WRITERS' NIGHT OUT TO FEATURE KAREN HOLMES

HAVE A FUN EVENING AT WRITERS’ NIGHT OUT, JUNE 11

HIAWASSEE – June 1, 2010 – Come hear authors reading their work at the new monthly event, Writers’ Night Out at Mountain Perk Coffee House in Hiawassee, GA. This month, Karen Paul Holmes of Hiawassee/Atlanta will read her poetry on June 11 at 7:00 p.m. Her reading will be followed by an Open Microphone for those who’d like to share their own poetry or fiction. These light literary and musical evenings take place on the second Friday of every month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Please arrive early as the event has drawn a full house in its first two months.
Karen Paul Holmes is an award-winning business writer who began focusing on poetry after moving to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her publishing credits include journals such as Poetry East, Atlanta Review and Sow’s Ear Poetry Review and anthologies, including the upcoming Echoes Across the Blue Ridge: Stories, Essays & Poems Written by Writers Living in & Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Karen enjoys reading her poetry in public, classical music, Ikebana and contra-dancing. She’ll be teaching a writing class at John C Campbell Folk School next January.

Those interested in participating in the Open Mic will have a chance to sign up at the event. Each writer will have three minutes to read fiction or poetry. The evening, which also includes musical interludes, is free and open to the public.

Mountain Perk Coffee House is located at 195 Main Street, next to Mull’s Motel. The café features espresso and other coffee drinks, sandwiches and sweets.

For more information, please contact Mountain Perk Owner, Mary Lawrence at (706) 896-9385, or Writers’ Night Out coordinator, Karen Holmes at (404) 316-8466 or kpaulholmes@gmail.com.

Rosemary Royston, poet, will read on May 12 at Mountain Perk

Reading with Scott Owens on Wednesday evening, May 12, is Rosemary Royston, poet from Blairsville, Georgia. Her work has been published in The Comstock Review, Main Street Rag, Momwriter’s Literary Magazine, Public Republic, and Dark Sky Magazine. Rosemary has led poetry workshops at the Institute for Continuing Learning at Young Harris College, and has spoken to young adults, on more than one occasion,about the wonders of poetry. She was the 2004 recipient of first and third place in poetry, Porter Fleming Literary Awards, and is currently at work on a poetry collection। She holds an MFA in Writing from Spalding University.

Rosemary is a preacher's kid. She often uses this background for her poetry. Although she said she began writing poetry mostly for therapeutic reasons, she has grown far beyond that.

In June, she will teach a class for Writers' Circle.

Space, Time and Tone: The Power of Humor in Contemporary Poetry. This class will examine how humor in poetry allows the poet to go into unexpected territories, allowing for both release and examination of sensitive issues. Contact Glenda Beall at nightwriter0302@yahoo.com for more information on the class.

The evening of poetry at Mountain Perk , 7:00 p.m. on May 12 also includes open mic for anyone who wants to share original poetry or a short selection of original prose. This is an evening writers and those who enjoy good writing don't want to miss. See you there.

Second Fridays of Each Month

Mountain Perk in Hiawassee, Georgia, will host writers on the second Friday of each month beginning on April 9. Glenda Beall is the first reader of this series.
Check back later for  more information.