What do you think? Nancy Simpson on punctuation in poetry

I learned to write poetry from Nancy Simpson, wonderful poet and teacher, who lived here in the town where I live. She taught writing at Tri-County Community College in Murphy, NC and because of her we have more poets than prose writers in our area.

I am going to re-blog a post about Nancy that was published years ago on www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com . I think we can still learn from Nancy although she is no longer with us. Her words, her poetry can help us all who want to be poets.

https://netwestwriters.blogspot.com/2013/12/poets-what-do-you-think.html

Nancy Simpson, poet

Read more on what Nancy taught us at the link below.
https://netwestwriters.blogspot.com/2011/12/writing-free-verse-some-questions-and.html

Coffee with the Poets made a big splash this month

Wednesday was Coffee with the Poets day in Hayesville, NC at Cafe Touche.
Mary Mike Keller, one of the Writers Circle faculty, along with a long time friend, Glenda Barrett, each read their original work for a packed house.

This event is sponsored by Netwest and has been running since 2007. Over the years we enjoyed local poets and writers as well as guests who traveled many miles to read here.

I am excited that two of my students, Nadine Justice and Barb Gabriel read at open mic and their work was evidently appreciated by the warm applause each received.

We gave a door prize yesterday - a copy of The Best of Poetry Hickory, an anthology of poets who read in 2011 at  Poetry Hickory held at Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse in Hickory, NC. This event is led by Scott Owens, poet and NCWN rep for that area.
I am happy that the winner of the book was none other than Nancy Simpson, my mentor and teacher of poetry.

I am posting a few photos from yesterday.



Glenda Barrett, poet, When the Sap Rises, chapbook from Finishing Line Press



Mary Mike Keller reads an essay on spooky stories



Robert S. King, FutureCycle Press, and newcomer, Dot James.





Nancy Simpson visits with Netwest members Joan Howard and Carolyn Johnson

Blue Ridge Bookfest

We will be participating in the Blue Ridge Bookfest this year. Click to see last year's news and come back soon to see the 2011 update.
Ron Rash will be a presenter at this event for authors. Don't miss it.
Blue Ridge Bookfest at Flatrock Community College in Henderson County, NC. Dates: May 21 and 22, 2011.

Nancy Simpson whose latest book is Living Above the Frost Line, will teach a poetry workshop on Friday afternoon.
A group of writers whose work is published in Echoes Across the Blue Ridge will participate in a panel discussion at the Bookfest on Saturday. Among those participating will be Rosemary Royston, poet and Program Coordinator for Netwest, Karen Holmes, published poet and editor of the Netwest News, Nancy Simpson, poet and teacher. Also on the panel will be Nancy Purcell, well-published writer and teacher and Netwest Rep for Transylvania County, NC, Lana Hendershott, Netwest Rep for Henderson County, NC who writes and publishes short stories, and JC Walkup, publisher of Fresh, a literary magazine. I will moderate the panel which will share their expertise on writing and publishing. Echoes Across the Blue Ridge will be on sale at the bookfest and a number of the authors will be present to sign copies.

See the Website or contact Bill Ramsey for more information.

Blue Moon was our song

Nancy Simpson, author of Living Above the Frost Line, a collection of her poetry for the past thirty years, honored my by posting one of my poems from Now Might as Well be Then on her site today.
She also has some of the most beautiful moonscapes. Visit here

What images do you see when you think of the word, moon?

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