From 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 7, the public is invited to INsideOUT at Joan James Harris Theater, Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach.
The event is a public reception and readings of works-in-progress by teen participants in the "your word" Teen Creative Writing Residency. It's free and reservations are requested. Call 386-427-6975.
This is the culminating public event for Atlantic Center for the Arts' second annual "your word" Teen Creative Writing Residency, which began July 26. The "your word" residency is an international program offering 21 teens an opportunity to explore and expand the power of their individual voices through writing workshops with contemporary masters, including Master Writers Terrance Hayes, Ander Monson, Victoria Redel and the 2009 "your word" Fellow, Arisa White.
In addition to three Master Writers-in-Residence, one "your word" Fellow is chosen annually to provide mentorship to participating teens.
The 2009 "your word" Fellow is ARISA WHITE, who was an ACA Associate Artist-in-Residence with Sharon Olds in 2006. White is also a Cave Canem Fellow and holds a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Factory Hollow Press published her chapbook "Disposition for Shininess" in 2008. She received a Poets & Writers grant in 2008 and was awarded the 2007 Pavel Strut Fellowship in Poetry from the University of Western Michigan for a month-long fellowship in Prague.
TERRANCE HAYES, Master Writer in Poetry, is the award-winning author of "Wind in a Box" (Penguin 2006), "Hip Logic" (2002), which won National Poetry Series, and "Muscular Music" (1999), winner of the Kate Tufts Discovery Award. About his work, Cornelius Eady said: "First you'll marvel at his skill, his near-perfect pitch, his disarming humor, his brilliant turns of phrase. Then you'll notice the grace, the tenderness, the unblinking truth-telling just beneath his lines, the open and generous way he takes in our world." He has been a recipient of many honors and awards, including a Whiting Writers Award, a Pushcart Prize, a Best American Poetry selection and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. He is an associate professor of creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University.
ANDER MONSON, Master Writer in Creative Nonfiction/Memoir, winner of the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, is the author of three books: "Neck Deep and Other Predicaments," creative nonfiction/memoir (Graywolf Press 2007), "Other Electricities," fiction (Sarabande Books 2005) and "Vacationland," poetry (Tupelo Press 2005). Monson is a professor of English at the University of Arizona and a recent recipient of the Christopher Isherwood Foundation Award. His nonfiction has been collected in "The Best Creative Nonfiction Volume 2" and "The Best American Essays 2008." He is the designer, editor and publisher of "Diagram Magazine" and New Michigan Press. Of Monson's memoir, Robert Polito, judge for the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, said, "Every time I turn to it I'm astonished all over again by the majesty of this book."
VICTORIA REDEL, Master Writer in Fiction, is the critically acclaimed author of two books of poetry and three books of fiction. Her latest novel, "The Border of Truth" (Counterpoint 2007), weaves the situation of refugees and a daughter's awakening to the history and secrets of her father's survival and loss. "Loverboy" (2001 Graywolf; 2002 Harcourt) was awarded the 2001 S. Mariella Gable Novel Award and the 2002 Forward Silver Literary Fiction Prize and was chosen in 2001 as a Los Angeles Times Best Book. "Loverboy" was adapted for a feature film directed by Kevin Bacon. Her most recent collection of poems, "Swoon" (2003 University of Chicago Press), was a finalist for the James Laughlin Award. Her work has appeared in numerous magazines and journals including O the Oprah magazine, Redbook and Bomb.
INandOUT set for Aug. 7 at Atlantic Center for the Arts
STAFF REPORT
Readings anyone?
From 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 7, the public is invited to INsideOUT at Joan James Harris Theater, Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach.
The event is a public reception and readings of works-in-progress by teen participants in the "your word" Teen Creative Writing Residency. It's free and reservations are requested. Call 386-427-6975.
This is the culminating public event for Atlantic Center for the Arts' second annual "your word" Teen Creative Writing Residency, which began July 26 on the grounds of the campus in New Smyrna Beach.
The "your word" residency is an international program offering 21 teens an opportunity to explore and expand the power of their individual voices through writing workshops with contemporary masters. This years Master Writers-in-Residence are Terrance Hayes, Ander Monson, Victoria Redel and the 2009 "your word" Fellow, Arisa White. The Teen Creative Writing Residency concludes on Aug. 8.
For more information, visit the Web site at atlanticcenterforthearts.org.
A recent rash of poetry books has crossed my desk. I took home "Rainstorms & Fairies" by Carol Atkins to take a closer look at what's going on in this genre these days.
If this collection is any indication of the state of poetry, we're in for a bountiful year of verse.
What a Poem Isn't
A poem is not a guided missile honed by science into a sleek and steely heat-seeking true to target smart bomb.
A poem is more like a flare an exuberant rush to burst into light hoping someone will see and knowing that if a single heart lifts with it into the dark it is enough.
"Rainstorms & Fairies" comes alive with interpretive photography by Sharon Lemmer. It's a wonderful entertwining of Atkins' words and Lemmer's images, which are so meshed that I can't imagine one without the other.
Readers will notice in her poetry that Atkins is a feminist with determination and strength, along with high expectations of others. And evidentally she knows what a poem is: Her poetry lifted my heart -- and sped it up a bit, too.
"Rainstorms & Fairies," by Carol Atkins with illustrative photos by Sharon Lemmer, Sharol Books, 72 pages, $25, hardcover
Port Orange author Elayne Dion had a book sale and signing in Eufaula, Ala., at the annual Eufaula Pilgrimage on April 4-5.
Her book, "The Brass Button," is a historical adventure that appeals to readers age 10 and older, telling of 12-year-old Minta Russell and her family who live on a cotton plantation in Eufaula at the outbreak of the Civil War.
The episode that foreshadowed the drastic change in Minta's life was her father telling the family that the South was on the brink of war, and over the next five years, Minta evolves from a naive child into a responsible adult, suffering the deaths of her brother and her sweetheart, confronting dangerous renegades and dealing with an escaped prisoner of war. These dilemmas and her relationship with the family slaves acquaint the reader with this turbulent period and the life of a teenage girl with the courage to survive.
The book is published by Lulu Publishing, 72 pages, $9.95 in paperback.
The book is available at The Book Rack, 3818 Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange, and at Lulu.com. Contact the author at brassbutton@live.com.
William Shakespeare, perhaps the bane of every student on the planet who isn't into literature, was born April 23, 1564.
Worldwide, fans of his mammoth contributions to literature and the theater will celebrate his birthday Thursday, April 23.
Although a Google search for The Bard's name brings up more than 15 million sites, one of the most definitive (and interesting) is william-shakespeare.org.uk. Besides being able to absorb the historical facts available there, don't miss the Shakespearean Insults Generator at the site, just for fun, thou withered clapper-clawed ratsbane!
Don Bruns -- a musician, songwriter, advertising executive and award-winning novelist -- will be signing copies of his most recent book, "Bahama Burnout," from 6 to 8 p.m. April 16 at The Elusive Grape, 133 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand.
Bruns also is the author of "Jamaica Blue," "Barbados Heat," "South Beach Shakedown" and "St. Barts Breakdown," all a mystery series (including "Bahama Burnout") featuring rock 'n' roll journalist Mick Sever. Bruns is also the author of "Stuff to Die For," "Stuff Dreams Are Made Of" and "Stuff to Spy For," a November 2009 release. He is also a frequent contributor to The Little Blog of Murder.
A former road musician who traveled and performed throughout the US with major entertainment acts, Bruns recently released a CD of original songs called "Last Flight Out," and performed two original songs at the 2004 Edgar Awards ceremonies.
Bruns divides his time between Ohio and South Florida.
"Bahama Burnout," by Don Bruns, Oceanview Publishing, 264 pages, $24.95, hard cover
Sometimes a book shows up that's eyecatching AND educational.
"Understory: Lumen Prints of Florida Flora" is one of those books. And for all you lucky
locals, there's an exhibit that goes along with it -- on display through July 17 at the Southeast Museum of Photography, 1200 International Speedway Blvd., Building 1200, Daytona Beach.
Admission is free. Visitor parking is available. For information, call 386-506-4475. Museum hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 1 to 5 p.m. weekends; closed on Monday. June and July hours are from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, but closed on the Fourth of July. Got all that? I suppose that's why the college (the museum is at the Daytona State College campus) includes a phone number.
Here's an excerpt from a news release that tells the story of Burchfield's project --behind the book and the exhibit.
Over a two-year period Jerry Burchfield traveled to Florida to complete fieldwork, specimen gathering and the photographic recording of plant specimens. The elegant pastels and
Kate Jacobs, author of "The Friday Night Knitting Club," "Knit Two" and her latest, "Comfort Food," will be making her only book-signing tour stop at By the Book at 6:30 p.m. April 13. By the Book is at 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, Palm Coast. For information: 386-597-1044.
In "Comfort Food," TV cooking-show host Augusta "Gus" Simpson is about to turn 50. A widow and mother of two high maintenance daughters, Gus is a consummate hostess, both
on-air and off. Yet for the first time, Gus does not want to host a party--the one celebrating her 50th birthday. What's worse, her show's ratings are sinking fast.
Using creativity, spunk and sheer gumption, Gus comes up with an idea: re-create the show as an on-air cooking class, drafting members of her family, extended family, and staff to participate. This "reality" cooking show becomes more than just a live show, but a "life" show as well. In the process, the characters not only learn lessons about cuisine, but about love and life, too.
"Comfort Food," by Kate Jacobs, Berkley Trade, 384 pages, $15, trade paperback
Make reservations now to meet author Les Standiford as part of the Friends of the Volusia County Library Center's annual Author Luncheon on April 3. The fundraiser begins with a social hour at 11:30 a.m. at Halifax River Yacht Club, 331 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach. Lunch is at noon; tickets are $25 and must be purchased by March 27 at the library's circulation desk at City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. For information, call 386-257-6036, ext. 6311.
Standiford, who writes popular history, fiction and screenplays, directs the creative writing program at Florida International University in Miami.
His books include: "Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad That Crossed an Ocean," "Washington Burning," "The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol' Rescued His Career and Revived Our Spirits," "Meet You in Hell" and "The Putt at the End of the World."
Some of Standiford's books will be available for purchase and signing at the luncheon.
You can also see the author at a meet-and-greet event (wine and hors d'oeuvres) from 5 to 7 p.m. April 2 at the Halifax Historical Museum, 252 S. Beach St. Reservations are required; $5 members, $8 nonmembers. For information, call the museum at 386-255-6976. -- Staff Report
During Bike Week 2009, biker and author Edward Winterhalder will be in Daytona Beach announcing his fourth book, "All Roads Lead To Sturgis: A Biker's Story."
Meet and talk with him -- and get him to sign a copy of his book -- from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (that's March 3-5) at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1900 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.
By the way, you'll have to wait until this summer to get Winterhalder's next book, "Biker Chicks: The Magnetic Attraction of Women to Bad Boys and Motorcycles."
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