Sunday Sundries

Many thanks to Yolo Akili and the folks at the United 4 Safety Task Force for asking me to read last night at their fundraising event. There was an impressive group of folks gathered on the rooftop of the Oakland Park building. We had gorgeous weather in Atlanta yesterday and the sunset over downtown was an incredible backdrop for the event. I read poems from Slow To Burn and After the Poison, sharing the mic with the fantastic Lakara Foster. United 4 Safety is a new organization that aids people in the GLBT community who are victims of domestic violence. Please offer any monetary support you can to this worthy cause.

Nearly 200 people have joined the Conquering Venus fan page at Facebook. Thanks to everyone who is following the page! I'm posting photos and info there about the book in the run up to the launch of the Conquering Venus blog on Aug. 1.

I got my schedule for the Decatur Book Festival on Labor Day weekend. I'll be reading from Conquering Venus at 1:45 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Conference Center on Saturday, Sept. 5. I'll be sharing the spot with Z. Egloff, author of the novel Verge. I'll also be hosting two hours of poetry on the Java Monkey Coffee House stage on Sunday, Sept. 6, featuring fabulous poets like Ginger Murchison, Amy Pence, Katie Chaple, Cleo Creech and more. There might actually be a reading and signing for Conquering Venus before the Decatur Book Festival. I'll have details next week. Check back.

Just found out that my poem, "Jean Arthur at the Lincoln Memorial," has been nominated by Hobble Creek Review for the Sundress 2009 Best of the Net. Thanks, Justin!