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October 2024 Newsletter

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What a wonderful month October has been both personally and professionally. I celebrated my two-year anniversary on September 27th of If There Is No Wind and on October 17th Even the Dog Was Quiet will turn one.  If you find yourself in Mountain Lakes NJ, Paterson, NJ or NYC it would be great to see you at one of my readings. 

Hope to see you soon.

Upcoming Events  (Events are free unless otherwise noted.)

  • 10/12/2024, Paterson Poetry Festival: Words Around the World. Host: Talena Lachelle Queen. Great Falls Amphitheater at 72 McBride Ave. Paterson, NJ, within the Great Falls National Park. My reading begins at 1 pm. The event goes from 1 to 4 pm. There are many events the organizers are holding throughout October in Paterson. 
  • 10/27/24, WordShed NYC.  Host: Leah Elimeliah, at P & T Knitwear, 180 Orchard St, NYC. Featured reading (with Paul Rabinowitz.) Sunday, 5:00-7:00 pm.
  • 11/14/2024, Parkland Poets. I will host this event. Ron Bremner, David Brydges, & Rena Joy are the featured poets. Open mic. Virtual reading. 9:00-10:30 pm (EST).
  • 11/16/2024 Black Dog Books. Philippe R Hebert and I will be signing books, which will also be available for purchase. 103 Route 15 South, Lafayette, NJ, 12 pm – 4:30 pm. 
  • 01/09/24, Parkland Poets, Feature. Open mic. Virtual reading. 9:00-10:30 pm.

Recent and Upcoming Publications

  • “Enough is Enough” and “Phoenix is Falling, April 2010” (Fixed and Free Quarterly: December 2024 issue.) Journal available on Amazon, once published.
  • Over the summer, my poem, “Confrontation Rant” appeared in the Hobart Festival of Women Writers literary journal, NOW.
  • “Glen Falls, NY 1979” Poetry is Dead Anthology, Volume II. My poem, “Eyes of the World,” appeared in volume I. Thrilled to have another Dead poem published in volume II. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

There is always good news to share, if you have something you’d like me to mention, drop me an email.

  • Many poetry friends are taking part in the Dodge Poetry Festival this year that takes place in Newark, NJ from October 17-19th.
  • Congratulations to ARTS By The People, who just celebrated their 15th anniversary! Kudos to Paul Rabinowitz, Founder and Executive Director, and all the good people at the organization that make the programming at ABTP possible. 
  • Pre-orders are available for Theta Pavis’ chapbook, The Red Strobe (Finishing Line Press). Congratulations Theta!

Happy Summer!

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Margaret R. Sáraco’s June Newsletter, 2024
I am back in town, having traveled to Portland, Oregon, Port Hadlock, Washington, Mason, Ohio and Hobart, New York for several weeks. Alex and I had a blast, whether we were scoping out a new place to live, taking part in a writing festival or visiting our glorious children and their partners.


The Eleventh Annual Hobart Festival of Women Writers celebrated women and literature. My workshop, “Writing the Politics of Climate Change into Poetry” was a success. Grand to write and experience the festival alongside friends Linda Mead, Toma Zbrizher, Ysabel Gonzalez, Esther Cohen, Kathy Kremins, and Leslie Neustadt and to meet so many engaging writers. I am already looking forward to next year. 

Mom Egg Review just published my review of Genevieve Bett’s excellent poetry collection, A New Kind of Tongue (FlowerSong Press).

I was out of town for the book launch for the Lips 2024 reading, but I heard it was a resounding success. 


On the day I was scheduled to feature with Martin Farawell at Poetry at the Barn, the weather was steamy, but host Karen Lee Ramos kept us cool by offering a big bowl of strawberries and ice cubes. Again, old and new friends attended. Some met at virtual readings, so these were our first in-person hellos.


EVENTS

Settled in again and back to writing in Montclair, I wanted to let you know about some upcoming events.


Brownstone Poets, Saturday, June 29 at 2 pm ET, on Zoom, pre-registration required

Featured readers: Margaret Saraco, Jada Gordon, and Ron Bremner Plus, a limited open mic. 

Please follow the directions below, completing both steps at least two days before the reading to avoid delays entering the meeting room. Note the order of the open mic follows the order of signup. The cutoff for Zoom access for an open mic slot is noon on 6/29/24. Late registrants are not guaranteed Zoom access to join the open but will receive a link to watch the reading live-streamed on YouTube. 


Instructions:

Step 1: Make your $5 contribution. (Your contribution is not refundable.)

Step 2: Register in advance for this meeting.

Step 3: After making your contribution and completing your registration, you will receive a confidential confirmation email containing your unique link to join the event.


New York Poetry Festival with the Italian American Writers Association, Sun., July 14 @ 2:30, Feature. Nolan Park, Governor’s Island, NYC. The 2-day festival runs from 11-6pm on 7/13 & 7/14. The festival is free but advance registration is suggested. Governor’s Island is accessible by ferry from Manhattan and Brooklyn. I’ve never been to the island; you may have to reserve a spot on the ferry. 


WordShed NYC, Aug. 25, 2024, Feature. Host: Leah Elimeliah, 180 Orchard Street, NYC. Reading with Paul Rabinowitz. Time, tbd.

JUST ADDED: NJEA Convention Nov. 7 & 8 2024. I will be in Author’s Alley selling and signing my books in the Exhibit Hall at the Atlantic City Convention Center, at the New Jersey Education Association Convention. You must be a member of NJEA to attend.

If you wish to purchase either If There Is No Wind or Even the Dog Was Quiet from me directly, let me know. You can purchase books online at most bookstores. I am booking features into next fall. Please reach out if you are looking for readers. Also, if anyone is interested in reviewing either of my books, let me know of your interest and I can ship you a review copy. Remember to post reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble Bookshop and GoodReads for writers. It helps.

CONGRATULATIONS TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Alex Polner is exhibiting artwork in the 23rd Annual Gaelen Juried Art Show & Sale (West Orange, NJ) through July 28th. Two pieces are also being exhibited in the Art Centre of Riker Hill member’s show at the Livingston Senior/Community Center (204 Hillside Ave, Livingston, NJ) through the end of July.

Sam Roberts interviewed Rob Polner on New York Times Close Up about the biography he co-wrote with Michael Tubirdy, titled An Irish Passion for Justice, The Life of Rebel New York Attorney Paul O’Dwyer (Three Hills).

Carlos Ramos is exhibiting some of his artwork at Spiro Harrison & Nelson, in “Colors Galore.” (363 Bloomfield Ave, 2nd floor, Montclair, NJ: entrance in the back of the building.)

June is Bustling with Poetry

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There are 3 events happening in June that I am participating in. Come and join if you can!

Hobart Festival of Women Writers, June 7, 8, and 9

Join the Hobart Festival of Women Writers 2024 for a weekend of inspirational literary Workshops! Secure your spot for a transformative experience!  More information at hobartfestivalofwomenwriters.com #WomenWriters #LiteraryWorkshops #HobartFestival. Esteemed leaders include:

  • Esther Cohen** offers a **Good Stories Intensive**, dissecting masterful narratives and discussing writing techniques.
  • Nancy Agabian** leads **Shifting Perspectives / Point of View**, exploring alternative narrations inspired by authors like bell hooks.
  • Lynne Elizabeth** shares secrets in **What Publishers Need**, with insights into crafting compelling pitch letters.
  • Cheryl J. Fish** presents **Writing the Abecedarian**, encouraging creativity through alphabetical order poetry.
  • Mary Johnson** explores transcendental experiences in writing with **The Naughty Nun**.
  • Linda Lowen** provides insider knowledge on the publishing process in **Understanding What “They” are Looking For**.
  • Natalia Molebatsi** enlivens poetry in **Enlivening the Inner Self in Poetry**, using personal narratives.
  • Stephanie Nikolopoulos** focuses on **Crafting the Right Narrator for Your Story**, experimenting with different perspectives.
  • Elisabeth Nonas** encourages a nurturing writing habit in **Practice Makes Perfect**.
  • Bertha Rogers** delves into **The Art of Crafting Limericks**, teaching this classic poetic form.
  • Margaret Saraco** combines poetry and activism in **Writing the Politics of Climate Change into Poetry**.
  • Jane Schulman** reflects on war’s complexities in **WRITING IN RESPONSE TO WAR**.
  • Lisa Wujnovich** explores poetic language in conflict with **High Conflict Poetry Workshop**.

Poetry at the Barn, June 23 at 2 pm

Please join us for an afternoon of poetry featuring Priscilla Orr, Martin Farawell & Margaret Saraco followed by an open mic & refreshments. Attend just to listen or sign up to read, everyone’s welcome! POETRY at the BARN is located in the historic Carriage Barn Gallery of Ringwood State Pk, 1304 Sloatsburgh RD, Ringwood NJ 07456. For questions email RMAApoetry@yahoo.com. Sponsored by @ringwoodmanorarts #poetry #poetryreading #poetryatthebarn

Brownstone Poets, Saturday June 29 at 2 pm ET

Our featured readers are: Margaret Saraco, Jada Gordon, Ron Bremner plus a limited open mic.

Your $5 contribution keeps our annual anthology in print. Hosted by Patricia Carragon, our Brooklyn girl and Editor-in-Chief. Please follow the directions below, completing both steps at least two days before the reading to avoid delays entering the meeting room. Note the order of the open mic follows the order of signup. Sign up early to read early in the program. Last-minute signup means you will read at the end of the program. The cutoff for Zoom access for an open mic slot Is noon the day of reading. After noon, late registrants are not guaranteed Zoom access to join the open but will receive a link to watch the reading live-streamed on YouTube:

  • Step 1: Make your $5 contribution: https://bit.ly/3bkqFmO (Contributions are non-refundable.)
  • Step 2: Register in advance for this meeting: https://bit.ly/3hnpy8D
  • Step 3: After making your contribution and completing your registration, you will receive a confidential confirmation email containing your unique link to join the event.