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Boondock's Revenge

So sorry about the slow down in posting. AWP is this week and we are really rippng and running at my job because we are a sponsoring institution. So, for those folks who sent me little nudges, I'm okay. Just busy. But here is something to tide you over until I start bombarding you with AWP snapshops.

Aaron McGruder, creator "Boondocks" has declared war on BET. Anyhoo, T.R.O.Y. sent me this link to a short film which BET has banned. While you're at it, go to AALBC. I love that McGruder is endorsed by Tavis Smiley, who is identified as "Host of BET Tonight". Right under that is a quote from Bob Johnson, founder of BET (and Obama hater), calling McGruder everything but a child of God.

Don't forget to watch the film! (It's only about 5 minutes.)

Posted at 09:43 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Current Events

Thank You, Celeste!

Posted at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)
Category:

D.C. Readers, You Can Stop Blaming Yourselves

There is an article in the Washington Post about the close of Karibu books. It wasn't because "black people don't read" or because of the Wal-Martization of America. The store is closing because the owners couldn't work out their differences. The whole sad story here.

Yes, it's a crying shame, but at the same time let's not come down to hard on Karibu owners, Simba and Yao. The real problem is that whole burden of selling books by and about black folks-- in "Chocolate City", no less-- was on the shoulders of these two brothers. That's a lot to carry around. Simba and Yao held it down for fifteen years; whatever went down in recent history can't change that.

Posted at 09:01 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Current Events

Another One Bites The Dust

I am jsut heartbroken to announce the closing of Karibu Books in Washington, DC and Maryland. This announcement took me by surprise although I have heard, as often as everyone, that Americans don't read anymore and big chains are snuffing out the little guys. Sigh.

The photo to the left is Brother Yao, poet and entreprenuer whose find-a-way, make-a-way mentality kept Karibu Books alive for 15 years.

This is just terrible news.

Posted at 11:54 AM | Comments (4)
Category: Current Events

Opportunities

This just in:

Don't You Love Art?

Posted at 10:58 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

HAPPY MLK DAY

I am on the road still, so I couldn't prepare a new post for King day, but you are welcome to revisit the essay I wrote last year called "Walking in Memphis." It's about visiting the Lorraine Hotel, the site of Dr. King's assassination.

At the very end of the exhibit was rooms 306-307, where Dr. King had stayed in on the last day of his life. The curators took care to recreate the atmosphere. There was a coffee cup half-full, an unmade bed and other personal touches that made it seem like Dr. King, Andy Young, Jessee Jackson, et al had just been in here making plans. When I crossed the threshold of the room, I tripped a switch that caused Mahalia Jackson to sing "Amazing Grace." I felt it all over my body. I closed my eyes for a moment and took a careful breath before looking out onto the balcony.

Posted at 07:26 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Current Events

Andrew Ervin's Mac and Cheese

Drew, another friend of the blog, texted me to ask about making my Mac and Cheese. Of course I encouraged his to go all the way-- whole milk! extra cheese! And of course he did. When he was done he sent a snapshot from his cameraphone.

Posted at 07:20 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

RED VELVET CAKE

Yesterday, I received this email message from Lillian:

glad to hear that you are enjoying the balmy breeze in
key west....you dont wanna know how cold it is here. single digits
baby, single digits! anyways, i am planning on taking a crack at the
red velvet cake this weekend since i love cake and this one looks
absolutely thrilling. but i gotta ask--just one teaspoon of cocoa? i
dont know why i thought this cake was primarily chocolate, but for
some reason i did...but its basically white cake with a hint of chocolate and mostly red? ...keep having fun in florida, get some extra warm sun for me!!

Oh, Lillian. So many people have tried to define the undefineable red velvet cake. I try and tell people that it isn't a white cake, it isn't a chocolate cake. It is a RED VELVET CAKE. It is what it is. Think of it as a philosophcal matter.

I am happy to report that Lillian did make the cake. If you know Lililian, you know that she had to add a little twist-- she put chocolate frosting in the middle layers. And if you know Lillian, you'll know she took photos!

P.S. I really should add a new category on the blog for red velvet cake related posts.

Posted at 07:09 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

The Key West Wind Down

Well, this is the last day of the Key West Literary Seminars. It's been a tremendous conference. You know I call myself being cool,

There were lots of great readings today-- Kevin Young and Junot Diaz (podacst) really pleased the crowd. But the thrill was hearing from the scholarship winners. You will be delighted to know that Jaci really really brought the house down with her beautiful and heartbreaking poems about missing African American children. I have known Jaci forever but I had no idea that she could read like that!

Yesterday, I gave a reading and I also had a great time being on panels with Silas House, Lee Smith and Manuel Munoz. It's kind of weird having a three way conversations on the mic in front of a couple hundred people, but we seemed to have pulled it off.

I want to wrap this up by thanking the sponsors. Can you belive that the people of Key West put thier personal money together to endow the scholarships that allowed new voices to attend the seminars-- as speakers and as participants? That's impressive.

Posted at 05:02 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Baby, It's Warm Outside!

Greetings from the Key West Literary Seminars. I've been here about a day and a half. There was all manner of airport drama-- stuck on the runway for a couple of hours, lost luggage, et cetera, et cetera. But I am here not and that's all that matters.

The weather is terrific.. 80 degrees. It's supposed to dip down the 70 tomorrow. (I overheard someone say, "Make sure you bundle up!) I have been spending a lot of time by the pool where I came up with my motto for 2008: LIFE IS SHORT. GET YOUR HAIR WET!

Today I have two events-- a reading in about an hour, and then a panel discussion with Silas House and Lee Smith. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some photos.

Yesterday, Jaci and I went exploring on the bikes we rented. (The bokes on which we got LOST.) We wanted to go to the Hemmingway House to get some pictures of the Old Man's famous six-toed cats, but when we saw that it cost $12 bucks to get in, we reconsidered. (Did I mention that everything here is expensive? For lunch, I had a $17 fish sandwich!) We did get some pictures from the street.

Jaci and I got confused about the time of last night's dinner, showing up about a hour and a half early. The staff let us in and allowed us to climb to the top of the lighthouse. We were also allowed to hit the bar if we didn't mind drinking from plastic cups. We didn't.

Okay, one more detail from The Amazing Adventures of Tayari-and-Jaci. We have undertaken a comparative study of the local key lime pies. We will post our findings at the end of the trip.

More details to come!

Posted at 07:16 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Off To Key West!

I am on my way to the Key West Literay Seminars. I'll be back in a few days, but I am taking my laptop and my digital camera, so there will be reports and photos. One member of our blog community, Jaci, won a scholarship, so I will be looking forward to seeing her there.

Meanwhile, I better sign off and find my sunglasses and sunscreen!

Posted at 06:46 AM | Comments (0)
Category: The Writing Life

Sweet Carleen

Carleen Brice, friend o' the blog, and author of the Essence Book Club pick, Orange Mint and Honey, noticed that I seemed a little, well, exhausted here on the blog. She sent me a perfect pick me up-- homemade orange-mint bath salts. Big hugs Carleen. I really really appreciate it.

Posted at 05:01 PM | Comments (1)
Category: The Writing Life

To AWP, or not to AWP

I recently got an email from a blog community member with one line: Should I go to AWP? My answer: It depends.

"AWP" is the annual meeting of the Associated Writing Programs and this year it is in NYC and it is sold out. So, any answer I give is probably for next year.

I went to my first AWP back in 1997, when I was a graduate student at The University of Georgia. While I was there, I struck up a friendship with Jewell Parker Rhodes who offered me the chance to be her protege at Arizona State University. A month later, I was driving across the country to start a new life.

So, this would make it seem that my answer is YES! GO TO AWP.

But not so fast. I think the question is what you hope to gain. AWP is a good place for finding out a little more about the business of writing and teaching writing. You are not likely to meet an agent, but you may meet someone who runs a really cool small press. If you are a "literary" writer or poet, you may make connections that can lead to invitations to give paid readings at universities.

Some people complain that AWP is to cliquey. I cant say this is exactly false. You will see lots of people squealing "Oh my God!" while hugging enthusiastically. Your first time out, you may feel like a gate-crasher at a family reunion. But folks are generally pretty nice, particularly at the bar.

AWP also gives you a chance to meet the directors of various MFA programs, pick up brochures, meet students in the programs and ask them real candid questions. (Talk to them at the bar, after 10pm, and you'll get the truth!)

The diversity factor can be an issue, but I am happy to report that AWP has come a long way since it was jokingly referred to as "All White Poets." There are many panels discussing the issues that affect writers of color, and you will often find writers of colors on panels that have little to do with ethnicity. (imagine that!)

One real drawback is the matter of cost. By the time you pay to register, get your plane fare, and hotel-- this little venture can easily run you in the area of $1000. That's about how much it costs to be a bridesmaid. (Ask me how I know.) I wouldn't recommend that you go into debt to attend AWP, but if you have the cash (or outside funding), I'd say go ahead.

Okay. Those are my thoughts. I've got to scram. I'm headed to the Key West Literary Seminars tomorrow!!

(Here's a link to the pictures I took at last year's conference.)

Posted at 12:06 PM | Comments (2)
Category: The Writing Life

Too Beat to Blog

Can't quite get it together today. It's 5:30, I am still at work. Why? Because I am trying to get in some applications for colonies this summer. Because I am writing letters of reccommendations for other people trying to go to colonies this summer. Because I have to get my syllabi together. So, to keep you occupied as I work hard to keep my head above water, making a way when I can... Here are some links.

"Writers" to Air January 1oth

Although there only thing more horrifying than hearing my own voice on a tape recording is seeing myself on video.. here is a promo for "Writers," an interview show I did for Mississippi Public Radio last year.

Posted at 06:49 AM | Comments (2)
Category: News

The Maine Event

Yesterday, I went to Freeport, Maine to give a reading at the Stonecoast MFA program. Check out Autumn. Love the poetry tats!

I had a number of authentic Maine experiences including a lobster roll lunch. I missed out on the typical Maine weather. It was almost 60 degrees. The "2008" ice sculpture in front of the hotel was turning into slush.

Highlights included reading with Charles Martin, meeting Kelly Link (!!!) and Patricia Smith. I also reconnected with old buddies like Tim Seibels and Annie Finch. And how could I forget the student/faculty talent show-- complete with Saturday Night Live style skits, (think "America's Next Top Author.") Loved. It.

BTW, I took more pics, but I need someone from the program to email me and help me identify the photos.

Posted at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

2007: The Year in Photos

Here's a little photo collage of the year's highlights.

Posted at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

RVC, NYC Style

Yesterday, I had brunch in Manhattan with my girl, Kamilah Moon, at Cafeteria on 16th and 7th Ave. The food was quite yummy, including the mac and cheese although it did have a little bit of a northern-ness to it. (I think it had something to do with the creaminess.) Anyway, we were having such a good time that I decided to stop being such a tribalist and order the Red Velvet Cupcake. (I am on the record several times asserting that a northern red velvet cake is like an Alabama bagel. Just not a good idea.)

It was pretty, I'll give it that much. And the icing was the appropriate style-- cream cheese. The cake itself... Well, as we say in the south, if you can't say something nice... So, I'll say it was red. It was certainly red. And, I guess I can also say that I did eat it. So I guess it was okay. Not $10 worth of okay, but okay enough.

(I didn't go home for the holidays. Do you imagine that I am just homesick and taking it out on an innocent cupcake?)

And for those who care, here are my recipes for Red Velvet Cake and Mac & Cheese.

Posted at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Mindnight Links

It would be a little premature to call this insomnia, but I am all decked out in my foot pajamas, but I just can't drift off. So here are some links for anyone who is still up.

Rico and Kiri, The Pleasure is Ours

Tonight, I tagged along with Dahlia to a houseparty in Brooklyn. I didn't know the hosts, but who says you have to know the people to have a good time? We were there early enough that we were able to chat a little bit with the man-half of the host couple. "I know your name," he said. "Do you have a blog?" Well, it turns out that he was Rico Cullen who works with the Media that Matters Film Festival.

He wanted to thank this blog commumunity for all we did to get the word out to support Kiri Davis and her film, "A Girl Like Me." (He even remembered the date of my first post about it-- June 8, 2006!)

It's almost midnight and I am really sleepy, but I wanted everyone to know that our efforts were noticed and made a difference for Kiri and her project. Group hug, y'all.

Posted at 10:58 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Current Events

Reality Check?

I was just reading an NYT article about Candance Bushnell, the author of the Sex and The City, the book on which the hugely popular TV show and movie are based. The article is about how her "friend" stole her idea for a second show. Interesting and dramatic. But what I am posting here is this shocking paragrah:

Ms. Bushnell did not exactly get rich from “Sex and the City.” The executive familiar with her business dealings said she had made “a little more than” $500,000 in royalties from the HBO run. She has yet to receive any syndication profits although she is due “something under a half-million dollars” more now that production has started on the film version, the executive said.

Don't get me wrong, I would happily welcome an extra $500,000 into my life. Happily. But I would have thought that Ms. Bushnell was a millionaire many times over after producing such a hit.

I guess this goes to show something, but I am not sure what.

Posted at 10:43 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Current Events

This Makes Me Wanna Be a Poet

Have you noticed that there are a lot of opportunities for poets to get together for a common cause? Here is the latest, Split This Rock Poetry Festival. The theme is Poems of Provocation and Witness. The amazing line-up includes Jimmy Santiago Baca, Melissa Best (aka Princess of Controversy), Robert Bly, Lucille Clifton, Joel Dias Porter (aka DJ Renegade), Mark Doty, Martín Espada, Carolyn Forché, Brian Gilmore, Joy Harjo, Galway Kinnell, Sharon Olds,Sonia Sanchez, Patricia Smith, and so many others. Go to the website to be truly impressed and energized. And if you get really jazzed, they are looking for volunteers. Help make it happen!

Split This Rock Poetry Festival will feature readings, workshops, panel discussions on poetry and social change, youth programming, films, parties, walking tours, and activism—a unique opportunity to hone your activist skills while you assess and debate the public role of the poet and the poem in this time of crisis.

Also, there is a contest, so send in your work for a chance to win a $500 prize.

Of course, of course, the event is in DC, where poetry rules.

Posted at 04:26 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Do The Hustle!

I was cruisng Galleycat when I saw a picture of a black person and almost choked on my croissant aux amandes. Tbe brother in question is Troy Tompkins who managed to get himself a profile in the NYT. What's his claim to fame? Apparently, he managed to get Simon and Schuster to take a look at his self-published YA novel by writing a press release and signing it "Alan Chase". There is no Alan Chase; he just thought that it would make him seem classiser if he seemed to have a real publicist. (It's cheaper, too. Let me tell you.)

Now, there is a little controversy as to whether Tompkins is being rewarded for being dishonest. That whole part of the conversation goes into the yawn-zone for me.

The thing that makes me wonder is whether or not it seems to other folks that black writers seem to get attention for thier ability to hustle, self-promote, and beat the system, but how much talk is happening about our actual writing?

Posted at 06:48 PM | Comments (4)
Category: The Writing Life

Six Feet Under

Okay, so maybe that's an exaggeration. It's more like twelve inches under here in Montreal, but it's plenty of snow. In honor of the new year, I am indulging my inner child. When I was young, I read about "snow angels" in a Judy Blume book. As a Georgia Girl, I had NO idea what she was talking about. Well, we can now say there is one less mystery in the world.

Have a great year everyone. Don't be afraid to be silly in public. It's the snow ball thrownig, snow angeling part of you that gives you the freedom to make art!

(And here is the $100,000 question-- will I be able to drive out of here tomorrow?)

Posted at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles