Los Angeles Times Recommendations for National Poetry Month

The Los Angeles Times posted a list of recommendations to celebrate National Poetry Month, which begins somewhat foolishly on Friday, April 1. I would personally recommend #3, 4, 5, 9, 12 & 14, simply because they are easier on the pocketbook. Most of these are good recommendations, however, if you want to get a better and more all encompassing appreciation for the SoCal poetry scene, I would recommend starting with Beyond Baroque, or checking out the calander at Poetix, which is available 365 days of the year.:)

Beyond Baroque Reading on 4/9/2011

I will be featured, along with a whole host of other poets, for a World Wide Radio Network 4th Anniversary Reading, hosted by S.A. Griffen, and Rafael FJ Alvarado, at Beyond Baroque, on Saturday, April 9, at 4 pm. Beyond Baroque 681 Venice Blvd. Venice, CA 310-822-3006 Speaking of which, a Beyond Baroque membership is a great way to support poetry, it's TAX DEDUCTIBLE, and you get to attend most events for FREE! Membership details are available through the website.

Saturday Afternoon Poetry in Pasadena

I will be featured, along with Lalo Kikiriki and Ellaine Lockie, at the Santa Catalina branch of the Pasadena Library at 3 pm today. Hosted by Don Kingfisher Campbell. It's fun AND it's free!

Santa Catalina Branch
Pasadena Library
(back room)
999 E Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA

I hope to see some of you there, and to hear some poetry.:) Thx.:)

Author Creativity v. Author Promotion

As a small press publisher, I wish more authors were as industrious as this one.

Congrats to her.:) She's worked hard enough to have someone else handle the business end for awhile.:)

New Short Story Publication

My short story, Casuality of War, has been published in Tree Killer Ink #10. Give a middle finger in support of small presses.:)

Libraries: Real Time and Virtual

Virtual libraries are here to stay.

For me, it's mind-boggling to believe that the contents of The Long Room (see left) at Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland, can be, or will very shortly be contained in an electronic reading device, aka a Kindle.

I've always believed that literacy is as essential to our survival as breathing, eating, drinking, etc. However, the aesthetic pleasures provided by physical books are being sacrificed in the name of public consumption. Standing in the middle of a library like the Long Room is not the same thing as scrolling through a list of e-books. I fear the impact of appreciation for the creative process, as well as the time spent by authors will be lost... or not, only time will tell.

Welcome

This blog will address all matters of literary concern that spark my interest.

First up: Transitioning into the poetic mainstream.

I recently stepped down as the open mic poetry host for Beyond Baroque. After curating the reading for three years (Jan 2007-Dec. 2010), I felt my time and my usefulness had come to an end.

I've also decided to put publishing poeticdiversity: the litzine of Los Angeles, on haitus. After nine years of publishing, I'm going to pursue other interests, both literary and personal.

I recently went to the Redondo Poets Reading at the Coffee Cartel. And I enjoyed myself! It was refreshing to just be a poet with other poets, and I plan to do more of that in the future.:)

Wish me luck.:)