Monday, March 5, 2018

Nancy Simpson's friends are sending their condolences as news slowly reaches across the state

Every day I receive emails from NCWN-West members and friends who share their sadness at the death of Nancy Simpson. This blog has had many people visit and read about Nancy. I pass the emails I receive on to our members and to Nancy's family. She has two sons and a niece, Lynn, who was like a daughter to her. They are all in mourning. 

Through your emails I have learned many things about Nancy. Joseph Bathanti, seventh NC Poet Laureate, 2012 - 2014, said he has known Nancy for thirty-five years, and they were very good friends. He is deeply sad about her passing. He is supportive of NCWN-West, he said. 

Nancy Purcell, author, teacher and a former county rep for NCWN-West in Brevard, NC, gives Nancy Simpson credit for helping her first publish her work. We only knew the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the people who were touched by Nancy.

You are welcome to send your condolences to glendabeall@msn.com and I will share them with those who knew and loved her.


Sunday, March 4, 2018

It's Open Mic Night time again!

NCWN-West of Jackson's monthly Open Mic night will be hosted, as always, by City Lights Bookstore of Sylva, on Spring Street, on Friday, March 9th, at 7:00 p.m.  There will be beverages and desserts; those who'd like dinner beforehand can find many good dining venues in Sylva, including City Lights Cafe on the floor below the bookstore (killer crepes.) 

February's Open Mic night enjoyed a full house and record numbers, with over a dozen readings by poets, fiction writers, storytellers, and memoirists, including lively historical fiction, harrowing nonfiction from a Vietnam veteran, profound (I'm not kidding) reflections gained from a life in plumbing, and Gary Carden's always-striking renditions of the region as it once was.  Authors included writers who were veterans, writers who experienced disabilities, younger and older, male and female.  If we enjoy these numbers on Friday, we will ask authors to keep their readings relatively short.

Come on out and meet a supportive local writing community!