your spring annogram
Dear annogrammers, are youfeeling the green fuse? It is energizing all of us with welcomed new projectsand a little creative risk-taking. So glad to share your good news and mine—withappearances by Faulkner, Berthe Weill, and Led Zeppelin, and some delectablepasta to satisfy your respective literary and carbo cravings. Dig in!
Alparegho, Like-nothing-else
Poet Hélène Sanguinetti and Iinvite you to the launch of my translation of her
Alparegho,Like-nothing-else
, published by Beautiful Days Press. The Zoomlaunch will feature Hélène reading live from Arles as well as yours truly herein New York. The date is Saturday, April 26, at 1pm ET via this Zoom link. Hope to seeyou there!
Work in English, French, andSpanish
Thanks to Matt Morris at HomePlanet News for publishing “TheIntimate Room” and “WhyDoesn’t She Like You, Johnny?”; Jean-Luc Pouliquen for translating andposting my poem, “Wildlife,”in L’Oiseau de Feu de Garlaban; and to Catalina Bonati for publishingLigia Yamazaki’s Spanish translations of three poems in UltramarineLiterary Review (Chile).
Moby-Dick Marathon in Sag Harbor
The annual Moby-Dick Marathontakes place May 30-June 1, and I am thrilled to be a Saturday a.m. reader atthe Jermain Library. Hosted by Canio’s Cultural Café,the event includes festivities such as a showing of the film Moby-Dick (1956),lecture by Melville scholar Gerard McGowan, and the Seamen’s Chapel servicerecreated with a choir.
Writers never forget the moment welearn our first book will be published, and DosMadres Press afforded me that more than a decade ago with
FacePainting in the Dark
. Cofounders Robert and Elizabeth Murphy are kindand wonderful people and I wish them all best as they celebrate on April 24,7pm, at Xavier University’s McDonaldLibrary in Cincinnati.
Who was William Faulkner?
In this same-titled talk at the Center for Fiction, biographer Carl Rollyson suggested that, whilemost scholars write off Faulkner’s work after 1942, books such as The Mansion(1959) and TheReivers (1962) warrant another look. And most people don’t know thatFaulkner worked on more than 50 Hollywood films, including and To Have andHave Not (1944) and The Big Sleep (1946). For more fascinatinginsights into this great American author, see Rollyson’s latest, FaulknerOn and Off the Page (University Press of Mississippi).
Sisters in Conflict
Sarah Bracey WhiteSarah Bracey White willdebut her one-act play, “Sisters in Conflict,” where two sistersclash over who can best prepare the child they both love to live in asegregated world, during Plays in the Box, at the Westchester Collaborative Theater in May(see April+ Events). In addition, for Black History Month, Sarah’s play, “Somethingto Remember Him By,” was performed at the Greenburgh Library’s BudartzTheater. Congratulations, Sarah!
Make Way for Berthe Weill
Berthe Weill (1867-1951), Lynn Gumpert, Beth Gersh-Nesic
Did you know that Berthe Weill (1867-1951)was the first art dealer to the likes of Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, andLéger? Weill (“way”) held none to contracts, knowing these youths would soon gaingreater glory. In this Zoom conversation, Grey ArtMuseum Director LynnGumpert and art historian Beth Gersh-Nesic discussthe recent GreyArt Museum exhibit honoring Weill and her championing both avant-garde andwomen artists.
Becoming Led Zeppelin
annogram and her favoriteguitarist, Michael, saw BecomingLed Zeppelin (2025) twice! The genius driving Zeppelin was worth anotherlook, especially the savvy that Jimmy Page demonstrated in negotiating a rare albums-onlycontract with Atlantic Records. We also loved the Dylan biopic,
A Complete Unknown
(2024).
Creative Opportunities
The Loft Art GalleryArlijo, onlinejournal, call for poetry, fiction, art/photos, with bio to arlijo@myyahoo.com
Heuristic Halo Press, work onthem “tide against the moon,” by April 20
Literature Today, work ontheme “echoes of human experience,” by June 18
Loft Artists Association, call for“Zing!” artwork (Stamford), by April 6
PloughMagazine Rhina Espaillat Poetry Prize, by April 30
Kevin PilkingtonPuttingthe World in Focus, Maine Media Workshop with Kevin Pilkington, July 14-18,$1550
Marketing Before and After the BookDeal, Jane Friedman workshop (Reisterstown), May 10, 10-4, $200
MakingSpace for the Light, sexual assault survivor anthology, by July31
Voices Unbound, poetryanthology, by April 28
New and Recent Releases
Hélène Sanguinetti Ann Cefola, trans. Alparegho,Like-Nothing-Else by Hélène Sanguinetti (Beautiful Days Press)
Aidan Farrell, trans. The Vitals by Mariede Quatrebarbes (World Poetry Books)
Jerry T. Johnson, BadFruit (Gnashing Teeth Press) (pre-order)
Hiram Larew, This Much Very(Alien Buddha Press)
Nathan Manley, Native(Codhill Press)
Mary Newell, Entwine(BlazeVox Books)
Ted Pearson, Early Autumn(Chax Press)
Lynne Potts, Dawnson Me (Buttonhook Press)
Mark Saba, TheShoemaker (Casa Lago Press)
Danny Shot, Night Bird Flying(Roadside Press)
J.R. Solonche, NightVisit (Dos Madres Press)
April+ Events – ET
Waring Market GalleryOngoing, the Waring (TX) MarketGallery, art exhibit curated by Abbie Cotrell featuring painters Linda Simone, Vera Smith, and Laura Lopez; with artful bakery treats by Karla Jean Gonzales
April 1, 8:30pm, Mamas,Martyrs, and Jezebels: Editors' Roundtable on the Black Lawrence Press anthology; register here
April 4, 6:30pm, Calling AllPoets Series, Janet Kaplan, Victoria Redel, Ethan Sirotko; register hereto read in Open Mic or watch live on Facebook
East Gallery, the FrickApril 5, 10am, Ruby City (San Antonio), EkphrasticPoetry Contest Celebratory Reading
April 9, 4pm, UConnStamford, Rotunda Room 3117, Mary Newell, Pamela Hart, David Rothenberg
April 17, the Frick, newly renovated buildingsreopen
April 19, 7:30pm, The Curry Club, Christina M. Rau andothers read; dinner (6pm) optional; Writing and Sharing (before 7:30pm)optional; must purchase a bite or bev
April 23, 7pm, PerrotMemorial Library (Old Greenwich), Kevin Pilkington and Laurel Peterson
April 24, 7pm, McDonald Library(Cincinnati), A Celebration of Dos Madres Presswith Robert and Elizabeth Murphy
April 26, 1pm, Alparegho,Like-nothing-else book launch, Hélène Sanguinetti and translator AnnCefola read via Zoom link here
April 26, 11-4, Greenburgh Artists and Crafters Market
April 26, 4-6, Loft Artists Association, “Zing”Reception and Awards Ceremony
April 26, 7pm, Stanza Books (Beacon), MaryNewell, Heller Levinson
April 27-August 3, TheMetropolitan Museum of Art, Sargent &Paris
May 3, 3pm, Cedarmere PoetrySeries, Martha Rhodes; register to attend or read at open mic here
May 4, 4pm, Katonah Library,Mark Wunderlich
Louise Glück (1943-2023)May 7, 6pm, LouiseGlück: Vermont’s Nobel Laureate; Professor Elizabeth A.I. Powell discussesthe poet; register here
May 9 +16, 8pm; May 10+17, 2pm+8pm;May 11+18, 3pm; Westchester CollaborativeTheater, Plays in a Box, one-act plays including Sarah BraceyWhite’s “Sisters in Conflict”
May 10, 12noon, DesmondFish Library, Mary Newell, Heller Levinson, Alison Granucci
Trombonist, Arranger, andComposer Melba Liston
(1926-1999)Through June 13, The New York Public Library for thePerforming Arts, The Women Who Shaped Jazz exhibition
June 28, 10am, Hike Around andWrite with Christina M. Rau and WaltWhitman Birthplace Association at Jayne’s Hill; register here
Monthly Workshops andReadings
Use this link and scroll to listings
Cace e Pepe
This traditional Roman dish comesto us via our favorite chef Linda Simone, and it is based on a recipe by Pia Bresciani.
½ tablespoon whole blackpeppercorns
2 ½ cups pecorino romano finelygrated
Half of a one-pound package of spaghetti
salt for pasta water
Bring water to boil and make sureit doesn't fill pot—it should be less than normal amount you use to boil pasta.Lightly salt water when it comes to a boil. Meantime, finely grate pecorino. Usinga mini-blender, grind peppercorns to a fine consistency. Set 1.5 teaspoonpepper aside—this is the pepper you will use. Add spaghetti to boiling waterand cook for half of the time indicated on box.
While the pasta cooks, heat astainless-steel pan over medium heat. Add the 1.5 teaspoon pepper and toast it,max one minute. Add a ladle of pasta water. Add pasta to pan (it will finishcooking in pan—this is called risottare). Over medium heat, let pastafinish cooking. Move it around with tongs, and by shaking pan. Add pasta wateras needed. You want some starchy liquid left in pan to form the cream.
While pasta is cooking in pan,add a small amount of pasta water to grated pecorino. With a fork, mix pastawater in until it forms a paste. Set aside. When pasta is al dente,remove from heat. Wait 30 seconds, add pecorino mixture to pan, and stirquickly with tongs. A beautiful creamy consistency should form. Plate, andspoon the creamy sauce on top. Add more fresh pepper if desired.
ʼ Round theNet
Artist McArthur Binion on becomingan artist in thisvideo, “How Can I Paint Without a Brush?”
Albert BouchardBlue Oyster Cult Drummer AlbertBouchard on inspiringthe SNL “More Cowbell” skit
Guitarist and songwriter MichaelCefola for thisvisually beautiful and catchy video from a British Indie band hailing fromthe Isle of Wight
Suzanne ClearyPoet Regi Claire on havingpoems in
Rialto102
and forthcoming in Orte (Switzerland)
Poet Suzanne Cleary featuredin ThePeekskill Herald for winning the 2024 Laura Boss NarrativePoetry Award
Translators Chen Du and XishengChen on winning the Toad PressInternational Chapbook Series with Yan An’s Middle-Aged Man'sSelf-Portrait, appearing this summer; and on more Yan An translations in Flyway:Journal of Writing & Environment
Art historian Beth Gersh-Nesicon being selected juror of the Loft Artists Association “Zing!” art exhibit, and sharing this photo (at left) of the renovated Notre Dame she recently visited
Poetand artist Bob Heman on his interview in NeonPajamas and upcoming book, What Needs to Be Found (Madhat Press)
Poet Cindy Hochman onhaving a haiku in Senseand Sensibility, having workin Julebord, and featuring in the Red-HeadedStepchild reading
J. Chester Johnson onthe Times Square
Jumbotron
Poet and essayist J. ChesterJohnson on his newly redesigned website; havinghis poem, “Winter,”appear in the Carnegie Hill Village blog; and his book appearing on the TimesSquare jumbotron
Artist Titus Kaphar on thispoignant recollection on his journey as a painter as it relates toforgiving his father
Photo by Joe VerickerPoet Rudyard Kipling(1865-1936) for his poem, “Boots,”which serves as a creepy soundtrack in the movie trailer for 28Years Later (Sony Pictures)
Writer and artist Austin Kleonfor thisvideo interview with art coach Beth Pickens
Poet Heller Levinson on theSpanish translation of his work in Cable Street, on more work in Big Other, and having Query Caboodle 2 reviewed in SulfurSalon
Alison McBainNovelist and poet Alison McBain onwinning third place in the AnvilPress International Three-Day Novel Contest
Poet Mary McCray for thesephotos of the tiny desk of Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)
Yorktown Poet Laureate JohnMcMullen for thisarticle on “How Intellectuals Found God”
Poet Jean-Luc Pouliquenfor this video of HuguesAufray who both translates and sings Bob Dylan
Stuart Schear and cousins present tallis to Polish museumMemoirist Stuart Schearfor hismoving essay in NY Jewish Week on bringing his great-grandfather’stallis back to Poland
Bassist Larry Schwartzmanfor thisclip of Little Milton singing “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water”
Cellist Jay Shulman on his recent performance with violinist Kathryn Aldous at the Claverack Library (at right)
Poet and artist Linda Simoneon her poem, “Bright as aPlanet at 73,” and original watercolor in Certain Age Magazine; andnewly exhibited work at Waring Market Gallery
Photographer Janet Sternburgon following her creative instincts in thisamazing article
Evie Riski, 100-year-olddiarist
The Washington Post for thisarticle on a100-year-old woman who has written in her journal for 90 years
Poet Estha Weiner for herpoem, “Thediscarded Christmas trees” in Plume, and on reading in Poets House29th Annual Exhibition Opening
Poet and memoirist SarahBracey White on her Fine ArtConnoisseur interview about the Winslow Homer (1826-1910) painting,“The Cotton Pickers” (1876); her WritersRead piece, “My Sister Sandra is a 10”;and participating onthis book panel
The blog Writers Bewarefor listing scam literaryagencies and vanity presses
Faulkner in Hollywood
The Carl Rollyson talk sent me googlingmore on Faulkner the scriptwriter, and I found this article, “WilliamFaulkner’s Hollywood Odyssey,” by John Meroney, which featured this anecdote:
Faulkner sometimes hunted with [thedirector Howard] Hawks, and on one dove hunting trip recounted by the director,Hawks invited along Clark Gable, already a star. Faulkner and Hawks begandiscussing literature and eventually Gable asked, “Mr. Faulkner, what do youthink somebody should read if he wants to read the best modern books? Who wouldyou say are the best living writers?” Faulkner replied, “Thomas Mann, WillaCather, John Dos Passos, Ernest Hemingway, and myself.” Gable asked, “Oh, doyou write, Mr. Faulkner?” Faulkner replied, “Yeah. What do you do, Mr. Gable?”
Until next time,
Ann
