Council for Wisconsin Writers Awards $4500 and Edenfred Artists’ Residencies
The Council for Wisconsin Writers has named winners of its awards for work published in 2007. Fourteen Wisconsin writers selected by out-of-state judges will be honored at its luncheon banquet 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Wisconsin Club, 900 W Wisconsin Ave in Milwaukee. Reservation forms may be found on its website, www.wisconsinwriters.org. The Council’s Christopher Latham Sholes Award of $500, for outstanding support and encouragement of Wisconsin writers, will go to Linda Aschbrenner of Marshfield, WI, editor and publisher of Free Verse and Marsh River Editions. Winners in each of the awards categories receive $500 and a one week residency at Edenfred, the Madison creative artists residency program dedicated to supporting new creative work, part of the Terry Family Foundation.

Paul Zimmer, Soldiers Grove, won the Posner Award for Book-Length Poetry for Crossing to Sunlight Revisited: New and Selected Poems (The University of Georgia Press). Susan Elbe of Madison received an honorable mention for her collection Eden in the Rearview Mirror (Word Press). Bruce Bennett of Aurora, N.Y., judged.

David Krump of LaCrosse won the Niedecker Award for Five Poems for work published in various journals. Debra Bruce of Chicago, Ill., judged.

The Council for Wisconsin Writers is a non-profit organization of volunteers established in 1964 to promote awareness of Wisconsin’s literary heritage. Edenfred, established in 2004, is a part of the Terry Family Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization.

POETRY READING & Open Mike
1st and 3rd Tuesdays; 7–8 pm: Always starts with a featured reader, followed by an open mic. All are welcome to read one or two short poems. Packed house most nights. FREE.

May 20 students of Ellen Kort from Appleton's Renaissance Charter School
June 3 Susan Kileen
June 17 Leota Ester
July 1 no reading
July 15 Annie Parcels
August 5 no reading
August 19 Michael Koehler
September 2 no reading
September 16 Lou Roach
October 7 Richard Swanson

Hosted by Sherry Elmer. (920) 735-6223. At Infusions, inside Conkey's Bookstore, 226 E. College Ave, Appleton.

POETRY READING
First Tuesdays, 7 pm: Foot of the Lake Poetry Collective meets every 1st Tuesday at Windhover Center for the Arts, 51 Sheboygan St., Fond du Lac, 1 Block East of Main Street (across from Public Library), 2nd floor, Studio 51, free admission.

We start at 7 pm and finish at 8:30 or so. Refreshments are available and there is no charge so spread the word. For information call the Windhover 921-5410 or Mary Wehner at 921-2932.

POETRY READING & Open Mike
First Thursdays, 7–9 pm: The Original Voice—An Advocate for the Arts—holds an open mic event each month, featuring a guest artist. The artist shares ideas and inspirations, and then presents selections from their personal collections. This is a wonderful opportunity for many artists to introduce new books, chapbooks, or CDs they’ve published. Following the feature guest, the microphone is offered to anyone wishing to participate in the open mic event. Participants are encouraged to share short presentations of their work. We encourage seasoned and unseasoned voices.

Mark your calendars for The Original Voice Open Mic Night at the Coffee Cabin in Wautoma on the first Thursday of each month from 7–9 pm. The Coffee Cabin is located at Village East Plaza (W7829 State Highway 21/73) between Anchor Bank and First Choice Realty. For more information contact Julie Eger at (920) 787-7663 or Carol Fischbach at (920) 787-7704.

POETRY READING & Open Mike
Last Thursdays, 6:30 pm: Poetry Night at Neville Public Museum of Brown County. Sign-up at 6 pm. Arrive early to take in the exhibits. Open reading at 6:30 (one poem per person), followed by featured reader at 7 pm. This year's host for poetry night will be Sarah Rose Thomas.To purchase chapbooks by the evening's featured reader as well as those by past featured readers, you can also stop in our Gift Shop before the event.

For more information, contact: Welter_MT@co.brown.wi.us
(920) 448-4460 ext 219
Matt Welter, Curator of Education
Neville Public Museum, 210 Museum Place, Green Bay, WI 54303

You can find our new updated Poetry Night schedule to bookmark here.

Poetry Club
"Just Write" poets' corner is a poetry club started by WFOP member, Mark Falcone. It will be meeting in the Norbertine Center for Spirituality March 25th, 2008, 7–8:30 pm. Anyone interested in joining the Club should call Mark at (920) 337-4352.

Poetry Workshops
The Clearing website: www.theclearing.org

Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf
"No Direct Route Home": Poetry postcards paired with the abstract art of local artist, Sarah Spencer, are now available for free in Madison courtesy of the Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf program sponsored by Woodrow Hall Editions. The poetry was submitted by poets worldwide in answer to the phrase "No Direct Route Home" in which poems were to take the reader on a surprising detour. The work of 30-some poets was selected out of over 800 submissions. These postcards are presently available at Ma Cha Teahouse & Gallery, Milward Farrell Fine Arts Gallery, and ZuZu's Coffeehouse & Market in Madison. Look for them at Madison Central as well as the Southside, Ashman and Monroe Street branch libraries during National Poetry Month in April. Other locations will be announced in March. To find out more about Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf, visit PoetryJumpsOfftheShelf.com or email Shoshauna Shy shoshaunashy@yahoo.com.

Adult Madison Poets!
Madison Magazine in collaboration with Madison Poet Laureate, Fabu will feature one poem a month beginning with their June edition. The poem can be any genre, on any subject but 20 lines or less. Fabu will contribute a short intro to the selected poem. No pay involved but Madison Magazine, on behalf of Fabu, will contribute a monthly amount to the John Tuschen Poet Laureate Memorial Fund. In addition, Madison Magazine will feature the poet reading their work on the magazine's web page. Poems can be sent by snail mail to Madison Magazine at 7025 Raymond Rd, Madison, 53719 or the preferred way by e-mailiing Fabu at blkpoetess68@hotmail.com. We are accepting poems as of April 1st. This is part of Fabu's laureate initiative to place poems in new spaces and places. Thank you poets.

POETRY READING
June 22, Sunday, 1-4 pm: The 16th Annual WFOP Invitational Poety Marathon will take place in the Atrium of Olbrich Botannical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin. The program features 15 poets from around Wisconsin, and will be announced soon. For information call Fran Rall at (608) 273-9369 or email Wendy Vardaman, wvardaman@hotmail.com.

POETRY Open Mike
Third Tuesdays at 7 pm at University Bookstore—Hilldale, LiPS: Live Poet's Society, 702 N. Midvale Blvd., Madison, WI, 608-238-8455.

POETRY Open Mike & Readings
First Thursdays at 7 pm Poetry Open Mike. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

Monday, May 5th, 7 pm: Fiction reading by Tim Brown, author of Walking Man, published by Bronx River Press, and Paul McComas, author of Planet of the Dates, published by The Permanent Press. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

Monday, May 12th, 7 pm: The students of Cindy Carlson read their poetry & fiction. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

Sunday, June 8th, 2 pm: Book release party and reading for F.J. Bergmann's science-fiction poetry chapbook, Constellation of the Dragonfly. Ron Czerwien will also read. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

POETRY READING & Open Mike
Second Fridays at 7:30 pm. Featured readers followed by open mike. For additional information contact Annie Randall at the Village Booksmith, 526 Oak St, Baraboo. 608-355-1001; villagebooksmith@yahoo.com.

POETRY READING & Open Mike
3rd Saturdays at 7 pm: Urban Spoken Word Poetry Slam. Genna’s, Main St. on the Capitol Square. For info, e-mail David Hart at dahiii@hotmail.com.

POETRY WORKSHOPS
Non-credit Poetry Offerings from UW--Madison Division of Continuing Studies

WRITE BY THE LAKE: A Writer’s Retreat!
New! Take Beginning/Intermediate or Intermediate/Advanced Poetry!
Please join us in Madison, WI, June 16-20, 2008!
Contact: coordinator Christine DeSmet, 608-262-3447; e-mail: cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu.

The Triggering Subject, or Crafting the Poem (For New and Intermediate Poets—with Elizabeth Tornes)
The great American poet Richard Hugo writes, “A poem can be said to have two subjects, the initiating or triggering subject, which starts the poem or causes the poem to be written, and the real or generated subject... which is discovered in the poem during the process of writing.” You’ll start poems from triggering subjects in your own life experience and then shape them through revision into finished work. Beginning with the initial “triggering subject,” you’ll play with words in order to bring a new level of meaning to that experience. You’ll try your hand at different types of poems, including lyric (short, song-like poems) and narrative (poems that tell a story). Along the way you’ll explore imagery, simile and metaphor, sound, rhythm and line breaks. Using the work of American poets such as Charles Simic and Billy Collins as guideposts, you’ll write poems and revise them. By the end of the week you'll leave with a better sense of how to craft a poem, and maybe look forward to getting some of your work published.

Questions about Poetry Offerings? Contact Laurel Yourke: lyourke@dcs.wisc.edu.

POETRY TALKS/WORKSHOPS
Spring/Summer Writing Workshops with Angela Rydell
For complete details, check out her new website: http://angela.rydell.googlepages.com
Don't hesitate to contact Angela (ajrydell@wisc.edu) with any questions.

EXTREME EXERCISES AND RADICAL REVISIONS: A POETRY EXERCISE SEMINAR (taught by Angela Rydell)
Saturday, MAY 17th, 1-5 p.m. Location: Avol’s Bookstore (315 W Gorham St, a block off State St) Fee: $55
This spring, it’s all about “the wow factor.” As an alternative to a traditional workshop, discover creative exercises that provoke powerful raw material and provide inventive revision strategies. You’ll learn techniques that startle, surprise and wow both writer and reader. Come craft metaphors that leap and linger, images that dazzle, diction that sizzles, line breaks that shatter expectation, and repetition that rhapsodizes. You’ll also discover the “free lance muse” technique, guaranteed to refresh your writing process. Expand your versatility as a writer, solve creative problems, and play surrealist games that loosen the left brain, delight the right, and woo the muse. Plan to generate new material, and bring at least two poems (two copies, each, double spaced if possible) to radically revise during the afternoon, in addition to writing materials, tape (or glue stick) and a scissors.
To register, contact Angela at ajrydell@wisc.edu or 608-231-6845

RAISING THE STAKES: TAKING RISKS IN POETRY (Intermediate/Advanced)
Summer Write by the Lake Program: JUNE 16th – 20TH
Location: The Pyle Center
Fee: click below for more details about Write by the Lake:
http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing/wbtl.htm
Writing a good poem isn’t just about nailing your metaphor or tightening language so it sizzles. It’s taking chances, breaking “rules” and exposing yourself to the risk of discovery. Isn’t that where the energy lies? Crucial truths are at stake, and the bigger the truth the greater the stakes. Through discussion, analysis and exercises, come challenge your expectations. Raise the stakes. Go for those “big truths.”

POETRY/YOGA WORKSHOP
Mix body and mind together in this half-day combined workshop of Eischens Yoga and Contemplative Writing. Exercises will alternate between yoga postures and writing prompts, with time for sharing and discussion. Beginners to either or both practices are welcome; topics will be relevant to advanced students as well.

Teachers Miriam Hall (Contemplative Writing) and Ali Dwyer (Eischens Yoga) offer this as a sample workshop, in planning for longer weekend programs in the future.

DETAILS:
Workshop date/time: Saturday June 7, 12-6pm
Registration Deadline: Friday May 30 (see below) PRE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Cost: $50 (financial aid available, please ask) Capacity limited to 12, so please register early! Workshop will be at the Madison Shambhala Center, 408 S. Baldwin (next to Willy St. Coop). Mats will be available or you can bring your own. Writing materials will be available or you can bring your own. Snacks, water and tea will be provided. The workshop will be scent-free.

Teacher biographies:
Ali teaches Eischens Yoga with compassion, humor and humility. Through teacher trainings, wise teachers and students, and her own practice, Ali has come to recognize Eischens Yoga as a powerful way to create change in the body. Through Eischens Yoga, Ali has gained strength, stability and balance in her spine, ankles, knees and hips, as well as inner strength and sincerity. Ali teaches regularly at Monkey Bar Gym.

Miriam teaches contemplative arts through the Madison Shambhala Center, the Community Music School, and in various cities across the U.S. Miriam has been a student of Natalie Goldberg (author of Writing Down the Bones) and Paula Novotnak. She finds both yoga and writing to be essential interrelating practices in her life. The insights and awareness acquired through both are balanced with challenges and growth.

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To register, please e-mail the following information to herspiral@yahoo.com (Miriam Hall), and send a $25 deposit c/o Miriam Hall to the Madison Shambhala Center, 408 S. Baldwin St, Madison, WI 53703. Checks should be made out to Miriam Hall.

Date:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
I have the following accessibility needs:
I have the following food allergies:
I have the following environmental allergies:
I need financial aid for the program:

POETRY READING & Open Mike
Third Thursdays, 7 pm: On the third Thursday of each month (September through May), The Pump House Regional Arts Center in La Crosse sponsors a reading series. A featured poet receives a small honorarium. An open mic follows the featured poet's reading. The Pump House Regional Arts Center Reading Series, 119 King Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Epidemic Peace Imagery:
This traveling joint exhibition continues to grow and travel; to contribute, construct an individual work of art with the sole constraint being 12" x 16" footprint or outside dimensions of frame. Poets/writers will compose a work that can be displayed on a surface of the same size.
Russell Gardner, art: rgj999@yahoo.com
Robin Chapman, writers: chapman@Waisman.Wisc.Edu

LitMag Swap Shop in Madison!
Monroe Street Branch Library, 1705 Monroe St., Madison, 266-6390. On a lower shelf south of the magazine shelves is a space for a literary journal-magazine swap. Bring in issues that you no longer wish to keep, and help yourself to those there! No charge and no check-out for these 'zines.