Meet the Poets of Poetic Asides

Recently, I was approached by Poetic Asides regulars Jane Shlensky and Nancy Posey about the possibility of Tammy and I heading up to Hickory, North Carolina, for a special poetry event that would try to bring together many of the Poetic Asides poets who've toiled on the blog--some for years and others who are still very new.

(UPDATE: Nancy sent along a link with hotel information. Click to continue.)

Anyway: I said, "Heck yeah. We'd love to." (Or something to that effect.)

The Fall Face-to-Face in the Foothills

Jane and Nancy have since started planning a poetic gathering of friends in Hickory on September 18-19, 2015, at the Hickory Museum of the Arts.

As they put it in their flyer: "We have admired their words and befriended them virtually. Now we can meet them in the foothills of the Appalachians to celebrate poetry. Workshops, open mics, jam sessions, ekphrastic inspiration, and more."

Jane and Nancy promise to provide more information about transportation, housing, and dining (as well as optional day trips to Asheville and Blowing Rock), but they want any interested poets to save the date and start planning now. And yes, please spread the word!

If you have any direct questions, please send them to Nancy Posey or Jane Shlensky (just click their names for their e-mail addresses).

What to Expect

Nancy sent along a schedule of events (as of 8/11/15); here they are:

Friday

9:00 - Registration

9:30 - Kickoff in the auditorium

10:00-11:30 - Shelby Stephenson session

12:00-1:00 - Readings (books available)

1:30-3:00 - Scott Owens session

3:30-5:00 - Joseph Bathanti session

Break for dinner (on your own or in the company of poets)

7:00 - Open Mic at Taste Full Beans

Saturday

9:00 - Welcome Back

9:30-11:00 - Robert Lee Brewer session

11:30 - Lunch/speaker Kathryn Stripling Byer

2:00 - Art of Poetry Gallery Walk

3:30-5:00 - Michael Beadle session

Evening options may be available.