7:35 a.m. — Atlanta
Hello, everyone. We have a number of announcements, all inviting us to play in some way, and we do like to play, don’t we? I am going to divide the posting into two. The first is one I mentioned last week: The Great Poetry Giveaway. The second will be the rest of the toys.
Last April for National Poetry Month many poet bloggers had a big poetry giveaway, where about 50 or so bloggers each gave away 2 books [or more] to their readers. Some bloggers gave away subscriptions to poetry journals. The poet Kelli Agodon is the organizer again this year.
For readers who are visiting because they are on the Great Poetry Giveaway trail, welcome. Briefly, I am a writer who thoroughly enjoys keeping a blog because of the wonderful people I meet. The blog has three purposes: on Tuesday I present an exercise which, hopefully, results in a poem; on Thursday I announce whatever the community asks me to announce [like this post]; and on Fridays I give a roundup of the week’s poetry prompt sites.
The rest of my time is spent writing poetry, submitting poetry, having poetry accepted and rejected, and working towards a chapbook.
The official start of the Big Poetry Giveaway is now and will last through April 30, 2011.
Leave a comment, in this post, saying you would like to win a book and your email [so I can get in touch with you if you are one of the winners of the draw], anytime before the end of April, and at the end of the month, I will randomly choose three winners and mail them out the books. I shall put reminders in upcoming posts.
Make sure you enter your email when you leave a comment and note which book you would be interested in winning if you did win [you can leave it up to me, but if you already have one of the books you might want to let me know]. I will pick three winners on May 1st.
Two of the chapbooks are brand new and I enjoyed them so much, I want to ship them out to people who may not know of them [or who do and haven't bought a copy yet]. The third is one I gave away last year and will continue to do so until it stops printing.
First up is Joseph Harker‘s 
Greeks Bearing Gifts, ‘exploring different personas from Greek mythology, some of them interpreted in a modern context, or with modern language, or from an unconventional take on the myth’. I keep this book near at hand, both for the enjoyment I receive and for what I learn about writing poetry. This is a young [very young] man to watch.
The second book is No Bones to Carry, an award-winning collection by internationally published poet, James Penha, editor of the ezine New Verse News. This is the collection I gave away last year. I chose this book because its author is my friend and mentor. I have read almost all his poetry books [he also publishes fiction in the form of Indonesian folktales] and this is one of my favourites. His poems cannot fail to move you.
The third book is Birds Nobody Loves: A Book of Vultures & Grackles, by James Brush. I love this collection which, as its title suggest, is about grackles and vultures. I’m not sure how anyone can resist. Let me give you a line that never fails to tickle me:
I always thought they’d like death metal,
but I’ve got it on good authority
vultures prefer smooth jazz. “Good Authority”
Three writers whose poems I not only enjoyed reading, but enjoy rereading.
Remember: Leave a comment, in this post, saying you would like to win a book and giving me your email, anytime before the end of April, and at the end of the month, I will randomly choose three winners and mail them out the books — no matter where in the world you are. Last year I had a winner in Australia. I shall put reminders in upcoming posts and I shall post links to a list of other participating blogs for you to visit and sign up for their draws, as Kelli posts them.
I shall see you all shortly when I publish the second part of today’s announcements. It will be shorter. Truly.
Mr. Walker
29/03/2012 at 9:12 am
Margo, please include me in your random drawing. All three books sound intriguing. I would be happy with any of them. Thanks for doing this.
Richard – cawalkers (at) gmail.com
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 9:26 am
You must be reading this over breakfast
or waiting for the bell to ring. You are in, Richard.
sephipiderwitch
29/03/2012 at 9:23 am
Please enter me in your drawing. I think I would like any one of the three, but think my preference might be Greeks bearing Gifts.
Thank you Sephi persephone1313@gmail.com
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 9:30 am
See, already I have met someone, although I realise you must be following my blog to have seen the notice. You are in, Sephi.
Hannah Gosselin
29/03/2012 at 9:44 am
This is such a generous offer and a genius way to generate traffic and promote our fellow writers. I’d like to be included also, Margo, any of the three would be a beautiful win/win! Thank you! Smiles!
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 9:46 am
You’re in Hannah! I agree it’s a brilliant idea. All credit to Kelli Agodon.
b_y
29/03/2012 at 9:44 am
Hey, Margo. Please put me on the list. James’ book, I think. (I do intend to buy Joseph’s)
briarcat @ gmail.com
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 9:47 am
You’re in, Barb. Would that be grackle James or, no bones James?
b_y
29/03/2012 at 9:53 am
Grackle James, sorry.
cloudfactor5
29/03/2012 at 9:49 am
I would like to win a book! great2balive2004@yahoo.com
Also Thank You for your commitment to promote poetry!
Thanks Again, Randy
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 9:52 am
You are welcome, Randy, and your name is in the ring.
vivinfrance
29/03/2012 at 9:56 am
I’d love it, too, Margo – perm any one of three.
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 10:30 am
I have you, ViV.
Last year, with this blog only a few months old, I had four people in the first twenty four hours. This year I have had six in an hour. I have a feeling this is going to be a long list.
Julie Catherine
29/03/2012 at 11:00 am
Oooooh, Margo, please add me to this list! They all sound wonderful – but as my writing leans towards the classical, may I request, “Greeks Bearing Gifts”? I just couldn’t pass that one up – and thank you so much for all you do to promote poetry! ~ Julie
cvigna555@mail.com
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 11:16 am
I knew you would think this fun, Julie! I have your name down
Misky
29/03/2012 at 11:02 am
Please throw my name into that ring with Viv, Margo. Any of the three would please me no end.
~Misky
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 11:17 am
And, Misky joins ViV in the centre ring!
Joseph Harker
29/03/2012 at 11:34 am
I’ll be making my own post on this soon. Meanwhile, I’m honor-touched that that you are sending GBG out! You make my day, Ms. Roby.
I’ll throw my name in, for James Penha’s if that’s okay (I have Grackles already)… I think you still have my email somewhere?
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 12:16 pm
It seems only fair, Joseph, as you often make mine.
I think I would have put you down for Jack’s [his called by name] no matter what and, yes, I have your email
siggiofmaine
29/03/2012 at 11:35 am
To your long list: siggi1944@hotmail.com. Last year I didn’t even have an idea of all this til June ! when I started my blog. Looking forward to April’s prompts.
Peace,
Siggi in Snowy Downeast Maine
margo roby
29/03/2012 at 12:17 pm
Good to hear from you, Siggi. You’re in.
irene
29/03/2012 at 7:30 pm
Put me in the ring, Margo. *squeal*
margo roby
30/03/2012 at 7:33 am
You have joined the others Irene. Hmmm. Getting a little crowded in there
pmwanken
29/03/2012 at 8:05 pm
Hellllooooooo margooooooo!
From so many miles away, did you hear me?
You have my email…and now you have my “aye”…throw my name in the hat, too.
fun Fun FUN!
~Paula
margo roby
30/03/2012 at 7:35 am
Grin.
You turkey.
Feeling good are we?
Your name is in the hat. I have a hat and a ring…
Wait until the list comes out and we start visiting the other sites and seeing what is being offered and signing up. It’s a great month.
Come back and check out de’s entry below yours.
pmwanken
30/03/2012 at 2:11 pm
grins and giggles all around!
whimsygizmo
30/03/2012 at 2:01 am
Greeks Bearing Gifts, please, cuz Joseph’s da man.
I like to read him whenever I can.
Sometimes my head explodes, and makes a big mess
But the words are so pretty, I just can’t resist.
I’ll order it myself, if I don’t win
But free books are best, when your wallet is thin
Cuz poetry pays nada so far, except joy
So perhaps begging skills are what I should employ.
I’ll try to be happy for the lucky winner’s glee…
But I hope you pick little ol’ scrib-scrabbler me…
just plain old
de@wordplaybyde.
margo roby
30/03/2012 at 7:37 am
… and in this corner, we have delightful de! Your entry deserves two tickets in the hat!
Mary
30/03/2012 at 7:53 am
Hi Margo, put my name in…my first choice would be No Bones to Carry, though all of them sound wonderful.
margo roby
30/03/2012 at 7:57 am
I have you, Mary. I’m biased, perhaps, but No Bones to Carry is quite something.
wordsandthoughtspjs
30/03/2012 at 10:37 pm
I am in, Margo. You have my email
I would be honoured with any of those fine poets words in my home.
Pamela
margo roby
31/03/2012 at 9:13 am
I have you, Pamela
margo
Renee Emerson
05/04/2012 at 1:35 pm
please sign me up =) and i’m giving away poetry too at thisquiethour.blogspot.com
margo roby
05/04/2012 at 3:21 pm
You are signed, Renee. I shall come over to your place now!
margo roby
05/04/2012 at 3:26 pm
Hi, Renee. Blogger is acting up. I tried several times to leave a comment on your blog. If you get this, will you enter me in your Giveaway, please
katrina
06/04/2012 at 12:53 am
Margo! I’d love to read any/all of these! Thanks. I’m giving away books, too, if you want to visit:
http://www.katrinaroberts.net/blog.htm
xo
margo roby
06/04/2012 at 11:31 am
Katrina, you’re in and I shall visit you shortly.
Ronald Lewis
06/04/2012 at 1:14 am
Margo: Please sign me in for a chance of winning one of your fine books through this year’s Big Poetry Giveaway. If I’m lucky enough to win any of the books, I will promise you I’ll read and review it for my popular, monthly online newsletter, which is read by many of this state’s serious poets.
Thank you!
Ronald Lewis
vtpoet@gmail.com
Vermont Poetry Newsletter
& Poetry Event Calendar
Tara Mae Mulroy
06/04/2012 at 8:54 am
Count me in!
Tara Mae Mulroy
taramaemulroy@gmail.com
margo roby
06/04/2012 at 11:49 am
You are in, Tara Mae.
drew myron
06/04/2012 at 2:59 pm
It’s greedy, I know, but I’d like them all.
I’ve enjoyed your blog, and writing prompts, for some time. Thanks for offering the giveaway, too.
margo roby
06/04/2012 at 5:53 pm
I can’t say I blame you, Drew. As I look at them next to me, I am ready to read them all again. I am glad you enjoy my blog and prompts. Thank you for saying so.
mI
Allyson
08/04/2012 at 2:08 pm
Hi, Margo! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I’d love to be entered in your contest, too! I look forward to following your blog.
I’m going to be greedy like Drew and request to be entered for all the books.
whipplea[at]gmail[dot]com
margo roby
08/04/2012 at 4:01 pm
Hi, Allyson! You may be as greedy as you wish
I have you down for any and all.
Sarah
08/04/2012 at 9:04 pm
Hi Margo -
I’d love to participate in your giveaway. I don’t have any of those books, but Birds Nobody Loves sounds especially intriguing. My name is Sarah Sloat, and my email is sjanesloat -at- yahoo -dot- com. Thanks!
margo roby
10/04/2012 at 8:21 am
Hi, Sarah. I have you down. And, ‘Birds Nobody Loves’ is wonderful.
Joseph Smith
09/04/2012 at 5:50 pm
Hello, I’m VERY interested in the random drawing. In my youth I wrote any and everything I was thinking. Now as an adult I’m working hard to get back to that. I believe that everyday is another chance to sharpen my skills, and I think that the books that your sending to the winners of this drawing will be help in doing so. Thank you for this opportunity. And have a great National Peotry Month.
margo roby
10/04/2012 at 8:23 am
Okay, Joseph, I have your name down.
Molly
12/04/2012 at 12:35 am
Would love to be entered!
- Molly
http://www.mollysuttonkiefer.com
http://www.mapsandpoetry.blogspot.com
(molly dot sutton dot kiefer at gmail dot the rest)
margo roby
13/04/2012 at 9:25 am
You’re in, Molly
Andrew Albert J. Ty
12/04/2012 at 2:06 pm
Thanks for doing this! Birds Nobody Loves is the one that most interests me, although Greeks Bearing Gifts seems interesting, too. I won the James Penha from you before already! (Thanks again for that!)
Andrew Ty
eldritch00 at gmail dot com
margo roby
13/04/2012 at 9:24 am
Hi Andrew. I remember you. I have you down for not the James Penha, with a lean towards the birds.
Joanne Pilgrim
13/04/2012 at 8:36 pm
I would love to win any of these books. Thank you.
margo roby
14/04/2012 at 9:57 am
Okay, Joanne. I have you down.
The Happy Amateur
18/04/2012 at 9:23 pm
Hi Margo,
I’d like to “play”, too! Please, count me in. I’d be very interested in reading your teacher’s book: “No Bones to Carry.” However, I’ll be happy with any of the three, they all look awesome! I’m “playing” over at Joseph’s site, too! But that’s it, two sites is my limit.
Thank you very much for doing this!
Sasha
margo roby
20/04/2012 at 7:23 am
Hi Sasha! I have your name down. Good luck!
margo
Molly
20/04/2012 at 1:22 pm
Please enter me, as well. Thanks!
margo roby
20/04/2012 at 1:25 pm
I have your name down, Molly!
Theresa
23/04/2012 at 2:59 pm
Fabulous books! Thank you so very much for this giveaway. I’d love to be considered for any of them. Hope you enjoy the remainder of National Poetry Month!
margo roby
24/04/2012 at 12:01 pm
I have you on my list, Theresa. One more week. Enjoy as well.
nandinidh
25/04/2012 at 2:04 pm
Please count me in! Thanks for doing this! Nandini
margo roby
25/04/2012 at 2:17 pm
I have you down, Nandini.