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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Writer Island: A Weekend Writing Retreat, April 5-7, 2013

I am excited to announce a wonderful opportunity to gather together to write and relax with me and Jill McCabe Johnson at Kangaroo House B&B, located near the town of Eastsound on Orcas Island. Kangaroo House is charming and well-appointed, and the breakfasts are delicious. Along with distinctively decorated rooms, there's a cozy common area with a fireplace, a well-stocked and inviting library, and one of the best hot tubs I've ever had the pleasure of soaking in. Kangaroo B&B will be our home base for a weekend of guided writing and peaceful contemplation both indoors and out. Pack your pen, notebook and casual/walking wear, and let Jill and I guide you in a retreat experience both restorative and generative.

For complete details and to register, visit Artsmith.

Here's the encapsulated low-down:

No writer is an island, but your island awaits… 

April 5-7, 2013 



Rejuvenate your writing while immersed in nature on Orcas Island, “Jewel of the San Juan Islands.” Explore seaside and mountain trails with poets Martha Silano and Jill McCabe Johnson while you write like pleine-aire artists under a canopy of trees or along the shore. Exercises will focus on new work inspired by nature and drawn from your deeper psyche as you relax into the rhythms of nature. Each night, guests will gather at the historic Kangaroo House Bed & Breakfast to share their work around a crackling fire. 

Martha Silano is the author of three poetry collections: Blue Positive, What the Truth Tastes Like, and most recently The Little Office of the Immaculate Conception, an Academy of American Poets Noted Book of 2011, ForeWord Book of the Year Bronze Metal Winner, and a Washington State Book Award finalist. 

Optional Poetry Consultation: 
1/2 hour (up to 5 poems): $60.00 
1 hour (up to 10 poems): $100.00 

Martha will carefully read your poems, providing written feedback and suggestions for journal publication. 

Registration includes: 

• Friday night writing exercise and reception 
• Saturday mountain retreat, including trail snacks 
• Saturday night fireside gathering with dessert 
• Sunday morning seashore writing exercise 
• Sumptuous breakfast each morning 
• Two nights lodging at special retreat rates 

Jill McCabe Johnson is the author of the poetry collection Diary of the One Swelling Sea (MoonPath Press, 2013), and editor of the anthologies Becoming: What Makes a Woman (University of Nebraska Gender Programs, 2012) and Being: What Makes a Man (forthcoming 2013).








Please share this information with anyone who might enjoy a weekend of energetic attention to their craft as well as their spirit. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

My Boston/Your Boston: Worlds Colliding!


George Costanza doesn't like when worlds collide, but I'd sure like it if you could collide with mine while I am in Boston for AWP this year. Here's your chance:

Off-site:
Thursday, 2/7, 2-4 pm:


On-site:

AWP Book Reading

Friday, March 8, 2013, 1:30-2:45 pm
Hynes Convention Center &
Sheraton Boston Hotel
Alice Hoffman Bookfair Stage, Hall D
Launching:

Lullaby (with Exit Sign) by Hadara Bar-Nadav

No Object by Natalie Shapero

and readings by:

Tanya Larkin, author of My Scarlet Ways

Sarah Vap, author of Arco Iris

Catherine Pierce, author of The Girls of Peculiar

Martha Silano, author of The Little Office of the Immaculate Conception


Here's to cooking up a little chaos theory with you in Boston!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Will the Real Strong Female Leads Please Take a Bow?!

Kelly Froh with her awesome Seattle coming-of-age tale, circa 1994.

Oh my GOD, Katie Kate ROCKED!!!

"I'm gonna Sadie Hawkins you." Oh, YEAH.

Arlene Kim, one of Seattle's Strongest of the Strong. Brilliant.

Patricia Smith: said hello to her before she read.  I was so awed by her presence I forgot to ask her to sign my copy of
Blood Dazzler. She was very generous, letting me fawn over her but also being *real.*  She exudes Goddess. 


This was the best Hugo House event I've ever attended, and that's saying A LOT. I would have paid $50 to see this gig. $20 for a member was a bargain. I was thrilled to see the House PACKED. To the woman handling the tickets:  I know I looked like a frumpy and haggard soccer mom, but you didn't need to warn me about the "very loud" rap music.