Sunday, March 02, 2008
Latest Postings from Beltway Poetry Quarterly and DC Readings
Here below are the latest events and readings in the DC area per Kim Roberts of Beltway Poetry Quarterly:
March Poetry News from Beltway Poetry Quarterly
http://www.beltwaypoetry.com
NEW RELEASES
Wade Fletcher, Snitch Culture (e-chapbook; Dusie Press) http://www.dusie.org/SnitchCulture.pdf
Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda, River Country (San Francisco Bay Press) http://www.sanfranciscobaypress.com
Gary Lilley, Alpha Zulu (Ausable Press) http://www.ausablepress.org
Jeffrey McDaniel, The Endarkenment (University of Pittsburgh Press) http://www.upress.pitt.edu
COMPETITIONS, GRANTS and CALLS FOR ENTRY
Urbancode Magazine seeks a Literature Editor and Literary Bloggers. Urbancode is an online pdf magazine, website, and blog network. Literature editor is a non-paid, but very visible, position in the arts community. Duties include the procurement of high-quality short literature, essays, etc. for inclusion into the pdf magazine and website. This is a unique opportunity to put your "stamp" on this section of our publication. Other duties include the collection of our poetry submissions. Each issue of the magazine features 3 poets chosen by the poets from the previous issue of the magazine, but our website accepts submissions from the public. The literature editor would select work for publication on the website and manage the poetry in the magazine. Urbancode publishes 6-8 times a year. Urbancode also seeks bloggers for its national network of arts bloggers. Bloggers are needed in the areas of book news, talk and reviews, poetry, and fiction/non-fiction. Any other creative endeavor will also be considered--pitch us something! Bloggers blog under the Urbancode banner and receive the benefit of an ever-growing, heavy traffic, networked, online community of readers.Contact: urbancodemag@gmail.com.
Humanities Council of Washington, Small and Planning Grants, awards up to $1,500 per project. Non-profit organizations eligible. Deadline: March 3. http://www.wdchumanities.org.
Apprentice House Press at Loyola College of MD announces their second annual poetry chapbook contest. Winner gets publication, 20 copies, and $250 prize. Deadline: March 14. Full guidelines: http://www.apprenticehouse.com/index.cfm?p=catalog&id=19.
Lines & Stars seeks poetry and short fiction on the theme "stoicism." Deadline: March 15. http://www.linesandstars.com.
Jacklyn Potter Young Poets Competition. High school students and teachers invited to send original poetry manuscripts. Winners featured in outdoor summer reading series in Rock Creek Park, sponsored by the Word Works. Postmark deadline March 15. Send to Perry Epes, 1200 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302. http://www.wordworksdc.com.
Bethesda Magazine Short Story Writing Competition. Top 3 winners receive cash prizes ($1,000/$500/$250) and publication (first prize winner in July/August issue, other winners online). Open to all residents of Montgomery County, MD. Separate contest for high school students enrolled in a public or private high school who are County residents with cash prizes ($250/$100/$50). Full guidelines: http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/shortstory.
Larry Neal Writers' Competition, sponsored by the DC Commission on the Arts. Adult, youth, and teen competitions in poetry, short fiction, drama. March 20 deadline. Application forms and info: http://www.dcarts.dc.gov.
2008 Bethesda Writing Contest. To apply, adults should submit a short story or essay about a major turning point in your life. Youth should submit an essay on their best teacher. Two categories: young adult (grades 9 to 12) and adult (ages 18 and up). Finalists from both categories featured at reading during the Bethesda Literary Festival; top 10 essays printed. First place: $500 and free class at The Writer's Center. Other cash prizes: $500/$250/$150/$50, and young adult winner $75. Guidelines and submission forms: http://www.bethesda.org/specialevents/litfest/litfest.htm.
3rd Annual Liam Rector First Book Prize for Poetry. Judge: E. Ethelbert Miller. Winner receives book publication by Briery Creek Press, 50 copies, $1,000, and a letter-press broadside. All entries recieve copy of winning book. Send between 48 and 60 pages of poetry, no more than one poem per page, no smaller than 12 point font, Arial, Courier, or Times. Do not include Table of Contents in page count. Entries will be judged blind, so include cover letter with ms title, poet´s name, and all contact information. Cover sheet on ms should include title only. Do not include Dedication, Acknowledgments or Credits page. Number all ms pages. Entries should include a #10 SASE for winner notification. No manuscripts will be returned. No restriction on content or style; we´re simply looking for excellent poetry. Deadline: March 30 (postmark). Reading fee: $20. Make checks payable to DPR/BRIERY CREEK, Department of English, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909. http://brierycreekpress.org/mod/resource/view.php?inpopup=true&id=7.
Reading Rainbow program, sponsored by WETA, for children in grades K-3. Competitions for fiction (50-200 words for grades K-1 and 100-350 words for grades 2-3), with at least 5 illustrations. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners selected for each grade; 1st place winners entered in national competition. Winners' work published on web; all entrants given a Certificate of Achievement. Free to enter. March 30 deadline. Required entry form: http://wgms.weta.org/readingrainbow/.
Miller Cabin Poetry Series competition. Submit 5 poems, with short literary bio and SASE, postmarked by March 31. Winners featured in outdoor summer series in Rock Creek Park, sponsored by The Word Works. Rosemary Winslow, Dept. of English, Catholic University, Washington, DC 20064. http://www.wordworksdc.com
DC Commission on the Arts Small Projects Grant. Offers grants to individual artists and arts organizations for small-scale projects with budgets under $3,000. Deadline: April 9. http://www.dcarts.dc.gov.
Anthology seeks poems honoring, remembering, and celebrating the legacy of James Brown. Say It Loud: Poems About James Brown, edited by Mary E. Weems and Thomas Sayers Ellis. Previously published OK. Poems must be under 73 lines. Deadline (for receipt, not postmark) April 30. Send word documents attchaments to mweems45@schglobal.net and mikeoatman@hotmail.com.
WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS
4th Annual Writers at the Beach: Pure Sea Glass conference, March 14-16, Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center, Rehoboth Beach, DE. Workshops, readings, panels. Featured authors include Michael Blumenthal, Shara McCallum, Erin Murphy, Dave Smith, Michael Waters, Robert Bausch, Leslie Pietrzyk, Mary Kay Zuravleff. http://www.writersatthebeach.com.
23rd Annual Mayor's Arts Awards, March 17 at 6:00 pm, Kennedy Center. Awards presentations and entertainment. Free admission. Info and RSVP: (202) 724-5613 or artsawards@dc.gov.
Split This Rock Festival: Poems of Provocation and Witness. March 20-23, various DC locations. Readings, panels, workshops, guided walking tours. Featured authors include: Jimmy Santiago Baca, Princess of Controversy, Robert Bly, Kenneth Carroll, Grace Cavalieri, Lucille Clifton, Joel Dias-Porter, Mark Doty, Martin Espada, Carolyn Forche, Brian Gilmore, Galway Kinnell, E. Ethelbert Miller, Naomi Shihab Nye, Sharon Olds, Sonia Sanchez, Susan Tichy, Belle Waring. Fee: $75, $40 for students; some scholarships available. Co-sponsoring organizations include Beltway Poetry Quarterly. http://www.splitthisrock.org.
Poetry Workshop led by Surekha Vijh, Arlington Adult Education, 2801 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 306, Arlington, VA. (703) 228-7200. Class meets Tuesdays from 7 to 9:30 pm, from March 25 through April 8. Fees charged. Classes also offered in fiction writing, beginning creative writing, memoir writing, travel writing, self-publishing, business writing, and language classes in sign, French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic, Turkish, German, Korean, Japanese, Tagolog, Thai, and Mandarin. Full catalog: http://www2.apsva.us/1540108819214883/site/default.asp.
14th Annual Virginia Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, VA, March 26-30. Readings, panels, discussions. Featured authors include: Claudia Emerson, Barbara Hamby, David Kirby, Heather McHugh, Natasha Trethewey, Charles Wright. Most events free. http://www.vabook.org.
Conversations and Connections: Practical Advice on Getting Published, April 5, 9am to 6pm on the Johns Hopkins Campus in Dupont Circle, DC. Panels, speed-dating with the editors, keynote. Participating journals and presses include The Potomac Review, Barrelhouse, Baltimore Review, Gettysburg Review, Ballyhoo Stories, Tupelo Press, Vrzhu Press, and Beltway Poetry Quarterly, and over 30 more. $45 fee (includes one-year subscription to literary journal of your choice, free admission to the opening reception and free book by one of the Friday night readers. http://www.writersconnectconfererence.com.
9th Annual Bethesda Literary Festival, April 18-20. Readings, poetry slam, writing contests for adults and youth, comedy night. All events free. Various downtown Bethesda locations. http://www.bethesda.org/specialevents/litfest/litfest.htm.
"Writing a Village," a series of community poetry workshops led by Poet Laureate of Takoma Park Anne Becker, for beginners and experienced writers. Each workshop consists of 3 90-minute meetings. Takoma Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD. Free, but registration is required. Workshops for High School Students (9th-12th grades), Tuesdays March 18, April 1 & 8. Workshop for Families (parents and children together), Saturdays April 19, 26, and May 3. Call Sara Daines at (301) 891-7224 or email SaraD@takomagov.org.
SUMMER WRITERS CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
The following list of summer programs are enrolling participants now. This list only includes programs in the Mid-Atlantic region. For a larger listing, we recommend AWP's lists of Writers' Conferences and Centers at http://www.writersconf.org.
Summer Writers Colony in New York City at the New School, June 2-20. Workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfirction and writing for children, plus readings, and trips to legendary literary venues. Fees charged. http://www.newschool.edu/summerwriters.
Exploring Form & Narrative: 14th Annual West Chester University Poetry Conference, June 4-7. Faculty includes Moira Egan, Dana Gioia, Rachel Hadas, Andrew Hudgins, Mark Jarman, Molly Peacock, others. Keynote reading by Richard Wilbur. West Chester, PA. Fees charged. http://www.wcupa.edu/poetry/.
Marymount Manhattan Writers Conference, June 5. Keynote speakers, intensives on literary agents, fiction, and memoir, plus a ozen different panels. Fees charged. New York, NY. http://www.mmm.edu.
Gettysburg Review second annual Conference for Writers, June 4-9. Small intensive workshops limited to 10, panel discussions, public readings. Faculty includes: Terrance Hayes, Peggy Shumaker, Lee K. Abbott. Fees charged. Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA. http://www.gettysburgreview.com.
Chatauqua Writers' Festival, June 12-15. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, Panel and Genre Discussions, Readings, one-on-one conferences. Faculty includes: Stanley Plumly, Robin Becker, Lee Gutkind, others. Fees charges. Chatuaqua, NY. http://writers.ciweb.org/.
Remember the Magic annual summer International Women's Writing Guild conference, Skidmore College, June 13-20. Open to women writers of all levels. Readings, book signings, and approximately 65 workshops each day in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Faculty includes: Kathleen Spivak, Judi Beach, Marj Hahne. Fees charged. Saratoga Springs, NY. http://www.iwwg.org.
Colgate Writers' Conference, June 22-28. Small workshops in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir, and the novel. Fees charged. Colgate University, Hamilton, NY. http://www.cvwc.net.
New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College, June 30 - July 25. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Faculty includes Frank Bidart, Henri Cole, and Campbell McGrath. Fees charged. Saratoga Springs, NY. For brochure, call (518) 580-5590 or write Chris Merrill: cmerrill@skidmore.edu.
Catskill Poetry Workshop, July 6-12. Faculty includes: Stephen Dunn, Claudia Emerson, Dave Smith, Chase Twichell. Fees charged. Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY http://www.hartwick.edu/catskillpoetry.xml.
Hurston/Wright Foundation's Writer's Week, American University, July 13-19. Panels and workshops in fiction and creative nonfiction. Faculty includes Elizabeth Nunez and Kenji Jasper. Fees charged; financial aid available. Washington, DC. http://www.hurstonwright.org.
West Virginia Writers Workshop, July 17-20. Four-day conference: workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, individual conferences, lectures on craft, and panels on publishing. Fees charged. West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. http://www.as.wvu.edu/wvww/.
AREA READINGS and PERFORMANCES
March 2
Finishing Line Press reading: E. Louise Beach, Anne Becker, Heddy Reid, and Katherine Young
Sunday, 2:00 pm
Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664.
March 3
Cafe Muse: Mary Ann Larkin and Bruce MacKinnon, plus classical guitar by Michael Davis and open mic.
Monday, 7:00 pm
Free. Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. (301) 581-9439.
March 3
Phoebe and So to Speak Spring release party, featuring Joe Hall, Brandon Lewis, Heather Davis, Rachael Lyon, Devon Ward-Thommes, Carrie Addington, followed by open mic
Monday, 8:00 pm
Free. Busboys and Poets, 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Shirlington neighborhood, Arlington, VA. (703) 379-9756.
March 4
Judy Neri and other readers TBA
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Takoma Park Branch Library, 5th & Cedar Streets NW, DC. (202) 576-7252.
March 5
Intersections series: readings, discussion, live music, and open mic. Hosted by Fred Joiner.
Wednesday, 8:00 pm
$2 suggested donation. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC. (202) 889-5000 x141.
March 6
Witter Bynner Fellowship reading, featuring Matthew Thorburn and Monica Youn
Thursday, 6:45 pm
Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Montpelier Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394.
March 7
HearArts: Elisavietta Ritchie, with live music from guitarist Charles Mokotoff. Hosted by Philip Wexler.
Friday, 7:30 pm
Free. VisArts, 155 Gibbs Street, Rockville Town Center, Rockville, MD (301) 315-8200.
March 8
Washington Writers Publishing House Reading, followed by open mic
Sunday, 2:00 pm
Free. Southeast Branch of the DC Public Library, 403 7th St. SE, DC. (202) 841-7182.
March 9
Nine on the Ninth Series: featured reader TBA, followed by open mic. Hosted by Derrick Weston Brown.
Tuesday, 9:00 pm
$3 Admission. Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET.
March 9
Iota Poetry Series: Beltway Poetry Quarterly reading from the Split This Rock issue, featuring Brian Gilmore, Melissa Tuckey, Heather Davis, and Steve Rogers.
Sunday, 6:00 pm
Free. Iota Cafe and Club, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon neighborhood, Arlington, VA.
(703) 522-8340 or (703) 256-9275.
March 11
Poetry at Noon: "Family Names and Nicknames" reading, featuring Mary Buchinger, James L. Foy, and Sheppard Ranbom
Tuesday, 12:00 pm
Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Pickford Theater, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394.
March 11
Lannan Series: Ilya Kaminsky and E. Ethelbert Miller
Tuesday, Seminar at 5:30 pm and Reading at 8:00 pm
Free. Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. Seminar at Intercultural Center, Room 462. Reading in Copley Formal Lounge. (202) 687-7435.
March 12
Raphael Cohen-Almagor, reading from his book of poems, Masa'ot, in Hebrew with English translations
Wednesday, Noon
Free. Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE, African and Middle Eastern Conference Room (Room 220), DC. (202) 707-2905.
March 12
Tony Medina
Wednesday, 5:00 pm
Free. George Washington University, Marvin Center, 800 21st St. NW, Visitors Center, Foggy Bottom neighborhood, DC. (202) 994-6180.
March 12
Brookland Reading Series
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Brookland Visitor's Center, 3420 9th St. NE, DC. (202) 526-1632.
March 12
Richard Silken and Alice McDermott
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. University of Maryland, Jimenez-Porter Writers' House, Dorchester Hall, Ground Floor Lounge, College Park, MD. (301) 405-3809.
March 13
Teri Ellen Cross and Patricia Murphy
Thursday, 7:00 pm
Free. Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD. (301) 891-7224.
March 13
Cheryl's Gone Series: Jeff Coleman and Cheryl Quimba, plus music by Lonely City. Hosted by Joe Hall.
Thursday, 8:00 pm
Free. Big Bear Cafe, 1st and R Streets NW, DC. (202) 470-5543.
March 16
Sunday Kind of Love: Beltway Poetry Quarterly reading from the Split This Rock issue, featuring : Winona Addison, Naomi Ayala, Teri Ellen Cross, Yael Flusberg, Tanya Snyder, Dan Vera, Rosemary Winslow, and Kathi Wolfe. Followed by open mic.
Sunday, 4:00 pm
Free. Busboys & Poets, 14th and V Streets NW, U Street neighborhood, DC. (202) 387-POET.
March 18
Poetry at Noon: "Fathers and Daughters" themed reading, featuring Jody Bolz, Dan Logan, and Preston Pulliam
Tuesday, 12:00 pm
Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Pickford Theater, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394.
March 19
Washington Writers Publishing House Reading, followed by open mic
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Petworth Branch of the DC Public Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW at Georgia Avenue, DC. (202) 841-7182.
March 19
Poesis Series: Sandra Beasley and Sydney March, with live music by Shep Williams and Curly Robinson. Hosted by Cliff Bernier.
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Pentagon City Borders Books, 1201 S. Hayes St., Arlington, VA (703) 418-0166.
March 19
Intersections series: readings, discussion, live music, and open mic. Hosted by Fred Joiner.
Wednesday, 8:00 pm
$2 suggested donation. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC. (202) 889-5000 x141.
March 19
Mothertongue
Wednesday, 9:00 pm
$5 Admission. The Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW, DC. (202) 726-1821.
March 20
Verse, Vibes and Bites: featured reader followed by open mic
Thursday, 7:00 pm
Free. Barnes & Noble, 555 12th St. NW, Metro Center neighborhood, DC. (202) 246-0111.
March 22
Film: "A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde" with a discussion by filmmaker Michelle Parkerson and moderator Shellee M. Haynesworth
Saturday, 4:00 pm
Free, but reservations required. Historical Society of Washington, 801 K St. NW, DC. RSVP@historydc.org.
March 24
"The Natural World": Galway Kinnell and Mark Doty
Monday, 7:30 pm
$12 Admission. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, DC. (202) 544-7077.
March 25
Noah Eli Gordon and Joshua Marie Wilkinson
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Bridge Street Books, 2814 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 965-5200.
March 25
"The Dream of the Poem": Peter Cole on Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain, 950-1492.
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
$8 Admission ($6 for students). DC JCC, 1529 16th St. NW, DC. (202) 777-3254
March 25
M. Lee Alexander
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Grace Church, 1041 Wisconsin Ave. NW, lower Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 333-7100.
March 26
Kensington Reading Series: Katherine E. Young and Richard Peabody
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Kensington Row Books, 3786 Howard Ave., Kensington, MD. (301) 949-9416.
March 27
Rodney Jones and Ellen Bryant Voigt
Thursday, 6:45 pm
Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Montpelier Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394.
March 30
Barbara Goldberg and Hank Lewis
Sunday, 2:00 pm
Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664.
March 30
Christina Strong and Mark Wallace
Sunday, 7:00 pm
Free. Bridge Street Books, 2814 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 965-5200.
March Poetry News from Beltway Poetry Quarterly
http://www.beltwaypoetry.com
NEW RELEASES
Wade Fletcher, Snitch Culture (e-chapbook; Dusie Press) http://www.dusie.org/SnitchCulture.pdf
Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda, River Country (San Francisco Bay Press) http://www.sanfranciscobaypress.com
Gary Lilley, Alpha Zulu (Ausable Press) http://www.ausablepress.org
Jeffrey McDaniel, The Endarkenment (University of Pittsburgh Press) http://www.upress.pitt.edu
COMPETITIONS, GRANTS and CALLS FOR ENTRY
Urbancode Magazine seeks a Literature Editor and Literary Bloggers. Urbancode is an online pdf magazine, website, and blog network. Literature editor is a non-paid, but very visible, position in the arts community. Duties include the procurement of high-quality short literature, essays, etc. for inclusion into the pdf magazine and website. This is a unique opportunity to put your "stamp" on this section of our publication. Other duties include the collection of our poetry submissions. Each issue of the magazine features 3 poets chosen by the poets from the previous issue of the magazine, but our website accepts submissions from the public. The literature editor would select work for publication on the website and manage the poetry in the magazine. Urbancode publishes 6-8 times a year. Urbancode also seeks bloggers for its national network of arts bloggers. Bloggers are needed in the areas of book news, talk and reviews, poetry, and fiction/non-fiction. Any other creative endeavor will also be considered--pitch us something! Bloggers blog under the Urbancode banner and receive the benefit of an ever-growing, heavy traffic, networked, online community of readers.Contact: urbancodemag@gmail.com.
Humanities Council of Washington, Small and Planning Grants, awards up to $1,500 per project. Non-profit organizations eligible. Deadline: March 3. http://www.wdchumanities.org.
Apprentice House Press at Loyola College of MD announces their second annual poetry chapbook contest. Winner gets publication, 20 copies, and $250 prize. Deadline: March 14. Full guidelines: http://www.apprenticehouse.com/index.cfm?p=catalog&id=19.
Lines & Stars seeks poetry and short fiction on the theme "stoicism." Deadline: March 15. http://www.linesandstars.com.
Jacklyn Potter Young Poets Competition. High school students and teachers invited to send original poetry manuscripts. Winners featured in outdoor summer reading series in Rock Creek Park, sponsored by the Word Works. Postmark deadline March 15. Send to Perry Epes, 1200 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302. http://www.wordworksdc.com.
Bethesda Magazine Short Story Writing Competition. Top 3 winners receive cash prizes ($1,000/$500/$250) and publication (first prize winner in July/August issue, other winners online). Open to all residents of Montgomery County, MD. Separate contest for high school students enrolled in a public or private high school who are County residents with cash prizes ($250/$100/$50). Full guidelines: http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/shortstory.
Larry Neal Writers' Competition, sponsored by the DC Commission on the Arts. Adult, youth, and teen competitions in poetry, short fiction, drama. March 20 deadline. Application forms and info: http://www.dcarts.dc.gov.
2008 Bethesda Writing Contest. To apply, adults should submit a short story or essay about a major turning point in your life. Youth should submit an essay on their best teacher. Two categories: young adult (grades 9 to 12) and adult (ages 18 and up). Finalists from both categories featured at reading during the Bethesda Literary Festival; top 10 essays printed. First place: $500 and free class at The Writer's Center. Other cash prizes: $500/$250/$150/$50, and young adult winner $75. Guidelines and submission forms: http://www.bethesda.org/specialevents/litfest/litfest.htm.
3rd Annual Liam Rector First Book Prize for Poetry. Judge: E. Ethelbert Miller. Winner receives book publication by Briery Creek Press, 50 copies, $1,000, and a letter-press broadside. All entries recieve copy of winning book. Send between 48 and 60 pages of poetry, no more than one poem per page, no smaller than 12 point font, Arial, Courier, or Times. Do not include Table of Contents in page count. Entries will be judged blind, so include cover letter with ms title, poet´s name, and all contact information. Cover sheet on ms should include title only. Do not include Dedication, Acknowledgments or Credits page. Number all ms pages. Entries should include a #10 SASE for winner notification. No manuscripts will be returned. No restriction on content or style; we´re simply looking for excellent poetry. Deadline: March 30 (postmark). Reading fee: $20. Make checks payable to DPR/BRIERY CREEK, Department of English, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909. http://brierycreekpress.org/mod/resource/view.php?inpopup=true&id=7.
Reading Rainbow program, sponsored by WETA, for children in grades K-3. Competitions for fiction (50-200 words for grades K-1 and 100-350 words for grades 2-3), with at least 5 illustrations. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners selected for each grade; 1st place winners entered in national competition. Winners' work published on web; all entrants given a Certificate of Achievement. Free to enter. March 30 deadline. Required entry form: http://wgms.weta.org/readingrainbow/.
Miller Cabin Poetry Series competition. Submit 5 poems, with short literary bio and SASE, postmarked by March 31. Winners featured in outdoor summer series in Rock Creek Park, sponsored by The Word Works. Rosemary Winslow, Dept. of English, Catholic University, Washington, DC 20064. http://www.wordworksdc.com
DC Commission on the Arts Small Projects Grant. Offers grants to individual artists and arts organizations for small-scale projects with budgets under $3,000. Deadline: April 9. http://www.dcarts.dc.gov.
Anthology seeks poems honoring, remembering, and celebrating the legacy of James Brown. Say It Loud: Poems About James Brown, edited by Mary E. Weems and Thomas Sayers Ellis. Previously published OK. Poems must be under 73 lines. Deadline (for receipt, not postmark) April 30. Send word documents attchaments to mweems45@schglobal.net and mikeoatman@hotmail.com.
WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS
4th Annual Writers at the Beach: Pure Sea Glass conference, March 14-16, Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center, Rehoboth Beach, DE. Workshops, readings, panels. Featured authors include Michael Blumenthal, Shara McCallum, Erin Murphy, Dave Smith, Michael Waters, Robert Bausch, Leslie Pietrzyk, Mary Kay Zuravleff. http://www.writersatthebeach.com.
23rd Annual Mayor's Arts Awards, March 17 at 6:00 pm, Kennedy Center. Awards presentations and entertainment. Free admission. Info and RSVP: (202) 724-5613 or artsawards@dc.gov.
Split This Rock Festival: Poems of Provocation and Witness. March 20-23, various DC locations. Readings, panels, workshops, guided walking tours. Featured authors include: Jimmy Santiago Baca, Princess of Controversy, Robert Bly, Kenneth Carroll, Grace Cavalieri, Lucille Clifton, Joel Dias-Porter, Mark Doty, Martin Espada, Carolyn Forche, Brian Gilmore, Galway Kinnell, E. Ethelbert Miller, Naomi Shihab Nye, Sharon Olds, Sonia Sanchez, Susan Tichy, Belle Waring. Fee: $75, $40 for students; some scholarships available. Co-sponsoring organizations include Beltway Poetry Quarterly. http://www.splitthisrock.org.
Poetry Workshop led by Surekha Vijh, Arlington Adult Education, 2801 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 306, Arlington, VA. (703) 228-7200. Class meets Tuesdays from 7 to 9:30 pm, from March 25 through April 8. Fees charged. Classes also offered in fiction writing, beginning creative writing, memoir writing, travel writing, self-publishing, business writing, and language classes in sign, French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic, Turkish, German, Korean, Japanese, Tagolog, Thai, and Mandarin. Full catalog: http://www2.apsva.us/1540108819214883/site/default.asp.
14th Annual Virginia Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, VA, March 26-30. Readings, panels, discussions. Featured authors include: Claudia Emerson, Barbara Hamby, David Kirby, Heather McHugh, Natasha Trethewey, Charles Wright. Most events free. http://www.vabook.org.
Conversations and Connections: Practical Advice on Getting Published, April 5, 9am to 6pm on the Johns Hopkins Campus in Dupont Circle, DC. Panels, speed-dating with the editors, keynote. Participating journals and presses include The Potomac Review, Barrelhouse, Baltimore Review, Gettysburg Review, Ballyhoo Stories, Tupelo Press, Vrzhu Press, and Beltway Poetry Quarterly, and over 30 more. $45 fee (includes one-year subscription to literary journal of your choice, free admission to the opening reception and free book by one of the Friday night readers. http://www.writersconnectconfererence.com.
9th Annual Bethesda Literary Festival, April 18-20. Readings, poetry slam, writing contests for adults and youth, comedy night. All events free. Various downtown Bethesda locations. http://www.bethesda.org/specialevents/litfest/litfest.htm.
"Writing a Village," a series of community poetry workshops led by Poet Laureate of Takoma Park Anne Becker, for beginners and experienced writers. Each workshop consists of 3 90-minute meetings. Takoma Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD. Free, but registration is required. Workshops for High School Students (9th-12th grades), Tuesdays March 18, April 1 & 8. Workshop for Families (parents and children together), Saturdays April 19, 26, and May 3. Call Sara Daines at (301) 891-7224 or email SaraD@takomagov.org.
SUMMER WRITERS CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
The following list of summer programs are enrolling participants now. This list only includes programs in the Mid-Atlantic region. For a larger listing, we recommend AWP's lists of Writers' Conferences and Centers at http://www.writersconf.org.
Summer Writers Colony in New York City at the New School, June 2-20. Workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfirction and writing for children, plus readings, and trips to legendary literary venues. Fees charged. http://www.newschool.edu/summerwriters.
Exploring Form & Narrative: 14th Annual West Chester University Poetry Conference, June 4-7. Faculty includes Moira Egan, Dana Gioia, Rachel Hadas, Andrew Hudgins, Mark Jarman, Molly Peacock, others. Keynote reading by Richard Wilbur. West Chester, PA. Fees charged. http://www.wcupa.edu/poetry/.
Marymount Manhattan Writers Conference, June 5. Keynote speakers, intensives on literary agents, fiction, and memoir, plus a ozen different panels. Fees charged. New York, NY. http://www.mmm.edu.
Gettysburg Review second annual Conference for Writers, June 4-9. Small intensive workshops limited to 10, panel discussions, public readings. Faculty includes: Terrance Hayes, Peggy Shumaker, Lee K. Abbott. Fees charged. Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA. http://www.gettysburgreview.com.
Chatauqua Writers' Festival, June 12-15. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, Panel and Genre Discussions, Readings, one-on-one conferences. Faculty includes: Stanley Plumly, Robin Becker, Lee Gutkind, others. Fees charges. Chatuaqua, NY. http://writers.ciweb.org/.
Remember the Magic annual summer International Women's Writing Guild conference, Skidmore College, June 13-20. Open to women writers of all levels. Readings, book signings, and approximately 65 workshops each day in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Faculty includes: Kathleen Spivak, Judi Beach, Marj Hahne. Fees charged. Saratoga Springs, NY. http://www.iwwg.org.
Colgate Writers' Conference, June 22-28. Small workshops in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir, and the novel. Fees charged. Colgate University, Hamilton, NY. http://www.cvwc.net.
New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College, June 30 - July 25. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Faculty includes Frank Bidart, Henri Cole, and Campbell McGrath. Fees charged. Saratoga Springs, NY. For brochure, call (518) 580-5590 or write Chris Merrill: cmerrill@skidmore.edu.
Catskill Poetry Workshop, July 6-12. Faculty includes: Stephen Dunn, Claudia Emerson, Dave Smith, Chase Twichell. Fees charged. Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY http://www.hartwick.edu/catskillpoetry.xml.
Hurston/Wright Foundation's Writer's Week, American University, July 13-19. Panels and workshops in fiction and creative nonfiction. Faculty includes Elizabeth Nunez and Kenji Jasper. Fees charged; financial aid available. Washington, DC. http://www.hurstonwright.org.
West Virginia Writers Workshop, July 17-20. Four-day conference: workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, individual conferences, lectures on craft, and panels on publishing. Fees charged. West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. http://www.as.wvu.edu/wvww/.
AREA READINGS and PERFORMANCES
March 2
Finishing Line Press reading: E. Louise Beach, Anne Becker, Heddy Reid, and Katherine Young
Sunday, 2:00 pm
Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664.
March 3
Cafe Muse: Mary Ann Larkin and Bruce MacKinnon, plus classical guitar by Michael Davis and open mic.
Monday, 7:00 pm
Free. Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. (301) 581-9439.
March 3
Phoebe and So to Speak Spring release party, featuring Joe Hall, Brandon Lewis, Heather Davis, Rachael Lyon, Devon Ward-Thommes, Carrie Addington, followed by open mic
Monday, 8:00 pm
Free. Busboys and Poets, 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Shirlington neighborhood, Arlington, VA. (703) 379-9756.
March 4
Judy Neri and other readers TBA
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Takoma Park Branch Library, 5th & Cedar Streets NW, DC. (202) 576-7252.
March 5
Intersections series: readings, discussion, live music, and open mic. Hosted by Fred Joiner.
Wednesday, 8:00 pm
$2 suggested donation. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC. (202) 889-5000 x141.
March 6
Witter Bynner Fellowship reading, featuring Matthew Thorburn and Monica Youn
Thursday, 6:45 pm
Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Montpelier Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394.
March 7
HearArts: Elisavietta Ritchie, with live music from guitarist Charles Mokotoff. Hosted by Philip Wexler.
Friday, 7:30 pm
Free. VisArts, 155 Gibbs Street, Rockville Town Center, Rockville, MD (301) 315-8200.
March 8
Washington Writers Publishing House Reading, followed by open mic
Sunday, 2:00 pm
Free. Southeast Branch of the DC Public Library, 403 7th St. SE, DC. (202) 841-7182.
March 9
Nine on the Ninth Series: featured reader TBA, followed by open mic. Hosted by Derrick Weston Brown.
Tuesday, 9:00 pm
$3 Admission. Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET.
March 9
Iota Poetry Series: Beltway Poetry Quarterly reading from the Split This Rock issue, featuring Brian Gilmore, Melissa Tuckey, Heather Davis, and Steve Rogers.
Sunday, 6:00 pm
Free. Iota Cafe and Club, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon neighborhood, Arlington, VA.
(703) 522-8340 or (703) 256-9275.
March 11
Poetry at Noon: "Family Names and Nicknames" reading, featuring Mary Buchinger, James L. Foy, and Sheppard Ranbom
Tuesday, 12:00 pm
Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Pickford Theater, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394.
March 11
Lannan Series: Ilya Kaminsky and E. Ethelbert Miller
Tuesday, Seminar at 5:30 pm and Reading at 8:00 pm
Free. Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. Seminar at Intercultural Center, Room 462. Reading in Copley Formal Lounge. (202) 687-7435.
March 12
Raphael Cohen-Almagor, reading from his book of poems, Masa'ot, in Hebrew with English translations
Wednesday, Noon
Free. Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE, African and Middle Eastern Conference Room (Room 220), DC. (202) 707-2905.
March 12
Tony Medina
Wednesday, 5:00 pm
Free. George Washington University, Marvin Center, 800 21st St. NW, Visitors Center, Foggy Bottom neighborhood, DC. (202) 994-6180.
March 12
Brookland Reading Series
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Brookland Visitor's Center, 3420 9th St. NE, DC. (202) 526-1632.
March 12
Richard Silken and Alice McDermott
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. University of Maryland, Jimenez-Porter Writers' House, Dorchester Hall, Ground Floor Lounge, College Park, MD. (301) 405-3809.
March 13
Teri Ellen Cross and Patricia Murphy
Thursday, 7:00 pm
Free. Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD. (301) 891-7224.
March 13
Cheryl's Gone Series: Jeff Coleman and Cheryl Quimba, plus music by Lonely City. Hosted by Joe Hall.
Thursday, 8:00 pm
Free. Big Bear Cafe, 1st and R Streets NW, DC. (202) 470-5543.
March 16
Sunday Kind of Love: Beltway Poetry Quarterly reading from the Split This Rock issue, featuring : Winona Addison, Naomi Ayala, Teri Ellen Cross, Yael Flusberg, Tanya Snyder, Dan Vera, Rosemary Winslow, and Kathi Wolfe. Followed by open mic.
Sunday, 4:00 pm
Free. Busboys & Poets, 14th and V Streets NW, U Street neighborhood, DC. (202) 387-POET.
March 18
Poetry at Noon: "Fathers and Daughters" themed reading, featuring Jody Bolz, Dan Logan, and Preston Pulliam
Tuesday, 12:00 pm
Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Pickford Theater, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394.
March 19
Washington Writers Publishing House Reading, followed by open mic
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Petworth Branch of the DC Public Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW at Georgia Avenue, DC. (202) 841-7182.
March 19
Poesis Series: Sandra Beasley and Sydney March, with live music by Shep Williams and Curly Robinson. Hosted by Cliff Bernier.
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Pentagon City Borders Books, 1201 S. Hayes St., Arlington, VA (703) 418-0166.
March 19
Intersections series: readings, discussion, live music, and open mic. Hosted by Fred Joiner.
Wednesday, 8:00 pm
$2 suggested donation. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC. (202) 889-5000 x141.
March 19
Mothertongue
Wednesday, 9:00 pm
$5 Admission. The Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW, DC. (202) 726-1821.
March 20
Verse, Vibes and Bites: featured reader followed by open mic
Thursday, 7:00 pm
Free. Barnes & Noble, 555 12th St. NW, Metro Center neighborhood, DC. (202) 246-0111.
March 22
Film: "A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde" with a discussion by filmmaker Michelle Parkerson and moderator Shellee M. Haynesworth
Saturday, 4:00 pm
Free, but reservations required. Historical Society of Washington, 801 K St. NW, DC. RSVP@historydc.org.
March 24
"The Natural World": Galway Kinnell and Mark Doty
Monday, 7:30 pm
$12 Admission. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, DC. (202) 544-7077.
March 25
Noah Eli Gordon and Joshua Marie Wilkinson
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Bridge Street Books, 2814 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 965-5200.
March 25
"The Dream of the Poem": Peter Cole on Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain, 950-1492.
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
$8 Admission ($6 for students). DC JCC, 1529 16th St. NW, DC. (202) 777-3254
March 25
M. Lee Alexander
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Grace Church, 1041 Wisconsin Ave. NW, lower Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 333-7100.
March 26
Kensington Reading Series: Katherine E. Young and Richard Peabody
Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Free. Kensington Row Books, 3786 Howard Ave., Kensington, MD. (301) 949-9416.
March 27
Rodney Jones and Ellen Bryant Voigt
Thursday, 6:45 pm
Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Montpelier Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394.
March 30
Barbara Goldberg and Hank Lewis
Sunday, 2:00 pm
Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664.
March 30
Christina Strong and Mark Wallace
Sunday, 7:00 pm
Free. Bridge Street Books, 2814 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 965-5200.
