Saturday, June 30, 2007

 

Spanish Event on July 13th at Haskell Center - Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC

From the Colectivo ParaEsoLaPalabra comes this notice:


Peña cultural y literaria del Colectivo ParaEsoLaPalabra

con la participación del distinguido poeta dominicano Rei Berroa;

el impresionante grupo musical Pasaporte Latino;

y el fascinante artista salvadoreño Mauricio Guevara.

¡Ven y participa en el micrófono libre!


Viernes, 13 de julio de 2007, a las 6:30 p.m.

en el Haskell Center de la Folger Shakespeare Library

301 East Capitol Street, SE
Washington, D.C., 20003

Admisión: $5.00 (donación)

Para inscribirte en nuestro grupo electrónico de información envía un e-mail a paraesolapalabra-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

 

3rd Annual DC Poetry Festival on August 24, 2007

The 3rd Annual DC Poetry Festival has been announced. Details and link to registration are listed below:

Date:
August 24, 2007

Where:
Carter Barron Amphitheatre
16th and Colorado Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009

Time:
7:30 pm ET - 10:00 pm ET


Hosted By Genesis Poets Music, Inc.

Click here for more details: Registration


The 3rd Annual DC Poetry Festival is an event that will "showcase" the heart and soul of "U" Street. In the late 40's "U" Street was known as "Black Broadway." It is now the hottest art scene in Washington, DC.

The event is produced by Genesis Poets Music, Inc. a local Independent Record Label. This small "Indie" label has released two cd's on local artist. The show this year will introduce some well known local poets and other nationally known poets and musicans.

The featured poets this year will be The POEM-CEES, they are veterans of the hit HBO Show, Def Poetry.

The Show will be Hosted by: Beny Blaq

The following artists will perform:

2 Deep The Poetess
13 of Nazaret
Eddie Oliver
Charneice Fox
Brother Earl
Leroy Stringer, Jr.
Kenny, “The Messenger”
CeLillianne Green
Messiah Ramkissoon
Carolyn Johnson ... and more!
Youth Poets from DC Scores

Music by: Steven B & Friends

Saturday, June 23, 2007

 

Richard Peabody Offers a Novel Class

Here below you will find the latest update from Richard Peabody, an Arlington poet / writer / creative writing instructor, regarding his novel class for writers.


Notes from the Bell Tower
News from Gargoyle Magazine/Paycock Press/ and Richard Peabody
Critique Your Complete Novel
Not Just a Couple of Chapters

Peabody’s Novel Class


Limited to 5 students.
We meet every two weeks on Wednesday day nights 7:30 until 10 pm at my house in Arlington, Virginia. Four to five blocks from Virginia Square Metro station.

1. June 27
2. July 11
3. July 25
4. August 8
5. August 22
6. September 5
7. September 11 [Tuesday]


Cost is $500 to be paid before the first night. Due to people dropping the class at the last minute and forcing me to cancel the entire session I now require that $125 of this fee be non-refundable and paid before the class begins.

Every participant turns in their complete novel and synopsis the first night along with 5 copies for everybody else and me. That way you get handwritten notes on everything from everybody. And you should feel free to recommend cuts, improvements, make suggestions, mark the manuscripts up at will. That's what this class is all about. By meeting every two weeks each participant should have plenty of time to complete their critiques.

If you can't attend every meeting (which I demand save for unforeseeable illness or death in the family as it's a question of fairness and honor) please don't bother signing up.

Why do I teach this class? Because you can go to your favorite bookshop and lift any number of contemporary novels off the shelf and read a few chapters only to discover that they fall apart at chapter four. Why? I’ve found that most MFA programs only critique the first three chapters of your manuscript. Plus, I’ve learned from the hands-on experience of teaching this course that a complete reading and critique is absolutely the best way (dare I say only way) to go. What’s the advantage of a small class like this one? There’s nothing quite like having five people discuss your characters as though they were living people for 2 ½ hours. What sorts of novels are eligible? Generally I handle serious literary fiction (both realism and experimental works), but the class has included YA, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Thriller, and Romance novels.

If you are interested do please email me a chapter and a synopsis. I'm only considering completed novels in the 250-350 dbl. spaced page range. (That’s one-sided, double spaced, 12 pt. in Courier font.) Anything longer than that is pretty much wishful thinking right now due to grim market economics and politics. Most first novels are 300 dbl. spaced pages which equals 200 pp. in book form. Simply a fact of the biz. Second novels are frequently a different story.

Alumni from Peabody’s 22 years of university, Writer’s Center, and private classes with filmed screenplays, books in print (or forthcoming) include: Mark Baechtel, Doreen Baingana, Toby Barlow, Maggie Bartley, Jodi Bloom, Sean Brijbasi, Peter Brown, Robert Cullen, Priscilla Cummings, Katherine Davis, Lucinda Ebersole, Sandy Florian, Cara Haycak, Dave Housley, Catherine Kimrey, Adam Kulakow, Nathan Leslie, Redge Mahaffey, Charlotte Manning, Meena Nayak, Matthew Olshan, William Orem, Mary Overton, Saideh Pakravan, Carolyn Parkhurst, Sally Pfoutz, Nani Power, Carey Roberts, Lisa Schamess, Brenda Seabrooke, Julia Slavin, David Taylor, Lisa M. Tillman, Sharlie West, and Yolanda Young.

My address is 3819 North 13th Street, Arlington, VA 22201. My house is 2 blocks from Quincy Park and the Central Library on Quincy Street. We are 3 doors from Washington-Lee High School where Quincy crosses 13th Street. My phone number is (703) 525-9296. My cell is (703) 380-4893


Richard Peabody wears many literary hats. He is editor of Gargoyle Magazine (founded in 1976), has published a novella, two books of short stories, six books of poems, plus an e-book, and edited or co-edited fourteen anthologies including: Mondo Barbie, Mondo Elvis, Mondo Marilyn, Mondo James Dean, Coming to Terms: A Literary Response to Abortion, Conversations with Gore Vidal, A Different Beat: Writings by Women of the Beat Generation, Grace and Gravity: Fiction by Washington Area Women, Alice Redux: New Stories of Alice, Lewis, and Wonderland, Sex & Chocolate: Tasty Morsels for Mind and Body, Enhanced Gravity: More Fiction by Washington Area Women and Kiss the Sky: Fiction and Poetry Starring Jimi Hendrix. Electric Grace: Still More Fiction by Washington Area Women is forthcoming in November of 2007, to be followed by Stress City: A Bi g Book of Fiction by Fifty DC Guys in spring 2008. Peabody teaches fiction writing for the Johns Hopkins Advanced Studies Program and the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He lives in Arlington, Virginia. You can find out more at http://www.wikipedia.com and/or http://www.gargoylemagazine.com.

Monday, June 04, 2007

 

News from Beltway

Here below you will find news from Kim Roberts who edits Beltway, the online journal.

Highlights from POETRY NEWS: June 2007
for full listings, please see: http://washingtonart.com/beltway/ponews.html


COMPETITIONS, GRANTS and CALLS FOR ENTRY
The Cultural Development Corporation is now taking applications for artist housing in a former warehouse in the Woodridge neighborhood of NE DC. Forty affordable live/work housing units will be available to artists and their families with a move-in date of 2009. Applications accepted on a first-come first-served basis beginning June 4. For eligibility requirements and an application, see: http://www.culturaldc.org/projects/projects_in_development.html.

Towson Prize for Literature. Prize of $1,000 given annually to a MD resident (of at least 3 years) for books of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction published in the last 3 years or scheduled for publication in 2007. Publishers, institutions, or individuals may submit 5 copies of a book or ms. No entry fee. Deadline: June 15. Required application and complete guidelines at: http://www.new.towson.edu/english/index.asp.

Not Just Air seeks submissions for two upcoming issues. Issue 7: "Earth, Fire, and Water" (deadline June 15) and Issue 8: "Pregnant" (deadline Sept. 30). Authors are encouraged to interpret the themes creatively. Seeks verse, fiction, flash fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, reviews, short plays, multimedia works, translations. Previously published material that is not available elsewhere on the web is welcome. Simultaneous OK. Send submissions to transom@notjustair.org. Attach only Word or Rich Text files. Full guidelines at: http://www.notjustair.org.

Gival Press Annual Oscar Wilde Award. Best previously unpublished original poem written in English (any length) which relates GLBT life by a poet age 18 or older. Blind reading format: no identification on poem, cover letter with name, address, phone, email, and title. Include SASE. Winner receives $100 and publication on the press's web site. Judged by previous year's winner. $5 reading fee. Deadline: June 27 (postmarked). Mail to: Robert L. Giron, Oscar Wilde Award, Gival Press, PO Box 3812, Arlington, VA 22203. http://www.givalpress.com.

The Nora School Reading Series seeks submissions for its upcoming 8th season. Submit 5 typed pages of poetry with cover letter and SASE. Deadline: July 15. Christopher Conlon, Nora School Reading Series, 955 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. http://www.nora-school.org.

If Poetry Journal, a new print journal edited by Donald Illich, seeks submissions. Send 1-5 poems, any style, previously unpublished. The editor has a particular interest in "humorous and surrealistic poetry, but with some heart and weight to it." Send by email only, no attachments. Deadline: July 31. Mail to: mailto:ifpoetryjournaleditor@gmail.com.


The Amistad, the on-line literary journal of Howard University, seeks submissions for the Fall 2007 issue on the theme Ars Poetica (broadly interpreted to include the craft of creating any art form, not just poetry. Send work that "responds to the impulses of the artist, or how the audience responds to art"). Open to poetry (2-3 poems, 40 lines or less), short fiction (up to 2,000 words), essays (up to 2,000 words), interviews and book reviews (up to 1,500 words), and visual art (in PNG, GIF, or JPG format). Send work in Word, Text, or Rich Text attachment with your full name, title, and genre as the file name. Include a short bio (75 words or less), and full contact info, in the body of the email. The subject line of the email should have your full name and genre. Deadline: Sept. 1, 2007. Mail to: submit@amistadjournal.net. Full guidelines and past issues at: http://www.coas.howard.edu/english/publications-amistad.html.





WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Friends Wilderness Center, Birding and Nature Journaling, June 2. The center is on the Rolling Ridge land preserve 20 minutes outside Harpers Ferry or Charles Town, WV, and approximately one hour west of the Beltway in Northern Virginia. "Rise with the birds and join fellow nature enthusiasts for an all-day event." Led by writer and biologist Sarah Snyder. Bring journal and writing implements; all ages welcome. $5 donation requested; $7 additional for lunch. Limited to 25 participants. Gather at Niles Cabin (the main building) at 8am for birding and 11am for journaling. Lunch at 12:30 pm. For more information and to register, call Sheila Bach at (304) 728-4820 or email snbach@earthlink.net. http://www.friendswilderness.org.

"Writing the Body: A Poetry Workshop," led by Anne Becker. For those who have experience with life threatening illnesses or chronic conditions, as patients, care-givers or family members. Meets Saturdays and Sundays for 5 sessions. 6/2 and 6/16 from 1-4 pm, 7/1, 7/15, 7/29 from 3-6pm. Limited to 12 participants. $200 fee. Additional information and on-line registration at http://www.bodywriting.org or call (301) 270-8037.

"Inspired Results" exhibition, Takoma Park Community Center, Atrium Gallery, June 2 to June 30. Reception: Friday, June 8, 7-9 pm. Free. (Reception includes music, performance, and refreshments.) Poetry and visual art on display. Participating poets include: Anne Becker, Brian Gilmore, Kathleen O'Toole, Merrill Leffler, Chris Llewellyn, and Ann Slayton. Takoma Park Arts & Humanities Commission, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD. (301) 891-7224.

The Writers Center Summer 2007 classes in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, stage and screen, and youth writing. Fees charged. Instructors include: Anne Becker, Kenneth Carroll, Nan Fry, Daniel Gutstein, Reuben Jackson, C.M. Mayo, Yvette Neisser, Richard Peabody, Stanley Plumly, and Elizabeth Poliner. http://www.writer.org.

"Living on Words: Get Inspired, Get Writing, Get Published," 2007 Washington Independent Writers Conference, Saturday, June 9. Fees charged. Featured writers include: C.M. Mayo, Leslie Pietrzyk, Peter Bowerman, and Francine Prose. Sessions on agents, research, the web, issues of craft, travel writing, health writing, and more. http://www.washwriter.org.

"Mining the Past," Poetry workshop with Patricia Smith. Saturday, June 16, 3-6 pm. "Write new work beginning with a map. The workshop is designed to help poets revisit moments we've paved over, small moments in our past that we've never imagined writing about." Bring notebook; limited to 12. Hosted by DC Poets Against the War and Busboys and Poets. Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Streets NW, DC. $25 fee. Register by sending an email to Sarah Browning: womenarts2@aol.com. http://www.dcpaw.org.

"Critique Your Complete Novel, Not Just a Couple of Chapters," a workshop led by Richard Peabody. Meets every 2 weeks on Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 10:00 pm from June 27 through September 11 (7 sesssions, ending on a Tuesday night) in Arlington, VA. Limited to 5 students. $500 fee ($125 nonrefundable). Students must commit to all 7 sessions. Send a chapter and synopsis of a completed novel (from a ms. in the 250-350 page range). Send queries to: Gargoyle@gargoylemagazine.com.

Hurston/Wright Foundation's Writer's Week, American University, Washington, DC, July 15-21. Panels and workshops in poetry in fiction for Black writers. Faculty includes Kwame Alexander, A. Van Jordan, Chris Abani, and Mat Johnson. Fees charged; financial aid available. http://www.hurstonwright.org.

West Virginia Writer's Workshop, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, July 19-22. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, individual conferences, lectures on craft, and publishing panels. Fees charged. http://www.as.wvu.edu/english/cw.

The Gathering, Keystone College, La Plume, PA, July 26-29. Book discussions, lectures, and workshops. Speakers include Carlos Eire, Katherine Paterson, Molly Peacock, and Francine Prose. Fees charged. http://academic.keystone.edu/thegathering.




AREA READINGS and PERFORMANCES
June 5
Miller Cabin Series: Deborah Ager and Tung-Hui Hu
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Joaquin Miller Cabin, Picnic Area 6, Rock Creek Parkway, Beach Drive and Military Road Overpass, DC.

June 8
Kim Roberts, author of The Kimnama
Thursday, 6:30 pm
Free. Candida's World of Books, 1541 14th St. NW, DC. (202) 667-4811.

June 8
Book Party for Terence Winch's Boy Drinkers, with live Irish music and guest readers
Thursday, 7:30 pm
Free. The Warehouse, 1017 7th St. NW, Convention Center neighborhood, DC. (202) 783-3933..

June 10
Vrzhu Press reading: Kim Roberts and Hiram Larew
Sunday, 2:00 pm
Free. The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD (301) 654-8664.

June 10
Iota Poetry Series: Nathalie F. Anderson and Maria Terrone
Sunday, 6:00 pm
Free. Iota Cafe and Club, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon neighborhood, Arlington, VA. (703) 522-8340 or (703) 256-9275.

June 12
Miller Cabin Series: Nigel Assam and Laura Goldberg
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Joaquin Miller Cabin, Picnic Area 6, Rock Creek Parkway, Beach Drive and Military Road Overpass, DC.

June 13
Brookland Reading Series: 4th Annual Dog Days Reading, poetry celebrating canis lupus familiaris
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Brookland Visitor's Center, 3420 9th St. NE, DC. (202) 526-1632.

June 17
Sunday Kind of Love: Patricia Smith. Followed by open mic. Hosted by Sarah Browning and Regie Cabico.
Sunday, 4:00 pm
Free, but donations accepted. Busboys & Poets, 14th and V Streets NW, U Street neighborhood, DC. (202) 387-POET.

June 19
Miller Cabin Series: Heather Blain and Shep Ranbom
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Joaquin Miller Cabin, Picnic Area 6, Rock Creek Parkway, Beach Drive and Military Road Overpass, DC.

June 20
Poesis Series: Mel Belin and Patric Pepper. Music provided by Shep Williams and James "Curly" Robinson. Followed by open mic. Hosted by Cliff Bernier.
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Pentagon City Borders Books, 1201 S. Hayes St., Arlington, VA (703) 418-0166.

June 25
Burlesque Poetry Hour: Gwendolyn Mintz, Shanna Compton, and William Allegrezza
Monday, 8:00 pm
Free. Bar Rouge, Hotel Rouge, 1315 16th St. NW, DC. (202) 232-8000.

June 26
Miller Cabin Series: Young Poets Program
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Joaquin Miller Cabin, Picnic Area 6, Rock Creek Parkway, Beach Drive and Military Road Overpass, DC.

June 27
Natalie Lobe and James Hopkins. Followed by open reading.
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Kensington Row Books, 3786 Howard Ave., Kensington, MD. (301) 949-9416.

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