As the official launch of Any Other Branch approaches, I am excited, nervous, and wondering how I can help my book on its journey to all of you. Self-promotion is one of the most awkward and narcissistic tasks a writer ever takes on.…
What follows is a self-interview entitled “The Next Big Thing” that is making its way through the blogosphere. Every Wednesday, writers who have a recent or forthcoming book answer the following questions, post them on a blog somewhere, and tag five more writers to do the same the following Wednesday.…
I have been reminded of my love for words over the holidays and the past month. Sometimes when you are teaching a ton of classes as an adjunct, you can squeeze in the occasional poem here or there. But you never get quality time with your writing.…
Recently, I have been considering looking for a literary agent. It seems that poetry is one of the genres that many agents would rather avoid. There are a few exceptions. I know many of my former professors have representation, but how does one find an agent and then start a relationship with said agent?…
It has been an intense few weeks since the Spring Semester ended, and my Summer classes were supposed to start. Since I found myself with a little extra time on my hands, I immediately had to fill it! I was introduced to the Writer’s Center in White River Junction Vermont by a friend of mine through Facebook. …
It is the time of year that students get antsy in class anticipating the end of the work for the term, Christmas lights go up in my little town, and the holiday music drifts across the radio waves of my little car.…
For a year or so I have been thinking of writing a book on writing poetry, getting your work out there, and other writing things. I have had a number of people ask me for advice on everything from how to start writing poetry to how to shop a book of poetry out.…
This has been one of the more challenging semesters, but quite fulfilling. Many of the classes I taught were filled with freshmen, excited, then nervous, then exhausted, and now feeling the pinch of the final week. I rode through this roller-coaster with them, while offering encouragement, guidance, and (of course) lessons along the way.…
I was fortunate enough to have a couple of great friends join me and my family here in the White Mountains for the long weekend. We were quite the group. I couldn’t have asked for better weather or company. I even spent some time writing!…
For two years now I have been working hard to publish my poetry, find teaching positions, and become a local advocate for poetry through readings and starting my own literary journal. At some point with any work, no matter how much you love it, it becomes just that…work.…