The latest from Mass Poetry

Festival update, The Writers House, Common Threads,                                                   View in your browser Poem of the Moment, U35 on Jan 20, and more Mass Poetry Festival Update We are in the process of finalizing the programming for the 2015 Massachusetts Poetry Festival, May 1-3 in historic downtown Salem, and the schedule will be up soon! In the meantime, learn more about one of our featured poets, Denise Duhamel. Denise Duhamel's most recent book of poetry Blowout (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2013) was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and winner of a 2014 Paterson Poetry Prize. Her other books include Ka-Ching! (Pittsburgh, 2009), Two and Two (Pittsburgh, 2005), Queen for a Day: Selected and New Poems (Pittsburgh, 2001), The Star-Spangled Banner (winner of the Crab Orchard Award, Southern Illinois University Press, 1999) and Kinky (Orchises Press, 1997.) She is the recipient of awards including fellowships from the Guggenhiem Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. The guest editor for The Best American Poetry 2013, she is a professor at Florida International University in Miami. The Writers House at Merrimack College An installment in our Poetry Communities series Since opening its doors in September of 2013, the Writers House has become a creative community for writers, filmmakers, playwrights and poets in North Andover, Massachusetts. As a part of Merrimack College, the Writers House creates a niche space for students to write, read and create. It is the "president of the college's investment of the imagination," says Andrea Cohen, poet and director of the program. The Writers House fosters imagination and ingenuity across several mediums. In order to reach out to  as many students as possible, the Writers House offers a variety of programs and workshops. Read more. Join us for 2015's first U35! Tuesday, Jan 20, 7 p.m. The Marliave Restaurant, Boston   Featuring Alyssa Mazzarella, Matt Parker, and Victoria Thompson RSVP & share the event via Facebook Alyssa Mazzarella is an MFA candidate in poetry and a creative writing instructor at UMass Boston. In 2013, she received an Academy of American Poets Prize and a Mary Doyle Curran Creative Writing scholarship. She's previously taught at Baystate Correctional Center and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and holds a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College. Her poems have appeared in Freshwater and Common Ground Review. Matt Parker has been an avid fan of poetry since his childhood, and used it as a life saver during his tumultuous adolescence. Matt began to share his poetry and encourage others to use it as a coping tool in his career field as a youth development professional; he is still learning and teaching poetry to students in schools & community settings, co-facilitating the Boston S.O.U.P. (society of urban poetry) project, and supporting community causes everywhere. Victoria Thompson studied in the MFA poetry program at the University of New Hampshire. She currently teaches 4th and 5th grade English as a Second Language in Boston Public Schools and lives in Arlington, MA. Poem of the Moment Jennifer Markell: Montebello Road How quickly they shut it down— three men, a garbage truck, cars backed up, leaves blowing wild. A gust sends stink: pork rind, coffee grounds, ferment of rotting pumpkins. The men haul bags, heave bales, bassinette, oven door. They laugh and shrug, step up, jump down Continue reading. Common Threads has arrived! We are thrilled to release Common Threads 2015, guest edited by Alice Kociemba, contributed to by Robert Pinsky, and graced with eight stunning poems by Massachusetts poets! It includes discussion questions, writing prompts and more, and boasts a complementary media package and a host of exciting events throughout 2015. Check out yesterday's official launch announcement for all the details. This week is a good one to curl up with our updated list of favorite poems for winter nights, wouldn't you say? Happy new year and warm thoughts to you and yours!   Donate Now Statewide Poetry Calendar • Participate • Articles • New Books by Massachusetts Poets • Massachusetts Poet Database • Poetry Partners • Funder Wall of Fame • Sponsorship Opportunities • 2014 Activities Report Share Tweet Forward

Mass Poetry · 15 Channel Center Street, Suite 103 · Boston, MA 02210 · USA

Mass Poetry: Common Threads 2015 is here!

View this email in your browser Common Threads 2015 has arrived! We are excited to release the fifth edition of Common Threads, guest edited by Alice Kociemba, contributed to by Robert Pinsky, and graced with eight stunning poems by Massachusetts poets! It includes discussion questions, writing prompts and more, and boasts a complementary media package and a host of exciting events throughout 2015. Check out the Common Threads page of our website or use these quick links: FREE PDF $10 HARDCOPY MEDIA PACKAGE EVENTS (to be continuously updated throughout the year) New this year: 1) Common Threads events can take place anytime in 2015, so if you are interested in hosting a discussion or writing group, you can still do so! We just ask that you sign up so we can keep track of all the groups happening across the state. 2) Please send us photos & videos! We would love to add you to the media package--record yourself reading your favorite poem from the issue, take a snapshot of yourself with the issue, etc., and send to commonthreads@masspoetry.org or share via social media using the hashtag #CommonThreads2015. If you are hosting a Common Threads event that is open to the public, please submit your event info when ready so that we can add it to the calendar. Where might I run a Common Threads group? At a library near you! (Check out the simple search feature in the upper right-hand corner.) With seniors in your area With your church group or school At a local coffee shop or bookstore With friends! We've got poets available to partner with you if needed (you can request one during sign-up or via email), and a live webinar with Alice Kociemba on Jan 16 (limited spots available) if you'd benefit from a run-through with a Common Threads veteran. Our Suggestions for Common Threads Discussion Group Leaders might also be helpful. Questions? Contact us at commonthreads@masspoetry.org. Help us spread the word on social media with these ready-made posts! On Facebook: Common Threads 2015 is here! Bring poetry into your community today. masspoetry.org/commonthreads #Threads15 Common Threads: Diverse, accessible, contemporary poems by MA poets + discussion questions, writing prompts, & more. Explore the free PDF & ways to get involved at masspoetry.org/commonthreads #Threads15 Not sure you like poetry? Step out of your comfort zone this year by checking out Common Threads, an outreach program connecting people and communities with poetry. Get the free PDF & find events near you at masspoetry.org/commonthreads #Threads15 On Twitter: Common Threads 2015 is here! Explore the free PDF at masspoetry.org/commonthreads #Threads15 @masspoetry Diverse, accessible poems by MA poets + discussion questions, writing prompts & more masspoetry.org/commonthreads #Threads15 @masspoetry Not sure you like poetry? See if you connect with one of these 8 poems by MA poets. masspoetry.org/commonthreads #Threads15 @masspoetry Lead or attend a poetry group this year with Common Threads! masspoetry.org/commonthreads #Threads15 @masspoetry Share Tweet Forward Facebook Twitter MassPoetry.org Copyright © 2015 Mass Poetry, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up on our website. Our mailing address is: Mass Poetry 15 Channel Center Street, Suite 103 Boston, MA 02210 Add us to your address book

MassPoetry: Check out our new website!

Our new website, ways to get involved, Poetry on the T, and more View this email in your browser Check out our new website!   We are thrilled to unveil a brand new masspoetry.org. Get to know our team, our programs, our partners, upcoming events across the state, and more. Here are some of our favorite features and pages: • Statewide Poetry Calendar Our new statewide poetry calendar is on its way to being rife with readings across the state. Create a profile by clicking "sign up," then add events to your personalized calendar and get email reminders of what you want to attend. (If you regularly host poetry events in MA and want to be authorized to add events to the calendar, please contact us.) • Massachusetts Poet Database In response to several inquiries regarding a database of poets in the state who are available for readings or consideration for various honors, we are creating a database of Massachusetts poets. Please, go forth and create your entry! • Forthcoming: New Books by Massachusetts Poets In an effort to promote Massachusetts poets with new books year-round (rather than just at our popular festival reading each year) we will be devoting a page of our website to new books by Massachusetts poets. Please email the image of your new book cover, the link to where it can be purchased, and the publisher info to newbooks@masspoetry.org. • Participation Page There are countless ways to get involved with Mass Poetry. Check out our Participate page to learn about a handful of them.   And while you're online, be sure to check out: September Poetry on the T, sponsored by UMass Boston's MFA in Creative Writing Program Our autumn Professional Development offerings with Ben Berman, Regie Gibson, and Cole Rodriguez. If you work with high school students, you won't want to miss these! October 11, November 8, and December 6.  Our U35 Reading Series page, complete with upcoming readings and videos of past readings. Media galleries of past Mass Poetry Festivals in all their glory, as you get inspired to submit your proposal for the Mass Poetry Festival 2015! (Submission period Sept 15-Oct 30) Our current and archived Poems of the Moment! A look back at Common Threads throughout the years, as we approach the program's fifth anniversary!  Our articles and series, like this summer's series on Poets Who Write Prose, or a throwback series like The State of Poetry. If you are part of a group or organization interested in becoming a Poetry Partner, please email gabrielle@masspoetry.org. Share Tweet Forward Facebook Twitter MassPoetry.org

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