MADISON: A Gary Carden Monologue Celebrating the Life of Dr. Robert Lee Madison

Once again it is our pleasure to announce the performance of a Gary Carden Monologue.  On Friday, April 26, at 7:00 PM, Gary, assisted by  Pam Meister, Curator of the Mountain Heritage Center at WCU, will present “Madison,” on the stage of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin, 89 Sierra Drive.

This is the life story of Dr. Robert Lee Madison, as told by folklorist Gary Carden.  Dr. Madison  in the 1880’s promoted the idea of a school that would train teachers for the mountain schools. There were no public schools, only family schools or subscription schools. Subscription schools required teacher payment up front from families or the schools could not be convened. At best a student’s schooling was sporadic.

Cullowhee Academy was a subscription, elementary school when  Dr. Madison came to the area to finish out the school year for his brother. He found that he liked teaching very much even though it paid very little.   He added to his income by writing for the local paper. His dream of a school that would train teachers began to look more promising when nine successful farmers from the area, later known as the Noble Nine, looked for a school and teachers to educate their school age children. Their funding launched a renewed interest in acquiring land and constructing housing for a new school.

This presentation will honor two important men in our intellectual life.  Gary Carden, who is a member of  the Franklin UU Fellowship, holds degrees including an  Honorary Doctorate, from Western Carolina University.  In 2012 he received the highest honor the Governor and the State of North Carolina can bestow in the Literary Arts.

Gary wrote this monologue to celebrate the life of Dr. Robert Lee Madison, the first President of  WCU, whose guidance and persistence, made possible a university education for himself and for the Appalachian Mountain population.

Tickets for “Madison” are available:

Franklin Chamber of Commerce.               828/524-3161, 

UU Fellowship of Franklin, 89 Sierra Dr.  828/524-6777

At the door the night of the performance   

Event Co-ordinator: Virginia Wilson          828/369-8658    

Thursday Night Reading at the John C. Campbell Folk School

Thursday night at the John C. Campbell Folk School we were entertained with poetry from Robert S. King and a funny, laugh out loud, piece from Bob Groves' memoir. Bob also read some of what he called "awful poetry" that was humorous as well.

Bob Grove

Robert King is one of the best poets around these parts and has published hundreds of poems in journals and anthologies. He has several collections published as well.
Tonight's work was from a yet-to-be published manuscript. I'm sure we will see it in print soon.

Robert S. King

Next month, May 16, featured writers for the Folk School Reading will be Glenda Beall and Carole Thompson.

Deanna Klingel's mini blog, Selling Books

Deanna Klingel, from Transylvania County, NC, is author of a number of YA books. Her books sell and she knows what to do to reach her audience.

Beginning Monday, Deanna Klingel's 30-second mini blog http://www.booksbydeanna.com will start a new mini series called "Selling Books." 

Deanna says, "Some of the posts will take more than 30 seconds, maybe a minute, but they are all taken from my journal, two years and 40,000 miles selling books. 

I've learned a lot about more than just selling books. Come join me. I'll post Mondays and Thursdays."   Deanna

A Quick Reminder from Scott Owens about Poetry Day

Some of us from NCWN West went to Poetry Day at Catawba Valley college a couple of years ago and had a good time. I recommend it to anyone who wants to spend the day listening to good poetry. The Poetry Slam was fun, too. It is only a couple of hours from Hayesville, I think. See Scott's announcement below.

 Poetry Day is this Saturday from 9:30 to 3:00 at the Catawba Valley Community College Student Center in Hickory.

Maureen Sherbondy, Beth Copeland, and Malaika King Albrecht will each read from their Oscar Arnold Young Award winning books.  Other contest winners reading their work will include Tony Abbott, Coyla Barry, Carolyn York, and many more.  

Lenard Moore will be honored as the dedicatee of this year's Bay Leaves awards anthology, and the NC Poetry Society will be recognized for their contributions to the NC poetry community.

There will also be a live poetry slam with just a $5 entry fee and cash prizes.  Bring a poem of your own and join in.

I hope you can join us, and please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Scott Owens
www.scottowenspoet.com
www.scottowensmusings.blogspot.com
www.poetryhickory.com
www.wildgoosepoetryreview.com
www.234journal.com
www.poetrycouncilofnc.wordpress.com

A word about editing from Bill Ramsey

A recent conversation with a forty year veteran of independent book store
ownership focused upon the difference between books from publishers versus
those from  self-published authors. I started the conversation by telling
him that I was trying to force myself to finish reading a new book about our
thirtieth president, Calvin Coolidge. The book was written by a
well-regarded author of history and published by a well-recognized name in
the publishing business.

This book appears to have had no real editing. Spelling and punctuation
mistakes were not the issue. However, long and awkward sentences made the
reading a chore. Inclusion of historic facts that had nothing to do with
Coolidge made the book 500 pages instead of the 300 pages that would have
given it focus and pace.

Narrow Gap Now

My book seller friend observed that the wide gap between high quality
self-published books and books from publishers has grown narrow. Even major
publishers are not providing the quality of editing they once did.

Let the writer beware. Using a publisher does not assure that quality
editing is going to be a part of the package. Of course, if the writer
decides to self-publish, the writer must pay for a quality editing. Editing
really makes a difference in the reading experience. We should not let our
hard work be hurt by failing to get a proper editing.

Bill Ramsey 
Bill heads up the Blue Ridge Bookfest in Henderson County, NC at Flat Rock Community College. 

Blue Ridge Writers Conference in Blue Ridge Georgia - Friday Night Reception

Tonight I sat with Robert S. King and Carole Thompson at a book table upstairs in the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Center in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The room was small, but besides our long table loaded with Robert's many poetry books, copies of Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Now Might as Well be Then, my poetry chapbook and Carole’s new book, I think 8 other writers were displaying their novels.

Glenda Beall, Scott Owens (standing in back) Robert S. King

I found that several of them were new in the area. I used this opportunity to tell them about NCWN and NCWN West. I gave out brochures with the application form on them, but the phone number for NCWN on the brochure is incorrect. We need to update our literature.

I feel sure we will soon have three new members. One of them is an author who lives in Macon County NC. I had friended her on Facebook. (Friended- what a weird word) Her name is Linda Rue Quinn, author of The Cyrano Game and another book soon to be in bookstores. She is trying to get some writing events started in Macon County, and I hope she will soon be a member of NCWN West.

Linda Rue Quinn and her husband

Another lovely author who is new to our region, only been here a few weeks, is Sharon. She has a novel and I’ll tell more about it tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I am in bed trying to get rid of the terrible headache I developed from sitting near someone who wore perfume. Having MCS makes it very difficult to attend writing conferences.

I am also ready to get back to Southern Fried Lies by Susan Snowden. So far, I am really enjoying this novel.

FOUR MONTHLY RADIO INTERVIEWS WITH MAREN O. MITCHELL, AUTHOR OF BEAT CHRONIC PAIN, AN INSIDER’S GUIDE

This coming weekend, Saturday, April 6, 2013, and Sunday, April 7, 2013, Maren O. Mitchell will be interviewed by Robin Watts of Regency Hospice in Hiawassee, Georgia, on WJUL FM, 97.5, during the Silver Linings Show. The first show aired March 23th and 24^th. There will be a series of programs over the next three months, all airing on weekends, discussing chronic pain, and methods other than drugs that can be used to cope with pain.

The broadcast times for all the Silver Linings shows are: Saturdays: 6:30 am; 10:00 am; 12:30 pm; 8:00 pm, 10:30 pm. Sundays: 6:30 am; 10:00 am. All shows are available on podcast on the website of WJUL (see below). On the Home Page click on “Weekends” for the schedule and the live podcast. Click on “WJUL Live” to activate the podcast. Each show will address different problems and solutions.

Beat Chronic Pain, An Insider’s Guide is available on Amazon through Line of Sight Press, http://www.lineofsightpress.com/.

For confirmation of air times, check online with WJUL at their website,http://www.wjulradio.com/.

COMMON CUP PROGRAM

Jim Geer, host of "The Common Cup," interviewed Brenda Kay Ledford about her new poetry chapbook, BECKONING, that was recently released by Finishing Line Press.

The program will air over Windstream Communications Channel 4 Cable TV on:

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at:  9:30 AM, 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Friday, April 5, 2013 at:  9:30 AM, 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Brenda's book is available online:  www.finishinglinepress and www.amazon.com
and locally at:  Clay County Chamber of Commerce.

Brenda Kay Ledford, Featured at Coffee with the Poets at Blue Mountain Restaurant

Join us for Coffee with the Poets, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 10. Blue Mountain Restaurant on the corner of Hwy 141 and Old Hwy 64 hosts this event each month. The restaurant is between Murphy and Hayesville, NC. The public is invited to attend.

Brenda Kay Ledford, author of Beckoning

Our featured reader for the month of April is Brenda Kay Ledford, author of a new poetry book, Beckoning, published by Finishing Line Press. 
Her book is available locally at the Clay County Chamber of Commerce; Hayesville, NC; and online: www.amazon.com and www.finishinglinepress.com
Brenda Kay’s work has appeared in many publications including Yesterday’s Magazette, Our State, Pembroke Magazine, Appalachian Heritage, Broad River Review (Gardner-Webb University), Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, The Reach of Song, and other journals and anthologies. Ledford co-authored the book, Simplicity, with her mother, Blanche L. Ledford.

She’s listed with A Directory of American Poets and Fiction Writers and is a member of North Carolina Writers’ Network West, North Carolina Poetry Society, Georgia Poetry Society, and Byron Herbert Reece Society.

Ledford received the Paul Green Award from North Carolina Society of Historians for her three poetry chapbooks.

April is poetry month and there is no finer way to celebrate than attending Coffee with the Poets, now in its seventh year. Open Mic is for anyone who brings a poem or short prose piece.

This program is sponsored by NCWN West. For more information contact Glenda Beall, 828-389-4441.

Local Writer Featured At Writers’ Night Out 3rd Anniversary

This month, Writers’ Night Out celebrates its third anniversary of drawing audiences from five counties. On April 12, Jo Carolyn Beebe will share her delightful words with the always appreciative crowd. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at Brother’s Willow Ranch Restaurant in Young Harris, GA, and is open to the public. As usual, area writers will participate in the open microphone that follows the reading. There will also be a drawing for free books.

Now living in Towns County, GA, Beebe was born at the tip of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Mississippi where oral family history was handed down to her by her grandparents and great-grandfather -- history rich in tales of the early settlers, Civil War encounters, and the hard life of the rural south. While studying creative writing at Miami University, she discovered those family legends provided material for short stories and poetry.

Beebe’s other passion is genealogy. She says, “Colorful information about ancestors has made for some ‘wow’ anecdotes which have found their way into my stories and essays.” Her Pieces Of Yesterday, a genealogy mystery and “waiting-to-be-published” novella, combines these elements. Her publication credits include Main Street Rag, Lonzie’s Fried Chicken, Lights in the Mountains, Heroes of Hackland, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Clothes Lines, Women’s Spaces Women’s Places, View from the Top, and Abingdon Press.

Beebe has been married to husband, John, for almost fifty-seven years. They have three daughters and six grandchildren. Hobbs, their cat, is nearly seventeen.

For open microphone, readers of prose or poetry can sign up at the door, and each person has three minutes. Writers’ Night Out takes place the second Friday of every month at Brother’s Willow Ranch Restaurant, 6223 Hwy 76 West, across from Brasstown Valley Resort, phone 706-379-1272. The event is in the upstairs room, accessible via stairs inside the restaurant or the ramp (no stairs) from the upper parking lot. Food and beverages will be available for purchase; please come by 6:15 pm to order.

For more information, please contact Karen Holmes at (404) 316-8466 or kpaulholmes@gmail.com.

Poetry Day

Double click on image to enlarge

Glenda C. Beall Interviews Robert S. King, Poet, Editor and former Director of FutureCycle Press

GCB: I met you in Dahlonega, GA a few years ago, Robert, when you had just taken over as President of the Georgia Poetry Society. Then you came to Writers Night Out in Hiawassee, GA.  We were happy to find you had moved to the mountains and lived in NCWN West territory.

GCB: You were director of FutureCycle Press at that time.

Robert: FutureCycle Press began in 2007. However, I have also been editor or co-editor of several other presses, dating back to the mid-1970s.

GCB; How many books have been published by FutureCycle Press?

Robert: So far, 50 titles (books, chapbooks, anthologies), with 10 more in production

GCB: When did you begin publishing your poetry? Tell me again, how many of your own books have been published?

Robert: The first poem I published was in 1974, unless you count a short one printed in the church bulletin when I could barely write my name.
I have published six collections of poetry (three chapbooks and three full-length titles), with another full-length manuscript ready to seek a publisher.

Online Submissions Systems and Market Lists for Writers

GCB: On April 20, you will teach a workshop on the Nuts and Bolts Guide to Online Submission Systems and Market Lists for Writers 
Why is it important for writers to learn how to submit online and what will they learn in your class that they can't pick up on the Internet?

Robert:  Online submission is now the standard, no longer an exception to the rule. More and more publications are not only allowing electronic submissions but also requiring it.
Snail-mail submissions will be obsolete before too many years pass.

My class will not teach you anything that you couldn't learn on your own, but it will prevent you from having to go through the School of Hard Knocks, wasting your time.
It takes quite awhile to discover all the resources for submissions and no small amount of time learning how to use them. My class will jump-start your proficiency at selecting suitable publishers and sending according to their guidelines.

GCB: Is this class for experienced writers and poets or for beginners?

Robert: It's for any level of writer. Even many advanced writers don't know the resources available. However, beginning to intermediate writers will benefit most.

GCB: People know you as a poet. Is the class at Moss Memorial Library for poets only or for any writer?

Robert: The class is geared toward literary genres, including poetry, fiction, and essays. However, the resources discussed are comprehensive and suitable for any kind of writing, except perhaps cookbooks.

GCB: Thank you, Robert. You are always generous about giving of your time to help other writers. We all appreciate you.


To register for Robert's class contact Glenda Beall at nightwriter0302@yahoo.com 
or rsking@futurecycle.org


Glenda Council Beall (GCB) is an administrator of this blog, a poet and writer. See other interviews with Nancy Simpson, Scott Owens.
Visit Robert King's website to learn more about him and his poetry.

LIARS BENCH, MARCH 28, PERFORMS AT WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY'S MOUNTAIN HERITAGE CENTER

THE LIARS BENCH which has been called “an Appalachian variety show” will kick off its third season with guest appearances by two of Appalachia’s most gifted talents:  Shelia Kay Adams, a seventh generation ballad singer from Madison County and Marvin Cole, noted throughout this region for his depiction of Mark Twain. 

In addition to these two remarkable performers, Gary Carden, the founder of the Liars Bench, intends to introduce a few samples of his latest project, “An Appalachian Bestiary” which is a collection of “whimsical and imaginary critters.”  

Carden notes, “I have about 48 now, and they range from birds that fly backwards to snakes that milk cows.”



Shelia Kay taught school for 17 years before she became a full-time performer. She is the author of two remarkable books:  Come Go Home With Me, which is a collection of community stories from Madison County, and My Old True Love, which is called “a Civil War love story.” Since she is also a gifted storyteller, she has a collection of tales called “Don’t Get Above Your Raising.” 

For more than 40 years, she has been nationally known and sought after by the country’s colleges and universities for her ability to combine exceptional musical skills (banjo) and traditional ballad singing...and, as Daniel Patterson says, “for good reason.  She is North Carolina’s greatest musical treasure.”



Many people in this region have had the pleasure of seeing Marvin Cole do “An Evening With Mark Twain.” Dr. Cole has performed throughout the United States ...especially on Mississippi river boats.  However, Marvin is leaving his trademark “ice cream suit” at home, and he intends to explore new territory.  When asked about his topic for his Liars Bench performance, Marvin said he wanted to perform a “meditation on outhouses.”



The Liars Bench show is scheduled for March 28th at 7:00 in the Mountain Heritage Center at WCU.  Other scheduled performers will include Paul Iarussi (claw hammer guitar) and William Ritter, a Liars Bench regular (and gifted fiddler) who is scheduled to play “The Belled Buzzard.”  
The audience is advised to come early as this will be a popular show.

Gary Carden
gcarden498@aol.com

Beat Chronic Pain, An Insider's Guide by Maren O Mitchell is on the air

Maren O. Mitchell, author

FOUR MONTHLY RADIO INTERVIEWS

WITH MAREN O. MITCHELL,

AUTHOR OF BEAT CHRONIC PAIN, AN INSIDER’S GUIDE

Beginning this weekend, March 23th and 24^th, Maren O. Mitchell will be interviewed by Robin Watts of Regency Hospice in Hiawassee, Georgia, on WJUL FM, 97.5, during the Silver Linings Show. There will be a series of programs over the next four months, discussing chronic pain, and methods other than drugs that can be used to cope with pain.

The broadcast times for the first show are: 

Saturday, March 23th: 6:30 am; 10:00 am; 12:30 pm; 8:00 pm, 10:30 pm. Sunday, March 24^th: 6:30 am; 10:00 am. 

All shows are available on podcast on the website of WJUL (see below). Each show will address different problems and solutions. The shows air at the same times each month.

Beat Chronic Pain, An Insider’s Guide is available on Amazon through Line of Sight Press, http://www.lineofsightpress.com/.

For confirmation of air times, check online with WJUL at their website, http://www.wjulradio.com/.

JACK PRATHER FEATURES NOTABLE NORTH CAROLINIANS

May Book Events for Netwest member, Jack J. Prather, author of Twelve Notables in Western North Carolina -

2 p.m. Saturday, May 4th, Osher Lifelong Learning Center, Reuter Center, UNCA, with three 'Notable' authors: Joe Epley, Revolutionary War novelist; Dr. Olson Huff, children's books; and Doug Orr, Appalachian music book (2014) with co-author Fiona Ritchie.

 

8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 18th, as an author-presenter and exhibitor at the Fifth Annual Blue Ridge Bookfest,Tech Center, Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC.

Jack will be announcing at the Blue Ridge Bookfest the identities of the exemplars who will be featured in his new book of comprehensive condensed biographies tentatively scheduled for release later this year: Seven Notable Women of North Carolina. (Two of the Notables are very well-known and respected within the writing community. The third book in this series will be about 'Young Notables', as he seeks to become a major chronicler of exemplary North Carolinians.

Jack J. Prather
prathergroup@aol.com