When the Sap Rises

I love the title of Glenda Barrett's chapbook now available from Finishing Line Press, P.O. Box 1626, Georgetown KY 40324 or www.finishinglinepress.com. I've just returned from out of town and found the announcement of her publication in my mail.

The cover is perfect for Glenda's poetry book. The rustic cabin set against a mountain sunset was painted by the poet. Glenda Barrett writes poetry the same way she lives -- simply, quietly and with deep contemplation and compassion.

She and I began with NCWN West about the same time when we met in one of Nancy Simpson's classes. Glenda is a regular member of the Poetry Critique group sponsored by Netwest.
If you enjoy accessible poetry that celebrates life with all its sorrows and joys, you will want to read When the Sap Rises. I can't wait to read my copy.

2008 Great year coming for Netwest writers

I've spent most of today working on schedules and calendars for our writers in NCWN West. The John C. Campbell Folk School has hosted a monthly reading for our members for several years, and I try to set up our yearly schedule early. This year we start in February and run through November. Only July is skipped due to a conflict with JCCFS events that month. We still have a few slots to fill in that schedule and will have that finished soon, I'm sure. This year we are happy to have Nancy Purcell from Brevard, Michael Beadle from Canton, Jayne Ferrer from Greenville, SC reading at JCCFS along with many of our local members and others who have read in past years. JCCFS is a wonderful venue for us because the audience often consists of people from far away states and even other countries who come to this wonderful school to study crafts and arts of all kinds, including writing.

Jan Davidson and others at the Folk School produced a documentary about the history of the school and it has now been nominated for an Emmy Award. The documentary is available on DVD by contacting the Folk School at www.folkschool.org. It is well worth the cost.

Twenty-three writing classes have been scheduled this year by Nancy Simpson, resident writer, and among the instructors are Nancy Peacock of Carrboro, NC. Check her out at www.nancypeacockbooks.com . I met Nancy briefly at the NCWN Fall Conference and I hope to take her class at JCCFS. Nancy Simpson and Gene Hirsch teach the poetry classes at JCCFS. They have inspired many writers to become poets.

As I plan the schedule and calendar events for Netwest, I promise myself not to overschedule myself to the point where I have no time for my own writing. But it gets harder and harder to do.

I will teach a week long class at JCCFS this spring. Your life - Your Stories begins March 16. If you haven't been to John C. Campbell Folk School to take a class, you must put that on your schedule for sometime soon. It can change your life.