April 16, 2024

Welcoming 2020 with poetry events, a One Book, and more in Murfreesboro

Happy new year! How about we celebrate new beginnings with a few links to local lit-related news? First, read about the January 19th Poetry in the Boro, volunteering for the SE-YA 2020 book fest, and an open mic night at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center in my January Murfreesboro Pulse column. There's a new poet laureate in town! I'm so pleased that Amie Whittemore, one of the Poetry in the Boro team, will be bringing her creative ideas and brilliant poetry to … [Read more...]

Interview: 4 questions for Murfreesboro’s Poet Laureate

Thanks to Michelle Willard at the Murfreesboro Voice for this interview about Sugar Fix, my background in software development and the importance of STEAM, and the upcoming Southern Festival of Books - one of my favorite weekends of the year. Read the interview here on the Murfreesboro Voice. This is a good time to remind you of the Tennessee STEAM Festival, with events related to science, technology, engineering, art, and math, happening Oct. 11-20 across the state. … [Read more...]

Reading and community: Will you join me in reading these novels-in-verse?

As I began my second term as Murfreesboro Poet Laureate this past summer, I reconnected with Read to Succeed, a local organization that promotes literacy for people of all ages throughout Rutherford County. In the past I've been a volunteer with RTS to select and promote its annual One Book selection, and as a classroom reader for Reading in the Schools Day. The organization also offers free youth and family programs, adult tutoring, ESL classes and much more. When I sat down with Family … [Read more...]

Finding connection at Poetry in the Boro

May was our 10th month for Poetry in the Boro, and I continue to be amazed and gratified at the enthusiasm of our featured poets, our regulars at the open mic, our regulars in the audience, MTSU Write, and our venues like The Green Dragon Public House. … [Read more...]

Poetry in the Boro: Featured Readings, Open Mic, Community

The poetry scene in the greater Nashville area is incredible. I'm convinced a poetry addict can find an event or two to attend almost every night of the week. But you know what else can be incredible? Nashville area traffic. For those of us who live outside Davidson County, getting to and from events in Nashville is an exercise in unpredictability. One day you can do it in 35 minutes; … [Read more...]