After a pretty boring summer reading-wise, the Skanky Possum Reading Series in Austin kicked off the fall season in fine fashion just after the autumnal equinox. The Jenn Coleman / Allison Cobb reading at 12th Street Books last Thursday was an excellent beginning. Though the turnout was small the audience was intent and full of attention and cold beer. Having only read a handful of poems of either of these poets I was very happy to meet and listen to both of them. Quite different but interesting and entertaining poetries. Allison read from a project on a large 130 year old Brooklyn cemetery (whose name escapes me) and Jenn read poems about finding faith in odd places (including the Teletubbies).
And last night the Marcia Roberts / Kristen Prevallet reading in the backyard at Skanky HQ was some fun. Marcia, a former student of Tom Clark at New College, puts some serious attention on the short serial poem. I have a manuscript of hers slated for publishing called Autumn Slant which she read from under the cicada-filled pecan tree. She also read from two other manuscripts - Open Eye (Skanky Possum Press, 2003) and her latest (perfect) collection called Bird's Breath. Excellent. Kristen Prevallet, whose Skanky Possum edition of Scratch Sides I have read and admired multiple times, started her set by singing a Helen Adam ballad. Dark and funny. And then read poems from her new book from Essay Press I, Afterlife: Essay in Mourning Time about her father and exploring the grief of losing him. Great to hear both of these outoftowners last night in the outside with a cold beer in hand and a warm breeze on our faces while sitting on the soft grass covered with fresh hay.
More readings are scheduled for October and I'll be sure to pass on the details as I learn 'em.
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the effing website...I sincerely hope...is close to going live.
meantime you need some books please hesitate to get in touch.
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soon I'll introduce this season's newest effing assistants and helpers. The bindery of volunteerism continues into the wee hours. We work.