Why Read in Bookstores?

It might seem like an odd question, but it’s one I’ve been thinking about as I drive around Mississippi to readings and signings. Bookstores would seem like the logical choice — and they are, though I’ve also read at colleges, libraries, etc. Recently I heard a talk by a publicist who said she tried toContinue reading “Why Read in Bookstores?”

The Joys of Signing

Someone at yesterday’s book launch for Barrier Island Suite asked me what the pay-off is for publishing a book of poetry. I didn’t have to think about that much! My first thought was “events like this.” Writing a book in isolation is one thing, getting poems in magazines and working with your publisher to putContinue reading “The Joys of Signing”

Free Books!

To celebrate the launch of Barrier Island Suite, I’m trying the giveaway feature on Goodreads. 5 lucky winners will each receive a copy free — but it will take you longer to get yours, so why not buy one today! Books have started shipping from Texas A&M University Press Consortium. Goodreads Book Giveaway Barrier Island SuiteContinue reading “Free Books!”

Barrier Island Suite Arrives

Yesterday, I received advance copies of my new book, Barrier Island Suite: poems inspired by the life and art of Walter Inglis Anderson. What I nice thing to discover on my return from spring break in Chicago. While we were there, I read a couple of poems at the Green Mill Lounge, and talked to MarcContinue reading “Barrier Island Suite Arrives”

Realizations of Walter Anderson

As I gear up for the release of Barrier Island Suite, it has been fun to make closer contact with his son John Anderson of Realizations Gallery in Ocean Springs. Today, as I was looking at their site, I noticed some new video footage has been posted, including a great 36-minute tour of Walter Anderson’s cottageContinue reading “Realizations of Walter Anderson”

Up Periscope: Testing the Waters of Social Video

Last week, I took the plunge into Periscope, Twitter’s live streaming video app. I’ve been thinking about trying this technology for a while now, but frankly, I felt a little daunted. I shouldn’t have. Live streaming video using Periscope couldn’t be much easier. I downloaded the app, tested it with a couple of very short videosContinue reading “Up Periscope: Testing the Waters of Social Video”

New Year’s Resolution: Use Pinterest

Last year, I did very well with my new year’s resolution: I resolved to finish a book of poems. I did that and got it published — Barrier Island Suite  is coming out in March from Texas Review Press. This year, my resolutions may be a little more modest, but I also want them to beContinue reading “New Year’s Resolution: Use Pinterest”

How I Survived My First Tweetchat

Until yesterday, I didn’t really know what a tweetchat was. Then AWP announced they would be holding a tweetchat today using the hashtag #MFAchat. Since we have a new program and can use the exposure, I said “sure, I’ll join in!” Then i searched to find out what to expect in a tweetchat. Essentially, it isContinue reading “How I Survived My First Tweetchat”

A GeoPoem Project in Columbus MS

You’ve probably heard of Geocaching, the sport where you use a GPS to locate hidden caches with a log and usually some items inside. In my Writing For New Media class, I was thinking about using this technique for writing poetry, but I decided I didn’t want to go around and hide a bunch ofContinue reading “A GeoPoem Project in Columbus MS”