Winners Announced - 2019 NC Poetry Society Poetry Contests - Ben Cutler among winners

Swain County Rep for NCWN-West,  Ben Cutler of Whitter, NC is a winner in the 2019  NC Poetry Society Contests

The North Carolina Poetry Society (NCPS) has announced the names of its 2019 adult poetry contest winners. Winning poets will receive cash prizes and their poems will be published in the annual anthology, Pinesong.

Winning poets have been invited to read at Sam Ragan Awards Day at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines on Saturday, May 11, 2019. All poetry lovers are invited to attend.

The Poet Laureate prize was awarded by North Carolina poet laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, to Maureen Sherbondy for her poem “Gretel.”

Other first-prize winners are:

• Jane Shlensky (Bahama, NC), “A Short History of Mystery” – Alice Osborn Award (poems written for children ages 2-12)

• Crystal Simone Smith (Durham, NC), “slave museum” – Bloodroot Haiku Award

• Benjamin Cutler (Whittier, NC), “Speak of Rivers” – Carol Bessent Hayman Poetry of Love Award

• Alan Michael Parker (Davidson, NC), “Virtual Villanelle” – Joanna Catherine Scott Award (traditional forms)

• Don Ball (Raleigh, NC), “The Grammar of Kissing” – Katherine Kennedy McIntyre Light Verse Award

• Les Brown (Troutman, NC), “I Am from Black Earth” – Mary Ruffin Poole American Heritage Award

• Pam Baggett (Cedar Grove, NC), “Stampede” – Poetry of Courage Award

• Benjamin Cutler (Whittier, NC), “The Church of Unmaking” – Poetry of Witness Award

• Barbara Blanks (Garland, TX), “Time Lines,” Ruth Morris Moose Sestina Award

• Les Brown (Troutman, NC), “Bathing and Grabbling on a Hot Summer Day” – Thomas H. McDill Award

The complete list of judges and winners can be found on the NCPS website (https://www.ncpoetrysociety.org/2019-adult-contest-winners/).

The North Carolina Poetry Society is an all-volunteer organization especially for poets and friends of poetry. We have over 450 members from North Carolina and numerous locations beyond. The North Carolina Poetry Society serves its membership by offering opportunities to study the craft of writing poetry; to participate in contests and competitions; and to enjoy a meaningful connection with poets throughout our state.

Stan Absher

Director, Adult Poetry Contests

NC Poetry Society

Poetry, Wine & Fun in Hiawassee, GA

free event

Wonderful Wednesday 

April 17 

5-7 pm

Poetry Reading - Karen Paul Holmes, 5:30

BodySense

2226 Ridge Crest Circle

Hiawassee, GA

April is Poetry Month and We Celebrate at Moss Memorial Library

We will celebrate in Hayesville, NC at the Moss Memorial Library with award-winning poet, Brenda Kay Ledford reading from her new book, Red Plank House.

Brenda Kay Ledford

 A seventh-generational native of Clay County, Ledford grew up in a red-plank house eating apple butter, wearing homemade clothes, playing hopscotch, and singing shape-note music in country churches. Later she took piano lessons and played hymns for worship services.

Ledford was an honor graduate of Hayesville High School.  She rode a bus over the winding dirt roads.  It was a long route and she observed the mountains changing colors with seasons.  That’s when she grew to appreciate the beauty of our region.

Her favorite teachers were Leslie Carter, media specialist, and Josephine Thurman, senior-year English instructor.  Both educators instilled within Ledford the magic of books.

After Ledford was graduated from HHS, she worked as a clerk-typist with the FBI in Washington, DC.  It was cultural shock.  Ledford returned to her beloved roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
She worked as a secretary at Hinton Rural Life Center.  She also taught Sunday school and directed Bible School.  Ledford loved children and wanted to become an educator. She earned a MA in Early Childhood Education from Western Carolina University and taught the fourth grade at Murphy Elementary School.

While she was teaching, Ledford’s father got Hodgkin’s disease.  She obtained an emergency medical technician certification to help care for him.  She worked in the emergency room at Towns County Hospital part-time and with the Clay County EMS.

 Ledford also took a Creative Writing class at Tri-County Community College under Nancy Simpson to renew her teacher’s license.  Nancy was her mentor and encouraged Ledford to submit her work for publication.  Her poetry has appeared in Pembroke Magazine, Asheville Poetry Review, Our State, Angels on Earth, Chicken Soup for the Soul, 39 Old Mountain Press anthologies, and many other journals. Ledford’s latest poetry book, Red Plank House, was released by Kelsay Books, available at Amazon.com.

Ledford is presently working on a collection of poetry for children.  Many poems are about her great-niece, Reagan Blanche.  Ledford’s favorite pastime is reading to her little niece and viewing the world through the joyful eyes of kids.

Each month Coffee with the Poets and Writers meets at the library on the third Wednesday of the month, 10:30 AM. We feature a member of NCWN-West, sponsoring organization, and we hold Open Mic to allow our guests to read an original poem or two.

This month we will celebrate two poets who were special to us in this region, the late Nancy Simpson and Kathryn Stripling Byer. Everyone is invited to bring a poem by one of them to read at open mic along with an original poem.

The Literary Hour at JCCFS, Brasstown, NC, to feature Joan Ellen Gage, Bob Grove, and Carroll S. Taylor on Wednesday, April 17, 2019

On Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at 7:00 PM, John C. Campbell Folk School and NC Writers' Network-West will sponsor The Literary Hour. At this event, NCWN-West members will read at the Keith House on the JCCFS campus, in Brasstown, NC. The Literary Hour is held on the third Thursday of the month unless otherwise indicated. This reading is free of charge and open to the public. This month's featured readers will be Joan Ellen Gage, Bob Grove, and Carroll S. Taylor. For more information on this event, please contact Mary Ricketson at: maryricketson311@hotmail.com.

Joan Ellen Gage is an author of humor and inspiration written from her own unique perspective. Her recipe for her writing focuses on staying upbeat and laughing at her own foibles. Gage’s photos are the spice in the mix that serve to punctuate the writing and add that special garnish to her creations. 

Joan has written and published five books, Water Running Downhill, Embracing Your Inner Cheerleader, A Redhead Looks At 60, Trinity's Adventures in Imagination, and a special edition of Water Running Downhill! the Rose Edition, as a tribute to her friend Rose Macedo Kull. All of the books are available on Amazon. Currently, Gage is working on a new book entitled: Words of Defiance and Empowerment.

Gage is a former administrator for the NCWN-West blog. Additionally, Ms. Gage has two blogs, Traveling at the Speed of Now, www.joanellengage.com,and A Redhead Blogs at 60, https://joans-zone.com/.

Bob Grove: Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Bob holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University and a Master of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University. His diversified curriculum qualified him to teach high school courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, earth and space science, astronomy and space science, psychology, English, journalism, and creative writing.  

 Bob was an ABC-TV public affairs director and on-air program host, and founder and publisher of Monitoring Times Magazine. He has published 19 books and hundreds of articles in 23 magazines. Additionally, he has published a mystery novella, Secrets of Magnolia Manor, his memoir, Misadventures of an Only Child, a collection of children’s stories: Adventures of Kaylie and Jimmy, and many flash fiction stories as well as some poetry. Grove’s books can be found on Amazon.

Grove is prose critique facilitator for the North Carolina Writers Network and a co-facilitator of the Ridgeline Literary Alliance.

Carroll S. Taylor grew up in rural West Central Georgia. A graduate of Tift College (Mercer University) with a BA in French, she holds graduate degrees in French and English as well as an EdS in Educational Leadership. An educator for forty-three years, Taylor taught French, English, Journalism, Creative Writing, and ESL, and advised students to create and publish school newspapers and yearbooks. After retirement, she moved on to her second career as a part-time instructor at Columbus State University, teaching freshman composition. 

Taylor is the author of two young adult novels, Chinaberry Summer and Chinaberry Summer: On the Other Side. She is currently writing the third novel in the series, Chinaberry Summer: Down by the Water. Her books emphasize generational storytelling and respect for the valuable role of reptiles and amphibians in our ecosystem. One of the personal highlights of publishing her novels was her book reading held in the childhood home of Carson McCullers. 

Readers may find her journal blog at chinaberrysummer.com, and  follow her at: https://www.facebook.com/ChinaberrySummer/. .

Carroll is a member of North Carolina Writers’ Network, North Carolina Writers’ Network-West, and the Georgia Poetry Society.

Come Hear Georgia's New Poet Laureate

Writers' Night Out starts with a bang...

Not only is Chelsea Rathburn the new Poet Laureate, but the New York Times selected her new book Still Life with Mother and Knife for their “New & Noteworthy” list. Though I haven't read her latest yet, Unquiet Things by our other poet, James Davis May, is one of my favorite poetry books. 

Please join us for this great reading, plus open mic: Sign up at the door to read up to 3 minutes of poetry or prose. Arrive by 6 pm if you'd like food or refreshment at The View Grill. 

Ran Shaffner website

At home lately I have had some time to read more blogs and visit more of the sites of our members listed on the sidebar of www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com.

Tonight I enjoyed seeing what this site had to offer:      https://www.ranshaffner.com/

Ran Shaffner and his wife Margaret have five sons and six grandchildren. They live in the mountains of Western NC where he established and managed Cyrano's Bookshop and Faraway Publishing.
He is retired and the bookshop is closed now, but read to see what Ran has accomplished.  

Thanks Ran for the bookshop enjoyed by the folks in Highlands.

Take a few minutes, Readers, and see what our members offer on their blogs or website.

Bryson City Open Mic at Nantahala Brewing Company Thursday, April 11

PINTS, POEMS, & PROSE

Writers Open Mic at Nantahala Brewing Company

Nantahala Brewing Company,61 Depot Street, Bryson City, NC, in collaboration with North Carolina Writers’ Network-West, is thrilled to announce its first writers' open mic, which will be held on Thursday, April 11—recurring every second Thursday of the month.

Open to the public, PINTS, POEMS, & PROSE is an effort to cultivate and celebrate the rich culture of poetry and storytelling that exists in Swain County and the surrounding communities of western NC.

Join award-winning poet and author of The Geese Who Might be Gods, Benjamin Cutler, and award-winning novelist and author of her forthcoming novel Even As We Breathe, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, for an evening of good words and good drink.

Writers in all stages of development are welcome to read their work, and everyone is welcome to listen and enjoy. Event begins at 7:00, and open mic sign-ups will begin at 6:45 for ten-minute reading sessions. Share a poem, share a story, share a beer.

Contact Ben Cutler at benjamincutlerpoet@gmail.com for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/events/652293538542509/

Congratulations to Maren Mitchell!

Maren O. Mitchell's poems, "The Serpentine Letter" and "Self-Protection," will appear in POEM, May 2019 issue. Her poem, "The Sleep of Angels," will be published in Slant, A Journal of Poetry, (U. of Central Arkansas) in the May/June 2019 issue. Currently online for April, her poems "Outcomes" and "Purples" are appearing in The Lake (UK). The link is: The Lake

--

Maren O. Mitchell, poet and author of Beat Chronic Pain, An Insider's Guide

Amazon Books: Beat Chronic Pain, An Insider's Guide

Brenda Kay Ledford Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award

Brenda Kay Ledford has been endorsed by Marquis Who's Who as a leader in the fields of writing and education.

Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, presented Brenda Kay Ledford with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, January 10. 2019.

www.marquiswhoswho.com

Simpson Beck Student Writing Contest to resume in April 2019

The Simpson Beck Writing Contest for Clay County Middle and High School will be held in April of this year. This contest is named for the late poet, Nancy Simpson, and for Reba Beck, retired art teacher for Clay County Schools. The categories for 2019, will be writing Poetry and Personal Essay. The contest commences on April 5, 2019, and the turn-in date for the entries is April 15. The winners will be announced at the Hayesville High Lecture Hall, on Tuesday, April 23^rd, at 7:00 PM. 

This year’s judges are: Rosemary Rhodes Royston, for Poetry, and Janice Townley Moore and Carroll S. Taylor for Personal Essay.

Rosemary Rhodes Royston holds an MFA in Writing from Spalding University and is a lecturer at Young Harris College, Georgia. She is the author of Splitting the Soil (Finishing Line Press). Royston's poetry has been published in journals such as Appalachian Heritage, Split Rock Review, Southern Poetry Review, KUDZU, Town Creek Review, and *82 Review. She’s the VP for Planning and Special Projects at Young Harris College, where she teaches the occasional creative writing course. 

Her poetry has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, she was the recipient of the 2010 Literal Latte Food Verse Award, received Honorable Mention in a George Scarborough Poetry Contest, at the Mountain Heritage Literary Festival, and her short fiction being selected as Honorable Mention in the Porter Fleming Literary Awards, 2012. 

Royston is treasurer for the North Carolina Writers’ Network-West.

Janice Townley Moore, who lives in Hayesville, NC, is an Atlanta native and Associate Professor Emerita of English at Young Harris College. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals including The Georgia Review, Prairie Schooner, Connecticut Review, Southern Poetry Review, Poetry East, and The Journal of the American Medical Association. 

Moore's chapbook, Teaching the Robins, was published by Finishing Line Press. Among the anthologies that include her poems are The Bedford Introduction to Literature, and three volumes of: The Southern Poetry Anthology: Contemporary Appalachia, Georgia, and North Carolina from Texas Review Press. 

Moore serves as the coordinator of the North Carolina Writers’ Network-West poetry critique group, is a Rep for the North Carolina Writers’ Network-West and is on the poetry editorial board of The Pharos, publication of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Carroll S. Taylor is a graduate of Tift College (Mercer University) with a BA in French. She holds graduate degrees in French and English as well as an EdS in Educational Leadership. She was an educator for forty-three years. As a secondary teacher, she taught French, English, Journalism, Creative Writing, and ESL. She advised students in the creation and publication of school newspapers and yearbooks. After her retirement, Taylor moved on to her second career as a part-time instructor at Columbus State University, teaching freshman composition. 

She is the author of two young adult novels, Chinaberry Summer and Chinaberry Summer: On the Other Side. She is currently writing the third novel in the series, Chinaberry Summer: Down by the Water. Her books emphasize generational storytelling and respect for the valuable role of reptiles and amphibians in our ecosystem. One of the personal highlights of publishing her novels was her book reading held in the childhood home of Carson McCullers. 

Carroll is a member of North Carolina Writers’ Network, and the Georgia Poetry Society. Readers may find her journal blog at chinaberrysummer.com.

Reba Beck, a former Art Instructor for Clay County Schools, and the President of the Clay County Historical and Arts Council, and Joan Ellen Gage, of North Carolina Writers’ Network West are sponsoring the Simpson Beck Student Writing Contest. High School English instructor Carla T. Beck, who is integral to this writing contest, is the contact for Clay County Middle and High School.