your october annogram

Free Ferry available for preorder
I am excited to share that my second poetry book, Free Ferry , is available for preorder.  Ray Peckauskus, Sarah Lawrence Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, calls it “a fascinating take on the plutonium story,” and Nathalia Holt, best-selling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us From Missiles to the Moon to Mars , says it is “a time capsule, sublimely combining the experience of a suburban family with the production and isolation of plutonium.” Intrigued? Order now for delivery next spring.
Kickstart She Can Find Her Way
You can put UPPER HAND PRESS and twenty-four women authors on the map by kickstarting a special publishing project. In  She Can Find Her Way: Women Travelers at Their Best , women from several generations tell true stories of their most memorable and challenging travel experiences.  Discover the many unusual gifts in exchange for your Kickstarter donation, while helping a wonderful indie press and fantastic publisher.

Boo at the Zoo

Gigi and adoring fans at the zooThere’s one more weekend to see Gigi and the Lend-Me-a-Hand Band at the Bronx Zoo’s Halloween event.  This adorable family band features songwriter/vocalist Gigi O’Keeffe Schwartzman, husband Larry on bass, son Evan on electronic drums, my husband Michael Cefola on guitar, and longtime friend Paul Rutkowski on sax.  See them, and amazing magic performed by David Levitan, at three daily shows on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30.  Bring li’l ones yearning to sing and dance!
Let All Voices Be Heard
Writers of different faiths share their stories Saturday, October 15, 7-9 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair, NJ.  The Writers Circle and Tiferet Journal co-host this interfaith panel moderated by Linda K. Wertheimer, author of Faith Ed (Beacon Press, 2015). Panelists will explore how writing and other creative pursuits can lead toward a more compassionate perspective on religious and cultural differences.
Jay Milder's WHITE LINES

You are invited to the opening reception of Jay Milder’s WHITE LINES at the Bogardus Mansion, Tuesday, October 18, 6-8pm.   The exhibit, curated by Beth Gersh-Nesic, PhD, features Old Testament and Kabbalah-themed work by Milder (born 1934), an American artist and a figurative expressionist painter of the second generation New York School. 
Vegetarian Chili
I made this recipe this week—a wonderful meal to welcome the cool weather!  You may have seen this in an earlier annogram. This is my version of Chili con Elote in The New Laurel’s Kitchen (Ten Speed Press, 1986), my first vegetarian cookbook.  We ate the chili in bowls the first night, and the second, spooned it onto corn chips, covered with cheddar cheese and popped them under the broiler for memorable nachos.  Tastes better the next day as flavors meld.  1 organic onion, chopped1 organic clove garlic2 tablespoons oil1 or 2 organic green peppers, diced1 teaspoon chili powder1 teaspoon cumin powder2 cups V-8 Juice2 tablespoons ketchup2 tablespoons salsa1 cup frozen organic corn3 cans Trader Joe’s Organic Kidney Beans1 1/2 teaspoons salt1 teaspoon oregano  Sauté onion and garlic clove in oil until onion is soft. Crush garlic clove. Add green pepper and spices. Sauté another 2 or 3 minutes. Add V-8 Juice and corn. Drain all three cans of beans and add whole beans from two cans to the pot.  Mash beans in the third can with a knife until you have a thick paste; add to pot along with salt and oregano. Simmer 30 minutes or more; stir to avoid bottom burning.
New releases
Bearing the Mask: Southwestern Persona Poems (Dos Gatos Press, 2016)
“Bridge of Sighs,” a new short story by Laura Morelli, available on Amazon
Cadillac, Oklahoma (Upper Hand Press, 2016) by Louise Farmer Smith
Conversion Table (Mindmade Books, 2016) by A Maxwell
Eyewitness(Dos Madres Press, 2016) by Natalie Safir
Calls for work / classes
Presence, a Journal of Catholic Poetry is seeking poetry and book reviews by December 1
Tarpaulin Sky Press is accepting submissions for its annual book prize contest by November 1
The Hudson Valley Writers Center offers one-day intensives with high profile writers
Cindy Beer-Fouhy’s Writing Workshop for 50+  continues through December 7
Ruth Zaporah workshop on physical theater improv, October 21, 22, 23, in Brooklyn
Readings / Events
CD Wright (1949-2016)HVWC, October 15, 7:30pm, Jim Tilley ($10); October 16, 7:30pm, Amy Dryansky, Jennifer Franklin, Aideen Henry, Jack Powers; music by Mike Latini ($10)
The New York Public Library, October 18, 7pm, Rebecca Solnit, Joshua Jelly-Schapiro, Garnette Cadogan, Suketu Meht, Luc Sante on their project Nonstop Metropolis: A New York City Atlas.
Queen’s College, October 18, 6:30pm, Kaitlyn Greenidge
CUNY Graduate Center, October 19, 6:30pm, CD Wright Tribute: Lee Ann Brown, Peter Cole, Monica de la Torre, Carolyn Forché, Brecht Gander, Brenda Hillman, Ben Lerner, Deborah Luster, Frances Mayes, Jane Miller, Michael Ondaatje, Brenda Shaughnessy, Arthur Sze, Jean Valentine, Anne Waldman, Michael Wiegers, Richard Leo Johnson, Toni Hall, Eiko Gregory Rabassa (1922-2016)
Saint Mark's Church, October 19, 8pm, Garrett Caples, Hoa Nguyen
CUNY Graduate Center, October 21, 6pm, Celebration of Gregory Rabassa: Edith Grossman, Peter Constantine, Earl Fitz, Ezra Fitz, Esther Allen, Ilan Stavans, Mauricio Font, Elizabeth Lowe, Harry Morales, Daniel Shapiro, Nora Glickman, Declan Spring, Ammiel Alcalay, Stanley Barkan, Catarina Cordeiro, David Draper Clark, Clara Rabassa, Kate Rabassa Wallen
HVWC, October 21, Open Mic, 7:30pm; October 22, 7:30pm, Beth Hahn ($10); October 28, 7:30pm, Michelle Hoover, Patricia Park ($10)
Pulitzer Prize-winner Vijay SeshadriCooper Union, October 27, 7pm, Rae Armantrout, John Ashbery, Peter Balakian, Carl Dennis, Stephen Dunn, Jorie Graham, Yusef Komunyakaa, Sharon Olds, Gregory Pardlo, Philip Schultz, Vijay Seshadri, Natasha Trethewey, and Charles Wright. ($15)
McNally Jackson Books, October 30, 5pm, Kimo Armitage, Alicia Upano
Orchard Cove retirement community, October 30, 2pm, Jacqueline Lapidus, Susan Mahan, Joanne Seltzer, Christine Silverstein, Ellen Steinbaum
Tappan Hill, November 4, 6:00pm, HVWC gala honoring Yusef Komunyaka and Sylvia Nasar
’Round the Net
Congrats and/or thanks to the following for news and links:
Essayist Jeanette Briggs on the nomination of “City Stories” in Diverse Voices Quarterly for a Best of the Net Award

Edinburgh Poet Laureate (2009-2014) Ron Butlin on the nomination of Ghost Moon (Salt Publishing, 2014) for the 2016 International Dublin Literary Award
Guitarist Michael Cefolafor recalling “Dance Hall Days” enjoyed at the Ritz
Novelist Regi Claireon having a short story selected for the Weekend Read
Poet Gary Glauber for two poems in Verse-Virtual
John Malkovich as PicassoUnicorn Writers Conference Founder Jan Kardys for this funny articleon www.historygossip.com
Host Phil Pochoda on winning the Complete Hoot2016 Owl Award for Best Literary Festival
Writer Mike Reiterfor this article on “Why Fidgeting is Good Medicine”
Bassist Larry Schwartzmanfor another bluesman recommendation—James Armstrong
Photo by Joe VerickerPoet and watercolorist Linda Simone for sharing Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal acceptance speech and this funny Malkovich-inspired art
Photographer Joe Verickerfor recalling his dream assignment a year ago following the Pope
Filmmaker Frank Vitaleon completion of his new work of docufiction, “Anorgasmia”

Next annogram we will finally have a new president here in the US, and believe me, it's been painful! Let's focus on our glorious creative drives to create a better world.

Until next time,
Ann