It’s been a while — at least a season, maybe two? — and who knows how many agonizing news stories since I last posted. I hope you’re finding ways to nurture your soul and engage with the world. Autumn always feels like a fresh start to me — that new-school-year rhythm is indelible, I guess. So, in that spirit I offer news of these readings, events and classes — I’m involved in a few, and others are just things I want you to know about as you enact your own autumn rhythms.
On Sept. 27 at 7p I’ll be reading new poems* for the Lit Fix series at Vermillion, 1508 11th Ave in Seattle. Also performing: fiction writer Kristiana Kahakauwila, novelist Urban Waite, and essayist Katie Lee Ellison, with music performances from Americana artists Leslie Braly and Ed Brooks.
On Oct. 11, Seattle LitCrawl will feature 35+ free readings — I’ll be reading at 9p with novelist Jennie Shortridge and John Mullen at Spin Cycle Records 321 Broadway Ave East, on Capitol Hill. Details here.
*Speaking of new poems – I had the good fortune to be featured as the August “poet in residence” at Seattle Review of Books: four recent poems and an interview about the new work.
Are you thinking about taking a writing class or two? So many options!
- Seattle Writes offers free classes through the Seattle Public Library
- The new Hugo House is open (hurrah!) and offering a slew of classes, including The Words to Say It: Writing About Illness, Trauma and Healing.
- Open Books is now offering classes, including a two-parter with Rick Barot on The Personal and the Political (don’t wait to register…)
The Seattle Arts and Lectures Poetry Series has a(nother) amazing line-up—
- Oct. 4: Alice Walker
- Nov. 26: Danez Smith
- See the whole line-up here.
Oct. 6: The Gramma Reading Seriesin the Erickson Theaterat the Frye Art Museum will feature Tyehimba Jess, Kaveh Akbar, Anastacia Renée and Moonshine: A Cabaret performed by Au Collective and directed by Imana Gunawan.
(Those gorgeous fuyu and hachiya persimmons were photographed by John and Ann Winings, and courtesy of the Creative Commons.)
Elizabeth Austen 
Pet Laureate is here this week in Winthrop and Twisp. Wonderful time!
julianne
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Elizabeth, Greetings from Salmon Creek! Great to receive your post.
In the midst of such national and global upheaval and crisis, I am thankful for celebrations. As I step into a new community service role, I am thankful to have connected with you as another hospital chaplain. And I would appreciate any thoughts of what you learned about the dual role (I only have the County, you had the State!)
Here is the CCPL Launch next Sunday :
Clark County Poet Laureate Celebration Sunday, September 30th 2:00 PM Vancouver Community Library, 901 C Street
https://www.cityofvancouver.us/community/clark-county-poet-laureate-celebration
I think you met Judy, out of the trauma of the last few years she has been composing more music, including a new spiritual that will be performed next month in Portland by the Portland Symphonic Choir,
http://www.pschoir.org/fall2018/
May our paths cross again soon, Gwendolyn
From: Elizabeth Austen <comment-reply@wordpress.com> Reply-To: Elizabeth Austen <comment+2h699aij0kbisjufq-80wb@comment.wordpress.com> Date: Monday, September 24, 2018 at 6:32 PM To: Gwen Morgan <zambra@easystreet.net> Subject: [New post] LitFix at Vermillion
Elizabeth Austen posted: ” Its been a while at least a season, maybe two? and who knows how many agonizing news stories since I last posted. I hope youre finding ways to nurture your soul and engage with the world. Autumn always feels like a fresh start to me that new-sch”
Congratulations, Gwendolyn! I’ll respond more fully to your message via email.