Fall 2007
Home Poet pages Museletter Events Conferences Calendar Publications Links Markets Contests Laureate About Us Suggestions Join Next	Printable .pdf of current issue Museletter Archives President's Message       Greetings, fellow poets!       It’s the middle of August as I write this, a bit past my deadline for the Museletter. And that’s as good an introduction as any to my topic: What’s this callow newcomer doing in the WFOP presidency?       The short answer is: He’s learning.       For a longer answer, our vice president, Michael Belongie, suggested that I tell you something about myself. I’m 51 years old, married for 31 of those years, the father of four daughters. My wife, Jennifer, and I are both originally from central Illinois, she the daughter of a tenant farmer, me the son of a factory worker. Although I did well in high school, college was almost unimaginable in my family, so I married at 20 and spent the next eight years working in the same factory as my father. A massive layoff finally brought my time there to an end.       Fortunately, by then I was also a National Guard medic—having gained a Practical Nursing license in the process—and military benefits made college conceivable, even for a fellow with two children and a third on the way. I enrolled at age 30. My wife home-schooled our daughters and babysat handicapped children to help make ends meet, while I drove a school bus and carried a full-time student’s schedule, tackling mainly chemistry and calculus classes in preparation for a Physician’s Assistant program in the Army.       Given our “scholar’s poverty,” it was critical to rack up credits as quickly as possible, so I accepted an offer from the English department to enroll in a 200-level course, write an extra paper a week, and retroactively earn credit for English 101. That 200-level course—British Romantic Period Literature—changed my life. The earnest passion of Keats, Mary and Percy Shelly, Byron, Wordsworth, and even Coleridge spoke to something very deep in me. I immediately dropped my pre-med major, switched to English, and vowed to somehow make a living of writing.       There followed a series of publishing jobs, first part-time while I finished my degree, and then a full-time stint at a historical and science-fiction game publishing company. That led to an offer to work in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, for TSR, which was then the publishers of Dungeons & Dragons. Eventually a connection there pointed me toward an educational publishing house in Burlington, where I work to this day, sometimes as a writer, sometimes as an editor, and more and more frequently of late as a Web technologist.      That explains the day jobs. But always in the background, I heard Keats, Shelly, and Byron reciting, later joined by Yeats, and then Sandburg, and eventually Philip Larkin. I started writing bits of my own verse and asking novelist friends (whom I had met at TSR) for feedback. They were encouraging, but they weren’t poets, didn’t think of words the same way, and couldn’t give the sort of critique needed. To complicate matters further, the politics of the time were impelling me to a poetic frenzy; I knew the Romantics had viewed poetry as a political force (Shelley: “Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world”), but I had no idea how to make a connection between poetry and the public in our modern world.       Then, in the summer of 2004, I found the WFOP. Searching for valid poetry contests, I stumbled across the Triad and submitted some pieces to it, joining the organization at the same time. That fall, I won a couple of awards and drove up to Ashland to attend the conference. Arriving in time for Friday night’s open-mike session, I found myself overwhelmed with a sudden sense of community. Here was an entire room full of poets—of people who believed in the loveliness and the power of words! The rest of the convention only confirmed that conviction.      I’ve been fortunate enough to attend every convention since that one. The WFOP has been a gateway into a whole new world of experience. It has fostered my growth as a poet, introduced wonderful new friends, exposed me to great ideas, and provided many opportunities to share my own work.      So last fall, when the board asked me to consider running for president, I hesitated only slightly. On the one hand, I haven’t been with the organization all that long; there’s a lot I have to learn. On the other, I believe in the organization utterly and am committed to help make sure it continues to foster poetry in general, and Wisconsin poets in particular.      Our previous president made this job look easy, just as our current board members continue to make their own jobs look easy. That is, of course, the mark of an expert. I’m no expert, so I hope you’ll forgive the occasional blank gaze, forgotten name, delayed e-mail reply, or other such misstep while I catch up. Sincerely, Lester Smith

What's Happening in Your Region?
Central-Fox Valley Region

      An article about Judy Roy appeared in the Peninsula Pulse along with several of her poems. Other poems were printed in Free Verse. She has three poems and two quilts in a joint exhibit which is currently on display at the Sister Bay library.
      “Almond Joy”, Kathryn Gahl’s short story, will appear in Pindeldyboz this fall. Watch for it on-line in late August or early September. pindeldyboz.com publishes “stories that defy classification.” “Rummage” appears in the 2008 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. Lastly, her recent reading at Stumpjack Coffee Company in Two Rivers came off in good company.
      Cathryn Cofell has had work accepted or published by the Aurorean, Arbor Vitae, Free Verse, New York Quarterly, Origami Condom, the WFOP Museletter, the 2008 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar, and a forthcoming anthology from Wising Up Press. In collaboration with Karla Huston, a poem also appears in Saints of Hysteria, an anthology of Collaborative Poetry just released by Soft Skull Press. Cathryn performed at a CD release party at Harmony Café and assisted with a poetry slam workshop for Einstein Middle School, plus readings at Harmony Café and Conkey’s Bookstore in Appleton, the Montello Public Library and the McMillan Coffee House in Wisconsin Rapids.
      Ellen Kort has been awarded the 2007 Robert E. Gard Wisconsin Idea Foundation Award for Excellence. The Foundation is a collaborating partner of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. The award in honor of Robert E. Gard (1910-1992) was presented to Ellen at the Rhinelander School of the Arts in July of 2007.
      June Nirschl, Estella Lauter and Ralph Murre took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the Peninsula Pulse Writers Expose Contest. Ellen Kort served as a judge. Poems were published in the August 5th issue of the Pulse.
      Ia Bolz was a participant in the June 2007 videotaping of Fox Cities poets with Time-Warner Cable’s Wisconsin Channel 1111 (Cable On Demand) at Harmony Café in Appleton. Ia as well as other Fox Cities poets can be seen reading their poetry on the cable on-demand channel. Just click on Arts & Entertainment—Poetry.

East Region

Cary Fellman, East Regional VP
303 E. Clay Street #301
Milwaukee, WI 53217
cary4612@sbcglobal.net

      It’s time again for the 4th annual Food for the Heart & the Hungry Poetry Reading sponsored by the Wasteland Poets on Saturday, September 29. The open mic reading begins at 6:30 p.m. at Martha Merrell’s Books & Café, 231 W. Main Street, Waukesha. Poets and audience are asked to bring a nonperishable food donation for the Waukesha County Food Pantry. Last year’s event had 27 poets read, and raised over $400 and filled three barrels with food for the pantry. To sign up early, email Anjie Greene-Martin at poetanj@gmail.com , or call Liz Hammond Rhodebeck at (262) 695-2761.
      Charles P. Ries’ poetry reviews and interviews have or will appear in: Poesia, Philadelphia Poets, Poets West, Free Verse, Barking Dogs, Barbaric Yawp, Bathtub Gin, Sein Und Werden, Poesy, PRESA, Small Press Review, Wilderness House, St. Vitus Press, Penhimalaya, Barking Dogs, Mad Hatters Review, Espresso, Pass Port Journal, Hiram Review, Butcher Shop Press, Axe Factory and Cynic Review. His articles on writing have or will appear in: Small Press Review, Working Writers, Free Verse, Remark, Creativity Connection, Zygote In My Coffee, Quirk and LauraHird.com. His poetry has or will appear in: Poor Mojo’s Almanac, Free Verse, Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar, Phoenix, Kudzu, Harim Review, Temenos, Quirk, Presa, and Cool Plums. His short fiction will appear in: Mannequin Envy’s Print Anthology and Cezanne’s Carrot. He won 3rd Place in The Blind Press Bi-Annual Poetry Contest, honorable mention in the WFOP Muse Prize for Excellence in Poetry, his poem “Perfect Saint” was selected as a Guerillas Poets Project broadside, Cinnamon Press selected his poem “I Love” for its forthcoming anthology Only Connect, he will be a presenter at the 2008 Association of Writing Programs annual conference in New York, four of his poems were selected to appear in the print anthology, Guerilla Poets Project Reader, and his poems “A Very Silent Man” and “Stars Suspended from Branches” were selected for the Capital Book Fest Book Project coffee table anthology.
      Marilyn Taylor won an “International Publication Prize” from the Atlanta Review. Twenty such prizes are awarded each year in this competition, which, according to the Review, receives “thousands of entries” from around the world. Marilyn’s poem is entitled “The Seven Very Liberal Arts.” It will be published in the October issue of the Atlanta Review.

Mid-Central Region

Joan Johannes, Mid-Central Regional VP
800 Ver Bunker Avenue
Port Edwards, WI 54469
joanjeff@wctc.net

      Poets from this region in the 2008 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar are: Linda Aschbrenner, Barb Cranford, Bruce Dethlefsen, Lincoln Hartford, Jeffrey Johannes, Joan Wiese Johannes, Joy Kirsch, Michael Kriesel, and Kris Rued- Clark.
      Barbara Cranford conducted a poetry workshop in Hancock in July.
      Joan Wiese Johannes conducted a writing workshop in Willard in July.
      Bruce Dethlefsen read at the Coffee Cabin in Wautoma on July 5th.
      Michael Kriesel read at Avol’s Bookstore in Madison on July 5th.
      Jim Pollock read from his new book, A Whole Different Animal, at Final Friday in Marshfield in June and July.
      Joan Wiese Johannes was a Free Verse poetry contest winner recognized in Issue #91.
      Bruce Dethlefsen and Michael Krieselhad work in Free Verse #91.
      The Final Friday Open Mike is held at 7 p.m. the last Friday of the month, January through October, at Thimbleberry Used and Unusual Books, 166 S. Central Avenue, Marshfield. All poets are invited to attend and read.
      Readings are held the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Coffee Cabin, W7829 State Highway 73/21 at Village East Plaza, Wautoma.

Northeast Region

      Michael Kriesel has poems in the latest issues of North American Review, Poet Lore, Pearl, Free Verse, Barbaric Yawp and Nerve Cowboy. He’s also been chosen to judge the 2007 Writers Of Wausau Poetry Contest.

Northwest Region

Jan Chronister, Northwest Regional VP
3931 S. County Road O
Maple, WI 54854
janchronister@yahoo.com

      Jan Chronister will lead a poetry writing workshop on Thursday evenings at WITC—Superior September 27th—October 18th. “The Power of Poetry” will focus on craft, revision, and strengthening reader connections. The workshop runs from 6:30-9 pm. There is a fee and registration must be done through the WITC website, witc.edu. For more information, e-mail Jan at janchronister@yahoo.com.
      Second Sunday Poets will host an October reading featuring Rob Ganson at 2 pm October 14th at the Drummond Public Library. Ganson has recently published his chapbook, Float Like a Butterfly, Sing Like a Tree. An open reading will precede the featured reader. Refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by Second Sunday Poets, WFOP, CHARAC, and the Drummond Public Library.
      On November 11th the poets selected to have their work illustrated in the Verbal/ Visual competition sponsored by CHARAC will read their poems. The artwork will also be on display. This event will take place at the Park Theatre in Hayward at 1:30 p.m. The Park Theatre has been purchased by CHARAC (Cable Hayward Arts Council) as a venue for the arts. This event is sponsored by Second Sunday Poets, WFOP, and CHARAC.

submitted by Jan Chronister, Northwest Regional VP

       Diana Randolph, Drummond, had a poem published in Driving Bits, the Northwoods Harness Club Newsletter. In July she had a great time at the School of Arts at Rhinelander teaching an class titled “Exploring Mandalas through Drawing and Writing”; and taking a poetry writing class taught by Mary Sue Koeppel. She enjoyed reuniting with some old friends from WFOP in the poetry class.

South Region

Frank Konieska, South Regional VP
3633 Honey Creek Rd.
Burlington, WI 53105
konieska@tds.net

South-Central Region

James Roberts, South-Central Regional VP
324 Kedzie Street #30
Madison, WI 53704
jrob52162@aol.com

      The summer heat has not stopped some of our South-Central members from plying their craft. However, I’ve experienced some health issues that has curtailed my attendance at these events and I hope that all members will continue to send me news of their upcoming readings, publications, etc.
      Susan Elbe is pleased to announce that her collection of poems, Eden in the Rearview Mirror (Word Press), is now available for purchase online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. Check her web site, susanelbe.com, for more information. She has two poems in the Summer 2007 issue of After Hours: A Journal of Chicago Writing and Art and one of her poems will be reprinted on free postcards in Shoshauna Shy’s Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf project No Direct Route Home (Woodrow Hall Editions).
      Peg Sherry took second place in the Bo Carter Memorial Poetry Contest this year.
      Shoshauna Shy, author of What the Postcard Didn’t Say, and John Lehman, author of Shorts, read at Avol’s Bookstore on May 6th.
      Robin Chapman, author of The Dreamer Who Counted the Dead, and Richard Roe, author of Knots of Sweet Longing, read at Avol’s Bookstore on May 8th.
      The Popcorn Press authors Shelly L. Hall, Patrick T. Randolph, and Lester Smith read at Avol’s Bookstore in Madison on May 13th.
      Richard Swanson and Charles P. Ries, featuring The Spoken Word/Drum & Bass Tour of Oren Wagner, with Skot Diablo of Diablo Syndrome gave a combined reading/performance at Avol’s Bookstore on June 2nd.
      Gay Davidson-Zielske was among the poets who read at A Room of One’s Own on Sunday, June 3rd.
      Russell Gardner and Robin Chapman, co-founders of the Epidemic Peace Imagery (EPI) read poems with slide pictures as part of the celebration of the 4th anniversary of Epidemic Peace Imagery (EPI) and the opening of Russell Gardner’s mixed media eleven “Hilgendorf series” at the Escape Gallery and Coffee Shop, 916 Williamson Street, Madison on June 4th.
      Kimberly A. Blanchette and Adam Gregory Pergament were the featured readers at the Second Sunday Open Mike sponsored by the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets at the Madison West Barnes & Noble on June 10th.
      Jean Tomasko, Yvonne Yahnke and Josey Zell participated in an evening of poetry celebrating nature and the Summer Solstice at the Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin on June 19th. WFOP Vice-President Michael Belongiehosted the event.
      Angela Rydell conducted a Poetry Workshop “Striking Sparks: Inviting Surprise into Your Poem” as part of UW Extension’s Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop and Retreat, Madison, WI June 18-22, 2007.
      I was out in Colorado for a week in July and may have missed some event announcements. If anyone wants me to list them in the next issue, please send me your information and I’ll add it to the column.
      Richard Roe has announced he will no longer be co-ordinating the Second Sunday Poetry Open Mike Series at Madison’s West Side Barnes & Noble. Shoshauna Shy will host the August 12th event and Jeannie Bergmann will host the September 9th event. Anyone interested in continuing this series can contact me for more information.
      Finally, I’ll be doing “A Ghostly Evening with James P. Roberts” at the Stringfish Lounge in Madison on Saturday, October 20th. See you at the Fall Conference.

submitted by James P. Roberts, South-Central Regional VP

      Shoshauna Shy was on Radio Literature (WORT 89.7) on May 17th and June 21st, and participated in a reading at Olbrich Gardens on July 8th. Her poems have been published in Sunstone and Quill & Parchment.
      Jeannie Bergmann won an “International Publication Prize” from the Atlanta Review. Twenty such prizes are awarded each year in this competition, which, according to the Review, receives “thousands of entries” from around the world. Jeannie’s poem,“Death Wish,” will be published in the October issue of the Atlanta Review.
      Judith Zukerman’s poem, “Cheshvan” will be in the fall issue of The Deronda Review. This journal was previously titled Neovictorian Cochlea.
      New member, Adam Gregory Pergament’s Madison based group, Venice Gas House Trolley combines music and poetry. In an effort to open space for poetry where it might not have been welcome previously, they regularly play music venues around the Midwest. This August they will appear at the international Minnesota Fringe Festival and have a new CD to be released in September. Folks can find out more about them by checking out: flowpoetry.com and myspace.com/flowpoetry.
      Linda Newman Woito returned to her native Iowa in March of this year—but is already missing all those great Wisconsin writers! Linda’s poetry has appeared in Main Street Rag, Free Verse, the 2008 Wisconsin Poet’s Calendar, and The Rockford Review, and she is trying to pull together a chapbook. Two satirical Nursery-Rhyme poems appeared online in “Saturday at the Diner,” a group organized by Clark Street Review editor Ray Foreman. In January, Linda read at WFOP’s Winter Festival of Poetry 2007 in Madison where—thanks to James Roberts—small chapbooks were available ($1) for each Sunday’s reading. In February, Linda read “Love on the Autobahn” at The Fabulous Crone Show: Lives and Loves of Elder Women, in Madison. Linda wants you to know she’ll be keeping in touch with you as a WFOP member (with strong ties to Wisconsin) ... since the only reason she started writing poetry in the first place— was Wisconsin!
      Lou Roach has a book coming out in September entitled For Now. She had five poems accepted by Free Verse and also earned second place in the most recent Free Verse haiku competition. Earlier this summer Lou had a poem accepted by Fox Cry Review.

West Central Region

Sandra Lindow, West-Central Regional VP
320 W. Tyler Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
lindowleaf@yahoo.com

      Summer creativity sizzles in the Chippewa Valley. The Writers’ Group at the Library is in its nineteenth year. Yvette Flaten and Gail Sosinsky-Wickman just returned reenergized from the Rhinelander Writer’s Conference. Soon Gail will be moving to the East Coast where she will be teaching college writing. Steve Betchkal, Yvette Flaten, Peg Lauber, Eva Mewes, Dina St. Louis, and Sue Thibado all had poems published in the 2008 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. Bruce Taylor’s story “Hiccup Tricks” appears in Bar Stories, edited by Nan Byrne. It can be purchased at Amazon.com.
      August 4th, Sandra Lindow was part of a speculative poetry reading at Diversicon Science Fiction Convention. Her poem, “The Shine” has been accepted by Dragons, Knights and Angels magazine. “Gothic Milk Toast,” will appear in the March 2008 issue of Star*line. “A Crisis of Forest,” has been accepted by Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine and “Doorways,” will appear next year in The Magazine of Speculative Poetry.

submitted by Sandra Lindow, West-Central Regional VP

       Jane-Marie Bahr, Menomonie, has two poems, “Abandoned” and “Mating”, forthcoming in Free Verse.
      Patrick T. Randolph and his wife, Gamze, would like to greet the WFOP with blissfully, beaming grins and kind salutations. In June, Patrick had a poetry reading at the University Bookstore in the Hilldale Mall in Madison. It was a success with 30 people attending. In July, Patrick received the “best podium poem award” at The Rockford Review Gala. Since the last Museletter, his poetry has been published or accepted for publication in Bellowing Ark, The Flask Review, The Cherry Blossom Review, Storyteller, Quill & Parchment, and the Goose River Press 2007 Anthology. His work will also appear in Ceremony Celebrated, a new anthology due out in the summer of 2007. In October, Patrick will have a poetry reading on the Beloit College campus, and his work will be featured in Quill & Parchment. Also be aware that he is sponsoring a poetry contest for Free Verse. The theme is on “The Hungry and The Homeless.” Please feel free to submit your work.
      Poet/artist Candace Hennekens and her two grown daughters, Anne Hennekens and Jenn Louviere, will again be opening their art gallery in the hayloft of their old barn at Swooping Swallows farm for the Falling Leaves Studio Art Tour. Candace will be demonstrating in her studio which used to be the farm's milk house. More information on the Falling Leaves Art Studio Tour scheduled for October 6th and 7th through Fall Creek, Augusta, Fairchild, and Humbird is available at fallingleavesarttour.com, including a map of the fourteen sites on the tour.

FINANCES First Quarter Financial Report** April 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007 General Account:  submitted by Nancy Rafal, treasurer Balance April 1, 2007                  $51,109.93 Income: Dues $1,775.00   Merchandise Sales $60.00   5 for 4 CD Interest $64.13   Barnes & Noble contributions $17.89   Member contributions—Poet Laureate Fund $40.00   Total Income $1,957.02 Expenses: Museletter $1,120.86   Outgoing President Gift $78.07   Student Contest Expenses $388.63   Student Contest Prizes $200.00   N. Rafal—postage $145.00   Other postage $11.31   Member contributions—Poet Laureate Fund $40.00   Total Expenses $1,983.87 Outstanding checks ($25.00) General Account Balance on June 30, 2007   $51,083.08* *$25,000 of this is invested in three interest-bearing CDs: one $5,000 CD (22 months) for the General Account to help bridge the gap created by “5 for 4,” and two $10,000 CDs (13 months) the interest of which goes to the Literary Fund for our contest prizes. Literary Fund Account:  submitted by Susan Kileen, Literary Fund Co-Chair Balance April 1, 2007                        $911.71 Income: Donations (Spring Conference) $70.00   Total Income $70.00  Expenses: Muse Judge $300.00   Muse Cash Awards $375.00   Muse Trophy $213.38   Triad Flyers $11.25   Total Expenses $899.63 Closing Statement Balance on June 30, 2007           $558.58 Literary Fund Balance on June 30, 2007      $558.58 Calendar Account:  submitted by Michael Farmer, Calendar Business Manager Balance April 1, 2007            $5,455.65 Income: Calendar Sales $335.30   Total Income $335.30 Expenses: Postage $82.00   DPI—Calendar Brochures $98.42   DPI—First Payment '08 Calendars $5,000.00   Total Expenses $5,180.42 Calendar Account Balance on June 30, 2007  $610.53 General Fund $51,083.08 Literary Fund $558.58 Calendar Fund $610.53 Total $52,252.19 Fiscal year is April 1 to March 31 to coincide with our federal tax filing; the quarterly designations are now as follows: First Quarter April 1 — June 30 Second Quarter July 1 — September 30 Third Quarter October 1 — December 31 Fourth Quarter January 1 — March 31 submitted by Nancy Rafal, treasurer

Wisconsin Poets' Calendar Calendar Info Page Order Form Conference Rotation Schedule Fall 2007 November 2-3 Mid-Central VP Joan Johannes Spring 2008 April 25-26 South-Central VP James P. Roberts Fall 2008 November 7-8 Northwest VP Jan Chronister Spring 2009 April 24-25 South Fall 2009 November 6-7 East-Milwaukee Spring 2010 April 23-24 Northeast Fall 2010 November 5-6 Central-Fox Valley   Book Design & Professional Editing Services Christine Falk 952.985.5375 datadesign@frontiernet.net Museletter Advertising Rates Books for Sale in Poetry Publications section..................... $5.00 per listing (This price is not discounted to Members. Discount is built into the one free listing per book, per year) Business Card ....... $25.00 Quarter Page ........ $50.00 Half Page.............. $100.00 Prices are for camera-ready advertisements. Specialty designs or advertisement setups at a price to be determined. Contact Museletter editor if interested in purchasing advertisements. Remember! The next Museletter DEADLINE is November 2, 2007 How to reach the Museletter Editor: Christine Falk 9556 Upper 205th Street West Lakeville, MN 55044 (952) 985-5375 email: thefalks@frontiernet.net