Two Poems Accepted

"Culled Space" and "Gardenias" have been accepted for publication in Gertrude, a publication that showcases the creative talents of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied communities. The editor wrote a very nice note, saying that he accepts less than five percent of the work he receives. I am honored that he accepted two of my poems.

http://www.gertrudepress.org/

Best of the Web

I'm delighted to announce that The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature has nominated one of my poems for Best of the Web 2007. I'm always looking for an excuse to send hubby out to buy me sushi and champagne. This will do the trick. (Note: Even though I love sushi and champagne, I'm known to eat grits and drink beer on my front porch like any good Southerner should.)


"Ghost Child", the nominated poem, can be found at The Dead Mule, or on my web site:



http://www.leafscape.org/JaynePupek/poem7.html

Check out the other fine nominations for both poetry and fiction:

http://helenl.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/dead-mule-best-of-the-web-2007-nominations/



According to the rules, each poem or story must have been first published or appeared on the web between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.

MY WEBSITE IS UP

I'm so excited to finally have my web site up!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.leafscape.org/JaynePupek/

All my thanks to Arlene Ang for her hard work, wit, and technical know how (expertise I completely lack.) I love the images we've used and hope others will enjoy visiting there.

Diane Arbus, Photographer

I have an affinity for films about the lives of writers and artists. I suppose it has to do with my curiosity about how they evolved, what inspired them, and how they managed their lives---the balancing of their art with the more mundane tasks we all have to do. This weekend, I watched Fur, a film featuring Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey, Jr. that explores the photographer, Diane Arbus, as she begins her journey as an artist. While the film does not claim to be an actual biography, it is clearly one interpretation of a fascinating and gifted woman. The ending was a little too predictable, but overall, I was so enthralled with the film that I could hardly wait to order the actual biography. Arbus's fascination with the grotesque both moves and intrigues me.

Animated Poetry

I came across these Billy Collins poems on YouTube. I love the idea of animated poems. Collins is such an accessible poet and his work is well suited to this medium. I could watch these over and over again. I think I will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbRifIzMth0&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrEPJh14mcU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuTNdHadwbk&mode=related&search=

Two Stories Up at CommonTies

Losing Sam

http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/07/20/losing-sam/

The Marks We Leave

http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/06/25/the-marks-we-leave/

Photographs as Prompts

One of my favorite exercises is to browse the web for photographs and other images that somehow move or interest me, and then use them as writing prompts. This morning, I came across a photograph of a kitchen window filled with cobalt glass and other items that intrigued me. I used the image to write a poem. Here's a link to the photograph:

http://www.logolalia.com/photoblog/2007-08-08-j1w-the_kitchen_window.html

CHARLES SIMIC

CHARLES SIMIC RECEIVES THE WALLACE STEVENS AWARD



$100,000 FOR MASTERY IN THE ART OF POETRY

given by the Academy of American Poets



http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/386

To read a 1998 interview with the poet:

http://www.cortlandreview.com/issuefour/interview4.htm