November 5, 2024

Summer 2022 Update: Poet Interviews, New Poems, What I’m Reading, an Upcoming Writers Conference and More

It's past time for an update! Let's imagine this blog is a nice, cool swimming pool and jump right in with some recent news: Interviews This month I was delighted to interview poet Theresa Burns, author of Design, on Diane Lockward's "Blogalicious" blog. Diane, the publisher of Terrapin Books, has been featuring a series in which Terrapin press mates interview each other, especially featuring books whose tours were impacted by the pandemic. Theresa was great fun to talk with, and I adore the … [Read more...]

New review: Sugar Fix “subtly weaves personal ancestry and national history”

I confess, I still marvel when someone I don't know reads and reviews my book. Poet Lynn Domina is one of those people, and she's written a very thoughtful review of Sugar Fix over on her blog, where she reviews one poetry book each week. Her commitment is such a gift to readers and the poetry community! Lynn says, in part: "One of the most admirable qualities of this collection—and the quality that really makes it a collection rather than simply an accumulation of forty or so poems—is how … [Read more...]

My poem “Voice” is featured on The Slowdown

I'm thrilled and honored to have my poem "Voice" from Sugar Fix featured on today's episode (#295) of The Slowdown, a podcast by former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith. The Slowdown was recently named by Pop Sugar as one of the best podcasts to ease anxiety, and for good reason - Tracy K. Smith's smooth, soothing voice and and insightful reflections related to each day's poem are always a comfort. If you're not familiar with the podcast, it's just 5 minutes each weekday. Check it out on … [Read more...]

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...]

Sugar Fix reviewed in Glass: A Journal of Poetry

A review of Sugar Fix now appears in Glass: A Journal of Poetry. Reviewer and fellow poet Anne Graue says of the book: turning the pages is easy and urgent She remarks on numerous individual poems and also the overall structure and flow of the book, writing: There is a cadence in the progression from beginning to end, from free verse and prose poems to sonnets and elegiac tercets that helps to distill moments and memory, sweetness and pain. From a comprehensive review like this one, to … [Read more...]