Welcome to RiverPoets.com!
Upcoming Events
NOTE: Most events are held on the first Thursday of each month at Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market Street, Bloomsburg (downtown, revitalized) PA. Poetry readings will start PROMPTLY at 7:30 pm. Exceptions! July & August – 7 PM start for POETRY OUTDOORS
March 4, 2010 - Katie Hays Poems from Katie Hays' first book, Dear Apocalypse (Carnegie Mellon 2009), have appeared or will be in: The Best American Poetry 2009, The Yale Anthology of Younger American Poetry, The Southern Review, and Gray's Sporting Journal. To be followed by an open reading. MC: Mike DeMarco
April 1, 2010 - Wharton and all - This is part of the 'Big Read'. Bloomsburg and many other communities have committed to honor Edith Wharton's work in poetry and fiction this month. We are no exception and will be reading bits from The Age of Innocence, perhaps some poetry or a scene from one of her short stories. Open reading on optional themes "Innocence," and "Loss of Innocence”; period-clothing encouraged. MC: S. Brook
In the News
JoAnne Growney
Finishing Line Press is publishing ANGLES OF LIGHT, a small collection of JoAnne Growney's poetry. The printing is a limited edition and, to be sure of getting a copy, it is good to reserve in advance.
Books may be ordered online at www.finishinglinepress.com. TO order online first find her book by selecting (left column of screen) "New Releases and Forthcoming" and when the new page opens, scroll down to locate the poetry collection, ANGLES OF LIGHT. The cover art (also entitled "Angles of Light") is from a print by Jessica Baker, a Brooklyn artist with whom the author worked in Alaska. The title poem also stems from JoAnne's 2003 residency in the 49th state.
To be sure of reserving a copy, order yours by September 1, 2009.
Tara Shoemaker Holdren
Tara Shoemaker Holdren of the River Poets won first prize in the Mulberry Poets and Writers Association for 2008.
Tara Shoemaker Holdren is a member of Bloomsburg's River Poets and lives in Millville, PA with her husband and two sons. She also plays guitar and sings in her church's contemporary worship team each week. She teaches high school English and is the advisor for the school's literary magazine. Tara's work has been published in Watershed, Time of Singing, The Press Enterprise, The Daily Item, and Pennsylvania Magazine. Her collection of poetry Circumnavigation was published in fall 2008 by Paper Kite Press. Soli Deo Gloria.
Disclaimers and Possible Grains of Truth Department:
BOOKLET – You must be heard to be seen. Poems for this year’s booklet must have been read aloud between the April 2009 and March 2010 readings; so verbalize and SUBMIT!! Limit is TWO PAGES of poems per poet. You may bring a paper copy of poetry to the March reading, or e-mail it to Richard Brook at richardb@ptd.net. Most often booklets are assembled and ready for distribution by April’s reading and you may buy one (or more). Another Pitch: there are copies of earlier River Poets booklets if you are curious about RP’s progress, art, and production.
ORIGINS – Founded in May 1994 at the Bloomsburg Public Library, River Poets has attracted members and poets from Scranton to Selinsgrove and other undisclosed locations. The format is themed (suggested, not required; encouraged not forced) or a featured reader(s) followed by an open reading. Although not strictly rule-bound, we do encourage a 3-poem or 5-minute time constraint on open readers, before we bring out a hook. Mostly we try to avoid having the audience zone out or run away screaming. All people and all works are welcomed – bring original items, favorite works, songs, a lie or two. River Poets is an encouraging and supportive group of pilgrims, pioneers, not too preachy, and notoriously polite. Really!!
GETTING CONNECTED – Well, you could just show up at the Bloomsburg Public Library on any first Thursday at 7:30 PM or to any other scheduled event (see July and August when we play outside). However, if that is not your style (you are shy perhaps?) then Phone Dave Barsky at 570-784-9231; email Mike DeMarco at mdmep@sunlink.net or phone him at 570-387-0920; or email Dick Sweeney at rms8634@verizon.net or phone him at 570-437-2661.
If you are computer friendly and would like to receive reminders of poetry events, please send your e-mail address to Janet Locke jlocke@bloomu.edu.
