Work in English, French, and
Spanish
Thanks to Matt Morris at Home
Planet News for publishing “The
Intimate Room” and “Why
Doesn’t She Like You, Johnny?”; Jean-Luc Pouliquen for translating and
posting my poem, “Wildlife,”
in L’Oiseau de Feu de Garlaban; and to Catalina Bonati for publishing
Ligia Yamazaki’s Spanish translations of three poems in Ultramarine
Literary Review (Chile).
Moby-Dick Marathon in Sag Harbor
The annual Moby-Dick Marathon
takes place May 30-June 1, and I am thrilled to be a Saturday a.m. reader at
the Jermain Library. Hosted by Canio’s Cultural Café,
the event includes festivities such as a showing of the film Moby-Dick (1956),
lecture by Melville scholar Gerard McGowan, and the Seamen’s Chapel service
recreated with a choir.
Dos Madres Press at 20
Writers never forget the moment we
learn our first book will be published, and Dos
Madres Press afforded me that more than a decade ago with Face
Painting in the Dark. Cofounders Robert and Elizabeth Murphy are kind
and wonderful people and I wish them all best as they celebrate on April 24,
7pm, at Xavier University’s McDonald
Library in Cincinnati.
Who was William Faulkner?
In this same-titled talk at the Center for Fiction, biographer Carl Rollyson suggested that, while
most scholars write off Faulkner’s work after 1942, books such as The Mansion
(1959) and The
Reivers (1962) warrant another look. And most people don’t know that
Faulkner worked on more than 50 Hollywood films, including and To Have and
Have Not (1944) and The Big Sleep (1946). For more fascinating
insights into this great American author, see Rollyson’s latest, Faulkner
On and Off the Page (University Press of Mississippi).
Sisters in Conflict
 |
| Sarah Bracey White |
Sarah Bracey White will
debut her one-act play, “Sisters in Conflict,” where two sisters
clash over who can best prepare the child they both love to live in a
segregated world, during Plays in the Box, at the Westchester Collaborative Theater in May
(see April+ Events). In addition, for Black History Month, Sarah’s play, “Something
to Remember Him By,” was performed at the Greenburgh Library’s Budartz
Theater. Congratulations, Sarah!
Make Way for Berthe Weill
 |
Berthe Weill (1867-1951),
Lynn Gumpert, Beth Gersh-Nesic |
Did you know that Berthe Weill (1867-1951)
was the first art dealer to the likes of Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, and
Léger? Weill (“way”) held none to contracts, knowing these youths would soon gain
greater glory. In this Zoom conversation, Grey Art
Museum Director Lynn
Gumpert and art historian Beth Gersh-Nesic discuss
the recent Grey
Art Museum exhibit honoring Weill and her championing both avant-garde and
women artists.
Becoming Led Zeppelin
annogram and her favorite
guitarist, Michael, saw Becoming
Led Zeppelin (2025) twice! The genius driving Zeppelin was worth another
look, especially the savvy that Jimmy Page demonstrated in negotiating a rare albums-only
contract with Atlantic Records. We also loved the Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown
(2024).
Creative Opportunities
 |
| The Loft Art Gallery |
Arlijo, online
journal, call for poetry, fiction, art/photos, with bio to arlijo@myyahoo.com
Heuristic Halo Press, work on
them “tide against the moon,” by April 20
Literature Today, work on
theme “echoes of human experience,” by June 18
Loft Artists Association, call for
“Zing!” artwork (Stamford), by April 6
Plough
Magazine Rhina Espaillat Poetry Prize, by April 30
 |
| Kevin Pilkington |
Putting
the World in Focus, Maine Media Workshop with Kevin Pilkington, July 14-18,
$1550
Marketing Before and After the Book
Deal, Jane Friedman workshop (Reisterstown), May 10, 10-4, $200
Making
Space for the Light, sexual assault survivor anthology, by July
31
Voices Unbound, poetry
anthology, by April 28
New and Recent Releases
 |
| Hélène Sanguinetti |
Ann Cefola, trans. Alparegho,
Like-Nothing-Else by Hélène Sanguinetti (Beautiful Days Press)
First Literary Review-East
The
Pedestal 95.5
Aidan Farrell, trans. The Vitals by Marie
de Quatrebarbes (World Poetry Books)
Jerry T. Johnson, Bad
Fruit (Gnashing Teeth Press) (pre-order)
Hiram Larew, This Much Very
(Alien Buddha Press)
Nathan Manley, Native
(Codhill Press)
Mary Newell, Entwine
(BlazeVox Books)
Ted Pearson, Early Autumn
(Chax Press)
Lynne Potts, Dawns
on Me (Buttonhook Press)
Mark Saba, The
Shoemaker (Casa Lago Press)
Danny Shot, Night Bird Flying
(Roadside Press)
J.R. Solonche, Night
Visit (Dos Madres Press)
April+ Events – ET
 |
Waring Market Gallery
|
Ongoing, the Waring (TX) Market
Gallery, art exhibit curated by Abbie Cotrell featuring painters Linda Simone, Vera Smith, and Laura Lopez; with artful bakery treats by Karla Jean Gonzales
April 1, 8:30pm, Mamas,
Martyrs, and Jezebels: Editors' Roundtable on the Black Lawrence Press anthology; register here
April 4, 6:30pm, Calling All
Poets Series, Janet Kaplan, Victoria Redel, Ethan Sirotko; register here
to read in Open Mic or watch live on Facebook
 |
| East Gallery, the Frick |
April 5, 10am, Ruby City (San Antonio), Ekphrastic
Poetry Contest Celebratory Reading
April 9, 4pm, UConn
Stamford, Rotunda Room 3117, Mary Newell, Pamela Hart, David Rothenberg
April 17, the Frick, newly renovated buildings
reopen
April 19, 7:30pm, The Curry Club, Christina M. Rau and
others read; dinner (6pm) optional; Writing and Sharing (before 7:30pm)
optional; must purchase a bite or bev
April 23, 7pm, Perrot
Memorial Library (Old Greenwich), Kevin Pilkington and Laurel Peterson
April 24, 7pm, McDonald Library
(Cincinnati), A Celebration of Dos Madres Press
with Robert and Elizabeth Murphy
April 26, 1pm, Alparegho,
Like-nothing-else book launch, Hélène Sanguinetti and translator Ann
Cefola read via Zoom link here
April 26, 11-4, Greenburgh Artists and Crafters Market
April 26, 4-6, Loft Artists Association, “Zing”
Reception and Awards Ceremony
April 26, 7pm, Stanza Books (Beacon), Mary
Newell, Heller Levinson
April 27-August 3, The
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sargent &
Paris
May 3, 3pm, Cedarmere Poetry
Series, Martha Rhodes; register to attend or read at open mic here
May 4, 4pm, Katonah Library,
Mark Wunderlich
 |
| Louise Glück (1943-2023) |
May 7, 6pm, Louise
Glück: Vermont’s Nobel Laureate; Professor Elizabeth A.I. Powell discusses
the poet; register here
May 9 +16, 8pm; May 10+17, 2pm+8pm;
May 11+18, 3pm; Westchester Collaborative
Theater, Plays in a Box, one-act plays including Sarah Bracey
White’s “Sisters in Conflict”
May 10, 12noon, Desmond
Fish Library, Mary Newell, Heller Levinson, Alison Granucci
 |
Trombonist, Arranger, and
Composer Melba Liston
(1926-1999) |
Through June 13, The New York Public Library for the
Performing Arts, The Women Who Shaped Jazz exhibition
June 28, 10am, Hike Around and
Write with Christina M. Rau and Walt
Whitman Birthplace Association at Jayne’s Hill; register here
Monthly Workshops and
Readings
Use this link and scroll to listings
Cace e Pepe
This traditional Roman dish comes
to us via our favorite chef Linda Simone, and it is based on a recipe by Pia Bresciani.
½ tablespoon whole black
peppercorns
2 ½ cups pecorino romano finely
grated
Half of a one-pound package of spaghetti
salt for pasta water
Bring water to boil and make sure
it doesn't fill pot—it should be less than normal amount you use to boil pasta.
Lightly salt water when it comes to a boil. Meantime, finely grate pecorino. Using
a mini-blender, grind peppercorns to a fine consistency. Set 1.5 teaspoon
pepper aside—this is the pepper you will use. Add spaghetti to boiling water
and cook for half of the time indicated on box.
While the pasta cooks, heat a
stainless-steel pan over medium heat. Add the 1.5 teaspoon pepper and toast it,
max one minute. Add a ladle of pasta water. Add pasta to pan (it will finish
cooking in pan—this is called risottare). Over medium heat, let pasta
finish cooking. Move it around with tongs, and by shaking pan. Add pasta water
as needed. You want some starchy liquid left in pan to form the cream.
While pasta is cooking in pan,
add a small amount of pasta water to grated pecorino. With a fork, mix pasta
water in until it forms a paste. Set aside. When pasta is al dente,
remove from heat. Wait 30 seconds, add pecorino mixture to pan, and stir
quickly with tongs. A beautiful creamy consistency should form. Plate, and
spoon the creamy sauce on top. Add more fresh pepper if desired.
ʼRound the
Net
Artist McArthur Binion on becoming
an artist in this
video, “How Can I Paint Without a Brush?”
 |
| Albert Bouchard |
Blue Oyster Cult Drummer Albert
Bouchard on inspiring
the SNL “More Cowbell” skit
Guitarist and songwriter Michael
Cefola for this
visually beautiful and catchy video from a British Indie band hailing from
the Isle of Wight
 |
| Suzanne Cleary |
Poet Regi Claire on having
poems in Rialto
102 and forthcoming in Orte (Switzerland)
Poet Suzanne Cleary featured
in The
Peekskill Herald for winning the 2024 Laura Boss Narrative
Poetry Award
Translators Chen Du and Xisheng
Chen on winning the Toad Press
International Chapbook Series with Yan An’s Middle-Aged Man's
Self-Portrait, appearing this summer; and on more Yan An translations in Flyway:
Journal of Writing & Environment
Art historian Beth Gersh-Nesic
on being selected juror of the Loft Artists Association “Zing!” art exhibit, and sharing this photo (at left) of the renovated Notre Dame she recently visited
Poet
and artist Bob Heman on his interview in Neon
Pajamas and upcoming book, What Needs to Be Found (Madhat Press)
Poet Cindy Hochman on
having a haiku in Sense
and Sensibility, having work
in Julebord, and featuring in the Red-Headed
Stepchild reading
 |
J. Chester Johnson on
the Times Square
Jumbotron |
Poet and essayist J. Chester
Johnson on his newly redesigned website; having
his poem, “Winter,”
appear in the Carnegie Hill Village blog; and his book appearing on the Times
Square jumbotron
Artist Titus Kaphar on this
poignant recollection on his journey as a painter as it relates to
forgiving his father
 |
| Photo by Joe Vericker |
Poet Rudyard Kipling
(1865-1936) for his poem, “Boots,”
which serves as a creepy soundtrack in the movie trailer for 28
Years Later (Sony Pictures)
Writer and artist Austin Kleon
for this
video interview with art coach Beth Pickens
Poet Heller Levinson on the
Spanish translation of his work in Cable Street, on more work in Big Other, and having Query Caboodle 2 reviewed in Sulfur
Salon
 |
| Alison McBain |
Novelist and poet Alison McBain on
winning third place in the Anvil
Press International Three-Day Novel Contest
Poet Mary McCray for these
photos of the tiny desk of Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)
Yorktown Poet Laureate John
McMullen for this
article on “How Intellectuals Found God”
Poet Jean-Luc Pouliquen
for this video of Hugues
Aufray who both translates and sings Bob Dylan
 |
Stuart Schear and cousins
present tallis to Polish museum |
Memoirist Stuart Schear
for his
moving essay in NY Jewish Week on bringing his great-grandfather’s
tallis back to Poland
Bassist Larry Schwartzman
for this
clip of Little Milton singing “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water”
Cellist Jay Shulman on his recent performance with violinist Kathryn Aldous at the Claverack Library (at right)
Poet and artist Linda Simone
on her poem, “Bright as a
Planet at 73,” and original watercolor in Certain Age Magazine; and
newly exhibited work at Waring Market Gallery
Photographer Janet Sternburg
on following her creative instincts in this
amazing article
 |
Evie Riski, 100-year-old
diarist
|
The Washington Post for this
article on a
100-year-old woman who has written in her journal for 90 years
Poet Estha Weiner for her
poem, “The
discarded Christmas trees” in Plume, and on reading in Poets House
29th Annual Exhibition Opening
Poet and memoirist Sarah
Bracey White on her Fine Art
Connoisseur interview about the Winslow Homer (1826-1910) painting,
“The Cotton Pickers” (1876); her WritersRead piece, “My Sister Sandra is a 10”;
and participating on
this book panel
The blog Writers Beware
for listing scam literary
agencies and vanity presses
Faulkner in Hollywood
The Carl Rollyson talk sent me googling
more on Faulkner the scriptwriter, and I found this article, “William
Faulkner’s Hollywood Odyssey,” by John Meroney, which featured this anecdote:
Faulkner sometimes hunted with [the
director Howard] Hawks, and on one dove hunting trip recounted by the director,
Hawks invited along Clark Gable, already a star. Faulkner and Hawks began
discussing literature and eventually Gable asked, “Mr. Faulkner, what do you
think somebody should read if he wants to read the best modern books? Who would
you say are the best living writers?” Faulkner replied, “Thomas Mann, Willa
Cather, John Dos Passos, Ernest Hemingway, and myself.” Gable asked, “Oh, do
you write, Mr. Faulkner?” Faulkner replied, “Yeah. What do you do, Mr. Gable?”
Until next time,
Ann
.jpg)
