Susan Rich's Blog, page 90

The Writing Life: Now It's Time to Get Writing

Now that school is out, it's time to get writing again. Each year I am surprised by how hard a transition this is for me. How to start writing poems again? I need to trick myself into it. Begin by reading. Today it was The Poetry of Rilke,  translated by Edward Snow -- with a gorgeous introduction by Adam Zagajewski. I know I will be reading and re-reading it forever.

Tonight I heard Rae Armantrout read from her Pulitzer prize-winning collection, Versed. An utterly charming woman, and a pleasu...

Late Night Snack

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Instead of succumbing to the munchies and eating waffles slathered in farm fresh yogurt, strawberries, and yes, maple syrup, I'm going to try and derive pleasure from just the image. I'm going to dream of waffle poems, waffle wonder heros, waffle wishes. And one thing is certain, I know what I'm making for breakfast. Does looking at pictures of decadent food make one eat more, or less?

"And Many More" - New Poets of the American West

Is there something fishy about Washington poets that all but two of us are categorized under "And many more?" That's okay; I'm happy to be in the superb company of Allen Braden,  Kathleen Flenniken, Marjorie Manwaring, Derek Sheffield, "and many more" wonderful Washington poets. I'm especially ecstatic to be considered a "Poet of the American West." Good-bye, Boston! 
New Poets Of The American West coming in July ...



New Poets of the American West

an anthology of poets
from eleven Western states

Daniel Spendlove ~ Website Wizard ~ Specializing in Writers Sites

My web wizard, Daniel Spendlove, is free from his university classes for the summer and available to work on poets' websites. I highly recommend his services! As a writer himself, Daniel was patient, creative, and fun to work with. Together, we came up with the design for my site. I would give Daniel a half-baked idea, and he would create something beautiful from it.

I know that he will be conscientious, communicative, and creative in his work with you. Please contact Daniel if you are in the ...

The Writer's Life - Thinking About: How Do You Know If You've Had a Good Reading?

I read this weekend at Elliott Bay Book Company, my favorite all-service bookstore on the planet. This was my second reading in Seattle for The Alchemist's Kitchen and so understandably it was a more intimate crowd than my Open Books book launch last April. Although I am nervous and excited before each reading, it is the questions that arise after the reading that I want to address.

This year at AWP I went to a session called "Shameless Self Promotion" which wasn't shameless at all. The group ...

Starting a Blog Roll -- Would You Like to Join?

Friends have been telling me for awhile that any blog worth its pixels has a blog roll. Sometimes I take awhile to catch on. I also needed an analogy to what a blog roll actually is. I think it's the neighborhood we live in on-line. The shops you can bicycle to, the locally grown fruits and vegetables at the farmer's market. So if you have a blog and would like to be listed on my very first blog roll, just leave me your name and the name of your blog in the comments. And if you don't have a b...

Poetry Giveaway at Goodreads!

The poetry book giveaway is back, but in another guise. If you can't make it to Elliott Bay Books in Seattle tonight, here is another way to get a copy of my book. Simply go over to Goodreads and search for The Alchemist's Kitchen. You may have to sign-up for Goodreads to enter -- but there are no costs involved. I actually think this site really is about people sharing book lists and reviews. I've been on this site as a civilian for years and am just learning about the way to make use of the...

Poetry Tonight @ 7:00 PM Elliott Bay Books with Surprises

[image error] It's a rainy, cool, evening in Seattle? What to do? Why not come out and keep me company at 7:00 PM at Elliott Bay Book Company? I began blogging with a love song to Elliott Bay Books and now I get to read at the new beautiful location on 10th Avenue between Pike and Pine. Next door is a superb restaurant, Oddfellows, (I even love their website) and around the corner, Molly Moon - Seattle's new homemade ice cream craze. When Lorca read in New York he told his audience he was not there to ente...

What Should Poets Know When Starting Out?

Thanks, Kelli! I've borrowed this question from Kelli Russell Agodon's blog, Book of Kells today. I can't quite get used to the idea that I am a poet who has been writing and publishing for more than a decade. This means that I no longer qualify as a young poet starting out. Go figure.

1. Many ways we see ourselves as poets never change: a little stranger, a bit outside the norm, not looking to become rich or secure a spot on reality TV.

2. Your relationship with poetry can last forever. Poetry...

The First Review of The Alchemist's Kitchen - Thank you Mark Brazaitis wherever you are...

I just found this review on the Peace Corps Worldwide website --- and I am thrilled that this first review, by an RPCV from Guatemala -- and a writer -- found a bit of sustenance in The Alchemist's Kitchen. If only he didn't live in West Virginia (I googled him) I'd invite him out Saturday night to my reading and treat him to a meal at Oddfellows next door to the new Elliott Bay.

Here is the beginning of the review with a link to read more - should you want to indulge.
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The Alchemist's Kitchen
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