Video: Live at the National Beat Poetry Festival, 8/31/2019

Here I am on the second day of the National Beat Poetry Festival on Saturday 31 August 2019 in New Hartford, Connecticut. In this clip Debbie Tosun Kilday, the CEO of the National Beat Poetry Foundation, presents me with the Ohio Beat Poet Laureate Award for 2019-2021, and then I read two signature poems, "Bloodshot" and "Lens."

Video by U.S. Beat Poet Laureate Paul Richmond of Human Error Publishing.
Festival hosted by Shaw Israel Izikson & Debbie Tosun Kilday.

Video permalink: https://youtu.be/ovt465FqtPc.

photo by Tammi Truax

More videos are available and/or forthcoming on the National Beat Poetry Foundation's YouTube channel.

Burroughs, Babcock and Kahl: 11/9/2019 at the Avon Lake Library

On November 9th, I had the pleasure of being part of the Avon Lake Public Library​'s Read Write Local program. Avon Lake Community Television recently broadcast highlights of the day, including this clip where local poets Monica Weber Babcock, Lisa Kahl and I read from our latest works and answer questions about writing, publishing, and performing poetry. Special thanks to librarian and moderator Gerry Vogel. (The three poems I read in this clip are "Kiss, "Dry Cast" and "Lens.")

Read Write Local Part 2: Poetic Champions Compose from Avon Lake Community Television on Vimeo.

Video permalinks:

https://www.avonlake.org/departments/community-television/online-shows?action=show&category_id=34&video=MTA4Mw==

https://vimeo.com/392775136

My Last Reading of the Decade, 12/18 in Painesville, Ohio!

Join me December 18th during Words and Wine at the Steele Mansion, where I will share selections from my latest book, Rattle and Numb, Selected and New Poems, 1992-2019 [Venetian Spider Press]. The evening will also include an open mic. Many thanks to host Margie DeLong!

Steele Mansion Inn & Gathering Hub
348 Mentor Avenue
Painesville, Ohio 44077

Side note: I've read for this series three times before (September 2016, August 2015, August 2014), when it was at other venues. It's been three years since the last time.

Crisis Chronicles Press publishes So Marvelously Far by Nick Gardner

Crisis Chronicles Press is thrilled to announce the publication of So Marvelously Far, an essential new poetry collection by Ohio's own Nick Gardner.

So Marvelously Far is 64 pages, perfect bound, 5.5 x 8.5". ISBN: 978-1-64092-946-3. Front cover art by Tracy Graziani. Available now for only $10 from Crisis Chronicles Press, 3431 George Avenue, Parma, Ohio 44134 USA.

US or Elsewhere?

U.S. Addresses $10.00 USD Outside the U.S. $15.00 USD

 

Join us November 23rd 2019, 2 pm, for the official book launch, Streetlight Imaginations, at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 1876 South Green Rd., South Euclid, Ohio 44121.  

Or see him December 14th during Poetry Reading with Nick Gardner at Main Street Books in Mansfield, Ohio.

“This first book of poetry by Nick Gardner composed of 49 poems written in sonnet form brings the diurnal under the close and sustained scrutiny of a poetic sensibility that is at once broad and focused, a sensibility attuned to the brokenness of life while affirming the possibility of redemption. Gardner not only extracts meaning in such poems as ‘Dog Food’ which looks the blunted reality of opiate addiction clearly if not profoundly in the eye, or in ‘Grounding’ where the poetic sensibility seems to drift in an airy medium somewhere between longing and optimism while insisting on a vision that edges toward apocalypse, but also constructs meaning by drawing upon the desultory events, occurrences, and people of lived life, yoking them to insight and poignancy. Between the poles of angry sadness and hopeful anticipation, there are works like ‘Searching for Veins in Mr. Powell’s Cornfield’ which collapses several layers of meaning into one another. The images Gardner employs are oftentimes dark as they argue the harsh truth of the micro realities of drug addiction in small town America. Nonetheless, they also argue a guarded hope that poetically makes itself known as a shot across the bow of an oftentimes listing ship of life. The effect of So Marvelously Far is one of unsettling vision as well as one of poetic power. The work warns in ironic tones of the normalization of an increasingly dehumanized landscape, one redolent of the Avett Brothers in their song ‘Head Full of Doubt.’ More importantly, it is also a celebration of a remarkable and prescient poetic sensibility that will likely be around for some time.”
—Steven Joyce, Associate Professor of German & Comparative Literature, The Ohio State University; author of Transformations and Texts, The Apostate Djin, The Winds of Ilion, and A Sea of Other.
 
Read a sample poem from So Marvelously Far at Oddball Magazine.

Nick Gardner has his bachelor's degree in English from The Ohio State University and is currently enrolled in the MFA fiction writing program at Bowling Green State University. His chapbook Decomposed (2017) is published through Cabin Floor Esoterica. In his seventh year of recovery from opioid addiction, his research involves the current drug epidemic as well as alternative recovery methods. He has won awards in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry from The Ohio State University in Mansfield and performed readings of his work at Overdose Awareness Day as well as other local events. He lives in Mansfield, Ohio and Bowling Green, Ohio.

Borsenik and Burroughs this Saturday, 11/16, in Mansfield

Dianne Borsenik

I'm thrilled to be reading with the inimitable Dianne Borsenik this Saturday afternoon, 2 pm, at one of my favorite bookstores, Main Street Books in Mansfield, Ohio. My Crisis Chronicles Press had the honor of publishing five volumes of Dianne's poetry over the years. These include Blue Graffiti [2011], Age of Aquarius: Collected Poems 1981-2016 [2016], and the collaborative volume Oct Tongue 2 [2017].  But I suspect she'll be reading mostly newer work, including selections from her two latest books, Raga for What Comes Next [2019, Stubborn Mule Press] and Heaven We Haven't Yet Dreamed (with Jeanette Powers, Puma Perl & Juliet Cook) [2019, Stubborn Mule Press]. I'll be reading from my Rattle and Numb: Selected and New Poems, 1992-2019 [2019, Venetian Spider Press]. An open mic will follow our readings!

Borderlands: Poetry on the Edge
featuring Dianne Borsenik & John Burroughs

Main Street Books
104 N. Main Street
Mansfield, Ohio
(419) 522-BOOK

mainstreetbooksmansfield.com
facebook.com/MainStreetBooks

Heading to North Carolina for a Residency and Readings

Monday the 28th, I'll head down to the mountains of western North Carolina for a week-long writing residency. While there, I will be part of two events with award-winning poet Beth Copeland:

Friday November 1st - John Burroughs and Beth Copeland in Conversation w/ a reading at Foggy Pine Books in Boone, NC

Saturday November 2nd - John Burroughs & Beth Copeland Poetry Reading at City Lights (City Lights Bookstore) in Sylva, NC

My first ever readings in that state! All part of my ongoing Rattle and Numb Poetry Tour!

Three poems from Rattle & Numb nominated for the Pushcart Prize

self portrait b/w Rattle & Numb front cover (art by Emma Anderson)

Honored to learn that Venetian Spider Press has nominated THREE poems from my new book, Rattle and Numb, for The Pushcart Prize! They are "Hampuy ('Come')," "Rough Cure," and "Birther." I am most grateful for everyone who has picked up a copy so far! 

Also available from
Barnes & Noble / Amazon

Fountainverse: KC Small Press Poetry Fest - October 11th thru 13th

This month my Rattle and Numb book tour will take me to Kansas City, Missouri, to again participate in the annual FountainVerse small press poetry festival. For three days I will man a table for my new book from Venetian Spider Press as well as for a select assortment of recent Crisis Chronicles Press titles.

Also, on Saturday October 12th from 4 to 5 pm I will participate in a publishers panel sponsored by Spartan Press' Jason Ryberg. And then sometime between 7 and 8:30 pm I will be a featured reader alongside some of the Midwest's finest writers. Both of these events (as well as the book fair and much of the rest of the festival) will take place at Capsule, 1664 Broadway Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.


From the press release: "Fountainverse: KC Small Press Poetry Fest is a three-day poetry festival featuring poets representing independent poetry publishing houses from the KC metro area and across the country. The fest features scheduled readings, a pop-up book shop, publishing panel, workshop and open mic opportunities."

For more info including a full schedule of events, please visit www.fountainverse.com.
 

Western Maryland Independent Literature Festival, Oct. 4th & 5th in Frostburg

This weekend, I will represent Crisis Chronicles Press alongside several fine presses, journals and organizations at the Western Maryland Independent Literature Festival in downtown Frostburg. From the press release:

"The Frostburg State University Center for Literary Arts, in partnership with the Allegany County Library System, is excited to announce that the thirteenth annual Western Maryland Indie Lit Festival is scheduled for Oct. 4 & 5 on Main Street in Frostburg. The event brings together editors and publishers with writers and educators of the local community. Panel discussions and roundtable sessions include topics on various creative genres, revolutionary mothering, writing and the first amendment, writing about spirituality, telling the story through podcasting, and more!"

Friday, October 4th

5:30 pm - Kickoff  reception at the Frostburg State University Center for Literary Arts, 20 E. Main Street.

6:30 pm - Reading by four poets laureate at Main Street Books, 2 E. Main Street. (The poets are Michael Glaser, former poet laureate of Maryland; Nancy Mitchell, current poet laureate of Salisbury, MD; Chuck Joy, current poet laureate of Erie, PA; and Carly Volpe, current poet laureate of Bucks County, PA. Their panel discussion afterward will consider the role of a poet laureate in their community.)

Saturday, October 5th

11 am to 5 pm - Book Fair at the Hotel Gunter, 11 W. Main Street.

Assorted readings and panels nearby throughout the day.

Crisis Chronicles at the 2019 Inkubator Saturday 7/27

It's time for the 2019 Inkubator, organized by Literary Cleveland. The Cleveland Inkubator is Northeast Ohio's largest free annual festival for writers and readers! This year the conference will be held in coordination with the Cleveland Public Library's 150th anniversary celebration. Join us for writing workshops, craft talks, panels, readings, and a resource fair featuring all the greatest local bookstores, presses, lit journals, writing groups, and literary organizations.

On Saturday, I'll be manning the Crisis Chronicles Press table from 8:30 am to 3 pm, and then attending Hanif Abdurraqib's 3 pm keynote address. See the full Inkubator schedule and register for FREE today at https://www.litcleveland.org/events-programs/inkubator-2019.

Vision of the Gypsy Queen, launch May 4th at Good Goat

Flier art by Lauren Dulay

 

Join Cleveland writer and journalist Nicole Hennessy as she celebrates the release of her new book, Gypsy Queen, via Crisis Chronicles Press.

The opening is on Saturday, May 4th from 6pm-10pm, with book signing and poetry reading at 8pm. Sarah Cuturic will also be joining us for the opening to perform original songs from her band, Napsack.

To accompany Nicole's book release there will be a three week long poetry/art event, curated by Nicole with several poems written by women that have been illustrated by women in a variety of media. A section of the show will also include Rocky River High School girls from a writing club called Driftwood. The art show will run for 3 weeks, through May 25th. Hours: Wed. through Sat. 1-6 p.m. Also open by appointment.

More details at  https://www.facebook.com/events/390866121702315/.

The Good Goat Gallery
17012 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
thegoodgoatgallery.com

Crisis Chronicles Press publishes Gypsy Queen by Nicole Hennessy

Crisis Chronicles Press is overjoyed to announce the publication of Gypsy Queen, a stunning new poetry collection by Cleveland's own Nicole Hennessy.
 

Gypsy Queen is 60 pages, perfect bound, 5.5 x 8.5". ISBN: 978-1-64092-945-6. Front cover art by Lauren Dulay. Available 4 May 2019, but you can pre-order now for only $10 from Crisis Chronicles Press, 3431 George Avenue, Parma, Ohio 44134 USA. 

Your location?

United States $10.00 USD Elsewhere $13.00 USD

Read a selection from Gypsy Queen on the Cuyahoga County Public Library website.

photo of Nicole Hennessy by Chad Cochran

Nicole Hennessy is a poet and journalist from Cleveland, Ohio. Gypsy Queen is her debut poetry collection, though she has been chasing poetry for more than twenty years. Her previous publications include Black Rabbit, a nonfiction profile of poet and artist Tom Kryss. Nicole also co-founded the underground art and literary bimonthly, Miser Magazine; and she will eventually launch her art and outreach effort, Universal Eccentrics, with some incredible, like-minded weirdoes. Her work has appeared in local and regional publications, and she was recently recognized as a Wild Wmn by the LA-based women’s artistic and wellness collective of the same name. Nicole is also mom to a spirited four-year-old boy. She’s probably cuddled up at home watching cartoons. You can stalk her on Instagram @nicohenness.

Read an interview with Nicole Hennessy: "Local Writer and Journalist Nicole Hennessy Releases Debut Poetry Book ‘Gypsy Queen’" at Cool Cleveland.
 

Meet the author at these special upcoming events:
 

5/4 - Vision of the Gypsy Queen book launch party and reading by Nicole Hennessy at the Good Goat Gallery, 17012 Madison Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio. (The accompanying art show runs through May 25th.)

5/11 - Grey Skies & Blue Hearts at Sheri's Coffee House, 27 Whittlesey Avenue in Norwalk, Ohio.

5/19 - Tongue in Groove Poetry Jam featuring Nicole Hennessy at the Millard Fillmore Presidential Library, 15617 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, Ohio.

11/23 - Crisis Chronicles and NightBallet Presses present readings by their Class of 2019 authors at the South-Euclid Lyndhurst branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 1876 S. Green Road in South Euclid, Ohio.

My "Rough Cure" in the 50th Anniversary Hessler Street Fair Anthology

I'm happy to announce that my poem "Rough Cure" was selected as a finalist in the 2019 Hessler Street Fair Poetry Contest and will be published soon in the Fair's 50th anniversary anthology. I don't plan to compete at the final competition reading on May 11th, however (though I'll be there cheering everyone else on), because the ultimate winner has to be available to read at the Fair itself on the first weekend in June and that's when I'll be in Long Island for the Walt Whitman Bicentennial Convention. I'm happy, though, that my poem will be in the book alongside work by so many other fine folks.

More info: https://writingknightspress.blogspot.com/2019/04/hessler-street-poetry-finalists.html

Returning to CLE Urban Winery on 4/23!

Well, I didn't think I was giving another Cleveland area performance so soon, but then this happened! So pleased and honored to be returning to the CLE Urban Winery on Tuesday 4/23 to perform from the same stage as these fine folks. Thanks to host Jason Meyers for all he does and for including me in this fab event/line-up. The CLE Uncorked Performers Showcase happens every 2nd and 4th Tuesday.

More, More, More

Some great events either Crisis Chronicles Press, recent CCP authors, or I personally am/are involved in through the next few weeks of National Poetry Month include:

4/11 in Canton, OH - Cat Russell reads at Dorrie's Booktique (6:30pm).

4/12 in Canton OH - Cat Russell and others will compete in Writing Knights sWord Fight Showcase & Feature.

4/13 in South Euclid OH - Rikki Santer will read and Shelley Chernin will represent CCP during Publishing Poetry in Northeast Ohio (http://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/1408538).

4/13 in Massillon OH - Cat Russell will participate in Local Author Fair.

4/14 in Cleveland OH - Tongue in Groove Poetry Jam hosted by Raymond McNiece and featuring Dianne Borsenik at The Millard Fillmore Presidential Library.

4/17 in Cleveland OH - The Queer Community Read will feature me, Elaine Schleiffer and a whole lot more.

4/19 in Canton OH - Poetry and Art: Poet Cat Russell with artist Jim Meador.

4/22 in Barberton OH - Cat Russell and Ed Amann Author Talk at the Barberton Public Library.

4/24 in Palm Springs CA - A Night of Poetry and Art with Alex Gildzen.

4/27 in Columbus OH - 2019 Ohioana Book Festival.

4/28 in Old Brooklyn OH - National Poetry Month Book Fair.

I can barely keep all this and so many other great area events in my head, so I probably missed something.

Also, stay tuned for a very important announcement about a fantastic new release in May!

Reviews of recent Crisis Chronicles books in Pudding

Many thanks to Pudding Magazine: The Journal of Applied Poetry and editor Connie Everett for recommending two recent Crisis Chronicles Press books in their latest issue. Subscribe to Pudding at puddingmagazine.com.

About Rikki Santer's Dodge, Tuck, Roll, they say:

"There is plenty of heft and whimsy in the poems of Rikki Santer. Besides her obvious love of language and its play, she ruminates over failed relationships, environmental peril, internet addiction, health scares, and death. But there is also a well-balanced celebration of music, art, and nature to appreciate. Betty Boop is reconsidered as only a feminist might. A food and art mashup with appearances by Picasso, Gertrude Stein, Stephen Hawking and abstractions of culinary possibilities leave the reader dizzy. Reading Santer's poems is an experience of synesthesia as she navigates the 'thin membrane between apocalypse & carnival.' Dodge, Tuck, Roll is a book to be savored."

About Kari Gunter-Seymour's Serving, they say: 

"After decades of war, many of us don't know any who have served or their families. Gunter-Seymour gives an emotionally honest portrayal of what service and sacrifice look like for military families. A sense of home, of place, offer context for what we protect and why. A book of heartbreak, but most of all, love."

Order Rikki's and Kari's books together and save!

Clarion Thursday, Columbus Sunday

Between having so many events this month, so much work to do before I head to Denver next week, and also an out-of-town guest at my house, I know I'm way behind on messages. I promise I will get back to everyone the first chance I get. I'm doing as much as I can every spare moment I have. Thank you for your patience.

Meanwhile, I hope to see you at one of these fab events: 

3/13: Sara Minges & Juliet Cook at Mac's Backs
3/14: Tobeco Open Mic and Ohio Beat Poet Laureate John Burroughs in Clarion, PA
3/17: John Burroughs / Peripatetic Poets in Columbus, Ohio!

CLE Uncorked on 3/12 at CLE Urban Winery

Very much looking forward to sharing poetry from the same stage as Sara Minges, all the way from Kansas City, and a bevy of bad-ass musical talent this Tuesday, 3/12, at CLE Uncorked: Voices and Vines on Lee, hosted by Jason Patrick Meyers at CLE Urban Winery. It's gonna be smokin' hot in the Heights!

The Power of the Powerless

I am grateful to Ryan P. Kinney and Beautiful Blasphemy for including a piece of mine in this new free chapbook!

Message facebook.com/Beautiful.Blasphemy.Poetry for a free digital copy.