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THE SUNDAY POESY: Opportunities, Events, Other News and Information

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POETS & WRITERS FOR PEACE

PEN International promotes peace through freedom of experience and linguistic diversity. It runs regional and global campaigns, including campaigns on behalf of poets and writers jailed for their political views and activism. It’s Bled Manifesto of the Writers for Peace is HERE.  Membership information HERE

CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS

Opportunity Knocks

TINY POETRY: MACROPOETICS “seeks submissions from established and emerging writers, typically between 10-30 lines per poem, up to five poems at a time. We seek place-based poetry that explores our relationship to nature, to self, and to images and artifacts we find in our daily lives. However, our content is varied, so send what you like best, and we’ll read it and get back to you! We also accept art and photography submissions.” Details HERE

FOLIATE OAK LITERARY MAGAZINE calls for submissions of
writing, artwork, and photography. It publishes creative nonfiction, poetry, fiction, and hybrid work. Deadline for the May issue is April 24, 2016 Details HERE

ARROYO LITERARY REVIEW, a publication of California State University, is open for submissions now. The reading period is December 1 through May 31. Details HERE

COMPETITION

Opportunity Knocks

GREY HEN PRESS: 2016 poetry contest for women poets over 60 is for poems of up to 40 lines on any subject. The adjudicators are Maggie Butt and Anne Stewart. Prizes: IST – £100 2ND – £50 3RD – £25 Details HERE

EVENTS

POETRY AS THERAPY National Association for Poetry Therapy Annual Conference; UNITY VILLAGE HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER near Kansas, Missouri; April 14-17, 2016 Details HERE

HOUSE OF POETRY.  Ebrahim Al Arrayed at the Shaikh Ebrahim Center, Lebanon; The Lebanese writer and TV presenter “Majida Dagher worked in several print and broadcast outlets over her illustrious career. The versatile Majida Dagher also a respected writer with many books and titles to her credit, including a literary review of the works of some of the most respected writers and poets in Lebanon and the world.” Details in Arabic HERE

LITERARY PUB OR PERISH Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201; Join Sharon Frye, Ayara Stein, Silva Zanoyan Merjanian, RJ Looney, Donnie Lamon, MH Clay and Justin Booth. You’ll find the bios of presenters HERE.

APRIL 14-17, The above event is part of the Little Rock, Arkansas Annual Literary Festival.

W/RITES & RHAPSODIES: Israel Writing Tour July 3 – 18:
Write! Tour! Perform! Listen! Learn! Feast! With tour leaders Adeena Karasick and Michael Dickel. Registration deadline: 15 April 2016 Link HERE Itinerary. Cost: $3,080, which does not include air fare, more details HERE. Register HERE.

PUBLICATIONS

PEN American Poetry Series: Each week, the PEN Poetry Series publishes work by emerging and established writers from coast to coast. The series is edited by Danniel Schoonebeek, with guest editors TC Tolbert, Dawn Lundy Martin, and Brian Blanchfield. You can subscribe to the PEN Poetry Series mailing list to receive poems each week. Unfortunately the Series is closed for submissions at this time. Keep watching for a change in status.

THE BEZINE, a publication of The Bardo Group Beguines, will celebrate interNational Poetry Month on April 15th with an issue dedicated entirely to poetry. Access The BeZine HERE.

A TREAT

CHRISTOPHER WALKEN reading The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe HERE

THE POET BY DAY

TESTIMONY:  

“Here be inspiration. There are blogs and there are blogs. There is writing; there is poetry; there is art; there is human endeavour and there is ‘The Poet by Day’. Rarely, if ever, have I come across a web log like this, of such towering integrity. Seldom have I encountered such a willingness to subjugate self for the benefit not only of the art of the written word, but also for the benefit of poets and writers everywhere. Here be a deep well of inspiration.” Poet, essayist and musician: John Anstie (My Poetry Library)

MISSION STATEMENT:

  • to honor the place of poetry in our lives;
  • to acknowledge good poets, both established and emerging;
  • to encourage poetry for social and environmental justice;
  • to shine a light on women and minority poets and poets just finding their voices in maturity;
  • to encourage you in your writing and provide helpful information and resources;
  • to have fun, to laugh, to feel good … and to cry when that’s needed.

Disclosure

THE SUNDAY POESY: Opportunities, Events and Other News

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CELEBRATING:

Mohammed Al Ajami, photo courtesy of PEN International
Mohammed Al Ajami, photo courtesy of PEN America

Mohammed al-Ajami Pardoned by Qatari Emir. It seems that the Government of Qatar has finally listened to the concerns of the United Nations and international community,” says ADHRB’s Executive Director, Husain Abdulla, “The Emir’s decision to pardon Mohammed al-Ajami is not only a victory for free expression over the forces of censorship and repression in Qatar, it is also a testament to the power of public, international pressure to improve human rights everywhere.” Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain

Distinguished English Poet, Myra Schneider, celebrates her 80th birthday this June. In honor of the upcoming occasion, The Poet by Day featured an interview with Myra that includes suggestions for novice poets: A Life Immersed  in Poetry: Myra Schneider Celebrating over 50 years as Poet and Writer.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS:

SELF-PUBLISHED WRITERS AND POETS:

  • You can register your book with Publishers Weekly and submit it for review via its BookLife platform HERE.
  •  Writer’s Digest Deadline for WD Self-Published Book Awards: April 1, 2016 … “here’s your chance to enter the premier self-published competition exclusively for self-published books. Writer’s Digest hosts the 24th annual self-published competition–the Annual Self-Published Book Awards. This self-published competition, co-sponsored by Book Marketing Works, LLC spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors.” Details HERE
  • Information on other self-published book awards is offer by The Book Designer HERE.

EVENTS:

unnamed-1April 16, 7-9 pm.

LITERARY PUB OR PERISH

Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack
107 River Market Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Join Sharon Frye, Ayara Stein, Silva Zanoyan Merjanian, RJ Looney, Donnie Lamon, MH Clay and Justin Booth. You’ll find the bios of presenters HERE.

APRIL 14-17, The above event is part of the Little Rock, Arkansas Annual Literary Festival.

MARCH 21, 6-7pm in HumSS G27, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus. Poet, playwright, director, producer and teacher Mojisola Adebayo will give a talk on and reading from her work,  Mojisola Adebayo: Plays One (Oberon Books, 2012), on Monday 21 March, Mojisola will discuss her work with the Department’s expert on black British theatre, Nicola Abram. No charge and no reservation needed.

734866_1188351144510894_2329117433083661482_nMojisola Adebayo: Plays One includes the plays Moj of the Antarctic, Desert Boy, Matt Henson: North Star and Muhammad Ali and Me

Moj of the Antarctic is inspired by the true story of an African American woman who cross-dresses as a white man to escape slavery; taken on a fantastical odyssey to Antarctica.

Desert Boy, a time-travelling a capella musical, offers a sharp twist on the subject of knife crime, black youth and absent fathers.

Matt Henson, North Star is a biographical tale of Arctic betrayal, mixed with Greenlandic folk tales; all about love, climate and change.

Muhammad Ali and Me is a lyrical coming of age story, following the parallel struggles of a gay girl child growing up in foster care and the black Muslim boxing hero’s fight against racism and the Vietnam war.

APRIL 15: Special Poetry Issue of The BeZine. April, National Poetry Month in the United States, is celebrated as an international event at The BeZine. This year Contributing Editor Michael Dickel hosts and The Woven Tale Press is a partner. Poets featured include: Michael Rothenberg, Myra Schneider, Carolyn O’Connell, Terri Muuss, Dilys Wood, Liliana Negoi, Michael Dickel, Jamie Dedes, Imen Benyoub, Natasha Head and Aprilia Zank.

Notes: The Woven Tale Press offers a copy of their first Press Selected Works for free; and National Poetry Month is sponsored by the American Academy of Poets. Link HERE for activities in which you may join and to send for a free poster.

APRIL 21: Litquake Celebrates National Poetry Month at Gardenias: A Poets Supper; 1963 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115; featured poets include Kimberly Grey, D.A. Powell, and Solmaz Sharif. Details HERE.

JULY 3 – 18:  W/rites and Rhapsodies: Israel Writing Tour
Write! Tour! Perform! Listen! Learn! Feast! With tour leaders Adeena Karasick and Michael Dickel. Registration deadline: 15 April 2016 Link HERE Itinerary. Cost: $3,080, which does not include air fare, more details HERE. Register HERE.

SEPTEMBER 24:  is the next Global Event Day for 100,000 Poets for Change (peace, sustainability, social justice). Check out 100TPC.org for details on this initiative, to find events in your area and/or to register an event you’re organizing. Poets Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion are founders and hosts.

In honor of 100TPC, The BeZine is focusing on Environment and Environmental Justice this year. Message G Jamie Dedes on Facebook if you want to join our ongoing Facebook discussion group. Our September 15 issue of The BeZine is dedicated to Environmental subjects and hosted by Associate Editor, Priscilla Galasso. On the global event day, September 24, the Zine will sponsor a virtual event with reader participation. Michael Dickel hosts.

OCTOBER 17: Under the leadership of Terri Stewart, Beguine Again founder and managing editor, will host a 100,000 Beguines for Peace event. This interfaith effort will focus on spiritual topics. Details to come from Terri in months ahead. Beguine Again and The BeZine are sister sites and The Bardo Group Beguines support and often contribute to both sites. Terri Stewart is a Methodist Minister. Her popular Daily Practice posts on Beguine Again feature poetry, art and music to address timely topics in a conscious and prayerful manner.

OCTOBER 20-23: The 30th Annual Dodge Poetry Festival, the largest poetry festival in the United States will be held in Newark, New Jersey. Details HERE. Readings from past festivals are archived on YouTube HERE.

12523073_1671505789771540_1144084924930641637_nSAN FRANCISCO JAPAN TOWN 2016, 110th Anniversary: This is one of the only three remaining Japan towns in the United States. Events are scheduled throughout the year to celebrate culture and history. Of special interest are photographic displays, a book launch, a concert and performing arts nights. Details HERE.

THE POET BY DAY

TESTIMONY:  

“Here be inspiration. There are blogs and there are blogs. There is writing; there is poetry; there is art; there is human endeavour and there is ‘The Poet by Day’. Rarely, if ever, have I come across a web log like this, of such towering integrity. Seldom have I encountered such a willingness to subjugate self for the benefit not only of the art of the written word, but also for the benefit of poets and writers everywhere. Here be a deep well of inspiration.” Poet, essayist and musician: John Anstie (My Poetry Library)

MISSION STATEMENT:

  • to honor the place of poetry in our lives;
  • to acknowledge good poets, both established and emerging;
  • to encourage poetry for social and environmental justice;
  • to shine a light on women and minority poets and poets just finding their voices in maturity;
  • to encourage you in your writing and provide helpful information and resources;
  • to have fun, to laugh, to feel good … and to cry when that’s needed.

Disclosure

 

SUNDAY POESY: Opportunities, Events and Other News

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EMERGENCY RELIEF

WRITERS EMGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) for established writers with credentials that are the same as those required for membership in the ASJA.  These are not grants to fund writing projects. They are to provide help  when needed due to advanced age, illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis make the writer unable to work. A writer need not be a member of ASJA to qualify for a grant. Details HERE.

THE INTERNATIONAL WRITERS PROJECT of Brown University “provides assistance to writers who ace personal danger and threats to their livelihood in nations throughout the world  each academic year, the Project sponsors a resident fellowship for one writer who feels unable to pactice free expression at home.”  Details HERE.

CONTESTS/COMPETIONS

Opportunity Knocks

THE GREAT BREAK SHORT STORY WRITING CONTEST of The Writer magazine. “Frame a short story using any nuance, definition or understanding of the word “break.” Write 2,000 words of fiction and submit it to The Writer.” Deadline April 25. Details HERE.

THE GLIMMER TRAIN VERY SHORT FICTION CONTEST “The Very Short Fiction Award is open to all writers. Any story that has not appeared in a print publication is welcome. Word count range: 300 – 3,000. PRIZES:1st place wins $2000, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 10 copies.2nd place wins $500 or, if accepted for publication, $700 and 10 copies.3rd place wins $300 or, if accepted for publication, $700 and 10 copies.Deadline April 30. Details HERE.

THE GLIMMER TRAIN SHORT STORY AWARD FOR NEW WRITERS “is open only to writers whose fiction has not appeared, nor is scheduled to appear, in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000. (Entries must not have appeared in print, but previous online publication is fine.) Most entries run from 1,500 to 5,000 words, but any lengths up to 12,000 are welcome.” 1st place: $2,500 | publication in Glimmer Train Stories | 10 copies; 2nd place: $500; 3rd place: $300. Deadlines June 30 and October 31 Details HERE.

*Or, if accepted for publication, $700 and 10 copies of that issue

THE FLORIDA REVIEW 2016 EDITORS’ AWARDS for fiction, essay and poetry. $1,000 plus publication. Deadline March 31. Details HERE.

THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS PRIZES Since 1934, the Academy of American Poets has provided visibility and financial support to poets demonstrating artistic excellence. Guidelines and entry forms are provided, where applicable. All poets who receive an Academy of American Poets Prize are strongly promoted, including features in American Poets magazine, on social media, and, of course, on Poets.org.  There are a number of different award programs.  Details HERE.

APRIL, CELEBRATING POETRY

NPM-Poster-2016

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH (April) of the Academy of American Poets is celebrated with a Poem in Your Pocket, Dear Poet project, a Poem-a-Day and other activities. You can also send for a free poster for your classroom or office. Details HERE.

Thirty ways to celebrate HERE.

Send for the Academy’s free poster to display at work or school HERE.

interNATIONAL POETRY MONTH is a tradition at The BeZine. The April issue will be devoted to celebrating poets and poetry.

EVENTS

April 14- 17: ARKANSAS LITERARY FESTIVAL at Little Rock

October 20-13: THE GERALDINE R. DODGE POETRY FESTIVAL, America’s largest and most prestigious poetry festival to be held this year in Newark, New Jersey.

100,000 POETS FOR CHANGE is a global initiative in support of world peace, sustainability and social justice.  The next worldwide event is September 26.  If you plan to organize an affiliated event in your area, register with 100TPC HERE. Join The Bardo Group Beguines on September 26 to participate in The BeZine virtual 100TPC. Reader participation invited. Details in future posts.

PUBLICATIONS

ON THE ROAD: FOLLOWING KEROUAC ACROSS THE U.S. with Lonely Planet, feature article

The March issue of The BeZine comes out on the 15th. The theme this month is “The Joys of Nature: Wilderness, Gardens and Green Spaces (Priscilla Galasso leads).”

THE SUNDAY POESY: Opportunities, Events and Other News

PBD - blogroll

EMERGENCY RELIEF

A Place for Freelance Artists (and Writers), The Haven Foundation (created by Stephen King) “gives financial assistance to provide temporary support needed to safeguard and sustain the careers of established freelance artists, writers and other members of the arts and art production communities who have suffered disabilities or experienced a career-threatening illness, accident, natural disaster or personal catastrophe. Grants are awarded and renewed at the discretion of the Haven Foundation Board.” Details including eligibility guidelines and application are HERE.

The Authors League Fund (writers helping writers) has assisted professional writers and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune. Details HERE.

Human Rights Watch administers the Hellman/Hammett Grants program for writers who have been victims of political persecution or are in financial need. Hellman/Hammett grants typically range from $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000. In addition to providing much needed financial assistance, the Hellman/Hammett grants focus attention on repression of free speech and censorship by publicizing the persecution that the grant recipients endured. Details HERE: 212 292 4700

PEN Writers’ Fund Grants of up to $2,000 available to published writers in acute financial crisis. No membership necessary. Application and details HERE arielle@pen.org Note the next deadline is March 15.

CONTESTS/COMPETITIONS

Opportunity Knocks

Elixir Press announces its 16th Annual Poetry Awards open to poets writing in English. Two prizes: Judges Award, $2,000; Editor’s Award, $1,000 and possible publication. $30 entry fee. Deadline: October 31. Details HERE.

Killer Nashville, a place for thriller, Suspense, Mystery Writers and Literature Lovers, is an “advocate for beginning and mid-list writers, as well as a resource for platform-building for established authors. It is a community of genre and non-genre writers whose work contains elements of mystery, thriller, or suspense.” Their 2016 Falcon Awards offers opportunities to submit under a range of categories and subcategories – including eBooks. Deadline: April 30. Details HERE

The Wenlock International Poetry Competition 2016 is now open for submissions. The deadline is March 7 but you can submit online. Details HERE.

.
Smartish Pace announces its 2016 Erskine J. Poetry Prize. All contest submissions are considered for publication even if they don’t win the prize. Deadline: October 15, 2016  Winning poet receives $200. Details HERE.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Opportunity Knocks

Writespace has opened the submissions call for its second anthology, In Medias Res: Stories from the In-Between. The seek looking stories about characters who are thrown into or stuck between different cultures, communities, families, races, genders, self-images, dimensions, continents, etc. Deadline April 28. Details HERE.

The French Literary Review: twice-yearly international magazine of poetry and prose. The review seeks contemporary poems; short stories and articles (1000-3000 words); novel extracts that stand on their own; paintings / drawings, all of which must have a French connection. Deadlines: 30 July and 30 December Details HERE.

The BeZine submission guidelines and mission statement.

EVENTS

TODAY: A reading of Myra Schneider’s poem Birds from her collection Circling the Core is a feature on Poetry Please at 4:30 W.E.T. Details HERE.

HEADS-UP HOLLYWOOD: Every Saturday night …

6887_1025978297475619_7365908306130727252_n

HEADS-UP SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion are relocating and this may be your last time to hear Michael read in Berkeley. TOMORROW NIGHT …12744141_10207737672172762_6902229050544911951_n

Second Light Live, Poem of the Month series HERE.

ONLINE POETRY COMMUNITIES

All Poetry dubs itself the largest poetry community, more than 500,000 poets. “Friendly advice and encouragement and detailed critiques when you’re ready. All Poetry hosts free contests with $50 cash prizes, active discussion forums, and an annual anthology to which you may contribute.” Free and optional paid monthly memberships are available. (I have not sampled this myself, but a friend has and reports a mostly positive experience. She was involved for several years.)

d’Verse Poets Pub “is a place for poets and writers to gather to celebrate poetry. We are many voices, but one song. Our goal is to celebrate; poets, verse & the difference it can make in the world. To discover poetry’s many facets and revel in it’s beauty, even when ugly at times.” This is a smaller and more intimate group than All Poetry (above) would appear to be. I can testify that there are some excellent poets participating and coaching one another. This is quite an ambitious project, long running and lead by a dedicated team.

KUDOS

Poetry Space Success: Eggs on Toast Valentines Competition: Carolyn O’Connell’s (Timeline, poetry) poem Lovers in the Window was one of the five selected winners of this competition. It can be read on the Poetry Space website.

Woven Tale Press garnered a review in Kirkus: “New York Times Notable Book author Tyler (Blue Glass, 2014) and her editorial team of artists and writers  [including Michael Dickel (War Surrounds Us, Is a Rose Press, 2015)] present an eclectic collection of artwork and creative writing” You can sample Woven Tale Press by downloading their newest publication for free HERE.

Well done to Second Light Network (SLN) for yet another thumbs-up review. This one is from poet, publisher and educator, John Kilick, for their most recent anthology, Fanfare: “ …. another amazing piece of work, quiet equal to the first book [Her Wings of Glass], and introducing many new names.  The book is so tight thematically and the high standard is never relaxed.”

Cheers for Kingsley Tufts Award Winner Ross Gay, Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude and Kate Tufts Discovery Award Winner
Danez Smith, [insert] boy. Details and a sampling of poems (worth your time) HERE.

POETRY FOR WORTHY CAUSES

RUMOR (Cold River Press) by Silva Zanoyan Merjanian, author and publisher donate profits to the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund. I believe they raised about $5,000 thus far. Three of the poems have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. The book won Best Book Award in the poetry category, NABE Fall 2015. Rock on, Silva!

PETRICHOR RISING (Aquillrelle, 2013) an anthology of the Grass Roots Poetry Group for the benefit of UNICEF.  To read the Group’s story, link to Petrichor Rising and How the Twitterverse Birthed Friendships That In Turn Birthed a Poetry Collection.”

CANBERRA: ONE LAST BORDER (Gininninderra Press, 2016) – poetry for refugees. Co-authored by Helen Hall and Sandra Renew, “launched by Thomas Albrecht the regional representative for UNHCR. The poems were mostly written last year in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, to raise awareness and some money for refugees.” The launch is on March 12 in Canberra. Details HERE.

Hands & WingsHANDS & WINGS, POEMS FOR FREEDOM FROM TORTURE (White Rat Press, 2015).  The poems in it are freely shared by A-list poets. The proceeds go to help with the rehabilitation and support of torture victims seeking protection in the U.K. That made me look into what services specificially designed for victims of torture might be available in other countries and that readers might want to support through donations or volunteer work. You may find your country’s offerings listed HERE.