Bradley and Howard featured at Coffee with the Poets and Writers in Hayesville in March

A group of writers and poets met at the Moss Library in Hayesville, NC for Coffee with the Poets and Writers, monthly literary event sponsored by NCWN West, a program of the state organization NC Writers Network. 

This day was unusual because we had a mother and three children visiting with us. We also had an author from Hendersonville, NC read today. Miriam Jones Bradley is author of several nonfiction books and a children's mystery series. We love Miriam because she is a delightful person to hang with. Miriam stayed for lunch with us and we all got better acquainted. Miriam speaks in schools on the writing process, so if you want a wonderful speaker and teacher for your school, visit her website and contact her. Or contact me and I will put you in touch.

Miriam Jones Bradley

Our local reader today was Joan Howard, wonderful poet, who lives in Hiawassee, Ga and in Athens, GA. Joan has published in some excellent publications in recent years and her poems today were perfect for the spring weather we experienced.

Joan Howard, poet

Two of the children, eleven and nine years old, read at Open Mic. We were delighted to see they were well mannered, poised and comfortable reading before adults. They are home-schooled by their mother who is evidently doing a great job.  

Joan Gage, a NCWN West member who manages the blog, www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com recorded some of the reading today. She post ed them on www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com. I am so glad Joan Gage moved to Hayesville and joined our writing organization. She is a wonderful volunteer.

We hope other writers and those who just enjoy hearing good writers and poets read their original work, will join us next month on the third Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Our Open Mic welcomes anyone who wants to read a poem or two or a short piece of prose. 

We enjoy the writing and the social atmosphere at Coffee with the Poets and Writers in Hayesville, NC.

Michael Diebert's class on line breaks in poetry

L-R: Michael, Marsha Barnes, Karen Holmes, Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin, Joan Howard, Brenda Kay Ledford

We had six students and were happy to have Marsha Barnes, second from left below, and Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin who drove over from Cullowhee. She is in blue with scarf.

Joan Howard and Glenda Beall in Wild Goose Poetry Review now

I am happy to have a poem published online in The Wild Goose Poetry Review, and I am happy to announce that Joan Howard also has a poem in the Wild Goose.

Click on this link to read our work. http://wildgoosepoetryreview.wordpress.com/.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Glenda

Joan Howard's Gift is accepted by the Aurorean

Friend and fellow poet, Joan Howard, of Athens and Hiawassee, Georgia, an active member of NCWN West, had a poem, Gifts, accepted by this prestigious New England journal for their spring 2013 issue. 

The Aurorean is a biannual poetry journal appearing in April and October each year. From 1995-2005, the journal was published quarterly and from Southeastern Massachusetts. They officially moved to Central Maine in 2005 and the expanded biannual format began in 2006. The Aurorean has been featured in Poet’s Market and several-times recommended as a “Pick” by the prestigious Small Press Review, most recently for its 10th Anniversary Issue (Fall/Winter 2010–2011). SPR has said of the Aurorean: “a journal that has both high production values and quality poetry ... perfect to elevate you from the dark night of the soul.” In January of 2011, NewPages reviewer Sima Rabinowitz said of their 15th Anniversary Issue: "This little journal will fill you up."

Congratulations, Joan. 

Book Party for Nadine Justice at Writers Circle

Writers Circle studio was filled with joy, encouragement and congratulations for Nadine Justice, author of I'm a Coal Miner's Daughter, But I Cain't Sang, her memoir on the theme of perseverance and belief in one's self. 

Nadine read a couple of excerpts from the book, answered questions, and talked about how she came to write the book. Friends from her writing group in Georgia as well as friends from her first class with me, at Tri-County Community College, were on hand to honor Nadine on her published book. Several Netwest members came and met the new author.  

Nadine Justice stands beside the cake with the photo cover of her book. It was too pretty to cut, but we finally made the first slice.

Linda Smith, Vicki Dumsford, Ash Rothlein, Liz Rothlein, Maren Mitchell

On left Ash Rothlein and on right, Idell Shook

Cake 

Glenda, Ash and Liz Rothlein, Ginny W

from left, Staci Bell, Linda Smith, Joan Howard and Ginny  Walsh

A very big thank you to Staci and Ginny for all there help, and to Joan Howard.

Coffee with the Poets made a big splash this month

Wednesday was Coffee with the Poets day in Hayesville, NC at Cafe Touche.
Mary Mike Keller, one of the Writers Circle faculty, along with a long time friend, Glenda Barrett, each read their original work for a packed house.

This event is sponsored by Netwest and has been running since 2007. Over the years we enjoyed local poets and writers as well as guests who traveled many miles to read here.

I am excited that two of my students, Nadine Justice and Barb Gabriel read at open mic and their work was evidently appreciated by the warm applause each received.

We gave a door prize yesterday - a copy of The Best of Poetry Hickory, an anthology of poets who read in 2011 at  Poetry Hickory held at Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse in Hickory, NC. This event is led by Scott Owens, poet and NCWN rep for that area.
I am happy that the winner of the book was none other than Nancy Simpson, my mentor and teacher of poetry.

I am posting a few photos from yesterday.



Glenda Barrett, poet, When the Sap Rises, chapbook from Finishing Line Press



Mary Mike Keller reads an essay on spooky stories



Robert S. King, FutureCycle Press, and newcomer, Dot James.





Nancy Simpson visits with Netwest members Joan Howard and Carolyn Johnson