February 21, 2012  :  Posted by Michael Miller

Cushing was Poet Laureate of San Luis Obispo for 2008-10. Formerly the director of the Al’s Bar Poetry Series and host of a live poetry program on KPFK-FM in Los Angeles, Cushing has published poetry and criticism in Antioch Review, Barnwood, Denver Quarterly and dozens of other journals since 1979. Cahuenga Press has published three previous collections: You and the Night and the Music (1991, o.p.), The Length of an Afternoon (1999) and Undercurrent Blues (2005). Cushing teaches literature and creative writing at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he also hosts a weekly jazz program on KCPR-FM, the college radio station.

Gale, a poet, writer, essayist and opera librettist, received her Ph.D. in American and English Literature from Claremont Graduate University. She is on the judging committee of the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and is the managing editor of Red Hen Press. She is also the editor of the Los Angeles Review, president of the American Composers Forum–Los Angeles and past president of PEN USA, and serves on the boards of the A Room of Her Own Foundation and the Poetry Society of America. She has published five collections of poetry, most recently Mating Season (Tupelo Press), an autobiographical novel titled Lake of Fire, and a bilingual children’s book.

There will be an open reading with sign-ups starting at 7:45 p.m. To reach the reading, take the 405 Freeway to the 90 Freeway West (The 90 is a few miles south of the 10). Take the 90 to where it ends and follow the signs to "Lincoln Ave South." Turn left on Lincoln and head south past Playa Del Rey to the top of the hill. There will be a fountain. Turn left into LMU campus. Stop at the visitor kiosk. You will be directed to the first building on the right. Turn left as you enter the underground parking area and park in section P2 or P3. Take the middle set of elevators to G level (elevator room #2). As soon as you exit the elevator, take an immediate right through the silver doors and curl around behind the elevators; look for posted signage. (If you go into the Atrium, you have gone too far). Parking is free.

February 20, 2012  :  Posted by David Slavin

Since the first edition came out in March 2006, the troubadour behind "Jean Harlow," "Ave. of 10 Cent Hearts" and other roots-rock gems has been on a creative tear — releasing half a dozen albums, picking up OC Music Awards and developing a following overseas. The new Lost American Nights is more than twice the length of the original and will officially launch at the Ugly Mug in Orange on Wednesday, April 18 at 8 p.m.

For those not inclined to wait that long, the book is now available on our website here. And to learn more about Ubaldini (and to hear a sample from his excellent new country album, Last of the Honky Tonks), you can visit his website here.

February 19, 2012  :  Posted by Michael Miller

In the Lake of Your Bones
by Peggy Dobreer

Editors: Ricki Mandeville, Michael Miller

ISBN: 978-9839651-2-1

$15.00

“In the Lake of Your Bones is a poetry book that opens like a revelation. Peggy Dobreer blends memory, meditation, nature, sensuality, and takes us to the lucid territory between intuition and wisdom, desire and surrender. The language is at the same time enigmatic and transparent.  Dobreer writes: “This poem is for you. / You are the sanctuary of these words.” As readers, we have no escape; words and bones become of the same matter, we see ourselves in the inner lake of this luminous book.”  — Mariano Zaro

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peggy Dobreer came to poetry by way of dance and experimental theater. Her work appears in such journals as Malpais Review, San Pedro River Review, WordWrights Magazine and LA Yoga, and is widely anthologized. In 2005 she founded the now legendary Horse of Another Color series. Peggy lives in Los Angeles with her daughter.

I am happy to announce a change in the schedule of my weekly writing workshops.

Writing from the Well will greet the spring with two new class times. The Tuesday night class is relocating to Wednesday nights. And I am thrilled to finally offer a group on Saturday mornings.

Spring is the time for fertility and renewal. What words and dreams are nudging you, waiting to be born?

The Writing from the Well workshops are safe, intimate circles in which to discover what moves you, to clear the channel so that the work that comes through you is vibrant and true. Whether you're a new writer or a veteran, whether your medium is poetry, prose, fiction or memoir, our exercises and discussions will invite you into a new relationship with inspiration and the writing process. Come on in — the water's fine!

For more information on classes or private coaching, please contact me at deborah.edler.brown@gmail.com, www.deborahedlerbrown.com or (310) 914-9026.

February 13, 2012  :  Posted by Deborah Edler Brown

I hope this finds you all well and gearing up for the romance of next week, or the anti-romance of next week if that's more your thing.

Well, whatever your plans for V-day, you can keep the mood going a little longer by checking out one of my two (or both!) awesome readings next week, where I'm sure I'll read a love poem or two…

Here's the skinny:

Next Wednesday, February 15, I'll be featured at the Hump Readings at Gatsby Books in Long Beach. The Hump Readings also boasts one of the most impressive open mics around with talent galore getting up to share a poem or two, so it's certain to be a grand night. The magic starts at 7 p.m. at 5535 E. Spring St.

Then on Thursday, February 16, I have been invited by California State University, Northridge's Creative Writing Circle to give a reading on their campus followed by a Q&A. This event is free and open to everyone. So, if you're a valley dweller and I don't see you often enough, come out and say hello! The reading begins at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Oviatt Library (Jack and Florence Ferman Presentation Room – Ground Level) located at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

Have a great weekend and maybe I'll see you next week!

February 12, 2012  :  Posted by Eric Morago

An excerpt from Hood's essay, which can be read by clicking here:

Pyrotechnics in modern writing (as in current painting or even third-generation punk bands) can dazzle, but then (like real fireworks) die out too quickly. Hers is a much quieter voice, a voice of steady, unpretentious wisdom that brings to mind all those still-relevant expressions of my grandmother's, such as "still waters run deep." … In my new architecture book that has the Nazca Lines in it, the authors say that the purpose of the drawings (as they call them) is unknown "but celestial orientation and ritual walks" have "both been suggested." That seems to make the ultimate pairing then: congratulations to Susan Davis on her first book, one that can help us stay oriented to the correct stars as we make our pilgrimages through the decades.

February 11, 2012  :  Posted by Michael Miller

The festivities begin at 8 p.m. at Alta, located at 506 31st St., Newport Beach. Admission is free. Best of luck to all who enter!

February 8, 2012  :  Posted by Michael Miller

Ricki Mandeville's poems have appeared in Comstock Review, Spot Lit, San Pedro River Review, The Raintown Review and other journals. She has edited more than 15 volumes of poetry and is a cofounder of Moon Tide Press, as well as its consulting editor. She is the author of A Thin Strand of Lights (Moon Tide Press) and a chapbook, Beneath My Bed. A speaker for various literary events in south Orange County, she lives near the ocean in Huntington Beach, California.

Lee Rossi's new book is Wheelchair Samurai. His poems, reviews and interviews have appeared in The Sun, Poetry Northwest, Chelsea, The Beloit Poetry Journal and The Southern Poetry Review. He is a staff reviewer and interviewer for the online literary magazine Pedestal. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The LMU Extension Poetry Series takes place on select Thursday nights at 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles. Park free in P2-P3 and turn left as you enter the underground parking area. Take the middle set of elevators to G level (elevator room #2). As soon as you exit the elevator, take an immediate right through the silver doors and curl around behind the elevators. Look for posted signage. (If you go into the Atrium, you have gone too far.) There is a limited open reading (sign-ups at 7:45 for five minutes or two poems).

February 5, 2012  :  Posted by David Slavin