HERE, WHERE I AM: A Sheaf of Christmas poems

HERE, WHERE I AM: A Sheaf of Christmas poems

My Christmas Poem

This morning I awoke to find our mountain blanketed with snow. The first snow right here I think, but we will have more. It reminded me of the Christmas poem I revisit each year. I wrote this poem years ago, but sadly the ending never changes. Children still live in fear - still live with war.


Snow at Christmas
by Glenda C. Beall

Silent December snow covers
grey mountain forests, clings
to thin bare branches of oaks,
poplar and ash.

It mounds on brown wide leaves
still hanging on to stubborn trees
that, until now, denied winter’s presence.
Holly bushes crowned with snow

create photo ops for Christmas cards.
Rooftops iced in white, frosted
gingerbread houses, await
Santa's footsteps.

Red ribbons on our mailbox
collect crystal flakes
within curving bows,
on bunched pine boughs.

Kayla hangs her stocking, dreams
of Barbie dolls, gift wrapped boxes
piled high beneath her brilliant
Christmas tree.

We light a candle in the snow.
Pray for children around the world,
who long for peace, a cup of soup,
an end to fear -- an end to
war.

Robert S. King's New Poetry Book Forthcoming

I am pleased to announce that just this month I signed a contract with Sweatshoppe Publications, a new and very hard-working publisher. They have scheduled my book of poetry, One Man’s Profit, for publication by the end of February 2013. More information is available at the publisher's website.  An order link is forthcoming.

One Man’s Profit is my sixth collection of poetry and contains poems written during the past two years. The manuscript went through many revisions and versions. I wish to thank several folks who read and/or commented on the book, helping me to get it into shape. My appeciation goes to Nancy Simpson, Diane Kistner, Scott Owens, David Chorlton, and Joanne Lowery for their input.

Obviously, a poet must promote his work, so I have already scheduled six reading events and will post those dates on my website's calendar in the near future.

When the book is available for sale, I hope you will support this new publisher and this old poet.

FutureCycle Press Calls for Submissions

FutureCycle Press is always open to submissions of books or chapbooks. Additionally, the press has ongoing needs for its thematic and general anthologies. For all types of submissions, please read the general guidelines first. The general guidelines contain links to more specific information for the genre of work submitted.

Books and Chapbooks

The press seeks both poetry and flash fiction collections. Please note that there is a $15 reading fee for each book you submit. For poetry, the press offers an annual cash award to the author selected for the FutureCycle Press Poetry Book Prize. The amount of the award varies from year to year and is based on a percentage of annual profits. The winner is chosen by the previous year’s winner and by the editors of FutureCycle Press.

Anthologies

FutureCycle Press publishes thematic anthologies as interest and demand dictate. The most recently published anthology is American Society: What Poets See, edited by Robert S. King and David Chorlton. Since 2007 the press has also released an annual, unthemed anthology whose title is based on the year released (e.g., FutureCycle 2011, FutureCycle 2012, etc.). This year, 2012, will be the last unthemed anthology published.

Following are anthology projects currently seeking submissions:

Malala. Edited by Joseph Hutchison and Andrea Watson. Honoring Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who was shot because she wanted an education. Profits from sales of this anthology will be donated to an appropriate charity. Click here for guidelines or to submit.

FutureCycle 2012. Edited by David Chorlton and Robert S. King. A collection of individual poems and flash fiction pieces submitted to FutureCycle Press during the year 2012. This will be the last issue of this unthemed anthology. You still have time to submit. Deadline is December 31, 2012. Please read the general guidelines at the link shown above.

Free Books!

Even in this day when everything costs a lot, it’s still possible to find great poetry at a bargain. How does “free” sound?

Many publishers offer book giveaways now and then. In this post, I am using southeastern publisher FutureCycle Press as an example. Each month, the press features a book from its catalog as both a Goodreads Giveaway (to win the paperback) and a free Kindle ebook. (Each Saturday of that month, you can "buy" the ebook free.) While you're getting your Kindle freebie, please take a look at FutureCycle’s other books. And if you are so inclined, please leave an honest review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Goodreads

If you are not familiar with Goodreads, you should be. It’s a great resource for book reviews of all kinds. If you are an author, you should list your books there (I repeat, it’s free).

You can sign up with Goodreads for a chance to win any book offered monthly from the FutureCycle catalog. You can create a free Goodreads account directly at the link provided above, or you can go the FutureCycle website menus: Just click the link “Each month” (under “Free Promotions”) in the right column of the home page. Then follow the prompts to log in or create your free Goodreads account. Once logged in, you will see a list of all available titles that you can select to win.

Amazon Kindle

Kindle is the most popular ebook format. All FutureCycle titles are available in both print and Kindle formats. On December 29, 2012, you can get one or more selected Kindle books from the press catalog for free. The giveaway program will be extended into 2013, and each Saturday the press will offer free Kindle books.

Unlike the Goodreads Giveways, the Kindle titles are not won by chance. If you want it, you’ve got it but only on Saturdays. You simply purchase an ebook but are not charged.

If you are an Amazon Prime member (a paid service), you may borrow, without paying, one ebook at a time from the many titles offered by the press. In this case, Amazon Prime works like a library. Not all publishers participate in this program, but FutureCycle certainly does.

You do not have to own a Kindle reader. You can view the books on your PC by downloading free software. Click here to download it.

Please take advantage of the giveaway programs. It’s quality literature for the lowest price possible.

The Next Big Thing

Celia Miles who along with Nancy Dillingham has co-edited three anthologies of the work of women writers in Western North Carolina: Christmas Presence, Clothes Lines, and Women’s Spaces Women’s Places, has a new book coming out in 2013.
Celia is trying something new for her -- a blog tour, The Next Big Thing, with her latest post being a number of answers to interview questions on the subject of Sarranda's Heart.

I found it very interesting. I think you will also.
Visit Celia Miles at http://celiamiles.com/ to see the books she has authored and the anthologies she has published.


Sarranda's Heart is a sequel to this book that was published in 2006

Call for Submissions from Netwest Member

Per Wayne Drumheller:  I've been writing a book about cancer survivors and caretakers for last 3 years. Portraits in Courage and Commitment has 88 portraits and captions with 12 personal essays and narratives. 88 interviews so far and my goal is 100 to self publish. Would like to find the final 12 before December 31. Stories start at survival not diagnosis. The stories are unique because of life changes and promises made and kept. Main questions is how did cancer change your and what future legacy did you promise to fulfill. If you have a story that fits, email:mystory@comporium.net.

LEDFORD PUBLISHES POETRY CHAPBOOK

Finishing Line Press announces the publication of BECKONING by: Brenda Kay Ledford

According to Glenda Beall, director of Writer's Circle, "Brenda's collection sings with color and harmony.  She lets us take a peek into her world as she shares her Appalachian roots in verse.  We relate to the constancy of seasons in nature and in our lives.  Digging in the dirt as her mother does each spring preparing her garden, lifts the spirit, and decorating graves of loved ones on Memorial Day perpetuate the love of generations.  Throughout the snow, first greening of spring, summer's roses, autumn's harvest, and star-studded asters, the images in this book offer the reader the opportunity to feel, see, hear, and taste the beauty as well as the inevitable sadness of life."

You may preorder online at:  www.finishinglinepress.com.

Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center Visit

For those who have not visited the Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center outside Blairsville, GA, this is a wonderful time of year to spend an hour or more learning about life in these mountains as it was 100 years ago, and to learn about the interesting poet, Byron Herbert Reece. He grew up here and lived on the farm where the center has been built. He taught at Young Harris College. His story tells the story of this land, of Choestoe, where he was born in a cabin in 1917.

The anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, is dedicated to Reece and several of his poems are in the book. I was fascinated to read Reece's actual letters and the newspaper articles I found at the center. The lost art of letter-writing is a window to the writer's heart. My appetite has been whetted and I want to read all of them.
On the day I visited the center, Mrs. John Kay was there and filled our heads with interesting facts about the noted poet.

My guests and I watched a video about Reece's life told by poets, Mildred Greear and Bettie Sellers, and other well-known people of this area. I hope to get back over to continue my tour and purchase some of the books on sale at the gift shop, but I must go soon. They will only be open a few more weekends.

(from the Reece website)
The remaining days of fall


We’re back to clear blue skies, and while the wind was hard on the leaves, it’s still lovely at the Reece Farm and Heritage Center. We’ll be open just a few more weekends, so be sure to stop by soon. The Gift Shop is full of unique items for gift giving, and Shelley will be glad to guide you through the selections. The Farm and Heritage Center is located south of Blairsville on the Gainesville Highway (Hwy 129), just north of Vogel State Park. Watch for the signs! We’re open the remaining weekends in November, including the weekend following Thanksgiving, on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 4:00.

Netwest Writer Releases New Book

Maren O. Mitchell’s non-fiction book, Beat Chronic Pain, An Insider’s Guide, has been released by Line of Sight Press.

 
It is available with Create eStore on Amazon and Amazon for the U.S. The UK and Continental Europe links are on the Line of Sight Press website.

 

Within this book is help for those with chronic pain who do not have information on drug-free alternatives. Often chronic pain sufferers search haphazardly for too long on their own to find the help they need.

While touching on a variety of methods, Beat Chronic Pain, An Insider’s Guide is intentionally brief, with short chapters, as the capacity to concentrate and retain information is greatly reduced in those with pain.

The “Introduction” offers reasons why chronic pain is not always recognized, described and treated. Chapters have personal examples of the author finding a tool, a method, and using it to rebuild her life. These tools can be used by anyone with chronic pain to improve chances of surviving the stress of constant pain, and reclaiming one’s life. Included are suggested readings and resource contacts.

Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested in fighting chronic pain by means other than drugs. This is also an excellent resource for primary caregivers, and those who live with, or interact regularly with chronic pain sufferers.

Maren welcomes email comments and/or reviews online.

 

 

TOWN CREEK POETRY

North Carolina Writer's Network West members, Karen Paul Holmes and Brenda Kay Ledford,        
have poetry in TOWN CREEK POETRY, Fall, 2012 issue. 

Karen's poem, "Visitor," was included in this issue.

Brenda's poetry, "Aunt Reba," "Basket Maker," and "Devastation," also were printed in TOWN CREEK POETRY.

William Wright is the founding editor.
Dan Morris, senior editor.

www.towncreekpoetry.com

LIARS BENCH TO PRESENT "BIRDELL" BY GARY CARDEN

Gary Carden, winner of the Literature Award for North Carolina, reminds us of his unforgettable play, Birdell, to be performed on November 15.

Liars Bench To Present "Birdell" at Mountain Heritage Center
Bobbie Curtis as 'Birdell'

On Thursday November 15 at 7pm at the Mountain Heritage Center there will be a performance of the dramatic monologue "Birdell" starring Bobbie Curtis. It is the story of a defiant mountain woman forced off her land by the TVA caused rising waters of Fontana Lake. This show will be a benefit for the Liars Bench organization. Consequently there will be an admission charge of $10.00. Tickets are available at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva and at the door the night of the show.

Although "Birdell" has plenty of pathos it's not just a dark, unrelenting tragedy. There is humor all the way through the play and some of the things that Birdell Tolly does in her garden just might shock a Southern Baptist preacher.

Actress Bobbie Curtis portrays Birdell Tolly's life and her battle against the federal government. Ms. Curtis' grandparents were forced off their land by the construction of the Bridgewater Dam which formed Lake James.
Curtis says “I feel that I am really in her shoes and that I have been there.”
Some of Carden's other plays Curtis has performed in are “The Bright Forever” and Ketti Frings “Look Homeward Angel.”

Claw-hammer guitar player Paul Iarussi will play old-time Southern Appalachian music.

The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU: 828.227.7129 or City Lights Bookstore in Sylva 586.9499

***********************************************
The next presentation of The Liars Bench Show at WCUs Mountain Heritage Center will be Thursday December 13 at 7 pm with stories and songs of “An Old Time Appalachian Christmas.”

Contact for more information:
Gary Carden

gcarden498@aol.com

Congrats to Kay Byer and her recent induction to the NC Literary Hall of Fame!!

Gary Carden Recognized for Lifetime Achievement

On Friday, November 9, friends of Gary Neil Carden will honor the playwright with a gala event at the Jackson County Library. A reception begins at 6:00 pm in the library's atrium with a program of presentations, proclamations and speeches to follow at 7:00 pm in the Community Room of the old Jackson County Courthouse.

Dave Waldrop, local author and personal friend of Carden's said “Gary has worked hard for many years writing and producing plays, teaching Appalachian culture, and realistic portraying Appalachia and its people across multiple genres. He deserves recognition from his friends and community.”

Recognitions planned to be given to Carden include proclamations/awards from Commissioner Doug Cody of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, Town of Sylva Mayor Maurice Moody, and Cherrrie' Moses, Chair of the Jackson County Historical Commission. 

The Jackson County Friends of the Library will host the reception with food and beverages. Southern Appalachian music will be provided by Eric Young, Paul Iarussi, and Adam Bigelow. All are invited.

JUST FOR FUN

Let's have some fun. Choose one of the questions in red and in blue, below. In the comment box, answer it in fifty words or less. Your name will be included in a drawing and the winner of the drawing will receive a free gift. If you answer both questions, make two separate comments and your name will be included in the drawing two times.

We will check the blog each day and monitor the comments so they go up quickly. Remember, your comment will not show up on the blog until one of the administrators reads it and accepts it. We have to do that to keep down the Spam that comes in. Believe me -- you don't want to read those comments.

To make your comment easy to send, you can click on anonymous and not have to list a google address, etc. But we will have to contact you if you win the drawing so include an email address and your name in the box for your comment.

Here are the questions.

A. What author, living or dead, would you most like to have lunch with and why? Answer in 50 words or less. 

B. What is the first book you remember reading and why is it memorable?
Answer in 50 words or less.

Subscribe to this post, in the sidebar on the right, and each new post with comments will appear in your Email Inbox. If you have any problems, contact nightwriter0302@yahoo.com.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

In my files, I have pictures taken at NCWN West events and photos used in articles I've written about our members. I thought I'd share some of them today.

Remember?

Glenda Barrett on right with her guest

Glenda, Wayne, Jayne, Lana, Nancy S, Nancy P, JC Walkup

Jo Carolyn Beebe 

Janice Moore, Karen Holmes, Brenda Ledford, Jo Carolyn Beebe, Carole Thompson

Lana Hendershott 

Paul Donovan, Karen Holmes, Glenda Beall

Gary Carden

Ed Southern, Executive Director of NCWN, at City Lights Books in Sylva

Leave a comment if you remember when or where the picture was taken.

Katherine Scott Crawford Reads from New Novel

Katherine Scott Crawford will be reading from her debut historical novel, Keowee Valley (published in September by Bell Bridge Books) on Saturday, October 27th at 2 p.m. at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, N.C. She'll also be signing books. Crawford will also be speaking on a panel of Appalachian writers at the Dahlonega Literary Festival in Dahlonega, Georgia on Saturday, November 10 at 2 p.m., and will be working a book booth for Keowee Valley all day. She'd love to meet readers!

PAUL GREEN AWARD WINNERS

Brenda Kay Ledford and Blanche L. Ledford received this year's Paul Green Multimedia Awards from North Carolina Society of Historians.

An award's ceremony was held in the Hilton Garden Inn at Mooresville, NC on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

A distinguisted panel of judges selected Blanche' collection of poetry and prose, PLANTING BY THE SIGNS, for the award.

Brenda also won the Paul Green Award for her blog:  http://historicalhayesville.blogspot.com.

For more information, contact:  www.ncsocietyofhistorians.org.

Amazon's CreateSpace - cost effective self-publishing

Saturday afternoon
October 27, 1:00 - 4:00

Ronda Birtha –  

Self-publishing Using Amazon's CreateSpace

We will discuss how and why it may be useful, how it has benefited authors, and how cost-effective it may be, as it has a "built-in" advertising infrastructure. Discussion on E-books.

$25.00 registration fee

Now taking registrations for this class. Mail your check to Writers Circle, 581 Chatuge Lane, Hayesville, NC 28904

Ronda knows her stuff and is passionate about helping others learn.  She's practical, fun and nice too. … Karen Holmes

 I gained valuable social networking information through a class taught at Writer's Circle by Ronda Birtha, a teacher in best sense -- easy to learn from, informed and patient.        Maren O. Mitchell

Opening in Will Wright's Poetry Class

Attention Poets

We have a cancellation in Will Wright's class on poetry Saturday, October 13. One space is open. Contact Karen Holmes, 404 - 316-8466, or kpaulholmes@gmail.com

Call Glenda Beall - 828-389-4441. Leave your name and phone number on the voice mail and say Will Wright's class.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by.