Poems by Maren O. Mitchell to Appear in "Hotel Amerika", and another Poem Appearing in "The Georgia Center for the Book"

Maren O. Mitchell’s two poems, “T Is Totally Balanced,” and “X Is a Kiss on Paper,” will appear in an upcoming issue of Hotel Amerika. Her poem, “One for the Road Show” is one of the poems selected for April publication by The Georgia Center for the Book, posted on their Facebook page.


Her poems have appeared in Southern Humanities Review, The Classical Outlook, Town Creek Poetry, Appalachian Journal, Red Clay Reader #4, The Arts Journal, The Journal of Kentucky Studies, Wild Goose Poetry Review, Pirene’s Fountain and elsewhere. Her work is included in The Southern Poetry Anthology, V: Georgia, Sunrise from Blue Thunder; Nurturing Paws, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, and is forthcoming in Hotel Amerika. In 2012 she received the 1st Place Award for Excellence in Poetry from the Georgia Poetry Society.

Congratulations to Martha O. Owens on the publication of her book of poetry, "Buried Seed"

Martha O. Adams’ new poems resonate with melodic sounds, pounding rhythms and soulful meaning. Each poem, a buried seed sprouting from hospital rooms and circle dances, from wilderness and swirling galaxies, invites us to marvel at life’s wonders. In the spirit of Mary Oliver and Wendell Berry, she champions unforgettable images wrapped in ancestral wisdom challenging us to care for Earth and our own buried seeds. Karen Luke Jackson, Ed.D, poet, spiritual director, retreat leader with the Center for Courage and Renewal.

Easiest way to order is simply click here on Martha’s new book. Or you can go to Amazon.com, click on “books,” type on the search line, Buried Seed. Your copy(s) will be shipped to you and you’ll be billed by Amazon.

Poems and Stories of Christmas at Moss Library in Hayesville

L. Glenda Barrett

R. Brenda Kay Ledford
C. Shirley Uphouse

Three Netwest members will read at the annual night of poems and stories of Christmas at the Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville, NC, Thursday evening, December 18, 7:00 PM.

Shirley Uphouse of Marble, NC, Glenda Barrett of Hiawassee, Georgia and Brenda Kay Ledford of Hayesville will share their memories and stories of the holiday season.
The event is sponsored by Friends of the Library and Netwest.

Brenda Kay Ledford is one of the authors in the new anthology, Christmas Presence, published by Catawba Publishing. Brenda Kay, a poet and writer with two poetry books, Shew Bird Mountain and Sacred Fire, recently published by Finishing Line Press has been published in numerous magazines and literary journals such as Pembroke Magazine, Asheville Poetry Review, Main Street Rag, Appalachian Heritage, and Our State Magazine. Her first poetry chapbook, Patchwork Memories, received the 2005 Paul Green Multimedia Award from North Carolina Society of Historians.

Glenda Barrett's poetry chapbook, When the Sap Rises, was published earlier this year by Finishing Line Press. Her poems and stories have been widely published in magazines such as Woman's World, Yesterday's Gazette, and most recently accepted for the Journal of Kentucky Studies. Her story, The French Harp, one of the holiday stories in the anthology Christmas Presence, has been reprinted in The Georgia Magazine.

Shirley Uphouse, past Program Coordinator for Netwest, is author of a memoir, My Friends, My Dogs, and her work is widely published in magazines such as Dog Fancy, Smoky Mountain Living and others. One of the stories in her memoir can be read online in The Show Ring, http://www.blogger.com/. Shirley has been a professional dog show judge for over 25 years.

This event is a warm and inviting way to start the season each year. The audience gets involved by reading their own original poems and stories. While enjoying a table laden with a variety of refreshments served by Moss Library staff, attendees enjoy socializing with the writers and others from the community. Bring something to read or come and listen. Authors will be happy to sign their books.

Celebration of Authors and Poets

A Celebration of published authors of Netwest brought out over thirty members and guests who enjoyed a festive evening of food, wine and mingling with other writers. Michelle and Paul Keller opened their lovely home for a "garden party" set up under large trees in their back yard surrounded with flowers of all colors and kinds.
Writers and poets from Towns County Georgia, Union County Georgia, Clay and Cherokee Counties in North Carolina applauded the success of Brenda Kay Ledford, Glenda Barrett, Jerry Hobbs, Shirley Uphouse, and Mary Ricketson who have published books in recent months. Other writers in the Netwest area have books out but the traveling distance prevented them from coming to the Celebration.

Sam Hoffer, new Netwest member and food columnist for the Cherokee Scout newspaper brought one of her outstanding dishes. Another new member, Marjorie Hobkirk, a resident of Brasstown, was among the writers who attended.
The consensus was that we need more opportunities to come together for socializing and getting to know each other outside our critique groups and readings.