Marly Youmans's Blog, page 6

Jackson Center interview

Though most people who keep up with me go to social media sites, I'm posting this for the wonderful dinosaurs who still follow blogs and don't follow facebook. It's a copy of the facebook interview from The Jackson Center for Creative Writing at Hollins. Conducted by MFA student Lena Fultz. Thanks to her and to the Jackson Center!Hollins Creative Writing Alum Spotlight: Marly Youmans, M.A. ‘75 

Charis, NCLR, and two poetry projects in Lent

CHARIS IN THE WORLD OF WONDERS I've been grateful for the many good reviews of the novel, and now for a interestingly "mixed" review from "Editors' Picks" at Plough Quarterly. If you're wondering how this writer reacts to a mixed review, well, it's to say that all thoughtful attention helps the book--and here also to run through her mind why the pattern of a human being going through trials

Charis images on Sussex Lustreware

A peek at the Sussex Lustreware "World of Wonders" line, with images by Clive Hicks-Jenkins from his illuminations for Charis in the World of Wonders. To see all, go  HERE.

This snowy, icy week...

A few warm things... I'm glad of a lovely long review of Charis in the World of Wonders by notable musician and editor Lorraine Hale Robinson. And it's hosted at North Carolina Literary Review, edited by Margaret Bauer. To have four thoughtful pages in NCLR is something for which I am grateful! You may find the digital version of the magazine HERE, or you may leap directly to the review HERE.And

Jot of news

 "Hoop of Time"at Better than Starbucks... HERE.Because you're in dire need of a poem.

Bailey, Wetta, Charis...

Scott G. F. Bailey on Charis in the World of WondersHere's a clip from a new extended post about Charis in the World of Wonders from novelist Scott G. F. Bailley, author of The Astrologer. I picked this bit because he talks about language, but he has a lot more to say and is always interesting, so please take a look.This is a beautiful book. Some readers, I have noticed, have difficulty with the

Novelist Scott G. F. Bailey talks about Charis...

Here's a clip from a new extended post about Charis in the World of Wonders from novelist Scott G. F. Bailley, author of The Astrologer. I picked this bit because he talks about language, but he has a lot more to say and is always interesting, so please take a look.This is a beautiful book. Some readers, I have noticed, have difficulty with the poetic nature of Youmans' prose, and to them I say

Charis at year's end, again...

Art by Clive Hicks-JenkinsThank you to Melanie Bettinelli and The Wine-Dark Sea for calling Charis in the World of Wonders "probably my favorite book of the year and the one I am most likely to recommend to anyone looking for a good book to read, and especially for a bookclub." She describes the book as "luminous" and says that she "cannot praise it highly enough." If you want to read why she

Clive's sketchbook for Charis

Clive Hicks-Jenkins and Charis in the World of Wonders: A tiny linen-bound sketchbook in which I made all the preparatory work for Marly Youmans’ historic novel, ‘Charis in the World of Wonders’, published last year by Ignatius. Note that throughout my sketches I mis-titled it ‘Charis in a World of Wonders’. Luckily I noticed the error before making the finished artwork.* * *More Clivean

E pluribus unum

Constantino Brumidi, 1808-1880Wikimedia Commons, public domainCapitol dome detail: E pluribus UnumA detail from Auden, right for the hour--Follow, poet, follow rightTo the bottom of the night,With your unconstraining voiceStill persuade us to rejoice;With the farming of a verseMake a vineyard of the curse,Sing of human unsuccessIn a rapture of distress;In the deserts of the heartLet the healing