submission opportunity: "cellpoems"

Yes, that's right. Poetry via text.

Last month I submitted some poems to Sage Cohen at Writing the Life Poetic for her upcoming iPhone app, which will feature an iPoem a day for one year. (She has extended the deadline to November 1st if you missed the earlier deadline. Click here for more information!)

We have zines and other publications that are available only online. We have print magazines that have some content that is exclusively for online members.

And now, we have poetry via text! It was bound to happen, right? Cellpoems sends out a poem via text, twice a week, to subscribers. They do accept submissions from writers, so click on over to cellpoems to see what they want and how they want it, and maybe you can join the ranks of cyber-poets.
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not a book review: The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide

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"Urban Petroglyph" by Dot Hearn. From the Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt collection.

Yesterday I received a book in the mail from a friend. She ended up with an extra copy and wanted to share her spare - which I greatly appreciate. She and I have never met in person; we met through an online writing workshop a couple years ago - Ariel Gore's Lit Star Training for Wayward Writers. We also discovered that we are in the same pay-the-bills profession. Then later, that we both work part-time for the same company, in addition to the post-secondary and freelance work we do. Our small world grew smaller - although we still live nearly 2000 miles apart.

The book she sent me is, "The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide" by Becky Levine. I have a stack of writing books - truly a stack - ranging from the traditional and new style & grammar guides, several perspectives on writing memoir (including Judith Barrington & Natalie Goldberg), general writing advice (Ariel Gore, Peter Brooks, 826, Sage Cohen), publishing (Bonnie Hearn HIll, Gotham Writers), and so on. Some partially read, some completely unread as of yet, a few completed. I thought I'd take a quick glance through the book and then add it to the 'nuts and bolts' section of my pile. (See, my bookshelves are all full. Yes, all of them - there are bookshelves in every room of the house except the bathrooms - and they are all full.)

I had an appointment this morning, after which I planned a treat of Morroccan Oatmeal and a latte afterwards at a nearby restaurant. So I took the new book with me for glancing. Much to my delight and surprise, I'm a couple chapters into the book. And I did not put it on my pile when I returned home to change and get ready for work; I put it in my take-to-work bag. I am already mulling over information from the beginning of the book and it is building on an idea I had last week about setting up a manuscript/book-length project group (which may start with 2 or 3 people).

It looks like my latest addition will be one of the "done" books before too long. I haven't read enough to give a review - but in my fast-paced life, I think it is a good testament that it's my carry-with-me book and that the author hooked me in right away.

Thank you, Christi, for sending me the book. Thank you, Becky, for writing the book!
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workshop: Make Your Story Sing (and Sell):

Make Your Story Sing (and Sell): a workshop with Sage Cohen and Jessica Morrell  

Want to spend a delicious day at one of the most beautiful places on earth, learning how to make your language leap off the page? I'd like to spend that day with you! Let's do it.

The Center for Contemplative Arts, Manzanita, Oregon

October 23, 2010 : 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Visit Writing the Life Poetic, Sage Cohen's blog, for more details.

I attended workshops by each of these women at the Willamette Writers Conference and this should be a powerful and beneficial experience on the Oregon coast. I'll be attending a workshop by Ariel Gore that same weekend, or else I'd see you on the beach!

Three days to submit poetry for iPhone app

Yesterday, Sage Cohen wrote:

Four more days to submit to "The Life Poetic iPoem Contest!"

There's still time to submit to "The Life Poetic iPoem Contest!" Your poem could appear on an iPhone app that features a poem a day for a year.

Enter to win a variety of prizes, with a total value of more than $400 -- plus the priceless delight of having your poetry shared far and wide.

Get all of the details here!

Big Tent Poetry event

I admit that I'd never heard of "Big Tent Poetry" until today. But there it was in my blog reader - via Sage Cohen's blog, "Writing the Life Poetic." Unfortunately, I can't go to the event - but I am reading up on Big Tent Poetry and will be reading up about that group and their offerings (readings, workshops, etc). It looks great - and I wish I could go - maybe the next one!

...from Sage Cohen:

July 17, noon: Big Tent Poetry reading and celebration

I'll be hosting a Big Tent Poetry reading on Saturday, July 17 featuring a number of poets involved in Big Tent Poetry, an online site that provides weekly poetry writing prompts, friendly community, inspiration and fun. Come on out and celebrate poetry with  Big Tent Poetry founders, contributors and participants. Featured poets will include Tiel Aisha Ansari, Sage Cohen, Dale Favier, Deb Scott and Carolee Sherwood. We'd love to see you there.

Saturday, July 17, 2010
12:00pm - 1:00pm
St Johns Booksellers
8622 North Lombard Street

You can read more about the poets at Writing the Life Poetic.

photograph, Boys Looking Into Circus Tent,
   on Flickr by Wisconsin Historical Images