Well . . . Not actually.

Since I will be at AWP most of next week, and really taking the whole week off to catch up with friends and family, I decided that I would not post a Thursday Poem Share so do not post a work in progress in comments because I won’t have a chance to take it down. Sorry about that. Thursday Poem Share will return March 14th after AWP.

I do plan to blog during AWP, but I didn’t want to be tied to it. I want to, instead, just report in on the event. I have updated the Appearances page with the two events I’m participating in for sure, and I will also help with the Sibling Rivalry Press table on Friday morning (March 8th) so if there are copies of my chapbook “Fat Girl” left I’ll be able to sell and sign for you. Of course, they also have TONS of other titles.

My reading schedule looks pretty skimpy. Anyone need a reader? I’d love to come and do some more events.

Since I’m not posting, or reviewing, poems this week I thought I would talk about some other writing related things.

Back on February 19th I attended Charlotte Writers Club which hosted an event along with the WNBA (The Women’s National Book Association) featuring booksellers, editors, writers, and agents on a panel to discuss the ins and outs of the industry. I wasn’t sure how much I would take away from it as a poet, but there was a lot of great information. I’m looking forward to attending some local WNBA events. If work picks up I might even be able to join!

Speaking of work. My services page is still up and I’m ready to work. I am looking for other non-freelance/self-employed work because February wasn’t too good to me on the work front. I did, however, enjoy the projects I worked on. I am considering offering a month long class in April for National Poetry Month that would have us reading, writing, and talking about poetry. Anyone interested?

On the reading front I finished the fabulous The Poems of Wing Lei by Alex Grant. My favorite is probably “The Flea” which leads in from the title to say: Cares nothing for the world — not for the priest or the courtesan / or the peasant carrying bundles of gathered wood to the charcoal // ovens –not the young girl, wet from her morning swim, combing / her black hair by the river. Just a wonderful read.

To speak of poetry, or things poetic, I’ll also mention a documentary I finished. It surprised me. Bones Brigade: An Autobiography is about the young men who were part of that skateboarding group, primarily during the 1980′s. I knew a lot of people who were interested in skateboarding around that time, and I had a skateboard although I never could do much with it (I’m not known for my balance). It was so engaging to hear the story of these guys and how they worked as a team, but also how into their particular craft (skateboarding) they were. I love hearing how people master their passion for something.

Those of you who will be at AWP I hope to see you. I am an introvert so I may have to bide how much time I can spend with people, but I will try! If you aren’t going I do hope to blog here or at least update regularly on Facebook and Twitter. This may be my last year for a while so I am going to make the most of it

And either way – Don’t forget to write!