THE LAST LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

I long to hold onto the last, lazy days of summer. One event that lets me do that is the Annual N.C. Writers Network West Picnic, which is held somewhere in the western North Carolina Mountains each second Sunday in September. This year the

19th annual picnic was held on the picnic grounds at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee on September 12, 2010.

The picnic was hosted by NCWN West's Program Coordinator Kathryn Stripling Byer and the Jackson County members. The food was the best ever and showed someone did some serious planning. Kathryn Stripling Byer is NC Poet Laureate Emerita. Her many books of published poetry can be bought at Louisiana State University Press and on Amazon.Com, including Black Shawl, Coming to Rest and Catching Light.

Each year the writers' network invites a special guest to read from their newly published writing or someone who has something to celebrate. This year's special guest was N.C.'s newly named Poet Laureate, Cathy Smith Bowers.

A native of South Carolina, Cathy Smith Bowers has enjoyed a long poetry career. In 1990 she received General Electric's Award for younger poets. She was named the N.C. Poet Laureate by Governor Bev Purdue and was crowned with laurels on Feb. 10, 2010 in Raleigh. NC Writers living in the Netwest area said they were honored to have her come to the far western part of the state to read and share her writing with them.

During the Open Mic session several members read a brief sample of their work: Dorothea Spiegel probably traveled the fartherest, coming from her new home in Tennessee. She read three poems, one which was included in the newly published anthology ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE (Winding Path Publishing) . Poet Clarence Newton came from Young Harris, Georgia. Jayne Joudon Ferrer also traveled a long way from South Carolina. She read two poems, one from the new anthology, and Linda M. Smith of Hayesville read one poem from ECHOES .... Nancy Simpson read three poems from her newly published collection, LIVING ABOVE THE FROST LINE (Carolina Wren Press.) Brenda Kay Ledford of Hayesville read her title poem from her chapbook SACRED FIRE ( Finishing Line Press).

Writer Dick Michener from Waynesville manned the Members' BOOKS FOR SALE table.

It was a special day. All who were there wished for more summer days.

Glenda Barrett and Nancy Simpson will Read at the John C. Campbell Folk School

Poets and Writers Reading Poems and Stories

copy of announcement

by John C. Campbell Folk School

September 16, 2010

Reading begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Location: Library, Keith House

Once each month, Poets and Writers Reading Poems and Stories is held at the Folk School in the Keith House Living Room. Two members of North Carolina Writers Network West read their original work for an audience of Folk School students and the community. These writers and poets come from all over the southwestern mountain area of North Carolina, north Georgia and South Carolina. The featured readers for this month's meeting are:

Glenda Barrett

Glenda Barrett, a native of Hiawassee, Georgia is an artist, poet and writer. Her paintings are on display at Fine Art America. Glenda’s writing has appeared in Woman’s World, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Farm & Ranch Living, Rural Heritage, Psychology for Living, Nostalgia, Journal of Kentucky Studies and many others. Her poetry chapbook titled, When the Sap Rises, is for sale on Amazon.com

Nancy Simpson

Nancy Simpson is one of the practicing poets who lives among us. She is the author of three collections of poetry:Across Water, Night Student, and a new book, Living Above the Frost line - Selected and New Poems (Carolina Wren Press, 2010). Nancy earned an M.F.A. in Writing from Warren Wilson College and is Resident Writer at John C. Campbell Folk School. She is a longtime member of NCWN and cofounder of NCWN West. She co-edited Lights in the Mountains and edited Echoes Across the Blue Ridge. Nancy Simpson’s poems have been published in The Georgia Review, Prairie Schooner, and in anthologies such as 100 Years of N.C. Poetry, The Poets Guide to the Birds, and Southern Poetry Review’s 50th Anniversary Anthology, Don’t Leave Hungry. Seven of her poems were reprinted in the textbook Southern Appalachian Poetry, McFarland Press.

SEE YOU AT THE BOOK NOOK

(News Article Written by Glenda Beall)

Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalachians, is now available at local book stores in the area. The Book Nook in Blairsville, GA will hold a book signing on Saturday, September 18, 2010, 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M

The store is located one block south of the Blairsville Square on Hwy. 19/129. Jeff Hansen, owner of the Book Nook recommends calling the store at 706-745-7076 to reserve copies of this popular book.

The anthology, edited by Nancy Simpson, author of the poetry collections, Living above the Frost Line, Night Student and Across Water, follows the theme of life in the Appalachians past and present. Many of the best writers south of Asheville and from surrounding counties in Georgia were selected for this book. Robert Morgan, educator and author of the recently published Boone and author of Gap Creek, an Oprah Book Club pick, wrote the introduction. North Carolina fiction writers Lee Smith and Ron Rash wrote tributes for the book.

Bettie Sellers, former Poet Laureate of Georgia,

Carole Thompson, published author and poet, from Blairsville

and Jo Carolyn Beebe of Hiawassee, Georgia, will be there.

Nancy Simpson, who is well-known for her years of teaching poetry and mentoring writers, and Brenda Kay Ledford award-winning poet from Hayesville, NC will be there.

Many people are purchasing the book to leave in their vacation cabin or condo for guests to enjoy. Others like the price of only $16.00 and they buy several for Christmas gifts.

A photo by Philip Sampson of Blairsville was chosen for the cover from a large number of submissions by artists and photographers throughout the southern Appalachians. Inside pictures are by Tipper Pressley of Brasstown and Seth Russell, formerly of Murphy.

Echoes across the Blue Ridge has something for every reader from short stories or non-fiction and poetry with subjects as varied as hunting dogs to reclaiming and restoring rivers.

Other well known writers with work in Echoes across the Blue Ridge are Steven Harvey, essayist and professor at Young Harris College, Kathryn Stripling Byer, former Poet Laureate of North Carolina, Gary Carden, storyteller and legendary playwright, and Thomas Rain Crow who has written and published more than twenty of his own works, including Zorro’s Field.

Come celebrate this southern Appalachian anthology at the Book Nook on Saturday, September 18th in Blairsville, Georgia.

Coffee with the Poets in Hayesville

Visitors listen to Poets at Coffee with the Poets

Poet, Maren Mitchell and Lorraine Mitchell who read for the first time.

Karen Holmes brings a smile to Clarence Newton's face.

Wednesday was Coffee with the Poets day in Hayesville at Phillips and Lloyd bookstore on the square. We had a wonderful turnout for Karen Holmes' reading. As usual she gave a stellar performance with a combination of touching and humorous poetry. Karen plans to hold a class at Writers Circle in the late fall or next spring on How to Present Your Writing Before an Audience. She has been getting lots of practice reading her poetry in Atlanta and in Asheville and Hickory, NC recently. Karen facilitates the Writers Night Out program held on the second Friday of each month in Towns County, Georgia.

Among the open mic readers this time at CWP were Carole Thompson, Netwest Rep for Georgia, Brenda Kay Ledford, Glenda Barrett, Paul Donovan, Barbara Groce, Clarence Newton, Maren Mitchell, Linda Smith, Glenda Beall and Lorraine Newton. We were pleased to have a visitor, Bob Grove from Murphy read a short piece on Charles Dickens.

Several visitors came just to listen. Glenda Beall was back as the moderator for the event.

SPIRITUAL WRITING COURSE BY PAUL DONOVAN

Paul Donovan of Murphy, NC author of a poetry book Ramblings of an Idiot, and author of other poems and stories published in anthologies and journals, is also a Reiki Master and teaches energy healing. He will hold a class at Glenda Beall's studio, Writers Circle, in Hayesville, NC on Saturday, September 25, 10 AM - 1:00 PM. on Spiritual Writing. This is the first session of his two part series and is for those who have not taken the class before.

On Saturday, October 2, he will teach the second part of the course at Writers Circle. To register for this class or to receive more information, contact Glenda Beall, glendabeall@msn.com or Paul Donovan, tarmachan_de@hughes.com.

Class fee is $30.

BOOK SIGNING

Brenda Kay Ledford attended Mary Lou McKillips' book signing Saturday, Sept. 4 at Phillips & Lloyd Book Shop in Hayesville, NC.

Mary Lou McKillip signed copies of her latest book, HARMONY AND TRUE GRIT, Saturday, September 4, at Phillips & Lloyd Book Shop in Hayesville, NC.

Blanche L. Ledford chats with Mary Lou at her book signing.

SEPTEMBER DATES FOR NCWN WEST MEMBERS - MAKE YOUR PLANS

UP TO DATE INFO for Netwest Writers and Friends:

Sept. 8, 2010 at 10:30 am. COFFEE WITH THE POETS will feature poet Karen Holmes. An open mic reading will follow. Phillips and Lloyd Bookstore on the square in Hayesville, NC Contact Glenda Beall for details.

Sept. 9, 2010 , 7:00 pm. NCWN West's monthly prose group will meet at Tri County Community College, 7:00 Enloe Building, Room 109. This is free and open to all Netwest members within driving distance. Observers are welcome.Contact Peg Russell, the workshop leader for details.

Sept. 12, 2010 at 3:00. NCWN West's 19th Annual Picnic and Open Mic Reading will be held at

Western Carolina University Picnic Grounds. The featured guest reader is N.C. Poet Laureate Cathy Smith Bowers. Contact Kathryn Stripling Byer for details.

September 16, 2010, 7:00 p.m. Poets and Writers Reading Poems and Stories (co sponsored by NCWN West and John C Campbell Folk School). Featured readers will be Glenda Barrett, author of When the Sap Rises and Nancy Simpson, author of Living Above the Frost Line.

Contact Linda Smith for details.

NEWS OF FREE FOLK SCHOOL POETRY CLASS: JCCFS has offered two free classes to the first two NCWN West members to call, someone who has not had a fee promotional class during the past year. 1800 FOLK-SCH or (828) 837-2775 $25.00 fee to register.

Robin Behn’s Class Description: “You’ve heard of a sonnet or haiku, but what about ghazal, pantoum, or renku? In this poetry class we will explore poetry forms from around the world and learn to write using these patterns, letting fresh approaches lead us to new ways of speaking and new things to say in poems. New and experienced writers welcome.”

Robin Behn is Professor of English and teaches in the MFA Program in Creative Writing.Her books of poetry are Paper Bird (Texas Tech University Press), winner of the Associated Writing Programs Award Series in Poetry; The Red Hour (HarperCollins), Horizon Note (University of Wisconsin Press), winner of the Brittingham Prize, Naked Writing (DoubleCross Press), and The Yellow House (Spuyten Duyvil). She is also co-editor of The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises from Poets Who Teach (HarperCollins). A recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the state arts councils of Illinois and Alabama, and the New England Review narrative poetry prize, her work appears in the Pushcart Prize anthology, Best American Poetry, and many literary journals.

Writing from Lists

Find some time to write this long Labor Day weekend. Find a quiet place even if you have to write inside a closet like Po Bronson.

If you can't think of anything to write, make a list. Make a list of anything you want - a grocery list, chore list, things you hate, things you love, words that begin with P, places you'd like to visit, names of all the trees you know. List all the houses where you have lived. Choose one and list ten things you remember about it.

Choose one item and expand on it.



Remember:

Write and don't let your hand stop or your pen lift off the paper.

Don't edit yourself. Write what you are thinking and don't stop to judge.

Give yourself permission to write an awful piece knowing you can always go back and revise it at a later date.

Read your work aloud when you are alone.

Now, wasn't this fun?


Written by Glenda C. Beall, writer, poet and teacher, owner/director of Writers Circle.

NC WRITERS NETWORK 19th Annual Picnic will be held at Western Carolina University Picnic Grounds in Cullowhee, NC.

NC Writers Network West's annual picnic will be held Sunday Sept 12, 2010 beginning at 3:00 at Western Carolina University Picnic Grounds.

N.C. Poet Laureate Cathy Smith Bowers will be our special guest reader and an open mic will follow. Limit your reading to 5 minutes so that we can hear everyone who wants to share their writing.

NC Poet Laureate Cathy Smith Bowers is the featured guest reader.

The picnic is open to all writers. You do not have to be a member of NCWN West to attend. Bring your family and friends. Bring a covered side dishes or desserts to share. Meat and tea will be provided. The Jackson County Netwest members will provide paper plates, etc. Bring a folding chair. Kathryn Stripling Byer, Program Coordinator will host the event. A table will be provided for books for sale by members. Those with books bring copies. Copies of Echoes Across the Blue Ridge will also be be for sale.

DIRECTIONS and a Campus Map.

THE ANNUAL FALL PICNIC WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY,SEPT. 12 AT THE WESTERN
CAROLINA UNIVERSITY PICNIC GROUNDS BEGINNING AT 3:00 P.M. YOU WILL FIND DIRECTIONS TO THE GROUNDS AND PICNIC SHELTER AT THE LINK BELOW.IF YOU COME IN THE MAIN ENTRANCE, YOU WILL GO AROUND THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE TO THE LEFT, TAKE THE FIRST LEFT AFTER THAT(THE TRACK WILL BE TO YOUR RIGHT) AND KEEP GOING. YOU WILL SEE THE PICNIC GROUNDS. WE WILL HAVE SIGNS UP, OF COURSE. SEE YOU THEN!

CATHY SMITH BOWERS, OUR NEW POET NC POET LAUREATE, WILL BE OUR GUEST.

http://www.wcu.edu/546.asp
CAMPUS MAP

More Photos from Party

Paul Donovan reads Richard Argo's story, Turtle.


NCWN West southern region held a celebration for the book, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Sunday, August 29, at Twice Upon a Time used book store on Valley Road in Murphy, NC. These are some photos from the party.

Mary Ricketson, hostess with the mostess, took a moment to pose for the camera. Mary is the Netwest Representative in Cherokee County, NC.

WRITERS Celebrated the Publication of ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE

NC Writers Network West celebrated yet again the publication of Echoes Across the Blue Ridge on Sunday August 29, 2010 in Murphy, North Carolina, at TWICE UPON A TIME Book Store.

Editor Nancy Simpson thanked all who donated their writing and all who worked to accomplish the publication of the anthology.

Let it be noted that Richard Argo (February 21, 1944 - July 8, 2010) was remembered and that Paul Donovan read one of Richard Argo's stories from Echoes Across the Blue Ridge.

A number of authors read their own work that was included in the anthology.

A champaign toast was made by Clarence Newton.

Thank you to Mary Ricketson who hosted the event.

Book Stores where you can buy a copy of Echoes Across the Blue Ridge $16.00

City Lights Books, Sylva

Curiosity Books in Murphy, NC

Phillips and Lloyd Books in Hayesville, NC

Books Unlimited, Franklin, NC

Book Nook, Blairsville, GA

Blue Ridge Books, Waynesville, NC

Malaprop's bookstore in Asheville, NC

Twice Upon A Time in Murphy, NC

Highlands Books, Brevard, NC

Fountainhead Book Store, Hendersonville,NC

E-mail address: twiceuponatimeusedbooks@verizon.net

Phone number: 828-835-9319
Address:
Twice Upon A Time Used Books
1214 Andrews Rd
Murphy , North Carolina 28906 United States

A special Thank You to Peg Russell who took these photos.

BLUE RIDGE BOOKS IN WAYNESVILLE, NC HOSTS ECHOES AUTHORS

Reading and Book Signing at Blue Ridge Books, Waynesville, NC, August 28, 2010

Blue Ridge Books in downtown Waynesville will host a reading and book signing for the new anthology "Echoes Across the Blue Ridge," from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 28.

The anthology includes a variety of stories, essays, and poems by writers living in and inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The list of authors includes Kathryn Stripling Byer, Gary Carden, Thomas Rain Crowe, and many others.
Best-selling author Lee Smith has praised the book as a "dynamite collection-strong and surprising." Author, poet, and Western Carolina professor Ron Rash writes of the book, "Anyone who enjoys Appalachian Literature will be delighted by this excellent anthology, particularly because it introduces the reader to a number of our region's gifted though lesser-known writers."
Local authors scheduled to appear on August 28 include Dick Michener, JC Walkup, George Ivey, Glenda Beall, and Jane Young.
The book is now available for sale at local bookstores, including Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville, City Lights in Sylva, and Malaprop's Bookstore and Café in Asheville. For more information, go online to netwestwriters.blogspot.com/2010/01/echoes-across-blue-ridge.html.

NCWN West Events coming in August and September:

The ANNUAL FALL PICNIC will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12 at the western Carolina University Picnic Grounds Beginning at 3:00 p.m. You will find directions to the grounds and picnic shelter at this LINK .


CATHY SMITH BOWERS, OUR NEW NORTHC CAROLINA POET LAUREATE, WILL BE OUR GUEST. http://www.wcu.edu/546.asp



WRITERS' NIGHT OUT - New Location

On Sept 10 at 7 pm, we'll be meeting in Wilson Lecture Hall, located in the Goolsby Center on the campus of Young Harris College.

Beforehand, we hope to have some light refreshments in the board room close to the lecture hall; stay tuned for more infomation on that.

Sept 10 features Dan Veach, poet and editor who has made international appearances. He's also a really nice approachable guy, and his poetry is very accessible. Don't be afraid to read at the Open Mic in front of him!

For Writers' Night Out in the future, we hope to be in the Campus Gate Art Gallery.

Sunday, August 29, Celebration Party for Echoes Across the Blue Ridge
Twice Upon a Time Books, Murphy, NC - Food, fun, readings from Echoes. Book sales and signings. 1:30 p.m. Contact Mary Ricketson for information. maryricketson311@hotmail.com

Call for Submission for Poets

Anyone remember the Gumball Poetry project from a few years back? Wisconsin poet Shoshauna Shy is launching a similar venture through Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf and is looking for poems on the theme "the luck of the draw." Read all the details here; deadline for submitting is November 30th.

MARY MIKE KELLER (From "Here Where I Am" blog)

When Mary Mike Keller read her poem "As the Deer" at our Gala Publication party for Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, hosted by City Lights Bookstore two weeks ago, I was swept away. It's a beautiful poem, and she read it beautifully. This poem is yet another reason to own a copy of Echoes. Go to the Echoes page on Facebook and take a look. Or the Netwest blog. You will find information on how to purchase the book.

As The Deer

The dulcimer drones tranquil

as the pick grazes across strings

as the deer across the glade

My thumb under f sharp mimics

her tongue curled to pluck

a blade intoned on b

Quietness slides along her body

my finger descending the string

in a smooth slur of music

The sweetness of the melody

new as young grass lingers

in the lea of my instrument

A barre chord trembles

I wait

for that last unfettered fret

----Mary Michelle Brodine Keller

Mary Mike reads her poem at the Gala event.

NC Writers Network West Featured the Poetry of Carole Thompson at COFFEE WITH THE POETS IN HAYESVILLE

Carole Richard Thompson was the featured poet at Coffee With The Poets on August 11,2010.

Brenda Kay Ledford and Blanche Ledford

Georgia poets Glenda Barrett and Michelle Keller

MALAPROP'S READING FOR ECHOES THIS SUNDAY

FROM MALAPROP'S EVENTS CALENDAR:

Echoes Across the Blue Ridge

Start: Sun, 08/22/2010 - 3:00pm

ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE READING & SIGNING
Members of North Carolina Writers' Network's western chapter (Netwest) present poems and short stories from the latest collection, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge. Visiting contributors include George Ivey, Susan Lefler, Carl Iobst, Glenda Beall, and others.

Location:

Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe
55 Haywood St
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

Echoes Across the Blue Ridge: Stories, Essays and Poems By Writers Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains (Paperback)

By Nancy Simpson (Editor), Robert Morgan (Introduction By), Kathryn Stripling Byer (Contributor)

$16.00

ISBN-13: 9781450701525
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Winding Path Publishing, 07/01/2010