June 8 Poetry Hickory Flyer featuring David Rigsbee and Linda Annas Ferguson

Redheaded Stepchild, June Poetry Hickory Reminder, Open Mic, and Jessie Carty

Just a quick note to remind you about the special Poetry Hickory this Saturday (5/22) at 1:00 featuring poets from the pages of the very unique NC journal “Redheaded Stepchild.”

Readers will include “Stepchild” editors Malaika King Albrecht and Eric Helms (all you hopeful writers should take advantage of this opportunity to network, aka “schmooze”); “Asheville Poetry Review” associate editor, Pat Riviere-Seel; “Moon Shine Review” editor Beth Cagle Burt; “Dead Mule School of Southern Literature” poetry editor, Helen Losse; Poetry Out Loud organizer, Michael Beadle; and me.

Also, a heads up for the regular Poetry Hickory on June 8.  Our featured writers that night will be David Rigsbee of Mt. Olive College, author of an incredible 18 collections of poetry, and Linda Annas Ferguson of Charleston, SC, author of 5 books of her own (and by the way, she is bringing musical accompaniment).  The Open Mic readers that night will include former featured reader, Ann Chandonnet, author of a new book of Civil War letters; fiction writer from Sherrill’s Ford, Carolyn Steele Agosta; and newcomer to the Poetry Hickory scene, Vanester Hawley.

As always, Poetry Hickory will be preceded by the NC Writers’ Network Writers’ Night Out, at 5:00 (open to anyone and everyone), and the Open Mic readings will begin at 6:30.

Special guest host on June 8 will be the wonderful poet, Jessie Carty.

The Poetry Reading That Almost Wasn’t

First there was Linda Ferguson’s kidney stones; now there is Jim Clark’s bronchitis.  It seems the fates have it out for the January Poetry Hickory.  After 28 months of no cancellations, we’ve had two cancellations this month.  BUT . . . Have no fear!  The show will go on.  Terri Kirby Erickson is standing in for Linda, and the incomparable Ted Pope will read in the place of Jim Clark.  And, of course, our three Open Mic readers (Tony Rankine, Brian Legore, and Glen Wigington) are still ready to read as well (I hope).  So, we’ll still start with the Open Mic at 6:30, followed by Erickson, and then Pope to wrap it all up.  My special thanks to Terri and Ted for pinch hitting on such short notice.

January 12 Poetry Hickory

January 12 Poetry Hickory