November Poetry Hickory Video

Jessie Carty’s video excerpt from last night’s Poetry Hickory featuring Bruce Lader, Alex Grant, Jessie Carty, Jeremy Deal, and me reading for Pris Campbell, is now available on the video page of the website (look to the right).  The reading was great.  We had over 50 people there despite torrential rain.  Thanks to Taste Full Beans, Main Street Rag, Jessie Carty, our featured writers and Open Mic readers, and to all those who came out.  Join us December 8 for a special reading by poets included in the 2009 issue of “Kakalak.”

December 8 Poetry Hickory Flyer

November Update

Last minute change of plans.  One of our Open Mic readers, Anthony Alderman, won’t be able to make it to tomorrow’s Poetry Hickory.  So, instead, I’ll beg your indulgence once again and read a few more poems from Pris Campbell’s new book “Sea Trails.”  Campbell’s book will be available for purchase with the same Special Offer as those of our featured writers, Alex Grant and Bruce Lader, i.e. buy one copy of Campbell’s book and get a free book from our Main Street Rag shelf — a great opportunity to stock up on holiday gifts for all the booklovers on your list and a chance to be introduced to a wonderful writer whose health makes it impossible for her to give her own readings and market her own work.

Open Mic and Special Offer

The November Poetry Hickory is less than two weeks away now, and I’m starting to get excited.  I know Alex Grant and Bruce Lader will do a wonderful job with their readings.  As an update on the Open Mic for that night, I want to tell that currently registered readers include Jeremy Deal (one of my students at CVCC), Jessie Carty (once and future Featured Writer) and Anthony Alderman.

We’re also offering a book special this time around.  Anyone who buys a book from Alex or Bruce will get to choose a free book from our Main Street Rag title shelf.  It’s a perfect time to start buying gifts for the holidays, and what could be better than giving something as long-lasting as poetry.  Or, of course, it’s always a perfect time to read poetry.  So stock up!  Buy a book from each author, and get two free titles!

Looking ahead, our December reading will feature poets from the 2009 issue of Kakalak.  We’re expecting Lisa Zerkle, Beth Cagle Burt, Allison Elrod, Lynn Stanton, and me.  And who knows who else might show up.  It will be the Kakalak Sampler Show, giving you the opportunity to experience a wide range of poetry and poets in one night.

See you there!

November Poetry Hickory

What Is Poetry Hickory

What Is Poetry Hickory?

Poetry Hickory is a monthy reading series held the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. at Taste Full Beans Coffee House (29 Second St. NW) in downtown Hickory, NC.  Each reading is preceded by Writers’ Night Out, beginning at 5:00 also at Taste Full Beans, coordinated by Scott Owens as NC Writers’ Network Regional Representative.  These meetings and readings are open to the public and free of charge.

The series was founded by Scott Owens in September 2007 and is sponsored by Taste Full Beans and Main Street Rag.  Each reading includes two featured writers preceded by a 30-minute Open Mic.  Upcoming readings will be posted on this website.  Ten-minute video samples of several of the readings are also available here.

Previous featured writers have included the following:

John Amen, Margaret Booth Baddour, Rand Brandes, Ann Campanella, Robert Canipe, Jessie Carty, Bud Caywood, Ann Fox Chandonnet, Sara Claytor, DB Cox, Jeff Davis, M. Scott Douglass, Linda Annas Ferguson, Brenda Graham, Bill Griffin, Lissa Hamilton, Sigrid Hice, Jack Hicks, Irene Blair Honeycutt, Debra Kaufman, Kevin Keck, Helen Losse, Al Maginnes, Carter Monroe, Tim Peeler, John Picard, Ted Pope, Pat Riviere-Seel, Dannye Romine Powell, Adrian Rice, Jonathan K. Rice, Molly Rice, Katherine Soniat, Mark Smith-Soto, Chuck Sullivan, Brad Vogler, Tammy Wilson.

Directions to Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse

From I-40 driving west into Hickory
Take Exit 125
Turn right at top of ramp onto Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard.
At the construction blockade (4th light), turn left onto Tate Boulevard.
After about 3 blocks you’ll come to a light at 2nd St. NE. Stay Straight.
After another 3 blocks or so you’ll see 2nd St. NW (There’s a “Downtown Shopping” Sign). Turn Right onto 2nd St. NW (AFTER 3rd light on Tate)
Cross the tracks, go past the parking lot and the alley, and Taste Full Beans will be on your left.

For information on either Poetry Hickory or Writers’ Night Out, contact Scott Owens at asowens1@yahoo.com or 828-234-4266.