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May/June2013 Issue
May/June Issue
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Poetic Asides
Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic Asides Blog
Are you passionate about writing poetry? Check out Robert Lee Brewer’s blog, Poetic Asides. You’ll find poetry prompts, solid tips on writing poetry, interviews with poets, and blog posts highlighting poetic forms like chant, haibun or nonet poems, rispetto, and prose poetry. Sit back, relax, and learn more about the craft of poetry!
Slams, Maps and Raps
“Slam I am,” by Gayle Worland for Wisconsin State Journal, profiles a Madison, Wisconsin, slam team. In the process, Worland also delivers a nice primer on slam poetry in general. ***** “U.S. … Read more
Should all Poets Move to Australia and More Stuff
“Out of the garrets,” by Fiona Scott-Norman for The Age, looks at performance poetry in Melbourne, Australia. “Poets are becoming the new pop stars,” writes Fiona. Which begs the question: Should all … Read more
Friday SPAM Poetry Prompt #803
SPAM prompt line: Don’t be silly, enjoy life I don’t know about you, but I can’t enjoy life unless I am silly. For the sake of this exercise, though, let’s accept … Read more
Mom Jokes & Insult Poetry
Back in the days of track & field and cross country, the guys and I would be running for literally miles and miles with little to occupy our minds but the joys … Read more
New National Poet Laureate Named
Librarian of Congress Appoints Charles Simic Poet Laureate From Library of Congress News Release: “Librarian of Congress James H. Billington has announced the appointment of Charles Simic to be the Library’s 15th … Read more
Women Dominate!
“Women dominate new writing awards shortlist,” by Michelle Pauli for Guardian Unlimited, announces that eight of nine writers shortlisted for the New Writing Ventures awards are women. Three finalists are selected for … Read more
OOOPS! post: Lo Galluccio
I’m so glad I noticed this in the Comments to this post–my apologies, Lo!: Thanks for the mention. I only wanted to let you know that my name is actually Lo … Read more
World's Worst Poet and Poetic Lies?
“How to Celebrate ‘The World’s Worst Poet’?,” by Ben McConville for The Washington Post, covers the snubbing of 19th Century poetic flop William McGonagall by the Scottish literary establishment. The piece includes … Read more
Vacation, Poetry Readings, Rejection, Stamps?!?
After a week in the Appalachians, I’ve got Internet access again. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. Tomorrow, back to work! (We’ll slot that into the good column, though … Read more
Remembering Grandma
I realized when I looked at the calendar this morning that it was 16 years since Grandma Martha died of breast cancer. The night before she passed, I told her (as she … Read more
If You Write Poetry for Children…
Alice Pope is the editor of Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, the premiere market guide for children’s writers–including poets. At Alice’s CWIM Blog, she offers “not-quite-daily news and musings.” It’s a lively … Read more
Congratulations to Jared Carter
As I posted earlier this month, Jared Carter was nominated in the poetry category for the Best Books of Indiana 2007 awards. Jared sends word that Cross This Bridge at a Walk was honored … Read more
Friday SPAM Poetry Prompt #727
SPAM prompt line: I’m writing to find love Sorry I haven’t followed up on my promise to try these prompts myself–I’m a couple of poems behind. I’m going to try to … Read more
The Blogging Side of Poetry
The new 2008 edition of Poet’s Market offers “Roundtable: Poets and Blogs” by Anne Bowling. Featured are bloggers Amanda Johnston, C. Dale Young (Avoiding the Muse), Kate Greenstreet (Every Other Day), Janet … Read more
Poetry news from here and there
If you live in the Boston, MA area or will be visiting in early November, mark your calendar for The Somerville News Writers Festival V, to be held at the Jimmy Tingle … Read more
Some Good News!
Yes, I’m on vacation, but I also have Internet access tonight. So, of course, I have to share some good news from today. You see, I received my contributor copy of Otoliths … Read more
Bon Voyage, Robert!
As Robert notes below, he’s going on vacation. I’m sure readers will miss him, and I definitely will! The nice thing about a blog done in partnership is the advantage of presenting … Read more
How Thunder Gets Stolen
I came across this interesting post by Pamela Redmond Satran (hat tip to The Poetry Foundation’s Dispatches: News feature online) about “Maya Angelou’s Best Poem Ever”–which was actually written by Satran as … Read more
Mathematics and poetry, as well as 2 tributes
Before I launch into the news today, I should let you know that I may not be posting much between now and next Tuesday. ‘Tis the season for summer vacations, and my … Read more
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #720
SPAM prompt line: Are you still with short ramrod? (Sorry for the late prompt post–it was a distracting day.) That squirt Ramrod. What a character! Everyone in your class got … Read more
County Fairs and Poetry Revisited
Yesterday when I posted about poetry at a local county fair I didn’t realize that there’s actually quite a bit of activity in this area. Out of curiosity, I entered “county fair … Read more
Okay, Harry Potter, Why Not
I had a good time reading this post and (especially) the related comments at The Atlantic Online about who does and doesn’t read Harry Potter. I don’t like popcorn that much, but … Read more
The Importance of Setting Poetry Goals
This is probably a long overdue follow-up to Nancy’s “Published is Published” post from 6/27/07, but late is better than never, right? The whole issue of whether it’s right or wrong for … Read more
County Fairs and Poetry
Last night I went to the Warren Co. Fair here in southwestern Ohio with my mother to check on her entries in quilting and sewing. She won a bunch of ribbons of … Read more
Thinking about bridges…
Yesterday Robert linked to a Washington Post story about “the world’s worst poet,” William McGonagall of Scotland. The article quoted McGonagall’s “The Tay Bridge Disaster,” which is too painfully bad to repeat … Read more