I’ll be reading from my new poetry book, Hold Still, for the Grown Ass Woman Brigade, a support network of 
smart, funny women who look out for one another. Everyone is invited — even grown ass men! — and the fun starts at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, at a Victorian house at 115 Maitland Ave. in Altamonte Springs. I wrote about this spunky, big-hearted group in Orlando magazine a year ago (“Rebels With a Cause”), and I can’t wait to spend more time with them. You don’t want to miss this.
Appearances
I’ll be reading from my new poetry book, Hold Still, at The Warehouse on Brookhaven in the Lake Ivanhoe area of Orlando on Saturday, March 29. I’m thrilled to be reading alongside two authors with new books of short stories: David James Poissant (The Heaven of Animals) and Vanessa Blakeslee (Train Shots). The readings will start at 7 p.m. at 1300 Brookhaven Drive, just off Virginia Drive. There will be an after party featuring literary-themed cocktails (an F. Scotch Fitzgerald or Tequila Mockingbird, anyone?) at The Matador bar on Virginia Drive. Drink proceeds will benefit Burrow Press. For more about Functionally Literate and to watch videos of past readings, check out functionallyliterate.org.
Here is my interview in the ORLANDOAN blog by Functionally Literate co-host Jared Silvia.
And here is the video of my reading on YouTube.
One of my photographs, “Osprey on a Windy Day,” was accepted for inclusion in Orlando magazine’s 12th annual Paint the Town exhibition at the Gallery at Avalon Island in downtown Orlando. The three-week show opens with a reception Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include paintings, sculptures and other artwork. Entertainment will be provided by local singer and actress Krystal Gillette, and there will be free wine and beer. The opening coincides with downtown’s Third Thursday Gallery Hop. The Avalon gallery is at 39 S. Magnolia Ave., and convenient parking is available at the nearby city-owned garage across from the library on Central Boulevard. If you can’t make the opening, you can see the exhibition during regular gallery hours — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays through April 11.
My Hold Still book party and reading at the Maitland Art Center is tonight! The reading has been moved indoors, so look for me in the Marvel Building next to the outdoor reading room (which looks suspiciously like a carport) where I had planned to read. I’ll be the Literature Out Loud part of the Culture Pop event called “Roll, Repeat,” about printmaking, which will include a loud steamroller creating art prints along Packwood Avenue. I’m moving inside so I won’t have to shout (but I will still shout if I feel like it). And yes, my friends, there will be a band. What more could you want? Alcohol? You got it. We’ll have a cash bar.
The event is from 7 to 11 p.m., and series host Stacy Barton will kick it off with a short reading at 7:30. Then I’ll read twice: at about 8 and 8:45, with a short break about halfway through so you can refresh your drink and stretch your legs. After my second reading, I’ll sign books. Admission to Culture Pop is $5 and includes one free beer, glass of wine or soda. Don’t miss this!
