Another letter to the governor...

I hope you will have the opportunity to appoint and announce a new poet laureate for Virginia in the near future. If you need a new copy of the list I'm sure the Poetry Society of Virginia (of which I am a member) would be happy to supply you again with the information you need.

While this may not be an appointment that would appear to have a great impact, in fact, if the new laureate is going to visit schools and community groups, scheduling decision will need to be made as soon as possible.

I also hope you will recognize in some way the outstanding job done by our outgoing laureate Carolyn Foronda. She has done more for poetry in this state than any other appointee since the position was established. She will be a difficult person to replace, though you have been given at least one excellent choice for the new laureate (Claudia Emerson).

Thank you,
Shann Palmer

Frank O'Hara on TV?

The title grabbed me- a film of one of my favorite poets, something discovered in Grandpa's vault?

No, but still an interesting article

but if you have a copy of Meditations in an Emergency, you might want to dust it off so you can converse with the other twelve people in Richmond who watch MadMen.

Frank O'Hara. Yeah, on TV.

Levis Prize announced! Matthew Donovan/Vellum

Here's the official skittle

The reading will be September 18th at VCU at 8pm in the Commonwealth ballroom.

here's the book

here's a poem

and another

long, wordy stuff, huh.

here's a poem I really like from Sandra Beasley and another and another

and I noticed Kelly Link will be at VCU in April. On Maundy Thursday (April 9th). I'll be working, playing a service. As usual. They always have the best people on Maundy Thursday.

She writes really great short stories BTW.

Still no news from the governor on the Virginia poet laureate appointment. C'mon, dude. Just pick Claudia and announce it.

Poet Interview & I'm Back!!!

from West Virginia Writer's Workshop and I have to say Denise Duhamel ROCKS!! (as does her hubby Nick Carbo, Richmond's own Brian Henry and my FAVORITE novelist Sheri Reynolds!!!)

More later-

here's an interview with Mary Jo Salter reading at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in 2009!!

(I got to read a proof copy of Sheri's new novel out this November- it is her best yet!- more about that later)

Poet Interview and I

Off to a Writer's Workshop at WVU

Starts tomorrow- workshopping with Denise Duhamel!

She's well known for book Kinky from Orchises Press in Alexandria.

I am VERY excited! As usual I have barely enough money, but I have peanut butter, a loaf of bread, and granola bars. I'll be fine- and they have a 'breakfast' thing each morning and snacks during the afternoon sessions.

Oh yeah, I have my poem packets and some notebooks.

See ya next week.

(I love being off and leaving the guys behind to fend for themselves!)

Four Famous Women Poets on the way to Richmond

Are you ready for AMAZING poetry???

Put the Poetic Principle Series at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on your agenda for the 2008-2009 season!

Betty Adcock
Claudia Emerson
Beth Ann Fennelly
Peter Orner (fiction writer rescheduled from last year)
Mary Jo Salter

The four women poets who will be reading are at the top of their poetic game and we are more than fortunate to have them coming to Richmond this year! These events are co-sponsored by the New Virginia Review.

Bookmark the page or join the VMFA email list so you will get notice when the exact dates are posted. The series runs on Wednesdays at 6 PM, the cost is nominal (usually $3- $7)

It's ridiculous more people don't take advantage of these readings! The setting is intimate, the price is right, and in spite of construction parking is plentiful and close.

Do it now!- Bookmark the VMFA page, check FlashPaperPoetry (my calendar page), or my blog for updates and details as they become available.

You'll be glad you did!

The new issue of Terrain.org and the earth

here it is.....

read the whole zine, but if you read only a few things, read the columns and guest editorials.

then go back and read the poetry and the essays and the fiction- this is one of the best webzines around, literary and environmental.

You won't be disappointed.

poetry jokes

oh yeah...

try these

thanks, Nick.

Art and music and poetry and art

Look who's making art!

Who do you think of as sexy when you think of poets??

From the guy who asked "Does Poetry Matter? some not terribly interesting poetry...

It's all subjective

I suppose.

Poet Laureate Position Open

Gov. Kaine was given a slate last month of candidates for poet laureate for Virginia 2008-2010.

We're ten days in and no fearless leader to get us through!

Poets, rise up and lift your voices! Write the governor!

(news from the news: war is over, all the celebrities are dead, nobody hurts children or animals, and george bush resigned, in case you feel guilty about writing about a trivial thing like a poet laureate)

Carolyn Foronda has done such a wonderful job for the state- she's traveled all over the state bringing poetry to adults and children from the mountains to the sea- I can't say enough kind words about her!

From the choices he has, I hope Claudia Emerson is appointed. Though Nikki Giovanni would be delightful, her health and age would likely make it an honorary appointment, she probably wouldn't be able to do nearly what needs to be done. It is, you know, an unpaid post- at least in England they can get a butt of sack. Seriously. Look it up.

Dim the lights for Liz Marks

from the RTD

I'm so glad I attended her Cabaret at ComedySportz in May- she was fun and all full of herself, walking through the audience with her customary charm.

It was a great show, at the end she whipped off her wig to reveal her bald head (from the chemo, I presume).

Goodbye Liz-

She'll be missed.