I’m ready to take the Austin Feminist Poetry Festival in a bigger direction. Which means writing a set of bylaws and getting a board together so that I can form a nonprofit corporation, and ultimately get 501(c)3 status. I’ll also be working on upping fundraising efforts and possibly doing one or two fundraisers this year to help get things going.
I’ve also set the dates for next year: September 25th and 26th, 2015. (Here’s hoping I’ll have finally managed to not conflict with any other poetry events in Austin!) I hope to see you out there!
In the meantime, check out one of the highlights from this past festival: Kelsey Erin Shipman and Funk Riot performing “Seven Ways I Love You.”
Oh, yeah, I only just now am getting around to announcing the winners of my giveaway in June… At least I didn’t keep the entrants in suspense that long! I actually notified everyone and sent their books out by mid-May… but that was also a very hectic month, so I never got around to announcing the winners here like I was supposed to. Well, better late than never!
Although I started the month giving away three books (a copy of Dance in Poetry, a copy of Mercury Retrograde, and a copy of my chapbook), as a result of winning a silent auction at Poetry at Round Top, I inadvertently ended up with duplicate copies of some chapbooks from Dallas-area poets. So I ended out giving several bonus prizes as well. It turned out to be a banner year!
I’m excited to be the featured poet at two excellent open mics this month.
First, I’ll be featuring at the BookWoman Second Thursday Open Mic on August 8th. The reading starts at 7:15, and is followed by a round-robin open mic, so bring poems to share!
On August 22nd, I’ll be one of the co-features at NewWorld Deli (Guadalupe location). We’re kicking off at 7, with an open mic to follow.
Both events are free and open to the public (though please consider making a small purchase to help support the venue), and I’ll be selling books at each. Hope to see you there!
On June 15th, I’ll be the feature at the Midnight Special Gong Show at Coldtowne Theater. I have never been in a gong show before, but I think it will be an interesting change of place from the usual poetry venues.
June 16th is the big day! At 4:00 p.m. at BookWoman, I’m officially celebrating the release of We’re Smaller Than We Think We Are. I’ll be reading and signing copies of the book, and of course, there will be food. Come join me for a fun celebration!
Finally, on June 20th, I’ll be the featured reader at Thirsty Thursday, held at the New Life Lutheran Church in Dripping Springs. The reading starts at 7. Admission is free, but food pantry donations are encouraged.
This weekend, between my birthday, a co-worker’s birthday, and probably having to put in some time at work, I’ll be enjoying the events of the Austin International Poetry Festival.
On Sunday the 21st, I’ll be opening for Julene Tripp Weaver at BookWoman. I’m honored to be starting off a great afternoon of poetry.
Finally, April 26th-28th I’ll be enjoying the inspiration and tranquility of Poetry at Round Top. This is one of my favorite poetry events, and I can’t wait.
The Big Poetry Giveaway is happening again this year, and this year it’s being hosted by the amazing Susan Rich. Last year was the first one in which I participated, and I had a great time connecting with writers and readers. I can’t wait to see who comes along this year!
There are two books I’m offering this year. The first one just so happens to be We’re Smaller Than We Think We Are, which will be published next month by Finishing Line Press. Last April I was so bummed that I didn’t yet have a publication of my own to give away. This year I’m ecstatic that I’ll be sending somebody my book.
If you’re one of those wonderful people who has already pre-ordered my chapbook, I’m also offering Dale Smith’s American Rambler. Dale Smith, currently based in Toronto, is a former Austin poet, and this book makes me regret that I didn’t discover his work until after he’d left.
To enter my drawing, please leave a name and contact info on the comment section of this post. Please also specify whether you have a preference for one book or another. On May 1st, I’ll use a random number generator to pick a winner.
Because there might be some new visitors to this blog, and because posting introductions can be fun, here are a few tidbits about me:
My all-time favorite band in the history of all music ever is the Mountain Goats.
I wear Birkenstocks or cowboy boots almost exclusively.
When I was 16, my dream car was a convertible Volkswagen Beetle in either green or orange. When I was 27, I bought said car in green.
I eat an avocado at least 6 days a week.
Jon and I regular customers at the Torchy’s Tacos on Spicewood. The managers know who we are.
Hyperbole is my favorite literary device, but I never exaggerate about my avocado or taco consumption.
That’s all I have for now! I look forward to seeing who jumps in and following the other poets who are already involved.
If you want to participate in the Big Poetry Giveaway, you can sign up here.
I’m back from a great trip to North Carolina, tired but happy. While I was away, I realized that I forgot to add something exciting to my Poet About Town post from last week. This Wednesday, I’ll be featured on Writing on the Air, a show hosted on 91.7 KOOP. I’ll be talking about my chapbook and the Feminist Poetry Festival.
The show runs from 6-7 p.m., and will also be streaming live on KOOP.org, so you can listen if you live out of town! And if you’re on Twitter, you can ask questions during the broadcast by directing them to @WritingOnTheAir.
I’m very excited to have this opportunity. Thanks to Francois Pointeau for bringing me on!
This weekend, I’m attending the Southern Writers Symposium. (I’m writing and scheduling this post ahead of time, but hopefully by the time this gets published, Jon and I will be about ready to land in North Carolina.) I’m looking forward to a change of scenery, especially because I’ve only been to North Carolina once and loved it the first time.
On March 8th, I’ll be a featured reader at the International Women’s Day Reading at BookWoman. I’ll be reading alongside Faylita Hicks, Cindy Huyser, ire’ne lara silva, Jessica Ochoa Zamarripa, and organizer (and Austin Feminist Poetry Festival feature) Liza Wolff-Francis. I’m honored to have been invited and excited to be participating.
And speaking of honored, on March 17th I’ll be a featured reader at the KinCity Reading at the Twig Book Shop in San Antonio. This is an invite-only reading series, and I’m thrilled to have the chance to showcase my work here.
March is going to be a busy month, indeed. I can’t wait.
I’ve got some literary excitement headed my way this month!
First, I’m guest-hosting the BookWoman Poetry Open Mic on January 10th. The event will feature Gloria Amescua.
Gloria Amescua is an inaugural member of CantoMundo, a national Latino poetry community. She resides in Austin, Texas and received a Masters degree from the University of Texas in Austin. Gloria has a chapbook, Windchimes. She has published in several journals, including Awakening, IXHUA, Di-Verse-City, Kweli Journal (www.kwelijournal.org), Generations Literary Journal, Texas Poetry Calendar 2013, and Acentos Review, August 2012 (www.acentosreview.com). A workshop presenter for youth and adults, she was also a 2011 resident at Hedgebrook?s Writers in Residence program in Washington.
Come out at 7:15, and bring a few poems to share! I’ll be reading some new stuff, and also some selections from my chapbook because….
We’re Smaller Than We Think We Are goes up for pre-order this month! On January 15th, you can start placing your orders, which will ship in April. Finishing Line Press is offering a shipping discount for all pre-orders, so order now! The book won’t be available on Amazon until the pre-order period is over, so this is the time to get a jump on getting your copy.
And, as I mentioned yesterday, I’m participating in the 30/30 Project as a fundraiser for Tupelo Press. Any amount you can give helps! Check out the blog, enjoy the poems, and contribute.
Ordering poetry books helps put kibble in my bowl. Donating to small presses just makes me happy. You do want me to be well-fed and happy, don’t you?
This feels like the month I’m just trying to empty your wallet. But poetry is always a good cause. Do it for Maxwell!
