From Jim Walker @ Second Story

Saturday March 13, 2010 at 5 p.m.
Garfield Park Arts Center
2432 Conservatory Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46203

Visual art and poetry come together on Saturday March 13, 2010 for an inspired evening of artistic collaboration at the Garfield Park Arts Center. Meet the artists, hear live poetry readings, and enjoy refreshments. See how art can inspire art as you read poetry and see paintings with shared themes in this exhibit coordinated by Indianapolis-based author and artist, Lylanne Musselman.

For Second Story’s part of the show, we worked with 23 sixth graders from the SENSE school in Fountain Square who have written poems inspired by the collages of Max Ernst.The free opening reception on March 13th from 5-8 p.m. will feature poets performing live readings of the works featured in the Main Gallery exhibit as well as interactive writing and art activities.

Stay after the reception for Vintage Movie Night featuring the film Laddie (1940) from 8-9:30 p.m. The film is based on the book by Indiana author/poet Gene Stratton-Porter.

The Poetry in Paint Exhibit will be on display from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 2 to 6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays beginning March 13 through May 2. There is no cost for admission to the Garfield Park Arts Center, Poetry in Paint Exhibit and opening reception.

WHAT: Poetry in Paint Opening Reception, Exhibit, Vintage Movie Night: Laddie (1940)COST: Exhibit and Opening Reception are Free, $2 for Vintage Movie Night

WHEN: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 13, 2010WHERE: Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive

When I sit down to write, I usually begin by writing out a prayer. Nothing too formal. Just talking to God about whatever's on my mind for a few minutes before I move on to fiction.

Occasionally my mind drifts, though (sorry, God), and takes a lead-off toward fiction. I guess that's what happened about a year ago, when the thought occured to me that a prayer is really just a dramatic monologue, addressed to God.

And what a dramatic monologue. I mean, when is anyone more naked and yearning than when they're praying?

Or, on the flip side, when is anyone rationalizing harder or fooling himself more completely than during prayer?

And then I thought: let's find out.

Along with Matthew Simmons, my friend and fellow Warren Wilson grad, I commissioned a series of stories in this mode, of characters talking to God. The project, called On Earth As it Is, is a cycle of prayer narratives from writers of different faiths. Each week, the site will showcase a new prayer narrative. Contributing writers include Melanie Rae Thon, Erin McGraw, Michael Kimball, Melissa Pritchard, Leni Zumas, Pasha Malla, Michael Martone, and others.

And now, it brings me a ton of happiness and two tons of relief to announce that the site is live. Melanie's piece is up first. Check it out, check back next week for the next installment, and please, please, please, help spread the word.

March picks revealed at Andrew's Book Club. And this month, a twist: in addition to the Big House and Small Press pick, he adds a MicroPress pick.

From the Indiana Arts Commission's Artseye:

University High School of Indiana Student Wins Poetry Out Loud Contest

The Indiana Arts Commission recently announced that Elise Lockwood, a senior at University High School of Indiana in Carmel, was named the state champion at the fifth annual Indiana Poetry Out Loud competition held Saturday, February 27 at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's Clowes Auditorium.

Miss Lockwood's 3rd round recitation of Billy Collins' "Litany" won her a $200 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to represent Indiana during the NationalPoetry Out Loud finals April 25-28. Lockwood will compete among 53 high school students from every state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Students taking part in the national competition will have a chance to win a $20,000 scholarship prize. Lockwood also secured a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books for University High School of Indiana's library.

"We were delighted to have statewide participation, including students from Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Floyds Knobs, Plymouth, South Bend, Warsaw and Whitestown," said Lewis C. Ricci, IAC executive director. "We wish Elise all the best as she prepares to compete in the national competition next month."

Lockwood is a seasoned Poetry Out Loud participant, having placed third in the 2009 state competition. This year's second place was awarded to Colleen Friedly, a senior at Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis. Miss Friedly was awarded a $100 cash prize and a $200 stipend for her school's library. Jenaya Hooks from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis was awarded third place.

Judges of the state competition included Joyce Brinkman, former Indiana Poet Laureate, Indianapolis; Christopher Citro, host of "The Poet's Weave" on WFIU, Bloomington; SIAM (Shaikh Ibrahim Al-Jahizz M'Backe) a poet from Bloomington; MomJara, a literary and performing artist from Indianapolis; and Emily Hankley Berger, Annual Fund Coordinator, Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, Indianapolis. Campbell Ricci, a student musician from Brown County High School, provided entertainment between rounds.

The Indiana Arts Commission coordinated the state poetry recitation contest through funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Poetry Foundation as part of the federal agency's national Poetry Out Loud program. The project is designed to encourage youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, which helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and internalize an appreciation for American Literary heritage.

From Publisher's Lunch:

Deal News

Among the newest deals: Sarah Palin's next book, a "celebration of American virtues and strengths"; Maureen Callahan's Lady Gago bio POKER FACE; a book from Florida State University's football coach Bobby Bowden; THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY BOOK; and more.

I want you to tear off my face. My whole face. And then, on the one-in-a-million chance that I might learn Braille and accidentally thumb through one of these books, please chop off my hands.

Lookie what I just found! A story on Annalemma from Alex, one of Butler's grad students. I'm tempted to say more about this weirdly beautiful story, but then you'd be reading this instead of his stuff and—I'm going to stop now. Go. Read. Now.

I know this is pretty last minute, but I just got word about this, and I wanted to pass it along:

The Carmel Clay Public Library's launch event for Jeff Stone'sDragon, postponed from last month, will take place tomorrow, Thursday, March 4, 3:30 - 7:00 pm. The gala includes two book signing times, plus a presentation by this terrifically entertaining author.

Dragon is the the triumphant final installment in Jeff Stone's Five Ancestors series, action-packed books set in 17th century China. For more information about this series, visit The Five Ancestors website where you'll find a new Five Ancestors short story and The Grandmaster Challenge -- your chance to win an e-reader by completing the story. You should also check out Jeff's website atwww.readjeffstone.com

For details and directions to tomorrow's event, visit the Carmel library's website.