a poetry/spoken-word quartet of central Indiana poets, who first toured together in spring 2009, bringing their unique style of poetry and live performance to both traditional and out-of-the-way venues all over Indiana. Judy Spector, Professor of English at IUPU Columbus, said: “The Reservoir Dogwoods ... were able to do in one evening what it takes most of the faculty ten weeks to do.” With a spiky blend of humor, drama, street smarts, literary acumen, homespun wisdom, worldly events, personal catharsis, and bawdy pokes at the human condition, the Dogwoods bring enthusiasm and poignancy to every performance. Each has an individual style and is well established in his own right.

8 p.m.-11 p.m. Spoken word at Midtown Arts and Coffee Lounge, 519 E. 38th St. (just east of Central Avenue), Indianapolis. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. Cover varies. 317-223-1288 or www.myspace.com/midtownartscoffee. Every Sunday.

Moving Forward winners

UPDATE (for new link):

The Writers' Center of Indiana revealed the three winners of the Moving Foward poetry competition for Indianapolis' Cultural Trail. The three are Karen Kovacik, Richard Pflum, and John Sherman. A fourth poem, by Elizabeth Weber, was also selected for display. Here's a new link where you can access and read all of the poems:

http://www.indyculturaltrail.org/Threepoemsnewsrelease.html

Tipton Poetry Journal 17, Spring 2010

This is from Barry Harris, editor of the Tipton Poetry Journal:

Tipton Poetry Journal’s Issue #17 (Spring 2010) has been published. Copies are available today at the AWP Conference Bookfair (Table P -19) in Denver, Colorado. Copies will ship next week to subscribers and contributors. The online version will be posted a few weeks later.

Poetry by Miranda Bradley, Holly Burnside, Helen Marie Casey, Kevin Marshall Chopson, Katie Clare, Joan Colby, Curtis L. Crisler, George Fish, J. Bruce Fuller, John D. Groppe, Will Greenway, Talia M Hane-Devore, Colleen S. Harris, Ruth Holzer, Adam Hughes, Patrick Kanouse, Helga Kidder, Stephanie Knipper, Norbert Krapf, Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda, David W. Landrum, W.F. Lantry, Micah Ling, Rocco Lungariello, Doris Lynch, Angie Macri, Lily Iona MacKenzie, Jayne Marek, Corey Mesler, Joey Minutillo, Rafael Miguel Montes, James Murdock, Thomas O'Dore, James Owens, Rhonda C. Poynter, Bruc Pratt, Stephen R. Roberts, Mary Sexson, R Jay Slais, Jacob Thomas and Tim Tomlinson. Artwork by Laura Hall Tesdahl. Photography by Mike and Karen Wade. JL Kato reviews Edward Byrne's "Seeded Light". Micah Ling reviews Shaindel Beers' "A Brief History of Time" and Jessie Carty's "Paper House."

Copies of the Spring 2010 issue, as well as back issues, and subscriptions can be purchased online at: http://tiptonpoetryjournal.com.

Butler University's Visiting Writers Series 2010-11

Thanks to Book Choy for the following information about Butler University's Visiting Writers Series for 2010-11: http://www.bookchoy.com/2010/04/butler-visiting-writers-2010-2011.html

Apr 8, 2010

Moving Forward--Cultural Trail Poetry Contest

Look for an announcement soon from the Writers' Center of Indiana revealing the winners of the Moving Forward Cultural Trail poetry competition. I believe three have been selected. Stay tuned.

(And no, I'm not one of them.)

Apr 5, 2010

Poem on Think.Read.Talk blog

My poem "Dust in the Wind" (part of a cycle inspired by my recent trip to El Salvador and based on the titles of songs I heard there) is featured on the Think.Read.Talk blog, sponsored by the Indiana Humaniies Council. The blog will feature various Indiana poets during National Poetry Month, so check back frequently.

http://www.indianahumanities.org/thinkreadtalk/index.php/2010/04/poem-dust-in-the-wind/

Apr 3, 2010

So, Do It! is rescheduled

The following class has been moved from April 4 to Aptril `11:

1 p.m.-4 p.m. So, Do It! A writing class organized by Barbara Shoup. At Marian Hall 222, Marian University, Indianapolis. Free to members of Writers' Center of Indiana, otherwise $10 (pay at door). First and third Sundays of the month. http://www.indianawriters.org/.

Artsgarden readings

The schedule for the 2010 Artsgarden Poetry Series, organized by Indiana Poet Laureate Norbert Krapf, is set for the Artsgarden, Illinois and Washington streets, Indianapolis.

6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6
Asante Children's Theatre Reading/Recitation

12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Monday, April 12
Terry Kirts and Allyson Horton

12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Monday, April 19
Dan Carpenter and JL Kato

12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Monday April 26
Lylanne Musselman and Jim Walker

Photo by JL Kato

Apr 2, 2010

Next poet laureate

Folks, in case you have not heard, Norbert Krapf's term as the state's poet laureate will end in June, a fact that has been known since February. I was interested in nominating someone as Krapf's successor, so I contacted Susan Britsch at the Indiana Arts Council.

She e-mailed me in February saying the process for nominating the next laureate will begin after Krapf's term has ended, so I should hold my nomination until then.

I'm afraid what is happening is this: If the nominating process has not started yet, then we will be without a poet laureate beginning July 1.

So, now I'm wondering how long the gap will be. Or is this an invitation to conveniently overlook filling the position? Remember, there's a mechanism in place, mandated by the Indiana General Assembly, for filling the position. By not following the process and allowing the laureateship to remain unfilled is similar to not having a governor because the state refused to hold an election.

Apr 1, 2010

Indiana Humanities Council

The Indiana Humanities Council's Think, Read and Talk blog will post poems by Indiana poets during National Poetry Month. Here's the first, featuring state Poet Laureat Norbert Krapf:

http://www.indianahumanities.org/thinkreadtalk/index.php/2010/03/celebrate-national-poetry-month/#comments