NEWSLETTER 3/25/2024

THIS THURSDAY! Join Paul Rabinowitz and me at The Book House in Milburn, NJ for Storytelling in Prose & Poetry, March 28^th from 6:30-8 pm. Open mic and book signing to follow the reading. Location: 281 Essex St, Milburn, NJ.

On April 3^rd, I will host a free writing workshop and open mic at The Platform, sponsored by ARTS By The People at the Madison Community Arts Center. The workshop begins at 7 pm and the open mic starts at 8 pm. Donations accepted. Location: 10 Kings Rd, Madison, NJ.

On April 8^th, I will feature with First Floor Walk-Up in NYC at One and One bar and restaurant, hosted by Wayne Kral. The reading begins at 7 pm. The other readers are Hane Selmani, Jane Rosenberg LaForge, Wah Hohn and Oliver Baer. There is NO open mic at this event. Location: 76 East 1^st Street (@ 1^st Avenue), NYC. 

If you prefer the virtual environment, I will feature for Calling All Poets on April 18^th. Register on their site. They also hold a generous open mic. The “room” opens at 6:30 and the reading begins at 7 pm. 

Just got word that my Writing the Land: The Connecticut River video, Park Watershed Poetry, is available for viewing on NatureCulture’s YouTube site.

Last week, I had the pleasure of reading for NeuroNatic Institute in NYC and being interviewed by Noel A Figueroa on his Poets with Purpose podcast. If you missed the interview, you can listen to it on YouTube.

Finally, Michael Escoubas reviewed Even the Dog Was Quiet for both Quill and Parchment and Highland Park Poetry  (Thanks to Jennifer Dotson, publisher of HPP.)

That’s all for now! Stay tuned for more events from April through August!

My dance card is practically full for March and April. If you are free and, in the neighborhood, stop by. All events are free & in EST unless otherwise noted. Events will be updated on my website. Also, check the organization’s web sites for more information.

THE P.W.P SESSIONS, podcast interview& reading; Tue. 03/19/24 @ 9 pm; Noel A. Figueroa, host; $5 suggested donation; virtual.

NEURONATIC INSTITUTE, featured reader; Thur. 03/21/24, from 7 – 9 pm; Matthew Hubert & Meghan Grupposo, hosts; Otto’s Shrunken Head, 538 E 14th St, NYC; reading with Tsaurah Litzky &Wayne Kral; open mic; 2 drink minimum; accessible venue.

STORYTELLING IN PROSE & POETRY WITH PAUL RABINOWITZ; Thur. 3/28/24, from 6:30-8 pm; The Book House, 281 Essex St., Millburn, NJ; reading, book signing, open mic.

THE PLATFORM, workshop leader & open mic host; Wed. 04/03/24, from 7-9 pm. ARTS By The People sponsor; Madison Arts Center, 10 Kings Road, Madison, NJ.; donations accepted; ; accessible venue.

FIRST FLOOR WALK UP, featured reader; Mon. 04/08/24 @ 7 pm; Wayne Kral, host; One and One LES, 76 East 1st St, @ 1st Ave., NYC; reading with Oliver Baer, Hane Selmani, Jane Rosenberg LaForge, & Wah Mohn. 

CALLING ALL POETS featured reader, Thur. 04/18/24, “doors” open @ 6:30, event begins at 7 pm.; Mike Jurkovic & Greg Correll, hosts; open mic; adv. registration required. $5 admittance; virtual.

EMBRACING OUR ENVIRONMENT, featured reader; Wed. 04/24/24, from 2-3 pm, event runs from 1-5 pm; Host: Kirsten Martin, University of Saint Joseph, McGovern Lounge, 1678 Asylum Ave, West Hartford, CT; reading with Writing the Land poets Joan Hofmann, Marty Espinola & Stacey Lawrence; accessible venue.

HEALING VOICES: CAREGIVERS STORIES, featured monologue; Sun. 04/28/24 @ 3pm; Premier Stages, Kean University, Enslow Hall; 1000 Morris Ave., Union Township, NJ; Nick Gandiello, Play Festival Manager; directed by John J. Wooten; accessible venue.

The book tour for Even the Dog Was Quiet (Human Error Publishing) continues! March is shaping into a very active month, and there are a few events at the end of February. Let me know if you would like to purchase a signed copy of Even the Dog Was Quiet and If There Is No Wind from me directly, if you live in the NY metro area. Otherwise, both books are available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and online bookstores. 

Event Highlights
I am excited to lead a virtual workshop for the International Women’s Writing Guild, entitled, “Using the Feminist Gaze in Ekphrastic Writing” on 2/28. Pre-registration is required. 

In March I’ll be featuring in New Jersey at River Read in Red Bank, The Book House bookstore in Milburn and Otto’s Shrunken Head in NYC, for the NeuroNatic Institute. I am also pleased Noel A. Figueroa will interview me, for the second time, on his P.W.P. Series (Poets with Purpose.)

If you missed my interview with Michael A. Ingram, earlier this month on the Quintessential Poetry: Listening, Reading and Writing broadcast, you can listen here.  It is always wonderful to speak with Michael. 

Alex Polner, who designed the cover and illustrations for my book, Even the Dog Was Quiet, has an art exhibit in West Orange, NJ that will close on 2/25. He also has a new website: https://alexpolner.myportfolio.com. Alex’s work is inspiring. 

My work has recently been accepted into, or appeared in several journals and anthologies. Many thanks to the publishers and editors. Book of Matches, Boundless 2024: the anthology of the Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival, Brownstone Poets Anthology, Calling All Poets Anthology, Exit 13 Magazine, Healing Voices (theatrical piece), Hear We Are: A Rhapsody in View (ANDSWP 2024 Anthology), Lips, Moving Words,Poetry X Hunger, The Paterson Literary Review, Verse Virtual, Writing the Land: Connecticut River, and Youth Write the Land. I also received an Honorable Mention for my poem, “Anguish” in the 2023 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Contest. 

Event Details

Gaelen Gallery Exhibit runs until February 25, 2024, Artist, Alex Polner, JCC Metro West, 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ

IWWG Workshop, Workshop Leader, Using the Feminist Gaze in Ekphrastic Writing, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Time: 7-8:30 pm. Registration required. IWWG Members $39, Non-Members $49

River Read Featured Reader (with an open mic), Saturday, March 9 @ 11:30 am. Red Bank Public Library, 84 W. Front St., Red Bank, NJ. Hosts: Linda Johnston Mulhausen and Gregg G. Brown. In-person. 

The P.W.P Sessions, podcast interview, Poets with Purpose, Tuesday, March 19, 2024 @ 9 pm , Zoom Meeting ID: 239 032 5358; Passcode: PWPSMAR19, Host: Noel A. Figueroa, $5 suggested donation (see link for details)

NeuroNautic Institute, Featured Reader (with an open mic), Thursday, March 21 from 7 – 9 pm, Otto’s Shrunken Head, 538 E 14th St, NYC, Hosts: Matthew Hubert & Meghan Grupposo

The Book House, Featured Reader, Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 6 pm, 281 Essex St., Millburn, NJ, Reading and Signing, Books for Sale.

Go to the link below to register for this virtual event.

Last night, I was in conversation with Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram on his show Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio and YouTube podcast (QLPORYT). Always a joy to speak with Michael on all things poetry. If you missed the live broadcast you can listen to the recording here.

AND, if you are interested in appearing on the show, go to their website, fill out the form under “Register as a guest.”

Tonight, 2/6/24 at 8 pm.

Log on to https://www.blogtalkradio.com/ql_p/2024/02/07/quintessential-listening-poetry-online-radio-youtube-presents-margaret-r-sraco to listen in!

A feature, a workshop, a hosting gig, a contest reading & an art exhibit. Events are free (except for the workshop) & in EST. Please join me. Updates will be on my website: https://margaretsaraco.com

Allen Ginsberg Contest Winners Reading Participating Reader: Honorable Mention poem.
Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 1 pm.
Hamilton Club Building, 32 Church St, Paterson, NJ
Host: Maria Mazziotti Gillan. In-person https://www.poetrycenterpccc.com

Quintessential Listening Poetry Online Radio and YouTube
February 6, 2024 @ 8:00 pm
On the air.
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/ql_p/2024/02/07/qlpor-youtube-presents-margaret-r-sraco

Parkland Poets Hosting
Thursday, February 8, 2024, 9-10:30 pm.
Open mic available. Sign up during event.
Meeting ID: 833 7485 4308, Passcode: 2024.
Host: Margaret R. Sáraco. Virtual.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83374854308?pwd=eGhzV1JRL2E2Rk8xZEtyblBOTE5pZz09#success

IWWG Workshop, Workshop Leader
Using the Feminist Gaze in Ekphrastic Writing
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Time: 7-8:30 pm
Registration required. IWWG Members $39, Non-Members $49
https://iwwg.org/event-5553001

Gaelen Gallery Exhibit, runs until February 25, 2024
Artist, Alex Polner (illustrated the cover & interior illustrations for Even the Dog Was Quiet)
JCC Metro West, 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ
https://jccmetrowest.org/programs/gaelen/artgallery/#overview

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/ql_p/2024/02/07/qlpor-youtube-presents-margaret-r-sraco

Last year I appeared on Michael’s show to promote If There Is No Wind. On Feb. 6, 2024, I am returning to discuss and read from Even the Dog Was Quiet (Human Error Publishing.) For more information, click on this link. There will be a recording, but tune in real time in you can. 

I will be reading, along with several other poets, to support the Montague Reporter on Sunday, January 21st. (The poetry reading is free.) This is a local independent weekly community print newspaper that services the 5 villages of Montague in Massachusetts. If you are interested in donating to the newspaper, follow the link below. Come join us from the comfort of your home. Register in advance to get the meeting link.

Alex Polner’s opening at the Gaelen Gallery was amazing! Alex did the cover and illustrations for my book, Even the Dog Was Quiet. You still have a chance to see it. The show runs through Feb. 25, 2024, is open 7 days a week and admittance is free. Alex’s work appears with Mixed Media artist, Ry An. Check the website for times or contact Gallery Director, Lisa Suss at 973-530-3413, lsuss@jccmetrowest.org. And, if you can’t make it to the show, check out Alex’s website to take a look at his specatacular work.

I will be a featured reader with Gillian Sze and Catherine Graham for Parkland Poets (passcode is 2024) on Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 9-10:30 pm ET. (Note” the flyer states it is at 7:00 pm, but that is MST.) PLEASE JOIN US. Open mic available. Sign up during event. (See the flyer below.)

My poem “Wishing Stone” appears in the latest edition of Book of Matches: A Literary Journal! Thanks to Editors Kelli Allen and Nicholas Christian for their love and care with issue #10. Truly beautiful work. My writer friends, their submission window reopens 1/12/24 if you are interested in sending in work.