Writers' Night Out with Zoom

Tonight, April 10, at 7:00 PM, we held our monthly Writers' Night Out meeting on Zoom where we could see and hear each other. Karen Holmes hosted this event that featured Rupert Fike who did a terrific job of reading his poetry and talking to us about the craft of writing poetry. I believe twenty people participated, and some were audio only using their phones.

Several people read during the Open Mic session.

While learning to use Zoom can be a challenge for some of our writers, I believe most of us can master this and find it is a good method of visiting with family and friends as we all self-quarantine to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. We  must follow the guidelines about staying home and helping to stop the spread of this deadly illness.

Here in our mountain area, a number of people have been diagnosed with this virus and it only takes one person to expose us and endanger our lives and the lives of those we love.

As writers, we should find this time beneficial because it gives us time to write. The most precious thing is time and e we usually can't find enough with our busy lives. As we are forced to slow down, to stay home and entertain ourselves, what better activity than writing poetry, working on our manuscripts,  revising work we have put away.

We are looking forward to the day when we can meet again at Moss Library or the John C. Campbell Folk School for Coffee with the Poets and Writers and the Literary Hour. But until that time, we can stay in touch by phone and by email or with other online methods.

Thanks to all who joined us for WNO on Zoom. Let us know how you liked it.
Contact me, pcncwnwest@gmail.com 
Glenda Beall

Writers' Night Out, Friday April 10, Social Distancing Style on Zoom,

Writers' Night Out
Social Distancing Style

Join us online,
April 10, 7 pm
Featuring Poet, Rupert Fike
reading & craft talk
+ 
Open mic
See open mic sign-up instructions below
See Zoom meeting link below
 You do not need a Zoom account nor a Zoom app. 

In a new Writers' Night Format for 2020, Rupert will read and then present a craft talk. 

Rupert Fike, poet

 Rupert Fike, who has been a Writers' Night favorite in past years, won the 2017 Violet Reed Hass prize for his second book, Hello the House (Snake Nation Press), which was also named a "Book All Georgians Should Read."

His first collection was Lotus Buffet (Brick Road, 2011), and his stories and poems have appeared in The Southern Poetry Review, Scalawag, The Georgetown Review, A&U America's AIDS Magazine, The Buddhist Poetry Review, Natural Bridge, and others. He has a poem inscribed in a downtown Atlanta plaza, and his non-fiction, Voices from The Farm, chronicles life on a 1970s Tennessee commune. He lives in Atlanta and travels throughout the south to do readings. 


Zoom instructions: You can join the group by cell phone, notebook, laptop, or computer and use audio only or audio and video. 

It's easiest to join using this link. Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/680728955?pwd=T2duT2wzd1NjQTFjUHcveEtMSkpDdz09
When prompted, click on "Open zoom.us". 
Try to get on before 7 pm to make sure you can do it. 
It is important to use the meeting ID and the password.

Meeting ID: 680 728 955
Password: 095905
If you are interested in a practice session before Friday, contact Glenda Beall, glendabeall@msn.com

Open mic sign-up
Open mic follows the craft talk. 3 minutes for each reader of poetry or prose. To sign up, please contact Glenda Beall glendabeall@msm.com


May 8 and continuing the second Friday of every month:
We hope to continue in person at our new location--The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge-- but please check your email. 
 

Fike and Moore Headline Writers' Night in Blairsville, April 8

Writers' Night Out (WNO) begins its 6th year with two popular poets:

Janice Townley Moore

Rupert Fike

Reading begins at 7 pm
Open mic follows -- sign up at the door to read poetry or prose for 3 minutes.

Janice and Rupert are highly published poets and entertaining readers. Janice is a favorite local poet, and Rupert wows crowds in Atlanta. The venue is lovely.
What's not to love?