The sixth Big Poetry Giveaway is up and running! The fabulous Kelli Russell Agodon is hosting again. And I’m looking forward to another great year of meeting new poets and sharing poetry.
This year, I’m giving away two books. First up is my chapbook, We’re Smaller Than We Think We Are (Finishing Line Press, 2013).
I wrote the poems that became this chapbook after I had lived in Texas for about two years. It’s about finding place, falling in love with geography, taking journeys.
The second book I’m offering is an anthology called America Zen: A Gathering of Poets. You don’t have to be a Buddhist to love this anthology. The poets in it are Buddhists, but their meditative, spiritual, joyful work transcends a single spiritual label.
So how do you win? Just leave a comment with a name and email address anytime between now and 11:59 p.m. on April 30th. I’ll randomly select a winner in May!
For details on how to join BPG, see Kelli’s post here.
Since Big Poetry Giveaway always draws new readers here, I like to take a cue from Kelli and do a little introduction of sorts. Kelli gave herself some great interview questions this year, so I’ll be using those.
Welcome! My name is Allyson Whipple. I run the Austin Feminist Poetry Festival and am co-editor of the 2015 Texas Poetry Calendar. I have a black belt in Hung Gar Kung Fu and am training to become an instructor. I also teach business and technical writing at Austin Community College.
Last year I: Saw my favorite band twice in two days, earned my black belt, got divorced, got some of Kay Ryan’s poetry tattooed on my arm, and applied to an MFA program (I am still waiting their decision).
I believe in universal healthcare.
I like sunshine, red wine, tacos, steak, the ocean, silver tequila, and jeans.
I am always looking for ketchup potato chips, which are nearly impossible to find in Texas.
People think I am not interested in hip-hop or country music, when in fact I like both.
I recently: perfected my homemade bagel recipe.
If I could live anywhere: I would stay where I am, except in a house that didn’t have foundation problems or a roommate.
I do not buy bread from the grocery store. I’ve gotten too spoiled from my own baking.
I am thankful for the amazing poetry opportunities that have come my way in the past few months.
I cheer for Cleveland and Ohio State (on the rare occasion I pay attention, which is almost never).
To me, success is actually pretty much 100% what Kelli said: “being able to control my own time and schedule.”
My writing process is all up in the air right now, as I’ve turned my attention to getting my first full-length collection prepared for publication. (Hopefully this year, but we’ll see.)
I am most like: an agave.
I wanna win! (And I like your introduction).
Thanks Allyson.
Allyson, I’m excited that you are doing this again this year. Happy NPM!
Happy NPM to you, too! Next year I’ll actually be running BPG. So excited!
Throwing my hat in the ring. Jessica Goodfellow. And please check out my giveaway http://jessicagoodfellow.blogspot.jp/2015/03/big-poetry-giveaway-2015.html
Yay, you won! I’ll be sending you an email confirmation shortly.
Hi, Allyson. It’s hard to not like country music living in Texas. I’m here, too (southeast TX). I’ve not heard of ketchup potato chips but they sound yummy.
Please enter me in your drawing- Laurie Kolp lkkolpbmt@yahoo.com. Thanks.
You’re a winner! I’ll be sending a confirmation email shortly.
Hi! Enter me in your drawing, please! sarah.kain.gutowski [at] gmail.com. (And I’m so glad to find YOUR blog too!)
please enter my name! thisquiethour AT gmail DOT com
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win these beautiful books.
Please put my name in.
bey615@gmail.com
Barbara
Can’t wait to read your stuff. I’m gonna win:-)
I’m gonna win. YES YES YES or not, congrats for doing this:-)
Yes, seriously, please: sarahrosewalsh@icloud.com
Count me in, please! djvorreyer@gmail.com
please count me in the giveaway!
Linda Hofke
Lnshofke(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’ve seen ketchup potato chips here in Germany but the most popular is paprika. It’s interesting to see how each country has a preferred flavor.
Glad to see you participating in another NaPo and giveaway! Please add me to the drawing.
Rodney Wilder
roquedog504[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi Allyson,
I’d love to win either one of these collections. Thanks so much for doing this giveaway. My name is Brian Wong and my e-mail is: thebripod@gmail.com
Thanks!
Hi Allyson,
I would love to win either one of these collections. Please add me to the drawing; my name is Brian Wong and my e-mail is: thebripod@gmail.com
Thanks so much for doing this giveaway; happy poetry month!
Please, please, please pick me! Thank you! Marianne Mersereau – marianne4art@yahoo.com
just want to leave my email address as I forgot to! dianealvine@comcast.net
thanks so much.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful books through the giveaway, Jessica… both titles sound fabulous. Please enter me in your drawing.
Jo Lightfoot – wayaclan [at] yahoo.com
I had trouble leaving a comment and kept recopying my message. I’m pretty sure the last time I did that I copied a similar message with a wrong name. If that’s so, I apologize.
Allyson, they both sound like exciting reads. Please enter me in the drawing. Also thanks for stopping by my blog.
Winning either one of these books would furnish me with the unexpected delight life furnishes here and there. Thanks for the opportunity! pldowell@gmail.com
Thank you for participating in this giveaway! I just love the idea behind it. And it’s such a great way to discover new poets.
I wanna win too!!
I am happy you are taking part this year so I already won to get to know this space. Will keep my eyes open.
Those bagels look as good as poetry!
Ooh, both of those books sound so interesting (and so do you! great introduction) may I please be entered for the giveaway?
Kalira69@hotmail.com
Please count me in! Both of your choices are intriguing.
Sign me up! I’ll cross my fingers. Ron Lewis, Vermont Poetry Newsletter