Episode 26: CONFERENCECAST 2010

The WV Writers ConferenceCast 2010 (a.k.a. Episode 26) is now online.

In it we reveal the full list of presenters for the 2010 Summer Conference. We'll also have information on the guest editors who will be there as well as on the pitch sessions and one on one critique sessions they are offering.

We'll also reveal the exact date we will begin pre-registration for the conference, (as well as when Cedar Lakes will begin accepting pre-registration forms for rooms and meals). A hint: it's VERY soon.

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West Virginia Writers ConferenceCast (a.k.a Episode 26) Part 1

West Virginia Writers ConferenceCast (a.k.a Episode 26) Part 2


LINKS FOR THIS PODCAST
Our 2010 Summer Conference Page

Episode 24: Keith Pitzer Tribute with Pops Walker

“It’s with a heavy heart that I write to you today, for we have lost a great friend and performer, Keith Pitzer. Keith passed on this morning after a courageous fight with cancer. His wife Joan, and his four grown sons mourn the loss of their loved one, as do I, Bobbi, and anyone who knew Keith.” -- Pops Walker

This is the opening paragraph from a letter written by Keith's friend and our podcast composer, Pops Walker. Written on December 22, the day Keith passed, it is how many of us first learned the news. Keith was not only a friend of this podcast, but he was a friend of our organization as well.

I thought for today’s special double-sized podcast it would be nice to speak with Pops in tribute to Keith. I wanted to get Pops' perspective on Keith the man and hear about his tireless work with Friends of the Cheat, and also hear of his skill as a musician. We'll also hear some of the outtakes from my interview with him last June, including some of the amazing music he made alongside his wife Joan.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 24


LINKS FOR THIS PODCAST

• Keith & Joan’s website
• Keith & Joan on MySpace
• Keith & Joan Pitzer's CDs
• Falling Mountain Music
• Friends of Cheat
• Pops Walker.com
• Keith Pitzer Memorial Celebration Information
  
• Pops' Letter Regarding Keith
• Keith on Podcast Episode 9
• West Virginia Highlands Voice blog
• Dominion Post article about Keith by Michelle Wolford
• VIDEO: Keith, Joan and their son Jake playing as "String Fever"
• Andrew McKnight's blog entry about Keith

Episode 22: A Conversation with Lee Maynard, Part 2

Episode 22 of the WVW Podcast continues with Part 2 of the conversation between WV Writers 1st Vice President Cat Pleska and Lee Maynard. Lee is best known as the author of the book Crum, and its followup Screaming with the Cannibals. He has a new novel-in-memoir-form called The Pale Light of Sunset: Scattershots and Hallucinations in an Imagined Life, published by West Virginia University Press.

This week some of the topics covered include the truth layered in a fictional memoir; the true threat of retirement; fictional violence in service to story; influences; and the answer to the question "What two things do you know for sure?"

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 22

Links mentioned in Podcast:

LeeMaynard.com

Cat Pleska.com

The Pale Light of Sunset: Scattershots and Hallucinations in an Imagined Life

Lee Maynard Video Podcast Live Readings on YouTube

Cat Pleska heard in Podcast Episode 4

Podcast Bonus Show 3

Episode 21: A Conversation with Lee Maynard, Part 1

Episode 21 of the WVW Podcast features a conversation between WV Writers 1st Vice President Cat Pleska and Lee Maynard, author of the book Crum, its followup Screaming with the Cannibals and the new novel-in-memoir-form The Pale Light of Sunset: Scattershots and Hallucinations in an Imagined Life, published by West Virginia University Press.


As those of you who've attended Lee's workshops at previous WV Writers Summer Conferences well know, he's an extremely talented writer who specializes in gut-level writing. This week's part of the conversation explores some of that as well as his writing discipline, his philosophy on truth in memoir vs. storytelling and his feelings about West Virginia.


DOWNLOAD PART 1 (Right click and Save Link Target As)
West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 21

Then CLICK HERE for Part 2.


Links mentioned in Podcast:

LeeMaynard.com

The Pale Light of Sunset: Scattershots and Hallucinations in an Imagined Life

Chuck Kinder

Episode 20: Cheryl Denise Interview

Episode 20 of the WVW Podcast in which we speak with poet Cheryl Denise, author of the collection I Saw God Dancing.

We talk to Cheryl about her upbringing in Canada as well as the origins behind some of her poetry. And, of course, we hear her recite some of that poetry.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 20

Links mentioned in Podcast:
I Saw God Dancing
Garrison Keillor Read's Cheryl's Poem "They'll" on the Writer's Almanac
More of Cheryl's poetry courtesy of the Hamilton Stone Review
More of Cheryl's poetry courtesy of Mennonite Life.

Episode 19: Literary Tea Recorded Live Reading with Willa Izzo

Episode 19 of the WVW Podcast in which we air the fourth of our patented recorded live readings. (Q: "But if it's recorded, how can it be live?" A: "One of us is asking too many questions.")

This recorded live reading comes from the October 8th session of the Greenbrier Valley Theatre's October Literary Tea series and features Willa Izzo reading from her honorable mention win in the humor category of the 2009 WV Writers Writing Competition. (I'd like to thank Belinda Anderson for recording this session while I was out of state stuffing my face in Austin.)

The Literary Tea series for 2009 continues with a special Kids Tea on October 29 and a community poetry Tea on November 5. These take place at 5:30 p at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in downtown Lewisburg.

If you're a member or extended friend of WV Writers, Inc. we invite you to submit your own live readings to wvwpodcast@gmail.com.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 19

Links mentioned in Podcast:
WV Writers Annual Writing Competition
Greenbrier Valley Theatre
Irish Pub on Washington Street

Episode 17: Literary Tea "Gothic Bedtime Stories" Recorded Live Reading

Episode 17 of the WVW Podcast in which we air the second of our patented recorded live readings. (Q: "But if it's recorded, how can it be live?" A: "Mind your own Ps and Qs.")

This recorded live reading comes from a session of the Greenbrier Valley Theatre's October Literary Tea series, from 2007 and features the story "Faux Fangs" from Beverly Pauley's collection Gothic Bedtime Stories. This story is the first appearance of Bev's reoccurring character, elderly West Virginia vampire Rutherford Zucks.

The Literary Tea series for 2009 will run October 1, 8, 15, 22 with a special Kids Tea on October 29 and a community poetry Tea on November 5. These take place at 5:30 p at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in downtown Lewisburg.

If you're a member or extended friend of WV Writers, Inc. we invite you to submit your own live readings to wvwpodcast@gmail.com.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 17

Links mentioned in Podcast:
Gothic Bedtime Stories
Greenbrier Valley Theatre
West Virginia Book Festival
"Putting Flesh on the Bones" Book Fest Workshop
Book Festival Workshop Schedule

Episode 16: Shirley Young Campbell Tribute Special

(NOW UPDATED WITH CORRECT PODCAST LINK)

This week we present a special double-sized podcast episode in tribute to WV Writers founder Shirley Young Campbell, who passed away August 17, 2009. For this special episode, we interview Kirk Judd, Barbara Smith and Dolly Withrow, each counted among the charter members of WV Writers and longtime friends of Mrs. Campbell.

We speak to them about Mrs. Campbell's many accomplishments in promoting the writing and writers of WV, her role as a catalyst in the creation of West Virginia Writers, Inc., her co-founding of Mountain State Press, her own writing and many publications, what she was like as a person, and her role as the "Literary Mother" of so many of the finest writers of our state and beyond.

Many thanks to Phyllis Wilson Moore for her tremendous help in the research for this podcast.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 16


Links mentioned in Podcast:
Shirley Young Campbell’s books in the World Catalog search
Literary Map of West Virginia
Dolly Withrow Columns at the Charleston Daily Mail
Allegheny Echoes
Barbara Smith
Phyllis Wilson Moore



A POEM FOR SHIRLEY YOUNG CAMPBELL
BY BOYD CARR

Shirley Young Campbell ~ 8-19-09

i was a budding writer in her fold ~
when i got into My.th day/nights
i would send her my papers ~

at the wvw ink i would sit with her
& go over them ~ she said two things ~
a thousand years is not a very long time &

do you think if i had gone to the
university of virginia i could understand
your My.th ?

when i had my hernia Repaired she held
her second Hill & Valley party ~ i phoned
her & declined ~ she said that in her business

a hernia was not even considered a disability ~
i stayed home & sulked ~
she said she used to have a public speaking

voice but when i knew her it had cracked ~
Ed ~ her husband ~ gave me a walking stick
with a head carved on one end ~ i can see it

now in the cane &umbrella stand ~one day
i said to Shirley ~ i am being discovered ~
she Replied ~ you have already been discovered

bc

Episode 14: Joey Madia "Jester Knight" Recorded Live Reading

Episode 14 of the WVW Podcast in which we air our very first recorded live reading. (Q: "But if it's recorded, how can it be live?" A: "It's just born that way.")

This recorded live reading comes from the opening pages of the 2009 book Jester Knight as performed by its author, Joey Madia. at a book-signing he did at Vittoria & Banks gallery in Fairmont, WV.

If you're a member or extended friend of WV Writers, Inc. we invite you to submit your own live readings to wvwpodcast@gmail.com.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 14

Links mentioned in Podcast:
New Mystics Theatre
Jester Knight YouTube Trailer
Jester Knight for sale
Upcoming WV Arts Guild reading by Joey Madia

Episode 13: Mary Lucille DeBerry

Episode 13, in which we speak to poet Mary Lucille DeBerry, author of the new poetry collection Bertha Butcher's Coat.

The podcast will feature several readings from that work as well as discussions of the techniques Mary Lucille has used to inspire those poems. We'll also speak to her about her recent discovery of her own obituary.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 13

Links mentioned in Podcast:
Bertha Butcher's Coat
"Les Demoiselles Schwartz" painting by Anders Zorn

Episode 10: Kirk Judd

Episode 10, in which we speak with poet and WV Writers Charter Member, Kirk Judd. We discuss the early origins of WV Writers as an organization, Kirk's recent work with the West Virginia Words and Music program at the Clay Center in Charleston and Kirk's co-creation of the Allegheny Echoes Workshops.

Allegheny Echoes is celebrating its 13th year in 2009 and will run June 21- 27, in Marlinton, West Virginia


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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 10


Links mentioned in Podcast:
West Virginia Words and Music program
Allegheny Echoes
Wild, Sweet Notes: 50 Years of West Virginia Poetry 1950–1999

Episode 8: William Bitner & Daniel Boyd: Tag Team Interview

Episode 8, in which we speak with William Bitner and Daniel Boyd, authors, film-makers, educators, professional wrestlers, and creators of the WV-set pulp-style illustrated novel Death Falcon Zero Vs. the Zombie Slug Lords.

We talk to them about how they became the wrestlers Death Falcon Zero and Professor Danger and how that ultimately led to their book starring their in-ring alter-egos.

Both William Bitner and Daniel Boyd will be leading workshops at next week's WV Writers Summer Conference, June 12-14, 2009, Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley, WV.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 8


Links mentioned in Podcast:
Death Falcon Zero Vs. the Zombie Slug Lords
Grapes of Wrath
Paradise Film Institute
Daniel Boyd
Ghosts of Green Bottom documentary
Red Salt & Reynolds documentary
The Bros. Fraim


NEXT WEEK'S GUESTS: KEITH PITZER and, in a bonus Podcast, KIRK JUDD.

Episode 7: Boyd Carr, an Oral History

Episode 7, in which we speak with artist, poet, essayist, philosopher and official WV Writers Conference Artist in Residence Boyd Carr. We speak with Boyd about his origins as an artist, how it led him to a long association with WV Writers and about his foray into philosophy and the origins of storytelling, which he calls My.Th.

Because we could not contain this conversation within the confines of our usual 20 minute episode length, this will mark our first double-sized episode.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 7

If you'd like to join Boyd's email mailing list, send him a note at Croboyca2r@aol.com.

Links mentioned in Podcast:
My.Th

And as promised in the show, below is the caricature Boyd drew of E.Meritus at the 2008 Conference.

NEXT WEEK'S GUESTS: DANIEL BOYD & WILLIAM BITNER

Episode 6: Pam Hanson

Episode 6, in which we speak with romance novelist Pam Hanson, who is 1/2 of the team behind the pen names Jennifer Drew, Pam Rock and Pam Andrews (the other half being her mother, novelist Barbara Andrews). They write , romance novels, supernatural/sci-fi/romance novels, women's inspirational fiction and inspirational romance novels.

We speak with Pam about her path to becoming a romance writer, the world of Inspirational Romance, her friend author Mary Furbee and about her three workshops at the upcoming WV Writers Summer Conference, June 12-14, 2009, Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley, WV.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 6


Links mentioned in Podcast:
Pam Hanson
Barbara Andrews
Jennifer Drew


NEXT WEEK'S GUEST: BOYD CARR

Episode 5: Dana Wildsmith Interview

Episode 5, in which we talk to Georgia-based poet Dana Wildsmith, presenter at the upcoming WV Writers Summer Conference, June 12-14, 2009, Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley, WV.

Dana speaks about her journey to becoming a poet, her time spent as a Writer in Residence around the country, her love of music and Garrison Keillor's reading voice, and what her workshops will bring at this year's conference. She was also kind enough to read one of her poems for us.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 5


Links mentioned in Podcast:
Dana Wildsmith.com
Dana Wildsmith books from Amazon
Dana's poem "Making a Living" on the Writers Almanac
Appalachian Writers Workshop at the Hindman Settlement School


NEXT WEEK'S GUEST: PAM HANSON

Episode 4: Cat Pleska Interview

WV Writers Podcast Episode 4, in which we speak to Cat Pleska, once and future officer of WV Writers. Cat talks about her work as a teacher and memoirist, her essays for WV Public Radio, her views on the current state of the literary world of Appalachia and her time spent portraying both a famous photographer from 1910 and the mother of mother's day.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 4


Links mentioned in Podcast:
CatPleska.com
Cat Pleska's WV Public Radio Essays
Cat's "Mouth of the Holler" blog
Pearl S. Buck International Writers Workshop

Episode 3: Memories of Conferences Past

Episode 3, in which we speak of the memories of WV Writers summer conferences past with writer/editor Rhonda Browning White and think ahead to the coming good memories of this year's Summer Conference, June 12-14, 2009, Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley, WV .

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 3


Links mentioned in Podcast:
Rhonda Browning White
Inspiration for Writers

Episode 2: Susan Reinhardt Interview

Episode 2 of the podcast in which we speak to humorist Susan Reinhardt on topics as diverse as golf tournament survival techniques, percocet-fueled phone calls from her fans, imaginary gorillas, the Redneck Riviera, the sometimes dark origins of humor, the perils of vidcasting and what she's going to talk about at this year's Summer Conference.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 2


Links mentioned in Podcast:
Susan Reinhardt.com
Susan Uncensored Podcast
SouthernHumorists.com
Mister Herman's Recipes

Episode 1: Welcome to the Podcast

Episode 1 of the podcast in which we introduce ourselves and speak of "conferency" things to come with WV Writers President T.W. McNemar.

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West Virginia Writers Podcast Episode 1

Podcast Countdown

Hola citizens,

Starting Friday, April 17, 2009, at approximately 6:03 a.m., the WV Writers Podcast will post its first episode for downloading, here on this very page! This weekly podcast (updated on Friday mornings) will focus on WV Writers, its news and events, particularly on the upcoming Summer Conference. (June 12-14, 2009 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley, WV). Following the conference the podcast will continue to feature segments and interviews with writers throughout Appalachia, especially targeting our members and their work. Any suggestions in this regard are welcome at wvwpodcast@gmail.com.

For those of you unfamiliar with podcasting or how to download a podcast, there's a primer for that in the right hand sidebar. We're also available for subscription in iTunes. If all else fails, basic instructions are to right-click on the link for the show and Save As to your hard drive where you can then listen to the show with Windows Media Player, iTunes or transfer it to your own MP3 player for portable listening.

Topics or links mentioned in the show will appear here, in the sidebar to the right as will future guests.

So please join us tomorrow for our first ever podcast.

Episode 0: A Test

In which we test our podcast rss feed and publishing skills.

DOWNLOAD: Our Theme Song