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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."

Monday, April 14, 2014


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. 

3 comments:

Rana Williams said...

Thank you Nancy for all the great work that you do!

You are a great poet!!!!!

Rana

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Nancy,
I enjoyed "Evening with the Arts" very much. As always, your poetry reading was great. I also enjoyed hearing the poetry of those who won the contest. You did a wonderful job judging. The artwork by the students was outstanding, too.

Nancy Simpson said...

Thank you to Brenda Kay Ledford and Rana Williams.

The Evening of Art and Poetry enriched my life. I appreciate the Clay County Historical and Arts Council for sponsoring this event for now 23 years. I hope to see it continue although I hear there will be some changes in the future.

Also, please stay tuned and be on the lookout on this site for an announcement of the winners and hopefully some of their poetry. I have offered to publish their winning poems but as you all know, once a poet wins an award, it is smarter at the moment to try to get the poem published in a literary magazine.

I'm working on the article but so far have not received their permission nor their poems.