New Poem Up at Rise Up Review, New Review of PR for Poets, and Spring/AWP Approaches
Spring Flowers After Snow
New Poem Up at Rise Up Review
First of all, thanks to Rise Up Review for publishing my new poem, “Every Child a Legend.”
I don’t write a lot of political poems but these last two years…well, I guess I’ve started.
A New Review of PR for Poets
Also, thanks to Debbie Okun Hill for this new review of PR for Poets! It’s always nice to hear from people who found that book useful. I’m really hoping to get the word out at AWP about PR for Poets and hope to get it into more people’s hands.
Spring is Coming, and AWP
Glenn and I in the sunshine
We’ve had some sunshine after the coldest February in Seattle on record, and we have snow in the forecast again next week, so the cold isn’t letting up yet. But I know intellectually spring is coming. I know I can plant new flowers to replace that ones that were killed by ice and snow. I just…wish it would get here soon…
Just like I know AWP is almost here! Now I’m doing some offsite readings, a panel, and a book signing at the Two Sylvias Booth on Friday for PR for Poets. I hope to see a lot of you there. I’m also hoping my health holds up for the duration. Inspired by Selma Blair’s interview and Oscar party appearance, I bought myself a fancy new cane. Gotta get fancy for public appearances, right? Incidentally, I’m nervous, I think, about this year’s AWP – not just the usual I’m going to forget someone important’s name (though that’s definitely there) but more health-ish.
Me with new pearly-handled cane with hummingbirds
What happens if I get sick, or have to go to the hospital while I’m there, or can’t make it through a reading and fall over?
So, to be clear with my AWP tips:
–Drink enough water. Bring a water bottle to panels and the bookfair, because they are always so dry. And hard candy for coughs!
–Use lip balm. Eat nutritious food when you can, and be sure to sit down with friends over coffee earlier in the day (because catching up with them at the bar at night may mean they don’t remember catching up.)
–Pack layers – late March in Portland could be cold, could be very wet, could be spring-like. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be on your feet a lot, even when you don’t think you will.
–If you’re a bit iffy health-wise, like I am, take extra time to rest between events, drink even more water (and maybe a hot tea) and wash your hands (and bring hand sanitizer in your tote!) Don’t plan to be active from sunup to midnight unless you plan to also crash the next day.
Anything else? Leave your tips in the comments?
