Hello Fellow Writers, Every year in April, I try hard to find a way to celebrate National Poetry Month. For sure, there are some big celebrations going on here and there across the state, even around the nation, and you are lucky indeed if you are included. It is far more low key here in the mountains, but once again I have found a way to personally celebrate. When Kathryn Stripling Byer had to withdraw because of family issues as the judge of the Clay County Poetry Contest, I tried to find another judge to take her place. Finally I gave up and saw it as my opportunity to celebrate poetry. This is an annual event sponsored by the Clay County Historical and Arts Council which I co founded with fellow art teacher Reba Beck 23 years ago. I remember we were both on the Arts Council Board of Directors at the time and they wanted us to do art and poetry contests in the Hayesville schools. We talked about it and decided if the council would make it an annual event, we would coordinate the contests. 

I am covered up with poems from the middle school, high school and adult categories, and I have never felt more involved in National Poetry Month than I do at this moment. Still, I am finding it tough to choose the winners from among so many fine poems written right here in Hayesville, NC.

ANNUAL EVENING OF ART AND POETRY

On the evening of April 22th, Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., you are invited to come celebrate with me at the Hayesville High School Lecture Hall. First there will be an art exhibit and a reception for the winners. I will be reading my poems and  poets will read their winning poems. The program never lasts more than one hour. The auditorium will be packed with parents, grand parents and kinfolks by the dozen. It is free and open to the public. If you have not found a way to celebrate National Poetry Month in Hayesville, please come and join us. 

Anne Barnhill's new Novel at City Lights

This Week at City Lights Bookstore

 Anne Clinard Barnhill's Novel of Elizabethan Intrigue

Saturday, April 12th at 3 p.m.

   

Anne Clinard Barnhill will return to City Lights Bookstore to read from her newest historical novel on Saturday, April 12th at 3 p.m.  Queen Elizabeth's Daughter is the  gripping tale of Mary Shelton, Elizabeth I's young cousin and ward.  When Mary falls in love with a man not of Elizabeth's choosing, her place of privilege is suddenly very much in question.  The young couple could be risking death by defying the wishes of a wrathful queen.  Anne has been writing or dreaming of writing for most of her life. For the past twenty years, she has published articles, book and theater reviews, poetry, and short stories.  She lives with her husband of 30 years in North Carolina.  To reserve copies of her books please click here.  

WRITERS, COME TO THE MOUNTAINS FOR WRITING CONFERENCE

Hello Fellow Writers, Come to the heart of Appalachia and spend the day with writers talking all day about writing. North Carolina Writers Network West's  all day writing conference is set for May 10, 2014 in Sylva, NC. Info below.

List of Workshops and Class Discussions: click  for information.

http://netwestwriters.blogspot.com/2014/04/netwest-writers-conference-course.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Ftobd+%28Netwest+Mountain+Writers+and+Poets%29

Celebrate National Poetry Month- Coffee with the Poets

Coffee with the Poets and Writers

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 11:27 AM PDT

Coffee with the Poets and Writers, a monthly literary event held at Blue Mountain Coffee and Grill, 30 North Carolina 141, Murphy, NC, will celebrate poetry month Wednesday, April, 9, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. Featured will be poet, Brenda Kay Ledford, from Hayesville, NC.  She is a seventh-generational native of Clay County, NC, and holds a Master of Arts in Education from Western Carolina