What a lovely place to attend a literary seminar -- Key West, January 17-20, 2013. For details, see their webpage. Writers such as Mark Doty, Jane Hirschfield, and many, many more! Check it out.
Thanks to NCWN member Ruth Keally for spreading the word on this.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
SCOTT OWENS TEACHES IN HAYESVILLE
Scott Owens
Saturday, May 12, 10 AM - 1:00 PM
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Writing and More
Poet, editor, critic, and teacher, Scott Owens, will lead students through an exploration of a variety of topics and issues regarding the writing process including strategies for invention, revision, and publication. Participants are asked to submit a poem to asowens1@yahoo.com by May 4 for possible use in the revision workshop.Recipient of awards from the Academy of American Poets and the Pushcart Prize Anthology, Scott Owens is the author of 10 collections of poetry, including his latest For One Who Knows How to Own Land from FutureCycle Press and over 1000 published poems in journals including Georgia Review, North American Review, Chattahoochee Review, Southern Poetry Review, and Poetry East among others. He is the founder of Poetry Hickory, editor of Wild Goose Poetry Review and 234, and vice president of the Poetry Council of NC. Born and raised in Greenwood, SC, he teaches at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC.
______________________________________________________________________
Complete application for Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Writing and More Instructor: Scott Owens
Mail to with check for $30.00 to Writers Circle, 581 Chatuge Lane, Hayesville, NC 28904
Contact Glenda Beall, 828-389-4441 or by email: nightwriter0302@yahoo.com
Name:________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________
E-mail address:_________________________________ Telephone:_____________________________________
Monday, April 23, 2012
Flexible and Fun at the Folk School
by Linda Smith
When Glenda Barrett was not able to read in March at the Folk School,
I said "Don't worry, we'll have open mic to fill in her time." J.C.
Walkup was the star of the show. She sat down after one short piece.
OK, I thought, I guess the rest of us will read and come back to her
later. Lucy Cole Gratton, Bob Grove, and I read a poem or short piece
of prose and round-robin it was J.C.'s turn again. This way was
enjoyed by the readers and the listeners.
Nancy Simpson was not able to come to read in April and I must tell
you, she wants to celebrate National Poetry Month every day and
especially by reading from her inspiring collections. I said, "We
will just do what we did in March and the rest of us will gladly
read." It was Maren Mitchell's turn to be the featured reader. I
suggested to her that she would not have to read the whole 30
minutes at one time, as it can be tiring. We could take turns with
her as we did in March. Maren agreed and read a few of her unique
and delightful poems. Then boy, girl, boy, girl, went went around
the packed room. Clarence Newton read from his hot off the press
collection, "Short Glances Forward and a Long Look Back." Mary
Ricketson read from her chapbook, "I Hear the River Call My Name."
Bob Grove delighted us by reading his piece on Charles Dickens. Ann
Cahill read a poem, and Robert King read two. I read a new one and
then back to Maren who read a few more to finish the evening.
We are flexible and have fun at the Folk school. When Glenda and
Nancy are well, they can come back any month and we'll give them time
to read some of their poems. We miss them and all those who have not
attended lately.
Robert King and Jayne Jaudon Ferrer will read on May 17th . We need
a full audience, so please come and bring a guest.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
EMILEE HINES, AUTHOR REQUESTS HELP
I want to create a blog, but there are no instructions on how. I am a
member of Netwest and a much-published author, traditional (for advance + royalties), print-on-demand, Createspace
and the old way of self-publishing (taking copy to the printer, picking up books and selling them). I have 9 books in
print, all listed on Amazon, as well as some out-of-print books (Old Virginia Houses series).
I’d like to start a blog based on my latest book, TIL DEATH DO US PART,
which has wide appeal for retirees in western NC and elsewhere. It helps readers prepare for the death of a
spouse (or their own death), legally, financially,
medically and emotionally. I had a workshop here at Carriage Park last
Wednesday night for 34 attendees, talking about “your property”.
Tomorrow night’s workshop is on “your body” and will cover medical records,
living will, medical directive, medivac insurance,
organ/body donation, cremation vs. burial, and types of funeral
services.
Deciding what to call the blog is difficult. People don’t like to think of
death, and seldom “go looking” for books on it.
I have ads running onscreen and online at Flat Rock Cinema, and sales
brochures are displayed in the lobby.
Please help me get the blog named, posted and underway. Thanks.
Emilee Hines Cantieri
828-693-140
Friday, April 20, 2012
Richard Krawiec and Sharon McDermott at City Lights
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Monday, April 16, 2012
Netwest Was Represented at Poetry Day
Netwest members, Barbara Gabriel and Robert S. King, accompanied me to Hickory NC where the Poetry Council of North Carolina held their annual Poetry Day.
Scott Owens, Vice President of PCNC, teacher at Catawba Valley Community College brought the event to Hickory where the college served as venue Saturday. In years past, Poetry Day was held too far away from those of us who live in the western part of the state to attend without spending the night. We had a pleasant three-hour drive over and came home the same day.
The winners of the Poetry Council’s poetry contests are published in Bay Leaves, the annual anthology published by Main Street Rag. Bay Leaves is dedicated to an outstanding poet each year. David Manning received this honor today. Last year our own Nancy Simpson was honoree.
Susan Lefler’s book, Rendering the Bones, won Honorable Mention in the Poetry Book contest. Susan is from Brevard. As usual she gave a lovely reading. Those who attend Coffee with the Poets in Hayesville will remember Susan reading here last year.
Katherine Soniat was named winner of this year’s Oscar Arnold Young Award for The Swing Girl, judged the best book of poetry from NC in the previous year.
Winner of the Poetry Slam, from Winston-Salem, Bob Moyer
Scott Owens, Vice President of PCNC, teacher at Catawba Valley Community College brought the event to Hickory where the college served as venue Saturday. In years past, Poetry Day was held too far away from those of us who live in the western part of the state to attend without spending the night. We had a pleasant three-hour drive over and came home the same day.
The winners of the Poetry Council’s poetry contests are published in Bay Leaves, the annual anthology published by Main Street Rag. Bay Leaves is dedicated to an outstanding poet each year. David Manning received this honor today. Last year our own Nancy Simpson was honoree.
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| Susan Lefler from Brevard, NC |
Susan Lefler’s book, Rendering the Bones, won Honorable Mention in the Poetry Book contest. Susan is from Brevard. As usual she gave a lovely reading. Those who attend Coffee with the Poets in Hayesville will remember Susan reading here last year.
Katherine Soniat was named winner of this year’s Oscar Arnold Young Award for The Swing Girl, judged the best book of poetry from NC in the previous year.
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| Katherine Soniat, first prize for book published in 2011 |
Another winner from our area is Peg Russell who placed in the Traditional Poetry contest. Peg hails from Murphy, North Carolina. She was not present for the reading today.
Congratulations, Peg and Susan. The far-west region overflows with poets. So why don’t we see more writers and poets from Netwest submitting poems to the wide variety of contests held by the Poetry Council of North Carolina for next year? The contests are for adults and children. Few children enter, it seems, and our talented young writers would have a great chance to win a prize.
Submissions for 2013 will be called for in August of 2012. Plan now to go to the
website for for more information. Ask local teachers to help the children participate.
Scott Owens at podium
Scott will be in our area May 11 and 12 to read at Writers Night Out and to hold a workshop at Writers Circle.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
COFFEE WITH THE POETS
Brenda Kay Ledford was the featured writer at "Coffee With the Poets," held Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Cafe Touche in Hayesville, NC.
Mike Keller introduced writers and guests at the event. She also read her lovely work.
Barbara Ledford Wright read her heart-warming story about "Marean's Mountain Dulcimer."
Bob Grove shared two excellent essays with the audience.
Dot James read a wonderful story about "It's a Granny Thing."
Lorraine Newton and daughter, Julie, attended Coffee With the Poets.Thursday, April 5, 2012
April Folk School Readings
April Folk School Readings
On Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 7:00 PM, John C. Campbell Folk School
and the NC Writers Network West are sponsoring a reading of poetry at Keith
House. The reading is free of charge and open to the public. Poets Nancy
Simpson and Maren Mitchell, both of Hayesville will be the featured readers.
Nancy Simpson
Nancy Simpson is the author of three poetry collections: Across Water, Night Student and most recently Living Above the Frost Line, New and Selected Poems (Carolina Wren Press, 2010). She also edited Echoes Across the Blue Ridge (anthology 2010). She holds an MFA from Warren Wilson College and a BS in Education from Western Carolina University. She received a NC Arts Fellowship and cofounded NC Writers Network West, a nonprofit, professional writing organization serving writers from the mountains west of Asheville and the Georgia mountains.
For more than 30 years, young writers have known her as “beloved teacher.” Simpson’s poems have been published in The Georgia Review, Southern Poetry Review, Seneca Review, New Virginia Review, Prairie Schooner and others. Her poems have been included in anthologies, Word and Wisdom, 100 Years of N.C. Poetry and Literary Trails of N.C. (2008). Her poems have also been featured in Southern Appalachian Poetry, a textbook anthology published at McFarland Press.
Nancy lives in Hayesville, NC. Through 2010 she served as Resident Writer at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Presently she teaches Poetry Writing at the Institute for Continued Learning at Young Harris College.
Maren Mitchell
Maren O Mitchell’s poems have appeared in Southern Humanities Review, The Classical
Outlook, The Journal of Kentucky Studies, Appalachian Journal, Red Clay Reader, Volume 4, The Richmond Broom, The Arts Journal, and the anthologies Sunrise from Blue Thunder, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, and Nurturing Paws.
Poems are currently online and archived in Wild Goose Poetry Review and Pirene’s Fountain, and forthcoming in The Southern Poetry Anthology, Volume V: Georgia.
Maren has taught poetry at Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC, and catalogued at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.
For over twenty years she has taught origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. A North Carolina native, she now lives in Young Harris, Georgia, with her husband and two cats.
LEDFORD FEATURED AT COFFEE WITH THE POETS
Brenda Kay Ledford will read at "Coffee With the Poets," on Wednesday, April 11, 10:30 a.m.; The Cafe Touche, Main Street, Hayesville, NC.Brenda won the 2012 Royce Ray Poetry Award from "Aries: A Journal of Art and Literature," at Southeastern Community College; Whiteville, NC.
A native of Clay County, NC, Brenda started writing poetry in 1996. Her first poem, "Patchwork Memories," won The Cameo Award and was published in "The Lyricist," at Campbell University.
Brenda was an honor graduate of Hayesville High School. Her English teacher, Mrs. Josephine Thurman, introduced Brenda to literature and was her creative writing mentor. Brenda received a MA in Education from Western Carolina University. She studied Journalism at the University of Tennessee and Tri-County Community College.
Dr. Carl Dockery was Brenda's mentor in Journalism at Tri-County Community College. She was Creative Writing Editor of "Tri-County Communicator" at the college. Brenda won the Journalism Award for Feature Writing in 2000 from North Carolina Press Association.
Her work has appeared in "Our State Magazine," "Asheville Poetry Review," "Main Street Rag," "Pine Mountain Sand & Gravel," "Appalachian Heritage," "Pembroke Magazine," "Journal of Kentucky Studies," "Echoes Across the Blue Ridge," "Pirenes Fountain," "Women's Spaces/Women's Places," "Fresh Magazine," "Moonshine Literary Magazine," "The Reach of Song," "Old Mountain Press" anthologies, "Naugatuck River Review," "The Broad River Review" (Gardner-Webb University), and other publications.
Her poetry chapbooks, SHEW BIRD MOUNTAIN and SACRED FIRE, were published by Finishing Line Press.
Brenda received the Paul Green Award from North Carolina Society of Historians for these poetry chapbooks. She also won the 2011 Paul Green Award for her book, SIMPLICITY, co-authored with Blanche L. Ledford.
Brenda is a member of North Carolina Writer's Network, North Carolina Poetry Society, Georgia Poetry Society, and listed with A DIRECTORY OF AMERICAN POETS AND FICTION WRITERS.
She gives poetry readings across the Southeast. Brenda has been featured on "The Common Cup," over Windstream Communications cable televison/website many times.
Finally, Rosemary Royston, director of North Carolina Writer's Network-West (NETWEST), compared Brenda's poetry in ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE to Ralph Waldo Emerson's work in a thesis that Rosemary presented to Appalachian Writer's Association at East Kentucky University on March 11, 2011.
For more information about Brenda Kay Ledford's writing, go to:
http://blueridgepoet.blogspot.com
http://historicalhayesville.blogspot.com
www.youtube.com "Happy Birthday Clay County North Carolina"
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
MOUNTAIN WOMAN: POETRY MONTH DAY # 3: DAVID HUDDLE
MOUNTAIN WOMAN: POETRY MONTH DAY # 3: DAVID HUDDLE: I've been a David Huddle admirer for years now, and no, that's not David in the photo above. It's one he emailed me, in honor of the bi...
Netwest Represented at the Blue Ridge Writers' Conference
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| Writers filling seats for afternoon session |
I have attended all fifteen years since this event began and have never come away feeling I didn't get my money's worth. This year I went to the Friday night reception and met some writers from Atlanta. Robert Kimsey and Robert S. King were both there and both were speakers on Saturday. Because I was particularly interested in Jessica Handler, having seen write ups about her online, I attended both her sessions and bought her book, Invisible Sisters. I am reading it now and find it fascinating.
Amy Greene, the keynote speaker, held us all spell bound with excerpts from her novel, Bloodroot, a best seller. She writes with a pure Appalachian voice. Maybe that is because she is from East Tennessee. Her characters will grab you, and you can't put the book down. I heard some say they had read all night because they couldn't stop until they finished. Carol Crawford, who heads up this conference each year, warned me to keep the tissues handy.
Nancy Knight from Atlanta was a founder of BelleBooks, a publishing firm that many of us recognize. Kathryn McGendie has published three novels, I believe, with them. Nancy is also an agent and was chock full of valuable information for writers. I was so happy when she went through a list to tell us the recommended word count for most popular genres such as mystery, thrillers, romance, science fiction, westerns and others. That is a question I hear from my students and I simply have never researched to find the answer.
Linda Ray of Curiosity Books in Murphy, with her assistant, Laurie, did a fine job of managing the book sales. How nice she was to let us local writers keep the full sale price of our books. She took no commission for selling them. Thanks so much Linda.
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| Echoes sold well at conference |
The following is from Carole Thompson, Netwest Representative for the Georgia counties. She said, "Of course, seeing fellow writers and friends again was one of the best things about the Blue Ridge Writers' Conference. Our hosts were gracious, and the food was excellent.
Keynote speaker, Amy Greene's, review of her wonderful book, "Bloodroot" almost made me believe in "Haints". What was outstanding, was the wide variety of subjects covered by the speakers.
Quinlan Lee helped me understand the role an Agent plays in getting your manuscript to large publishing houses, plus hints to make any of your writings more dynamic to the reader, especially as it relates to children's books. I attended both her workshops.
Robert King discussed the advantages /disadvantages of self-publishing, and gave all of us a clearer idea of how the world of online publishing works.
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| Robert Kimsey |
My final conference hour was spent with Stellasue Lee, a brilliant writer and editor, sharing her knowledge, through her own life-changing experience, of how it is possible to "Say the unsayable" in our poetry. I am sure the other speakers made a good impression, also, and I am sorry I couldn't hear them all."
Like Carole, I wish I had been able to attend every presentation, but was limited to four. I couldn't stay for the last hour, but I know it was just as good as the others. I advise all writers, poets and those who want to write, and who live within driving distance, to make plans now to attend the Blue Ridge Writers' Conference next year. It is usually held in March. Find the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association online and check to find the date for next year.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Interview with Celia Miles, Author and Editor.
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| CELIA MILES, editor, author of nine novels |
Thank you, Glenda, for inviting me to answer questions about my writing and background.
*You are a native of Canton, NC? Tell us about growing up there. Where did you go to school? I know you are an editor and a writer. What was your major in college?
Actually I’m a native of Jackson County, born back beyond Dillsboro. We moved “to town” (Morganton) after my sixth grade (and had the indoor amenities for the first time) and to Canton in my eighth grade. My father was moved “from the woods” to work at the paper mill and I finished high school there. From there, it was Brevard College, then Berea, UNC-Chapel Hill, and later, to IUP in Pennsylvania. My Mattie’s Girl: An Appalachian Childhood, though not my life, is true to the time and place of my first twelve years, summed up, in someone’s phrase: “too poor to know any better.” I majored in English and taught at Brevard College, then at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College for thirty years.
*When did you know you wanted to be a writer? When did you first say “I am a writer?”
In high school, I wrote a long novel, on Blue Horse notebook paper, set as far away as possible with a hero as handsome as possible (probably modeled on Mark Trail (Anyone remember him? or have I invented him?); thankfully that missile has long since disappeared. For years my writing was academic and I co-authored a textbook for the two-year college market: Writing Technical Reports (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 1990).
My creative writing began with courses I took in continuing education at AB Tech on “Writing the Natural Way” (that one I had to take twice!), “Writing the Romance Novel,” “Writing the Novel,” all taught by published writers. People often think: oh, an English teacher…writing must be a cinch for you or writing must be easy. Not so. I had to “unlock” the right side of my brain and “unlearn” the censorship of the evaluating grammarian/teacher. Those courses started me on “writing for pleasure, if not profit.”
*How many novels have you written? What was the first one?
I have five novels. The first, Mattie’s Girl, was a collection of vignettes, individual episodes, until a class with Bill Brooks got it moving toward the novel form (“create a hook,” “introduce conflict immediately,” etc.). I smile when I count the two “sweet” (as opposed to “steamy”) romances; A Thyme for Love grew out of the romance novel class—and in it I included my interest in photography and herbs. (a friend commented on seeing the book, “I can’t believe Celia misspelled a word in the title!”) Then came its sequel: ThymeTable Mill in which I incorporated my love of old grist mills, along with another love story of older people. Both set around Asheville. Sarranda is a historical novel set before, during, after the Civil War, a story of survival in brutal times. Surprising me, Sarranda appeared to the heroine of ThymeTable Mill who is restoring an old mill, saying essentially “this was my grandfather’s mill…I can rest now that I know it’s in good hands.” She demanded a novel of her own and I finished it in six weeks. Its sequel is taking much longer!
*ThymeTable Mill and Sarranda, describe them.
ThymeTable Mill is contemporary but the heroine goes around to various old grist mills in this area, interviewing and photographing, with emphasis on the Francis Mill in Haywood County. Sarranda—definitely historical—is the story of a strong woman, born around 1840, coping in the worst of times, during and following the Civil War.
Research
*Do you enjoy researching your books?I don’t particularly enjoy research, but I do enjoy having the internet to make it easy: finding NC regiments in the Civil War, prison camps, etc. For Sarranda’s Heart, the sequel, I had to find, among other things, if home canning and cook stoves would have been likely in western NC in 1881. And I love learning of old mills, finding, and photographing them and invite anyone with information about them to let me know.
*You have an abiding interest in stone circles such as Stonehenge, but you seem to like the smaller ones in rural areas. They can be found in several countries, I think. How many countries have you visited to see the stone circles and what intrigues you about them?
I first saw Stonehenge and the smaller stones but larger circle of Avebury in1969; since then we’ve found dozens of stone circles and burial sites, mostly in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, but also in Portugal and Malta—and even (so says the tourist literature) in New Hampshire! Without claiming much knowledge or understanding of how and why these sites were constructed, I simply know there is a mystique about them, unconnected (for me) to the mechanics and mathematics of their existence. Partly, I appreciate that scientific certainty is not possible, that they embody a community/cultural belief system that, like the great cathedrals, created them. Tourism and commercialism do not ultimately detract from or destroy the “feeling” that surrounds them.
Since I’m not a “city person,” there is great satisfaction in tramping over moors, through sheep, through peat bogs to come upon a lesser-known circle—finally locating it from that tiny dot on a map. I find it hard to articulate what draws me to the circles time and time again. In Journey to Stenness a contemporary woman is caught in and surrenders to the allure of the two major circles on the island of Orkney. The emotions engendered by her visits to them must speak for me. We will be returning to many of the circles in the Scottish islands this spring…I can only hope for a creative time.
Women Writers
I confess to having plenty of time to write now (retired and no children) and wish I made use of it every day, but I don’t. I feel guilty if I’m not writing but not guilty enough to set a schedule and keep to it. I started writing in the 1990s, but all my books have been published since I retired and all are “self published”/“print on demand.” In a very short time with Mattie’s Girl, I found I had not the patience to jump through the hoops to get an agent and a traditional publisher. I’ve never regretted my decision and encourage others who have a well-written story or collection of poetry or short stories to go that route…and e-publishing, too.
*I’ve heard that fiction writers often draw from their own lives and experiences to create characters and plots. Is that true for you?
A writer cannot totally separate self from what is created; whether it’s an idea, an image, a belief, something of the writer is reflected—precisely what and to what degree don’t really matter. The work should stand on its own, without biographical reference; knowing the writer may make the work “more interesting” to a reader who knows the author, but actually the reader brings herself to the work as does the writer. My fiction certainly illustrates my interests and travels, but I don’t consciously base my characters on real people or any one real person; and my plots just develop from the characters—thank goodness.
*Do you have a special place and time for your writing?
I write at my computer, now feeling uncomfortable with a pen and paper, and have “a room of my own” surrounded by clutter and books, mostly by regional and self-published writers. No special time of day, but typically not morning (though I’ve done the “morning pages” advocated by Julie Cameron). Sometimes I listen to Celtic or Appalachian music, nothing raucous or pounding. Writing Sarranda I played “Hard Times Come Again No More” (Gayle and Phil Johnson’s version) over and over; its sequel calls for “How Can I Keep from Singing (Betty Smith’s CD).”
*Do you keep a writing journal or a journal of any kind?
I have but I don’t. Times of stress or trauma have been when I’ve felt the need to journal; I try to keep a list of books I’m reading, but now I forget that. In general, though, I think writing daily in a journal or otherwise, is a great habit and that something worthy comes out of it.
*Some of the south’s best writers have had dysfunctional families, mental issues, or other problems. You seem perfectly normal, Celia; do you think a writer has to have lived a tumultuous life?
Wonderful question—can a southern woman writer be from a “normal” family (however defined)? Absolutely. A family member calls me “sensible Celia” (at which I cringe but can’t deny). Surely suffering, whether mental, emotional, or physical, can precipitate the urge to write, but it isn’t necessary to set yourself on fire in order to describe the experience or to have children in order to create a fictional mother. The question deserves (and has received in other places, I’m sure) an entire essay.
*You and Nancy Dillingham have published three anthologies for women writers. Why did you do the first one? Do you plan to do any more anthologies?
Nancy and I worked together for a decade (more or less) at AB Tech on the faculty/staff literary magazine, Victoria Press, and after we left, we often met to discuss writing and reading. Exactly why and how the idea came about is not clear to me now (we sometimes laugh and wonder the same thing). We knew some women writers, knew they deserved to be read, and, I suppose, just set ourselves the challenge of putting a book together, luckily not knowing all the ramifications and work involved. Christmas Presence was fun, kept our editing skills honed, made new friends for us—and before we knew it, we’d decided on a second anthology. Clothes Lines almost overwhelmed us with seventy-five writers, so we took a year off and then decided on one more, to complete a kind of “trinity”: Women’s Spaces Women’s Places. We’ve said “no more.” But women are famous for changing their minds.
*Some writers included in the anthologies said they were disappointed that they didn’t get a free book or a discount so they could buy books to sell at reading, etc. Why should a writer submit to your anthologies? What’s in it for them?
Good questions but first a disclaimer: every writer received a free book (at the launch party, by mail, or hand delivered). For the first two anthologies, we did give a discount to authors but by the third one, we wanted to be able to pay for the publication first! We financed the books ourselves, no grants, donations, or fundraisers were involved. We never expected to “make money,” but did want to pay off the printers. That we have done. Why submit? What’s in it for the author? Each writer would have to answer that for herself. I submit to anthologies and contests for validation and gratification—to be read by like-minded writers (not New Yorker readers). If I think I have something to say and I judge it worthy (I have lots of starts and stopped), fiction or non-, I like to see it in print.
*You have been traveling abroad recently. Are you using these trips for research on future novels?
I don’t use them in terms of keeping track of expenses for IRS purposes. Actually I try to empty my mind of obligations (such as finishing a work) while gone…and into an empty mind may come an idea or image that stays with me and finds its way into something. Several short stories (in the collections On a Slant and Islands One and All) are set in other countries: Greece, England, the Scottish islands, Portugal, so I soaked up something that generated a story. But I don’t go for that reason.
*Did you start with an agent? * Who is your publisher?
I’ve never had an agent. I’ve found my niche in self-publishing and, believe it or not, have no desire to try for “the big time,” which most authors find isn’t so grand after all. Infinitypublishing.com has five of my books, two of which are/will be available as e-books. For the first two anthologies we used Catawba in Charlotte, since gone out of business. For the last anthology, we wanted to stay local; it was printed by Biltmore Solutions Group (formerly Biltmore Press) in Asheville. It and Journey to Stenness are published under the imprint, Stone Ivy Press.
*What advice can you give to struggling writers who have yet to publish that first book?
I’d say: do some investigating of traditional, online, and self-publishing opportunities; decide how much time and money you want to invest; choose what’s important (knowing the attitudes and problems inherent in whichever publishing choice you make); and then, do it. It can’t hurt to try, to send out, to make an effort. Of course, before thinking “marketing/publishing,” think quality and editing. It seems to me that now, in workshops and blogs, the emphasis is more on marketing cleverly than on writing well, but that may be just my age showing.
*Tell us where we can find and order your books online.
You can order all the books from my website: http://www.celiamiles.com/. Amazon has Islands One and All; Mattie’s Girl and Sarranda are available online from http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/ (Infinity’s bookstore) and from Amazon. Independent bookstores around western NC have hardcopies—with my gratitude.
*Thank you so much, Celia, for taking time from your busy schedule to give this interview for Netwest Writers.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Kathryn Stripling Byer recently read her poem " Last Light" to Welcome Western Carolina University's new Chancellor David Belcher.
NCWN West members may remember that "Last Light" is one of Kathryn Stripling Byer's poems that was included in our recent anthology Echoes Across the Blue Ridge Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Check out your copy, read the poem or read it here on line:
http://themountainwoman.blogspot.com/2012/03/reflections-on-place-last-light.html?spref=fb
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
WRITERS’ NIGHT OUT FEATURES POET MIKE JAMES
On April 13 Mike James from Atlanta will read from his newest book of poetry, Past Due Notices. Writers’ Night Out, which also features an open mike, takes place at 7 p.m. in a new location this month: the private room upstairs at Brother’s Willow Ranch Restaurant in Young Harris, GA. This is a free monthly event for people who love the written and spoken word.
A native of South Carolina, Mike James has lived in Louisiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania and now Georgia. His poetry has been widely published in magazines and newspapers throughout the country. His books of poetry include Not Here, All Those Goodbyes, Pennies From An Empty Jar, Nothing But Love, and Alternate Endings. Recently, Main Street Rag published his selected poems, Past Due Notices: Poems 1991-2011. Since 2005, he and his wife, Diane, have run Yellow Pepper Press, a small poetry broadside press.
Writers’ Night Out takes place on the second Friday of each month and is open to the public. Each open microphone reader can sign up at the door and has two-and-a-half minutes to read. The event draws approximately 30 people from four counties. Brother’s Willow Ranch Restaurant is located at 6223 Hwy 76 West across from Brasstown Valley Resort, phone 706-379-1272. Food and beverages will be available for purchase before the event; please come early to order.
For more information, please contact Karen Holmes at (404) 316-8466 or kpaulholmes@gmail.com.
A native of South Carolina, Mike James has lived in Louisiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania and now Georgia. His poetry has been widely published in magazines and newspapers throughout the country. His books of poetry include Not Here, All Those Goodbyes, Pennies From An Empty Jar, Nothing But Love, and Alternate Endings. Recently, Main Street Rag published his selected poems, Past Due Notices: Poems 1991-2011. Since 2005, he and his wife, Diane, have run Yellow Pepper Press, a small poetry broadside press.
Writers’ Night Out takes place on the second Friday of each month and is open to the public. Each open microphone reader can sign up at the door and has two-and-a-half minutes to read. The event draws approximately 30 people from four counties. Brother’s Willow Ranch Restaurant is located at 6223 Hwy 76 West across from Brasstown Valley Resort, phone 706-379-1272. Food and beverages will be available for purchase before the event; please come early to order.
For more information, please contact Karen Holmes at (404) 316-8466 or kpaulholmes@gmail.com.
MOUNTAIN WOMAN: JERRY WOLFE: Stories Keep Us Connected
MOUNTAIN WOMAN: JERRY WOLFE: Stories Keep Us Connected: Jerry Wolfe Listening last night to Cherokee story-teller Jerry Wolfe, I was taken back to my childhood love of animal stories and ...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Mother Jones Premiere
"Mother Jones" will premiere at the Franklin Unitarian Church on April 7th at 6:00. All members of Network West are invited. "Mother Jones" has already been picked up by a series of organizations in WNC and will probably be a fundraiser for folks like The AVE literary festival in Andrews, Rickman's Store in Macon County, and the Highlands PAC. In addition, "Outlander" will be produced in June at the Parkway Playhouse. It now has a complete musical score composed by Frank Lee, a well-known musician in Swain County. We will probably tour it this fall. I am also conducting a workshop in storytelling at the Carolina literary festival in Wadesboro on April 13-14 and will probably repeat the workkshop at Lake Junaluska in September. --Gary Carden
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE FRIDAY NIGHT
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
FESTIVAL ON THE SQUARE 2012 - NETWEST WILL BE THERE
We are very happy that the Clay County Historical and Arts Council has accepted Netwest as a vendor this year. That means Netwest will have a booth at the Festival on the Square in Hayesville, NC on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15.
President of CCHAC, Janice Padgett, contacted us recently and said that NCWN West could make application for a booth. The festival is on the historical square of our town, and each year every inch of space under the old trees around the Courthouse is filled with tents of artists and crafters. Painters, photographers, jewelry makers, colorful fabric work and iron sculpture catch the eye. Live music is played all day in the gazebo, and the cloggers perform on Saturday.This festival now includes all of the arts.
Writing is a literary art, of course, and for the first time in several years, we will be there with our popular anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, edited by Nancy Simpson and filled with the words of mountain writers.
Our members who have published books are invited to bring a few copies for the table. We might hold periodic readings throughout the day. If so, we will post times.
We will also need volunteers, hopefully a few strong ones, to help erect the tent and set up tables Friday afternoon, and take down the booth on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to introduce the public to our anthology and to let them meet the writers in this area.
Contact Glenda Beall, 828-389-4441 for more information regarding the Netwest booth.
President of CCHAC, Janice Padgett, contacted us recently and said that NCWN West could make application for a booth. The festival is on the historical square of our town, and each year every inch of space under the old trees around the Courthouse is filled with tents of artists and crafters. Painters, photographers, jewelry makers, colorful fabric work and iron sculpture catch the eye. Live music is played all day in the gazebo, and the cloggers perform on Saturday.This festival now includes all of the arts.
Writing is a literary art, of course, and for the first time in several years, we will be there with our popular anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, edited by Nancy Simpson and filled with the words of mountain writers.
Our members who have published books are invited to bring a few copies for the table. We might hold periodic readings throughout the day. If so, we will post times.
We will also need volunteers, hopefully a few strong ones, to help erect the tent and set up tables Friday afternoon, and take down the booth on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to introduce the public to our anthology and to let them meet the writers in this area.
Contact Glenda Beall, 828-389-4441 for more information regarding the Netwest booth.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Robert S. King, poet and editor, at Coffee with the Poets
Robert S. King Nancy Simpson
Nancy and Mary listen to Robert read.
Mary Ricketson from Murphy, NC will read her poetry at the book launch for the anthology, Future Cycle Flash Fiction - Poetry 2011, March 23 at City Lights Books in Sylva, NC. A number of Netwest members are listed in the table of contents for the book. Glenda Beall and Carole Thompson are also on the program to read at City Lights.
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| Brenda Kay Ledford will be the featured reader in April. We appreciate Liz, owner of Cafe Touche. Besides the delicious sweets, she is now offering lunch. We can continue our socializing right there after the readings. Today the menu was baked ziti and a salad bar. |
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