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Nancy Simpson's LIVING ABOVE THE FROST LINE, New and Selected Poems was published by Carolina Wren Press (N.C. Laureate Series, 2010.) She is the author of ACROSS WATER and NIGHT STUDENT, State Street Press, still available on WWW at Alibris and Books Again. Her poems have been published in Southern Poetry Review, Prairie Schooner, The Georgia Review and other literary magazines. "Carolina Bluebirds" was published in THE POETS GUIDE TO THE BIRDS, Anhinga Press). "Grass" was reprinted in the 50th Anniversary Issue of Southern Poetry Review: DON'T LEAVE HUNGRY ( U.of Arkansas Press.) Seven poems were reprinted in the textbook, SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN POETRY,(McFarland.) Two poems were published in SOLO CAFE, Two more poems were published in SOLO NOVO."In the Nantahala Gorge" was published in Pisgah Review. "Studying Winter" was reprinted in Pirene's Fountain Anthology and "The Collection" in Collecting Life Anthology. Most recently, Southern Poetry Review Edited by James Smith, published "Our Great Depression," and The Southern Poetry Anthology Vol. VII: NORTH CAROLINA,Edited by William Wright, reprinted "Leaving in the Dead of Winter."

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

THE BEST KEPT SECRET FOR WRITING STUDENTS IN THE SOUTH

Hidden in the far southwestern corner of North Carolina is a thriving, 83 year old school of arts and crafts - The John C. Campbell Folk School. That is no secret, for thousands of students come for classes each year.  The news that is not reaching writers is that J.C.C.F.S. offers writing classes. Last year the school opened its new Writing Studio.  Students come for a week or a weekend.  The outside world seems to disappear as they focus on their writing.


J.C.C.F.S. is like a second home to me, and I go there as often as possible.  A number of my poems  were written there.  I am lucky to have a reason sometimes to be there, at least part time.  For fifteen years, I have served as Resident Writer.  It's a small job, but it is important to me, because I have an opportunity to plan and schedule the writing classes.  

The year 2008 is coming to the end.  Yes, the hard freeze is coming, maybe tonight.  Writers must find a way to keep writing when all else shuts down.  In my planning, at the folk school, I thought carefully about the kind of writing classes that keep writers writing, even in the dead of winter.
  
Above you will find the list of winter classes.  Check it out.  Sign up.  I hope to see you there.

Comments are especially welcome form former folk school writing students.




8 comments:

Lynn ... said...

Some day ... I don't know when ... but someday I'm going to come up for a week and take some classes!! I'm glad you posted this!!! Love y!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Nancy,
I enjoy the writing classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School very much. I'm so glad you do such a wonderful job lining up teachers for the writing program. Brenda Kay Ledford

Kathryn Stripling Byer said...

Hi Nancy, I'm wondering about the suggestion that this is for Appalachian free verse poets. When you think of some of our best known poets, they write often highly formal verse--Fred Chappell, for example. Bob Morgan has, too, and Ron Rash writes in syllabics. There's all kinds of poetry being written in these mountains--sonnets, villanelles, anapestic pentameter (I reckon that's me.) and what I guess we'd call "free verse," though any good poem is not exactly "free." That's why Appalachian poetry is so rich. It goes in all sorts of directions.

Tipper said...

Love the folk school-and am glad I live close enough to visit it at least twice a week!!

Judy Roney said...

Nancy, Taking your class at John C Campbell is still so fresh in my mind. I wish I lived closer all year so I could attend more. I go once a year and look forward to a fall class next year. Those of you who live close enough to visit are fortunate indeed. I wish I could take an ongoing class from you Nancy. I learned so much and what I liked best is the warmth of the group and the feeling of relaxation I had there. Good memories.

Kathryn Stripling Byer said...

Nancy, I think the change to practicing poets is perfect! Your blogspot is lovely and I think the change in the header only enhances that. We are all practicing poets, no matter how formal or "free" we are! Love, kay

Nancy Simpson said...

Kay, Thanks. You are right. LIVING ABOVE THE FROST LINE is a dwelling place for practicing poets. I do welcome all. It's fixed now. Bring on the poets.

Glenda Council Beall said...

Nancy, you know how much I love the Folk School writing classes. I've been taking classes there since 1996 when I took my first class with you in the Orchard House, now the home of the writing classes. I look forward to my weekend class in January when we can huddle in warm and cozy and write, write, write.
Thanks for all you do at the Folk School for writers everywhere.
Glenda