Sherry Chandler

Mary Ann Taylor-Hall

Thanks to Lexington’s Carnegie Center for pointing the way to this video of Mary Ann Taylor-Hall discussing her latest novel, At The Breakers, from University Press of Kentucky. Mary Ann read from this novel last week at the Center’s Kentucky Great Writers Series, and I was blown away.

The discussion takes place at the Morris Book Shop, a fine new independent book store in Lexington.

Eclectic Living Room

The Eclectic Living Room meets at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning one week before every Kentucky Great Writers reading to discuss and “celebrate” the work. The discussion is led by Leatha Kendrick, who is a wonderful appreciator of other people’s work and who, as a friend just said to me, reads like a writer. Most of those who attend the discussion are also writers. So, participants have an opportunity not only to explore the work that they will soon be hearing but also to hone their own writing skills. Each session ends with a writing prompt or exercise.

The Morris Book Shop is there to give participants a chance to look at and buy the books in question.

And sometimes, as last night, the group is privileged to have the publisher present to add his insights to both the writers and the publishing process.

At last night’s session we discussed the work of Normandi Ellis, Dorothy Sutton, and J. Stephen Rhodes, all three of whom have books out from Wind Publications and all three of whom will be reading next Tuesday, February 9, at the Carnegie Center as part of the Kentucky Great Writers Series (funded by LexArts). The featured readers begin at 7:30; the open mic begins at 6:30. Local folk, mark it on your calendar.

That address is 251 West Second Street, Lexington.

I consider all three of these fine writers personal friends and I have featured work by Steve, Dorothy, and Normandi here on the blog. I can attest that they are all great readers. It will be a fine evening.

I guess this reads a little bit like an infomercial, and I guess that’s all right. Who can you praise if you can’t praise your friends?

Department of Second Chances

If you missed the first “Retreat of One’s Own,” here’s a reprise to take place October 16-18 at Kenlake State Resort Park.

Staff includes Silas House, Anne Shelby and Kate Larken.

Registration must be postmarked by August 15.

Carnegie Center’s Next Great Writers

The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning has announced the finalists in its Next Great Writers Contest. Some good friends and one relation in the list.

The relation is my son, Morgan Williams. I’m right proud of him.  The reading is going on as I post this. Rush over if you can.

THE 2009 NEXT GREAT WRITERS COMPETITION: FINALISTS

Jesse Sisken, Lexington KY
Jessica Swafford, Georgetown KY
Sarah Glenn, Lexington KY
Jason Grant, Lexington KY
Janet Holloway, Lexington KY
Eric Sutherland, Lexington KY
Jason Williams, Winchester KY
Whitney Groves, Lexington KY
Morgan Williams, Paris KY
Virginia Dulworth, Lexington KY
Eva Cox, Paris KY
Matthew Haughton, Lexington KY
Sacha Pruitt, Lexington KY
Charles Edward White, Lexington KY
James K. Brown, Lexington KY
Barbara Phillips, Lexington KY
Hannah LeGris, Lexington, KY
Kari Evely, Lexington KY
Katrina Boone, Lexington KY

Also reading tonight, the THE 2009 YOUNG PEOPLE’S POETRY CONTEST: FINALISTS

CinAstasha Cable
Annie Deitz
William Ding
Ittai Eres
Charlie Frederick
Ezekiel Grier
Sam Hayden
Gabe Hillyard
Julian Little
Dani Miller
Luc Morgan
John Nichols
Natalie Pacheco
Tamara Ray
Maggie Rue
Rena Sakai
Rebecca Sanders
Suzanne Seivers
Madison Shifflett
Abigail Winfield

Georgia Green Stamper

at Kentucky Live!

Benefit for Artcroft

An e-mail from the Holler Poets:

Join us at Al’s Bar this wednesday night for a benefit reading and film screening for Artcroft, the Nicholas County artists retreat. The night features an open mic to start the show, then Ed McClanahan reads an intro from his story, A Congress of Wonders, followed by a viewing of the film with same title, and Ed reads again to close the night. The short film was made by Academy Award winning filmmaker, Paul Wagner, shot here at Spindletop Farm and features riveting performances by local icons, Tom Marksbury and Fred Scott Downing. This is a special night you won’t want to miss.

Artcroft is a wonderful place, well deserving of your support.

Check this out.

Marge Fulton

Root Ball

Determining the size of a root ball is not easy
in fact it is the ultimate tug-of-war. I try to unearth
ivy growing up the north side, the neglected side.
One eye out for poison ivy, and snakes giving birth
in shadows. I see the gaps in the fence where the dogs
escape. Roots thin as corn silk come forth along
with a baseball reduced to threads, unopened contact lenses,
and a gel pen. On the top step, it happens. The biggest root yet.
I pull the web of worms and wood chips harder and harder
until a thing rises from below like a zombie coming up for air.
I love dirt; my fingers submerged in soil
black as asphalt. Ivy will be tamed but not my soul. I
cling to the ruins of this forsaken place and you.

— Marge Fulton

Marge Fulton moved to Hazard, Kentucky with her husband and three children nearly twenty years ago. HA recntly retired special education teacher, Marge now devotes herself to her twin loves of writing and painting. Her short story collection, All Roads Lead To Hazard was listed in the Nov. 2008 issue of The Good Book Guide. She is a juried member of the Appalachian Artisan Center and will have her first show of water colors at the Mountain Arts Center in September.

Marge blogs at Muse Mountain.