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| Etheridge Knight |
Mar 30, 2011
Dan Carpenter on Etheridge Knight
Mar 29, 2011
Heads-up: International Women's Day Celebration on Thursday
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
7:30 p.m. International Women's Day Celebration at the Lilly Auditorium, IUPUI University Library, 755 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis. Free. Part of the Rufus and Louise Reiberg Reading Series, featuring Sandy Reiberg, Saundrajo Holiday, Lida Rogers, Tiffany Kyser, Meg Rainwater, Andy Buchenot, Sarah Neville, Jennifer Thorington Springer, and others. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
7:30 p.m. International Women's Day Celebration at the Lilly Auditorium, IUPUI University Library, 755 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis. Free. Part of the Rufus and Louise Reiberg Reading Series, featuring Sandy Reiberg, Saundrajo Holiday, Lida Rogers, Tiffany Kyser, Meg Rainwater, Andy Buchenot, Sarah Neville, Jennifer Thorington Springer, and others. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
Mar 27, 2011
Heads-up: Marilyn Chin at Butler on Monday
7:30 p.m. Marilyn Chin in the Krannert Room of Clowes Hall, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/90
Mar 26, 2011
Heads-up: Indianapols Poetry Grand Slam on Monday
At Locals Only, 2449 E. 56th St., Indianapolis.
From the Indianapolis Poetry Grand Slam Facebook page:
From the Indianapolis Poetry Grand Slam Facebook page:
The Indianapolis Poetry Slam has finally arrived at the Grand Slam! The top twelve ranked poets from throughout the season will meet on the stage to slam for a slot on the IPS team, and to crown the grand slam champion. Twelve will enter, and only four will remain standing. The team will represent Indianapolis at the Rustbelt regional poetry slam, the national poetry slam, and the champion will compete at the Individual World Poetry Slam.
Our feature will be Sierra Demulder.
In 2009, Sierra DeMulder was awarded Best Female Poet at College Union Poetry Slam Invitational, ranked 9th in the world at the Individual World Poetry Slam, and won the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach, Florida. In 2010, she made Final Stage at the Women of the World Individual Poetry Slam and coached Macalester College to Final Stage at CUPSI. Her first full-length manuscript was published by Write Bloody Publishing, and she has dedicated her year to hosting writing workshops and performing at rehab facilities, prisons, high schools and colleges across the country.
Qualified Poets:
Anna Rees
Adam Henzbo Henze
Eddie Hoke
Terry Odis
Gabrielle Patterson
Erin Livingston
Devon Ginn
Heather Aanderud Chaulk
William Smerph Winburn
Corey Ewing
There will be three rounds, which cuts after each. This will be a standard PSI rules slam. No music, props, or costumes. There will be a special guest host, TBA soon. The cover for this event will be $8. This is too pay our excellent feature, and to begin the fundraising for the National Poetry Slam. Lastly, don't forget we are a nonsmoking event!
Questions for this event can be sent to 465slam@gmail.com.
Vouched featured in The Indianapolis Star
Chris Newgent's labor of love involves promoting local presses and journals. He "vouches" for them by selling their titles at events or organizing readings featuring their writers. Hence the name of the group, Vouched. Here's what The Indianapolis Star had to say about Chris and his organization: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011103240309
The Vouched website is here.
The Vouched website is here.
Heads-up: Tonight in Fountain Square
7 p.m. Vouched presents a fundraiser for Second Story, featuring Ashley Ford, Nate Pritts, Micah Ling, Drew Blanchard, and Derrick Harielle at Big Car Gallery, 1043 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis. Free. Second Story is an organization that helps kids find joy in writing. For special instructions on how to get to Big Car Gallery, click here.
Barry Harris on the radio today
Barry Harris, who is editor of the Tipton Poetry Journal, can be heard reading his poem "This is how it ends" on WITT-FM (91.9) during the "Pattern Hunger Radio Show" at 12:30 p.m.
I'll check to see whether a podcast is available. If so, I'll post the link here.
UPDATE: No podcast exists.
I'll check to see whether a podcast is available. If so, I'll post the link here.
UPDATE: No podcast exists.
Mar 23, 2011
Heads-up: Bloomington on a Friday night
Bloomington is host to three poetry events this Friday, March 25:
7 p.m. The Blue Light Reading Series presents poets Steve Scafidi, Erika Meitner, and Curtis Bauer at the University Club, Indiana Memorial Union, Indiana University, Bloomington. Steve Scafidi is the author of Sparks from a Nine-Pound Hammer (2001) and For Love of Common Words (2006), both from Louisiana State University Press. He works as a cabinetmaker and lives with his family in West Virginia. Erika Meitner is the author of Inventory at the All-Night Drugstore (Anhinga Press, 2003), and Ideal Cities (HarperCollins, 2010), which was a 2009 National Poetry series winner. Her third collection, Makeshift Instructions for Vigilant Girls, will be published by Anhinga Press in 2011. Meitner's poems have appeared most recently in APR, Virginia Quarterly Review, Indiana Review, The New Republic, and on Slate.com. She is currently an assistant professor of English at Virginia Tech, where she teaches in the MFA program. Curtis Bauer is the author of the poetry collection Fence Line (BkMk Press, 2004), which won the 2003 John Ciardi Poetry Prize. A founding member of the poetry collective, 7 Carmine, and the publisher of Q Ave Press chapbooks, Bauer’s poetry, nonfiction and translations have appeared in Barrow Street, The Iowa Review, The North American Review, Rivendell, Runes, and numerous other journals. After living for several years in Mexico, Spain and Iowa, he recently moved to Texas, where he is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing and Spanish at Texas Tech University.
7 p.m. Hart Rock Poetry Series and Open Mic at Rachael's Cafe, 300 E. Third St., Bloomington. The theme of the community open mic is Lions and Lambs. Special host: Peggy Squires. Free. Every fourth Friday of the month, except July andf August. Come to listen and to share poems, songs and stories of your favorite poets. Open-mic participants have three minutes. poetry@hartrock.net or bloomingtonpoetry@gmail.com, 812-330-1882.
7:30 p.m. Poets Patricia Coleman and Julia Dadds, plus the a capella group Kaia, will perform at the Bloomington Unitarian Universalist Coffee House, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington.
7 p.m. The Blue Light Reading Series presents poets Steve Scafidi, Erika Meitner, and Curtis Bauer at the University Club, Indiana Memorial Union, Indiana University, Bloomington. Steve Scafidi is the author of Sparks from a Nine-Pound Hammer (2001) and For Love of Common Words (2006), both from Louisiana State University Press. He works as a cabinetmaker and lives with his family in West Virginia. Erika Meitner is the author of Inventory at the All-Night Drugstore (Anhinga Press, 2003), and Ideal Cities (HarperCollins, 2010), which was a 2009 National Poetry series winner. Her third collection, Makeshift Instructions for Vigilant Girls, will be published by Anhinga Press in 2011. Meitner's poems have appeared most recently in APR, Virginia Quarterly Review, Indiana Review, The New Republic, and on Slate.com. She is currently an assistant professor of English at Virginia Tech, where she teaches in the MFA program. Curtis Bauer is the author of the poetry collection Fence Line (BkMk Press, 2004), which won the 2003 John Ciardi Poetry Prize. A founding member of the poetry collective, 7 Carmine, and the publisher of Q Ave Press chapbooks, Bauer’s poetry, nonfiction and translations have appeared in Barrow Street, The Iowa Review, The North American Review, Rivendell, Runes, and numerous other journals. After living for several years in Mexico, Spain and Iowa, he recently moved to Texas, where he is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing and Spanish at Texas Tech University.
7 p.m. Hart Rock Poetry Series and Open Mic at Rachael's Cafe, 300 E. Third St., Bloomington. The theme of the community open mic is Lions and Lambs. Special host: Peggy Squires. Free. Every fourth Friday of the month, except July andf August. Come to listen and to share poems, songs and stories of your favorite poets. Open-mic participants have three minutes. poetry@hartrock.net or bloomingtonpoetry@gmail.com, 812-330-1882.
7:30 p.m. Poets Patricia Coleman and Julia Dadds, plus the a capella group Kaia, will perform at the Bloomington Unitarian Universalist Coffee House, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington.
Mar 22, 2011
Congratulations to Karen Kovacik
IUPUI's Karen Kovacik was one of 17 faculty members from four Indiana University campuses to have been awarded project grants through the 2011 New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities program.
Karen Kovacik's project is Calling Out to Yeti: An Anthology of Polish Women Poets.
For the full story, click here.
Karen Kovacik's project is Calling Out to Yeti: An Anthology of Polish Women Poets.
For the full story, click here.
Irvington Poetry Series set for spring/summer
The Irvington Poetry Series's spring/summer schedule has been set at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at Bookmamas, 9 Johnson Ave., Indianapolis. The readings will be in the bookstore's Underground 9 Studio. An open mic will follow each reading, time permitting.
The lineup:
April 26: Mary Sexson.
May 24: boB Henning.
June 28: Thomas Alan Orr
July 26: Richard Pflum.
The lineup:
April 26: Mary Sexson.
May 24: boB Henning.
June 28: Thomas Alan Orr
July 26: Richard Pflum.
Mar 21, 2011
New chapbook by Lylanne Musselman
Tipton Poetry Journal No. 20
From Barry Harris, the editor of the Tipton Poetry Journal:
The print version of Issue #20 (Winter 2011) has been published.
Poetry by Gilbert Allen, Zino Asalor, Matthew Brennan, Karen Bryant, John Cardwell, Jared Carter, Lindsay Faber Chiat, Katie Clare, Joan Colby, Lauren Davis, Liz Dolen, Sarah Frost, Mary Gillot, Carol L. Gloor, Zachary Harbison, Joseph Heithaus, Tyler Lacoma, Stephen Lefebure, Jennifer Lemming, Theodore Lucero, Marjorie Maddox, James Murdock, Thomas O’Dore, Kenneth Pobo, Marco Ray, A.L. Rodenberg, Gaar Scott, Laura Smith, Noel Sloboda, Jeanine Stevens, Charles Tarlton, Beth Towle, Raymond Wachter, Shari Wagner, Ann Walters, Howard Winn, and Kirby Wright.
Translation: Rita Dahl’s “Haukka leikkii kyyhkysellä” self-translated from Finnish to English as ”A hawk plays with a pigeon.”
Special Feature: Norbert Krapf’s “Four Internal Movements”: ekphrastic poetry inspired by the sculpture of Chris Quigley
Heads-up: Taylor Mali at Butler on Tuesday
7:30 p.m.: Taylor Mali at Atherton Union Reilly Room, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Free. Part of the Vivian S. Delbrook Writers Series. http://www.taylormali.com/
Mar 18, 2011
Another Borders bookstore closing
According to The Indianapolis Star, the Borders bookstore at The Shops at River Crossing, 8675 River Crossing Blvd., will close.
It will join two other Indianapolis-area stores: the Downtown Borders at 11 S. Meridian St., and the Carmel store at 2381 Pointe Parkway (near 116th Street and Keystone Avenue).
The closings are part of a bankruptcy reorganization by Borders Group Inc.
Four stores will remain open: 13145 Levinson Lane, Noblesville; 6020 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis; 7565 U.S. 31 South, Indianapolis; and the Indianapolis International Airport location.
Statewide, the Fort Wayne Borders was added to the list of closings, as well as the ones in West Lafayette, Evansville, Merrillville and Mishawaka. The Borders in Highland will be the only other Indiana store to remain open.
It will join two other Indianapolis-area stores: the Downtown Borders at 11 S. Meridian St., and the Carmel store at 2381 Pointe Parkway (near 116th Street and Keystone Avenue).
The closings are part of a bankruptcy reorganization by Borders Group Inc.
Four stores will remain open: 13145 Levinson Lane, Noblesville; 6020 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis; 7565 U.S. 31 South, Indianapolis; and the Indianapolis International Airport location.
Statewide, the Fort Wayne Borders was added to the list of closings, as well as the ones in West Lafayette, Evansville, Merrillville and Mishawaka. The Borders in Highland will be the only other Indiana store to remain open.
Mar 17, 2011
Joseph Heithaus manuscript accepted for publication
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| Joseph Heithaus |
Mar 16, 2011
Heads-up: Micah Ling and Katharine Rauk on Friday
FRIDAY, MARCH 18
7:30 p.m. Poetry reading with Micah Ling and Katharine Rauk at the Writers' Center, 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis.Ling's new book is Sweetgrass; Rauk's new chapbooks is Basil. Suggested donation: $5.
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| Micah Ling |
Micah Ling completed her BA at DePauw University as an English major. She earned her MA in 20th Century American Literature and her MFA in poetry at Indiana University. Ling has taught in the English departments at Indiana University, Butler University, DePauw University, and Franklin College. She is currently teaching at Franklin College and in the MFA program at Butler University. She taught for the 2010 Indiana University Writers, Conference in Bloomington, Indiana. Ling's first full-length collection, Three Islands, was published in September, 2009 by Sunnyoutside Press. The collection deals with three figures: Amelia Earhart, Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), and Fletcher Christian. Ling's second collection, Sweetgrass, (Sunnyoutside, 2010), is almost entirely prose poems about south-central Montana. Ling also writes for and manages a book review website: www.bookpunchreviews.com. She was one of three finalists for the 2010 Indiana Authors Award.
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| Katharine Rauk |
Katharine Rauk earned a M.A. in Humanities from the University of Chicago and a M.F.A. in poetry from the Bennington Writing Seminars. Her chapbook, Basil, will be published by Black Lawrence Press in early March, and she has poems published or forthcoming in Harvard Review, Georgetown Review, Cream City Review, Zone 3, Copper Nickel, and others. Rauk's poem "Psalm" inspired a musical piece composed by Daniel Cavanagh, which was performed at Willamette University by the University of Oregon big band last April. Another collaboration with Cavanagh will result in a chamber ensemble concert at Steinway Hall in Dallas this May. Rauk is an assistant editor of Rowboat: Poetry in Translation. She lives and teaches in Minneapolis.
Mar 15, 2011
Worst song lyrics ever?
I often defend song lyrics as a kind of poetry. But, yes, I'll admit that a lot of lyrics are insipid. And then there's this song that takes it to a lower level. This is a viral video, "Friday," by Rebecca Black. What would Cole Porter think? He'd probably laugh. Take a listen:
UPDATE: As long as we're laughing, just imagine what this song would sound like rolling off the tongue of, say, Bob Dylan. Well, here's the send-up:
I have a feeling this threa could be endless. Here is a version of the video with reworked lyrics as interpreted by a bad lip-reader. The lyrics are more interesting.
UPDATE: As long as we're laughing, just imagine what this song would sound like rolling off the tongue of, say, Bob Dylan. Well, here's the send-up:
I have a feeling this threa could be endless. Here is a version of the video with reworked lyrics as interpreted by a bad lip-reader. The lyrics are more interesting.
Mar 13, 2011
A personal message
More than a few of you haven spoken to me or e-mailed me with your worries about my relatives in Japan. I have explained to most that the few who have direct connections to are no longer alive. That said, I appreciate the concern, and I ask that you direct that attention toward helping the survivors of the quake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdowns.
We exist at the mercy of things beyond our control. It is my hope that we continue to work to make the world a safe place.
One more thing: I know a few of you are consumed with the disheartening developments being unraveled in news reports. Please, turn off the TV for a while, and enjoy life. You can always return to the depressing coverage of events. Life is too short to let opportunities for happiness pass us by.
We exist at the mercy of things beyond our control. It is my hope that we continue to work to make the world a safe place.
One more thing: I know a few of you are consumed with the disheartening developments being unraveled in news reports. Please, turn off the TV for a while, and enjoy life. You can always return to the depressing coverage of events. Life is too short to let opportunities for happiness pass us by.
Mar 11, 2011
Head-up: Tracy Mishkin at An Evening With the Muse on Sunday, March 13
Tracy Mishkin is a career immigrant. Born in academia, she taught in Georgia and published two books on African-American literature and then disappeared, resurfacing in the land of non-profits with the Bureau of Jewish Education. Three years later she was spotted across the border working retail at the Uniform House before she immigrated to the corporate world, where she provides top-notch customer service at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Along the way she has published 6 books of poetry, and her work has been featured in the Tipton Poetry Review, FlyingIsland, Poetica, and on PoetsUSA.com. Her most recent book, Rime of the Middle-Aged Mariner, debuts at this reading.
Mar 9, 2011
Heads-up: Restoration Press Poets at Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company on Friday
Mar 8, 2011
Famous Writers Club
This writers group, led by Beth Mink, will resume meeting next Monday, March 14, and every other Monday thereafter, at the Writers' Center of Indiana, 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis. Sessions will last from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Contact Beth at elizabethmink@aol.com.
UPDATE: The start time has been changed to 9 a.m., beginning March 28.
UPDATE: The start time has been changed to 9 a.m., beginning March 28.
Mar 7, 2011
Abraham Lincoln: the other Hoosier Poet?
Abraham Lincoln
his hand and pen
he will be good but
God knows when
The Indianapolis Monthly weighs in with an article about Abraham Lincoln's poetry, including some he wrote as a youth living in Southern Indiana (see above). Click here to read all about it.
his hand and pen
he will be good but
God knows when
The Indianapolis Monthly weighs in with an article about Abraham Lincoln's poetry, including some he wrote as a youth living in Southern Indiana (see above). Click here to read all about it.
African-American poets
Nuvo writer and blogger Chi Sherman began telling readers about Terrance Hayes, who read receintlky at the University of Indianapolis. Then she recommended other African-American poets. Check her posting here.
Mar 6, 2011
No RopeWalk Writers Retreat this year
Mar 5, 2011
Deadline: March 31 for Best Books of Indiana entries
March 31 is the deadline to submit entries in this year's Best Books of Indiana contest, sponsored by the Indiana Center for the Book at the Indiana State Library. Books must have been published in 2010 to be eligible.
I have heard rumors that this year's competition might not take place in light of no public ceremony honoring last year's winners, plus the fact that the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards program has stolen away some attention. (The Glick program offers cash awards; the Center for the Book does not.)
I still believe the Center could adjust its arcane submission rules that would attract more entries and save some money for participants (such as sending to the judges PDFs of mansucripts instead of bound books. After all, it's becoming standard practice for publishers to send PDFs for book review purposes).
Nonetheless, the competition remains, and winning it still is a coveted prize.
Click here for official rules, categories, and an entry form.
Click here for a list of last year's winners.
I have heard rumors that this year's competition might not take place in light of no public ceremony honoring last year's winners, plus the fact that the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards program has stolen away some attention. (The Glick program offers cash awards; the Center for the Book does not.)
I still believe the Center could adjust its arcane submission rules that would attract more entries and save some money for participants (such as sending to the judges PDFs of mansucripts instead of bound books. After all, it's becoming standard practice for publishers to send PDFs for book review purposes).
Nonetheless, the competition remains, and winning it still is a coveted prize.
Click here for official rules, categories, and an entry form.
Click here for a list of last year's winners.
Heads-up: Bob Hicok at Butler and Purdue
MONDAY, MARCH 7
7:30 p.m.: Bob Hicok at Robertson Hall, Johnson Room, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Free. Part of the Vivian S. Delbrook Writers Series.
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
7:30 p.m. Poet Bob Hicok at Hicks Undergraduate Library Bookstall, Purdue University, West Lafayette. Free.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9
10:30 a.m. Bob Hicok in a poetry discussion at Hicks Undergraduate Library Bookstall, Purdue University, West Lafayette.
2011 Indiana Poetry Out Loud winner
John Sherman poetry/photo
John Sherman reports that "On Attending JFK's Funeral" is one of three poetry/photo posters on display through March 25 at the StutzArtSpace, 212 W. 10th St., Indianapolis. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, or by appointment. The other two large-format posters that John has in this exhibit are "Cages" and "Point Click Point Click." The former features a photo taken while John was working with the Red Cross during the Nigerian Civil War and the latter is a panorama (6-1/2 feet wide) of the Sherman family farm on his last day there. All posters will be for sale.
John has been displaying these and other posters throughout the central Indiana area. Look for them.
John has been displaying these and other posters throughout the central Indiana area. Look for them.
Deadline: March 25 for Glick Indiana Authors Award
The deadline is March 25 for the public to nominate writers for the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award. From the organizations's news release:
... The Award is a program of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation and is funded through the generosity of The Glick Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation.
The goal of the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award is to elevate the written arts in Indiana, inspiring Hoosiers' love of reading and drawing greater attention to "home-grown" literary greats. The award celebrates authors whose quality work has made, or has the potential to make, a lasting public impact.
The Indiana Authors Award invites participation from people around the state beginning with the nomination process. Participation then continues throughout the year with outreach to organizations serving readers and writers with an interactive website, culminating with a day of free public programs and a ticketed Award Dinner on Oct. 29, 2011 at the Central Library in Indianapolis.
For full eligibility guidelines and the 2011 nomination form, visit http://www.indianaauthorsaward.com/. Winning authors receive generous cash prizes and grants for their hometown Indiana public libraries. If you have questions, contact the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation at (317) 275-4700.
Deadline: March 18 for Etheridge Knight Poetry Contest
From Etheridge Knight Inc.:
The 17th Annual Etheridge Knight Poetry Contest for young people was established in conjunction with the annual Etheridge Knight Festival that honors the work of the acclaimed African American poet Etheridge Knight and to further as established to honor the work of acclaimed African American poet Etheridge Knight and to encourage understanding of the things in life that troubled him and that he held dear.
For guidelines and writing exercises visit
http://www.indianawriters.org/knight.html. Deadline: March 18, 2011.
Update: New Century Publishing
New Century Publishing, owned by David Caswell, recently has been ordered to repay $340,000 to 43 authors who were part of the Indiana Attorney General's lawsuit against the company. According to the lawsuit, the publisher took money from the writers but failed to produce the promised books. The question is: Will the writers ever see the money? Some doubt it. Read the complete story here.
Mar 2, 2011
Heads-up: Bonnie Maurer in Bloomington this Friday
Mar 1, 2011
Good deal on poetry collection
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