Our judges

REMINDER: Voting for August Hall of Fame Poet cuts off tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon CST. Don’t forget to vote.

Hi everyone,

I hope that those of you who have been in the path of the storm are doing okay. It’s hard to imagine so many people without power, many of them dealing with the nightmare of flooding and damaged homes. Our thoughts are with you all.

I want to remind you that even as we are selecting our August Hall of Fame Poet by popular vote, I’ve sent poems to our panel of professional judges so they can select their top pick for August Word of the Month Poet. To remind you of our judges, here’s a link with their names, pictures, and places to learn more about them. As always, I ask that you read their work and let them know you appreciate their time and talents. https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/word-of-the-month-poetry-judges/

David

W.O.M. poetry judges

REMINDER: Don’t forget to vote and encourage others to join the fun. Cutoff for voting is at noon this Friday, the 29th.

Hi everyone,

Here is a list of our W.O.M. judges and several links that provide more information about them. I thought you might like this as a reference.

Bobbi Katz
http://www.bobbikatz.com /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/bobbi-katz-tomorrow /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/bobbi-katz-today /

Charles Ghigna
http://www.charlesghigna.com /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/what-are-the-pros-up-to-with-charles-father-goose-ghigna /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/charles-ghigna-today /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/what-are-the-pros-up-to-with-charles-father-goose-ghigna /

Avis Harley
http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2010/04/poetry-tag-avis-harley-is-it.html
http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2008/04/monarchs-progress-and-avis-harley.html
http://www.boydsmillspress.com/contributors/author-illustrator/harley-avis
http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/2009/04/poetry-makers-avis-harley.html

Laura Purdie Salas
http://www.laurasalas.com /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/laura-purdie-salas-tomorrow /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/laura-purdie-salas-today /

J. Patrick Lewis
http://www.jpatricklewis.com /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/j-patrick-lewis-on-friday /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/j-patrick-lewis-today /

Rebecca Dotlich
http://www.rebeccakaidotlich.com /
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/rebecca-dotlich-today /

Sara Holbrook
http://www.saraholbrook.com /

http://www.saraholbrook.com/bio2.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Sara-Holbrook/e/B001IXRVUK

http://saraholbrook.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to recent guests

Hi everyone,

Sometimes in my rush forward I forget to pause to really thank those who have done me the favor of appearing on my blog. Over the past couple of months I’ve had notable guests who have shared their wit and wisdom here and today feels like a good time to say once more that I’m grateful. To revisit their appearances, click on the links with their names and pictures.

JACKIE HUPPENTHAL

https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/todays-guest-reader-julie-huppenthal/

KEN SLESARIK

https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/guest-reader-k-thomas-slesarik-today/

ROBIN KOONTZ

https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/robin-koontz-today-2/

GEORGIA HEARD

https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/georgia-heard-tomorrow/

JIM BLASINGAME

https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/james-blasingame-today/

BOBBI KATZ

https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/what-are-the-pros-up-to-with-bobbi-katz/

GARY DULABAUM

https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/gary-dulabaum-today/

What Are the Pros Up To, with Bobbi Katz

Today I’m very happy to bring Bobbi Katz back to give us an update on what’s going on with her lately. As always, Bobbi is busy!

I know lots of writers feel nurtured by critique groups, but I have never been drawn to them. I believe that when I talk about the contents of what I’d like to write or what I’m working on, somehow my creativity springs a leak.The energy seeps out of the project. So I will be vague.For the first time in more years than I can count, instead of focusing on writing a particular book on my own, I’ve been collaborating, both with J. Patrick Lewis on a collection of poems and also with a musician, who composes, among other things, choral music. I’m writing lyrics! I always thought that the lyrics we hear with music were no different than those we read. Since childhood, I’ve made up words to go with music. Now, however, I realize that the words which are sung, just exist in time. Words that are meant to be read, exist in space as well. We can return to that place on the page for the word or idea that we missed on the first go-around. We can reconsider an image. A simple explanation: Reading poems aloud engages more of our senses than simply hearing a lyric sung. I am surprised by the old woman who looks out at me from my mirror. Life never ceases to amaze her with new delights and challenges!

Bobbi
82 Riverview
Port Ewen, NY 12466
www.bobbikatz.com

VERY important announcement!

Hi Everyone,

Some time ago I asked you to tell me which features you liked most about this blog. Top choice was Word of the Month Poetry Challenge. Near the bottom was the manner in which we select our monthly Hall of Fame Poets. Some love the excitement of the month-end race for votes while others are put off by it and would prefer a system that focuses more on the poetry. I promised to consider the situation. Now I have.Beginning this month, which is the first in our second year of W.O.M., we will have a dual system for recognizing our poets and their work. We will continue to post the familiar ballot boxes so you can vote for one adult and one young poet. Nothing will change in the way we select our Monthly Hall of Fame Poets.

Additionally, it’s my pleasure to introduce a panel of professional poets who have agreed to select the best poem in each group each month. I will send them the poems without names so they’ll judge strictly on merit. I’ll announce those winning poets each month at the same time we see who won the popular vote. These winners will be called Word of the Month Poet and Word of the Month Young Poet.

You may win once in each category during the twelve month period, from October 2010 through September 2011.

I hope you enjoy the new addition. I’m very excited to bring it to you. And now, meet our judges.

Bobbi Katz
http://www.bobbikatz.com/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/bobbi-katz-tomorrow/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/bobbi-katz-today/

Charles Ghigna
http://www.charlesghigna.com/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/what-are-the-pros-up-to-with-charles-father-goose-ghigna/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/charles-ghigna-today/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/what-are-the-pros-up-to-with-charles-father-goose-ghigna/

Jane Yolen
http://janeyolen.com/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/jane-yolen-tomorrow/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/jane-yolen-today/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/what-are-the-pros-up-to-with-jane-yolen/

Laura Purdie Salas
http://www.laurasalas.com/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/laura-purdie-salas-tomorrow/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/laura-purdie-salas-today/

J. Patrick Lewis
http://www.jpatricklewis.com/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/j-patrick-lewis-on-friday/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/j-patrick-lewis-today/

Rebecca Dotlich
http://www.rebeccakaidotlich.com/
https://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/rebecca-dotlich-today/

Sara Holbrook
http://www.saraholbrook.com/

How’s that for a lineup? If others join the panel over time, I’ll let you know. I’ve provided links to some background information about our judges. You’ve already met everyone but Sara as a Featured Guest, and Sara is on tap to appear shortly.

That’s it for now. If you plan to post a poem this month, remember that the word is CHANGE and the cutoff for submissions is next Monday, the 25th, at 10:00 CST.David