Some wonderful folks over at The Poetry Question asked me to list my five must-reads or five favorite writers. There’s no way I could do so, but I tried to incorporate a range of voices, including some I’ve been lucky to learn from personally.
Check out my recommendations listed today on The Poetry Question’s #TPQ5 here.
I was delighted to be a part of many readings in April— and this one was one of them!
About the Write Now Series, taken from their webpage:
Hosted with the Frostburg State University Center For Literary Arts, the Write Now Series is a collection of workshops, writing sessions, and salon-style literary discussions where student and community writers come together. Members are mentored by presses and established writers from all over the country and enjoy participating in a showcase reading at the end of each semester.
Check out the video, now available on YouTube, and find the Write Now Series on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, YouTube, and Spotify.
My segment is a reading of a handful of poems and only about five minutes long, so what are you waiting for?! Also, be sure to check out poet Rick Campbell, who gives a reading and an excellent interview as well.
Hi y’all,
I was scheduled to give a reading for Pretty Owl Poetry at White Whale Bookstore to celebrate National Poetry Month on April 22nd with readers Malcolm Friend, Lucia LoTempio, and Charlie Lefever.
To curb the spread of COVID-19, the reading was held virtually through Zoom on April 23rd.
If you missed it, here is the full video.
Write on,
I completed my third (and final) residency in my MFA program in January. To say that this program has changed my life is an understatement. In the words of my friend and former Madwomen mentor, Tess Barry, it is a “two year bath in champagne.”
I have worked with incredible mentors, had the pleasure of meeting and listening to many renowned visiting writers, and made lifelong connections in the friends I have found here.
Here’s our group at Steel Cactus: Amy, me, Jaclyn, Phillip, Cathy, Hannah, and Sam.
And then at the famous Jazz Night: Gerry, Phillip, Jaclyn, me, Cathy, Richard.
I met the remarkable Sandra Cisneros, award-winning author and beautiful soul.
I presented my craft talk, Writing the Wandering Home: Place and Placelessness in Poetry.
And here we all are at the final dinner, the original crew: Richard, Cathy, me, Gerry, Jaclyn.
& the three musketeers, the girls: Jaclyn, me, Cathy.
I would not have made it through this program or the past year of my life (including surviving Ireland!) without this incredible human. Thank you, Jaclyn. We did it!
My brilliant, powerful teachers: Judith Vollmer and Jan Beatty.
I am beginning this last practicum with a full reading list, and a notebook full of goals. I’m not sure what shape my manuscript will take, but I know my voice is shifting the more I grow in this program, and I can’t wait to see how it sounds.
I was blessed to bring this beauty into the world recently. My friends, colleagues, and family helped me celebrate my second chapbook, The Shedding Before the Swell, at The Glitterbox Theater on December 8th.
Poets/friends Dan Shapiro, Ava C. Cipri, Charlie Brice, and Amy Lee Heinlen gave beautiful readings and introductions.
“Kara’s poems can take us just to the edge, teetering on the brink, through a mastery of the senses and an unapologetic voice she transforms the ordinary into unnerving and unexpected landscapes. Sometimes I feel as if she leads, but mostly I feel she asks us to walk alongside her, and look into the abyss, and name our hunger. “—Ava C. Cipri, author of Leaving The Burdened Ground
We had books for sale (of course) and a signing party after the reading with wine and sweet treats made from my best friend, Holly.
I’m so grateful for everyone that came out to help celebrate this book with me.
(And to Catherine, who captured the beautiful photo below of my parents looking on!)
Sending love,
As quick as the leaves changed in the fall, my season of readings for the last part of 2018 has come to a close.
I’ve kept busy the past couple months:
Carlow University
Red Dog Reading Series
Black Cat Market
Honey Bee Review Reading
Full Pint Wild Side Pub
Hell’s Lid Reading Series
And one more upcoming reading at the Millvale Community Library
Girls Write Pittsburgh Winter Reading Party
Here’s wishing you the happiest of holidays with your loved ones!
Until next time,
Almost a year ago, I was presented with the opportunity to co-curate the Madwomen in the Attic‘s monthly reading series here in Pittsburgh, PA.
Since then, being a part of MadFridays has been nothing short of an adventure on its own; it has been filled with talented writers and readers, a captivated and supportive audience, and a community of friends.
Our last reading of the season took place May 11th with a special spotlight on the Madwomen Mentorship program and featured talented mentees: Joy, Alexandra, Rachel, and Sally. Mentors Kayla, Emily, Daniela, Wendy, and our fearless leader Jan are also pictured.
Thank you to all for a wonderful 2017-2018 season! We’ll see you in September.
Special thanks to my sidekick Laurin for all her work, all the open mic readers and attendees over the past year, and to Delanie’s Coffee for letting us use their space.
Delighted to be a part of the 2017 Beaver County Book Festival, which will take place Saturday, September 9th in Beaver, PA.
On Friday, I will serve on a panel of women writers with authors Linda Au, Wende Dikec, Pamela Hart Vines, and Madhu B. Wangu for the Opening Night.
A Q&A session and book signing will follow. Tickets include access to the event and delectable food, so get yours today and join us for what is sure to be an exciting and unforgettable weekend!
See you there,
Some truly exciting news to announce! I am taking over as the new co-curator of the MadFridays Reading Series. MadFridays is sponsored by Carlow University and features the work of the Madwomen in the Attic. Readings take place typically on the second Friday of each month at Delanie’s Coffee in Southside.
I’m thrilled to be stepping into this new role alongside emcee Laurin, and looking forward to hearing the maddest writing readers have to offer!
One day before my 27th birthday, I celebrated the release of my first chapbook, Next to Everything that is Breakable (Finishing Line Press 2017) at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Over 50 of my friends, family, and colleagues came out to support me as I launched this chapbook into the world.
The author & the artist.
Books were for sale, as well as artwork by my dear friend Catherine (who also took the photograph on the cover of the book).
Catherine’s creations with my poems.
Around 2:30 p.m., people arrived to mingle and get refreshments. Shortly after 3 p.m. my mentor, Tess, welcomed the audience and introduced me.
Tess & I.
I became overcome with emotion as I looked around the room and thanked those that had helped me so much, for I knew without them this endeavor would not have been possible.
After the reading, I signed copies of books and spent precious, too-short moments with the guests- even my high school English teachers came!
It was an intense whirlwind of an event, but I’m thankful for how smoothly it went. Seeing the people I love come together to show their support for my passion was the highlight of my birthday weekend.
Check out some pictures below:
P.S. For those that were unable to make it to the launch party but would like a signed copy of the book, please message me!
The guest book!
from this side of the sun 