About Me

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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."

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

What's in Your Writing Folder? Poetry I hope because....

Crab Orchard Review announced a poetry prize of $2000.00. Submit your best three poems up to 100 lines each. Submission fee is $20.00 by mail or $22.00 on line. Deadline May 4, 2013. Visit website for full details. Crab Orchard Review, Literary Press, English Dept. Mail code 4503 Southern Illinois University. Carbondale, Illinois 62901 John Tribble is Managing Editor.
EMAIL: jtribble@siu.edu
PHONE: 618-453-6833



A Poetry Chapbook Contest is announced at CutBank, University of Montana English Dept. Liberal Arts 133. Missoula, Montana 59812. Get info from editor at  (editor.cutbank@gmail.com.)

The winner will receive $1000.00, publication and 25 copies. Limit 25 to 40 page manuscript with a
$20.00 entry fee. Deadline March 31, 2013








Monday, February 25, 2013

Full Snow Moon Reached Fullness Tonight - February 25, 2013

Did you see the "Full Snow Moon" of February?


February’s Full Snow Moon reached fullness tonight.
Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called February’s full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon because bitter weather conditions in their areas made hunting difficult.
Full Moon names date back to Native Americans during what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. 

This full snow moon image was designed from a photo circle of earlier snow that fell on Cherry Mountain by poet Nancy Simpson.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

GOOGLE, DO NOT SCARE ME LIKE THIS AGAIN

Google, Why will you not let me get into my own blog?

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Poet Mary Ricketson Will come from her home in Hanging Dog, NC to Read Poems at John C. Campbell Folk School THURSDAY February 21, 2013


Mary Ricketson Then and Now


One evening I answered my phone and heard the voice of a woman asking about my creative writing class at Tri County Community College. It was Mary Ricketson. She said she had been writing and hoped she might be ready to take my class. I said, "Yes, yes." Mary took the class and I saw that she was already an accomplished writer and poet. A while later some of my students asked if I would teach a workshop on how to get a poetry book published. That was one of the highlights of my teaching career. There were six women in that class that lasted for eight weeks. It was hard work, but the program was designed to guide them in getting their poetry collection published, not self published, but to actually find a publisher who would believe in their poems and finance the publication of their book.

Mary Ricketson and the others where asked to choose a partner to work with for the eight weeks. That meant three people would proof read the proposed manuscript: the author, their partner, and myself the instructor. The poets were also asked to read their entire chapbook while it was recorded on tape. Each got comments from the group and each took their tape home with them. It worked very well for Mary Ricketson and her partner who was Glenda Barrett of Hiawassee, Georgia. A few months latere, both woman called me on the same day, both saying the same thing: "My poetry chapbook has been accepted for publication."


I Hear the River Call My Name   
is the title of MaryRicketson's chapbook

"MANIFESTO"

My body knew
before my mind
made thoughts,
before my voice
found words.

Make peace with loss.
make friends with change.

A candle flickers.
Blue light drowns
in its own flame.
Secret shards
of hope surrender.

Let me live
where crystal clear creeks
slither over small rugged rocks,
slide through the smooth,
and rain and tears are welcome
as sunlight and laughter.

Where birth and death
run the same river bed,
I run my life.

by Mary Ricketson
from I Heard the River Call My Name

Do you want to buy this book? I hope so.

Finishing Line Press
PO Box 1626
Georgetown, Kentucky 40324

or order on line

COME to THE FOLK SCHOOL
                      Brasstown, NC
                  JANUARY 21, 2013

Mary Ricketson will be the fatured reader at this month's  featured literary program POETS AND WRITERS READING POEMS AND STORIES, sponsored by NC Writer Network West and John  C Campbell Folk School 7:00 p.m. in Keith House livingroom on campus.

Mary will be sure to read some poems from I Hear the River Call My Name and we're even more sure to hear
new poems from her recentlly completed full length poetry collection.


FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Poet Mary Ricketson will read at John C. Campbell Folk School




On Facebook 

Mary Ricketson said:
"I will be reading my poetry at John C Campbell Folk School Thursday Feb 21 at 7 pm. Come one, come all."





Connie Killian Which building?
about an hour ago
· Like


Keith House Living Room.




Joyce Miles love to hear your poems.
about an hour ago
· Like








Carol Reid We love to hear your poems! We'll be there!
about an hour ago
· Like








B J Bain McFalls Wish I could be there.
18 minutes ago
· Like




"I hope to be there too, Mary," said Nancy Simpson



ONE WEEK POETRY WRITING CLASS OFFERED AT JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL




(a message from Karen Palu Holmes about a new class) 

A POETRY WRITING CLASS AT JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL
Sign up Now. You may get 1/2 price discount.

The Folk School class the weekend of April 12 will get cancelled unless more students sign up (I'm the only one signed up). So that means there is room for 1/2 price local students. Here's the description:
MITAKUYE OYASIN: POETRY AND THE NATURAL WORLD
"Mitakuye Oyasin" is a Lakota Sioux prayer translated, "We are all related." It's a prayer of gratitude for all living things. In that spirit, enjoy the poetry of Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, and others as we explore the poetic voices of the natural world. Using science and history, we'll investigate how writing poetry can reveal and deepen our relationship to this amazing planet. We'll gain inspiration from early spring in the mountains by taking our classroom outdoors on peaceful walks. All levels welcome.
Teacher:
MARY CARROLL-HACKETT
Share: 
Mary earned her MFA from Bennington College in Vermont in 2003. She now teaches creative writing at Longwood University in Virginia, where she founded "The Dos Passos Review," edits for Briery Creek Press, and administers the Liam Rector First Book Prize for Poetry. Mary's fiction has appeared in "The Carolina Quarterly," "Clackamas Literary Review," "The Pedestal Magazine," and other literary journals. She is the author of several books and chapbooks, most recently "The Real Politics of Lipstick" from Slipstream Press.

Not only do I want to class to make for selfish reasons, I also hate to see writing classes at the Folk School cancelled. 

Also, mark your calendars: Next Writers' Night Out is March 8 and features Robert S King. 
-- 
Karen Paul Holmes

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Poet Robert Bly is awarded the 2013 Robert Frost Medal

The Poetry Society of America announces
the 3013 ROBERT FROST MEDALIST - Poet Robert Bly

https://www.poetrysociety.org/psa/poetry/blog/announcing_the_2013_frost_medali/

click URL to read about award and read poem
"Keeping Our Small Boat Afloat," by Robert Bly

Monday, February 11, 2013

On February 13, 2013, Poet and Writer Linda M. Smith will be the featured Poet.






WednesdayCoffee with the Poets has
                     Linda Smith
reading at the new location at the Blue Mountain Restaurant in Murphy (corner of Hwy 141 and US 64 Alternate) near the Murphy Medical Center. 

Time is 10:30 AM so you cannot complain about getting up too early.  

Note: This is a restaurant with really good food; you’ll like it.  Stay for lunch.(announced by Lucy Cole Gratton)

Friday, February 1, 2013

February - CELEBRATE LOVE MONTH with new anthology titled ...and love...


   


























Friday, February 1, 7:00 pm
Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Ave., Wilmington
Chocolate, wine, music, and poetry—pre-Valentines celebration of the …and love…. anthology, edited by Richard Krawiec, Debra Kaufman, Allison Elrod. Poems about lovers and spouses. Sons and daughters. Parents, friends, strangers, pets. First love, last love, dying love, passionate love, sad love, wasted love, devoted love; love of body, love of spirit, love of self, love of place, love of time, love of moments, love of love. Related events will be held:
Sunday, February 3, The Arts Center, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro
Saturday, February 9, 2:00 pm, Barnes & Noble, Northline Dr. (Friendly Shopping Center), Greensboro, followed by a workshop and an Open Mic

Want to buy the book?

...and love.... Edited by Richard Krawiec, 
Allison Elrod, and Debra Kaufman
Jacar Press
$15.95, paperback

Available from the publisher click
Poems by Marge Piercy, Sam Hamill, 
Dorianne Laux, Ron Rash, Lola Haskins, 
Stuart Dischell, Doris Davenport, 
Fred Chappell, Kathryn Stripling Byer, 
Alan Michael Parker, Michael Chitwood, 
Betty Adcock, Joe Millar, Nancy Simpson, 
David Huddle, Holly Iglesias, Dannye 
Romine Powell, and 100+ other poets.
Jacar Press website: www.jacarpress.com.