your fresh-start annogram

 

Dear annogrammers, Happy New Year! January is a great time to ponder creative projects and listen to what your heart is telling you. Instead of weighty and broken resolutions, how about wishes? More on that below. Use each day wisely and gratefully, and watch your fondest dreams unfold.

 

 

Snowflakes in a Blizzard

 

Thanks to Darrell Laurant for featuring my chapbook, When the Pilotless Plane Arrives (Trainwreck Press) on his blog, Snowflakes in a Blizzard. Purchases continue to increase, according to publisher John C. Goodman. If you’re a poet, Pilotless can help you navigate the twists and turns of the poetry path; or if a sci-fi film aficionado, this book is for you. Order your copy here.

 

 

Yorktown Poet Laureate Workshop

 

Join me on January 26 at 6pm as I guest-host John McMullen’s monthly Zoom poetry workshop sponsored by the John C Hart Memorial Library. Simply click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83176155376. John facilitated a delightful conversation between NEA recipient Kerrin McCadden and me a while back. While she is reading at the HVWC the same evening, stop by our workshop first!

 

 

Lost and Found

 

Congratulations to sculptor Kathe Gregory, poet Pat Whitney, and photographer Bob Nesson on the delightfully collaborative book, Lost and Found (Independently published). Pat, inspired by the compelling originality of Kathe’s work, has given voice to each piece—and Bob’s immaculate photos enable readers to share that awe. Sure, Kathe is my cousin; while biased, I am still discriminating. Great debut!

 

 

Five Joys and Three Wants

 

Margie Herrick (c)

That’s what wish-magnet Margie Herrick suggests—writing them down each Sunday this new year. Margie and co-conspirator Barbara Dickinson tell all in their blog, Margie and Barbara's Wishing Wisdom. For this dynamic duo, it’s not about slaving to soul-grinding “goals” but naming our fondest wishes and watching what happens. Could it be that simple? Try it and find out.

 

 

Creative Opportunities

 

Open Door Magazine poetry on “adoration” by January 15, and “footsteps” by February 15

 

The Stephen A. DiBiase Poetry Prize, by January 15

 

The Big Moose Prize for an unpublished novel, 

by January 31

 

Ethos Literacy 3^rd Annual Short Short Story Contest, by January 31

 

 

New and Recent Releases

 

Susana Case, The Damage Done (Broadstone Books) (pre-order)

 

David Giannini, The Dawn of Nothing Important (Dos Madres Press)

 

Keriann Gilson, places I never want to see again (Gnashing Teeth Press) (pre-order)

 

Michael Gottlieb, Selected Poems of Michael Gottlieb (Chax Press)

 

Ceridwen Hall, Excursions (Trainwreck Press)

 

Lis McLoughlin, ed., Writing the Land: Northeast (Human Error Publishing)

 

Pedestal 89

 

Christina Rau, What We Do to Make Us Whole (Alien Buddha Press)

 

Pat Whitney et al, Lost and Found (Independently published)

 

 

Creative Workshops

 

All-Genre Writers Group, 6:30pm, Thursdays

 

John McMullen Poetry Workshop, 6pm, fourth Wednesdays

 

Mahopac Poetry Workshop, 6pm, second Wednesdays

 

ModPo, University of Pennsylvania’s free poetry course and global community

 

Norwalk Poetry Workshop, first and third Mondays, 6:30pm; email poet_laureate@norwalkpl.org to register

 

The Poets Salon, led by Ed Ahern and Alison McBain of Fairfield Scribes Press, 10am, every second Saturday

 

Writers and Artists Lunch Conversation, second Fridays, noon

 

 

January Readings and Events – ET

 

Jan Victors (1619-1676)
"The Banquet of Estherand Ahasuerus," c. 1640

January 10, 10am, Shames JCC, “The Book of Esther in Art: Racism, Religion and Resistance,” art historian Beth Gersh-Nesic; (LIVE), $5, vax certification and mask required; or register here for Zoom

 

January 12, 5:30pm, Betheny Arts Community, “This Far and No Further,” exhibit and tour with photographer William Abranowicz (LIVE); register by emailing thecapaspace@gmail.com, $300

 

Christina Rau

January 16, 2pm, Ground Central Coffee Company, What We Do to Make Us Whole by Christina Rau book launch (LIVE)

January 19, 7pm, HVWC, A Reading & Discussion with Sandra M. Gilbert & Susan Gubar—Still Mad: American Women Writers and the Feminist Imagination; register here

 
January 22, 4pm, The Damage Done by Susana Case book launch via Zoom; to register, email broadstonemediakentucky@gmail.com

 

January 26, 6pm, John C. Hart Memorial Library, Ann guest-hosts Yorktown Poet Laureate Workshop; join here

 

Kerrin McCadden

January 26, 7pm, HVWC, Kerrin McCadden, Angela Narciso Torres, & Jennifer Sperry Steinorth; register here

 

 

Monthly Readings – ET

 

First Sunday, 4pm, Poetic License (Austin)

 

Every Tuesday, 2pm, Spoken Word World (Paris)

 

Every Tuesday, 7pm, Curley’s Diner

 

Third Fridays, 7pm, Hudson Valley Writers Center Open Mic – click third Friday for details

 

Every Saturday, 5pm, Lit Balm

 

 

Turkish Red Lentil Soup

 

Our annogram resident chef Linda Simone went wild for this recipe, perfect to warm up a damp winter day—go for it and let me know!

 

3 tablespoons salted butter

1 medium yellow onion, diced ½ inch (1 cup)

1 medium garlic clove, grated

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 cup red lentils

2 tablespoons long-grain clear rice

5 cups water

Kosher salt

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper

fresh mint leaves, chopped

lemon wedges

 

In large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, sauté 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add tomato paste, paprika, and cumin; sauté 1 minute. Add lentils, rice, water, and 2 teaspoons salt; bring to boil. Simmer, cover, and cook until lentils and rice break down, about 30 minutes. Adjust salt. In small skillet, heat olive oil and coat pan. Add Aleppo pepper and cook until bubbles appear and oil is bright red. Remove from heat. Drizzle each soup serving with Aleppo pepper oil, and serve with mint and lemon wedges.

 

 

ʼRound the Net

 

Regi Claire

Poet and novelist Regi Claire on poetry and fiction in Ambit, Acumen, Under the Radar, Rialto 97, and the Scottish anthology Thi Wurd

 

Poet, essayist, and translator Chen Du on her essay, "Walk in the Right Shoes," being longlisted by the CNF Flash Contest of Invisible City

 

Poet, essayist, and filmmaker Terry Dugan for introducing us to Ossining’s Betheny Arts Community

 

Poet and collage artist Bob Heman on having three poems in Poetrybay

Sterling K. Brown

Civil rights historian and poet J. Chester Johnson on reporting Sterling K. Brown will play pioneering attorney Scipio Africanus Jones (1863-1943) in the Searchlight film “The Defender”

 

Poet Jerry T. Johnson on being nominated for a Pushcart Prize

 

Jerry T. Johnson

Author Leslie McCollom on the renewed popularity of the New Year lemon pig

Yorktown Poet Laureate John McMullen for this insightful review of a Johnny Cash bio

The New York Public Library for its Most Checked-Out Books of 2021

Joan Didion (1934-2021)

Cellist and music archivist Jay Shulman for remembering California essayist Joan Didion (1934-2021)

 

Poet and performer Patty Smith on receiving the key to New York City

 

 

What makes great art?

 

Artist Helen Honig and I were happily emailing about good vs. bad painting, when she sent me this astonishing observation:

 

And it’s not the subject of the painting, it’s what you have to say about the subject. It’s like a piece of music. The notes are there, the timing, the playing instructions, slow down here, speed up there, soft here, loud there. How can you bring your own self, and your own sense of beauty and uniqueness to that piece of work? That is more important than getting every note right. Those who judge the big piano competitions, like the Van Cliburn, know that, and judge accordingly. It’s tough to judge those competitions, because everyone is so skilled and so flawless. You need to look for that certain something.

 

Until next time,

Ann

 

 

 

 

your firecracker annogram

Dear annogrammers, Happy Fourth of July! I hope you are able to celebrate with joy, barbecue, and some fireworks for a memorable post-Covid holiday.

 

annogram Anniversary

 

Thanks to Darrell Laurant for “The annogram Keeps Growing,” (scroll down) on the phenomenon of this newsletter. It’s been 15 years, and if you would like to promote your events, publications, or readings, email me the month before we go live. I’m honored to share the stellar recognition the following writers have received—each has been personally generous to the creative community, including me among many, and that may be one vital secret behind their success.

 

Charles Alexander Wins Coveted CLMP Award

 

Publisher of my translation, The Hero (Chax Press, 2018), Charles Alexander received the Lord Nose Award for lifetime achievement in literary publishing at the CLMP Firecracker Awards Ceremony. The extraordinary Charles—book designer, poet, and poetry advocate—is also a kind person who has brought dignity and grace to our field for more than 40 years. Upon receiving the award, Charles thanked his family, and Chax authors and supporters, adding “I'm feeling very fortunate today.” So are we, Charles!

 

Sarah Bracey White’s Stage Debut in “Transcendence”

 

Sarah Bracey White

Last month, in two sold-out performances, Sarah Bracey White starred in “Transcendence” based on her much-loved memoir, Primary Lessons (Cavan Kerry, 2013), at Peekskill’s Paramount Theatre. Sarah wow’d her audience in this premiere featuring classical/rock violinist Daisy Jopling, the Peekskill High School City Singers, and a gospel choir. The musical, produced by a well-known Hollywood director, may be developed into much more. Stay tuned, and congratulations to our radiant Sarah!

 

“Camp Cook” Premiere in Voices of Color Festival

 

If that wasn’t wonderful enough, Sarah’s play, “Camp Cook,” also taken from Primary Lessons (Cavan Kerry, 2013), made its debut the same weekend as “Transcendence.” Directed by Misha T. Sinclair, “Camp Cook” featured a sensitive and vulnerable performance by Maiysha Reilly as Sarah—alert for someone to “discover” her! The ensemble cast worked seamlessly to tell Sarah’s compelling story of racial divisions at a New England summer camp in the 1960s.

 

Darrell Laurant and We Who Create

 

Darrell Laurant

A 30-year veteran journalist, Darrell designed We WhoCreate to counteract creative isolation
and increase our promotional opportunities. Curated from 100+ newsletters, WWC combines stories about creatives with event listings. In this space, creatives may converse, local art galleries and bookstores will be featured, and—if Darrell’s dream comes true—an annual convention. Help his generous mission by clicking the website’s “follow” button—which simply quantifies how many of us visit.

A Happy Trans Girl

 

Fran Sisco

Congratulations to filmmaker Fran Sisco on these festival selections: “It’s an Italian Thing. No, It’s a Black Thing!”, Miami Indie Film Awards; “Carousel Girl”, New York Lift-Off Film and International Film Festivals; “Stonewall Thanks” International World Film Award and Paris International Short Festival finalists; and “Our Friend Wendy, It’s Her Birthday!” and “Happy Trans Girl Like Me”, 4^th Dimension Independent Film Festival finalists. In June, Fran also performed “Happy Trans Girl,” with Baron Raymonde on sax, at The Stonewall Inn (NYC) in an Imperial Court of NY show benefiting Hudson Pride (NJ).  

New and Recent Releases

Leah Johnson, Bindweed (Cherry Grove Collections)

 

John F. McMullen, My Life in 26 Poems (Independently published)

 

Laura Morelli, The Stolen Lady (William Morrow) (pre-order)

 

Pedestal 88

 

Jay Shulman, producer, “Alan Shulman - The Tattooed Stranger” (Bridge Records, 2021)

Frank Vitale, “The Erotic Fire of the Unattainable” (Amazon Prime, Google Play, You Tube Movies)

 

Creative Calls

  

Bordighera Press Lauria Frasca Poetry Prize – by July 11

 

Mom Egg Review open call on “mother figures” – poetry, fiction, prose, hybrid – by July 15

 

Open Door Poetry Magazine – call for poems on war – by July 11

 

Pure Slush Press – call for poetry, fiction, and essays on love – by August 31

 

VIA: Voices in Italian Americana – open for submissions

 

Creative Workshops

Mahopac Poetry Workshop, 6pm, every second Wednesday

 

Mini Tutorial on Poetic Meter thanks to Yorktown Poet Laureate John McMullen

 

ModPo, University of Pennsylvania’s free poetry course and global community

 

Norwalk Poetry Workshop, first and third Mondays, 6:30pm; email poet_laureate@norwalkpl.org to register

 

The Poets Salon, led by Ed Ahern and Alison McBain of Fairfield Scribes Press, 10am, every second Saturday

 

Under The Microscope: A Poetry Workshop at Maine Media College featuring Kevin Pilkington, July 19-23

 

July Readings and Events – ET

 

"Dragonfly" by  Meg Lindsay

July 1-31, Irvington Public Library, virtual gallery exhibit, “Painting and Poetics” by Meg Lindsay

 

July 1-31, Upstream Gallery, 2021 Juried Paperworks Show

 

July 8, 8pm (7pm Central), Mutabilis Press poets Chip Dameron, Patricia McMahon, Gregory Maguire, Scott Chalupa, Michael Baldwin, Carla Hagen, Leroy Sorenson, Gabrielle Langley, Maria King Illic; register here

 

July 8, 7pm, Andrew Delbanco, Rebecca Makkai; July 15, Cleopatra Mathis, Matthew Olzemann, Sue Miller; July 22, Benjamin Garcia, Tom Barbash; July 29, Jeff Sharlet, Ivy Pochoda; Canaan (NH) Meetinghouse, LIVE

 

Michael Baldwin

July 10, 7pm, Poetry Box, Meg Lindsay; click here 5 mins before show (id: 915 5122 5053, code: 643061)

 

July 10, 5pm, Lit Balm: Timothy Donnelly, Valzhyna Mort, Danielle Blau, Chase Twitchell; register here

 

July 14, 7pm, Ellen Bass, Arthur Sze; register here

 

July 18, 6pm, The Industry Bar, The Imperial Court of New York Christmas in July Show featuring Fran and Kelly Sisco to benefit Bailey House

 

July 21, 7pm, Katie Farris, Emily Lee Luan, and Isabella DeSendi; register here

Mary Newell

July 28, 7pm, Silvina López Medin, Jennifer Militello, and Jennifer Stewart Miller; register
here

 

August 31, 3:30pm, Garrison Public Library, Mary Newell book launch Re-Surge (Trainwreck Press)

 

Monthly Readings – ET

 

First Sunday, 4pm, Poetic License (Austin)

 

Every Tuesday, 2pm, Spoken Word World (Paris)

 

Every Tuesday, 7pm, Curley’s Diner

 

Third Fridays, 7pm, Hudson Valley Writers Center Open Mic – click on third Friday for details

Beth’s Gluten-Free Hurricane Sandy Cake

Art historian and translator Beth Gersh-Nesic shares the recipe she created to use up eggs and butter when she lost power during Hurricane Sandy but still had her gas oven working. This dense chocolate cake is perfect for a picnic—it slices like pound cake and tastes even better. So yummy. Thanks, Beth!

1 stick (1/4 lb) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup clear sugar

6 eggs

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

2 ½ cups (1/2 lb) Trader Joe’s Almond Flour

½ or 1 whole package chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a microwave-safe glass bowl: Melt butter in microwave oven. Stir in sugar. Mix in whole eggs. Add cocoa, vanilla and almond extracts, cinnamon, and salt. Add almond flour. Add chocolate chips to taste. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and then line with parchment paper. Pour batter into pan. Bake 40-45 minutes. Check with knife for doneness. Bon Appétit!  

 

̓Round the Net

Poet and novelist Regi Claire on having work in The New European, The Best New British and Irish Poets 2019-2021 (Black Spring Press), and issue 96 of The Rialto.

 

Writer Barbara Dickinson and photographer Margie Herrick on the debut of their Wishing Wisdom blog

 

Last month's eclipse

Translators Chen Du and Xisheng Chen on translations of poet Yan An in Interim Poetics and The Momentist

 

Poet Terry M. Dugan for this article on punctuation as a tool in Black activism

 

Editor Larry Faltz for the best amateur astronomy newsletter this side of the Ort Cloud

 

Art Historian Beth Gersh-Nesic on discovering artist Wan-Ting Chiu, who taps her own anxiety as inspiration for “bold, beautiful and poignant” work

 

Artwork by
Wan-Ting Chiu

Poet and memoirist J. Chester Johnson for this Guardian article on the Elaine Race Massacre and gifting Damaged Heritage: The Elaine Race Massacre and A Story of Reconciliation to Johnson House Juneteenth celebrants

 

Yorktown Poet Laureate John McMullen for sharing this post on framing experience in poems

 

The New York Public Library on restoring full service to all of its branches on July 6

 

Cellist and musical archivist Jay Shulman on the release of “Alan Shulman - The Tattooed Stranger” (Bridge Records, 2021), a CD he produced of his father’s 1940s R.K.O. film scores

James Baldwin (1924-1987)

Poet and artist Linda Simone on San Antonio’s new poet laureate, this beautiful reflection by poet Naomi Shihab Nye on her home, and this 1979 interview with James Baldwin that never aired

 

Studio Theater in Exile for Artist Recognition Month

 

Filmmaker Frank Vitale on his award-winning film, “The Erotic Fire of the Unattainable,” now available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime, Google Play, and You Tube Movies

  

I will be taking off August, so send me your news for September, and enjoy your summer!

 

Until next time,

Ann