Friday, December 31, 2010

WestConn MFA Rez First Ever Poetry Slam Winner Marj Laydon!


WestConn MFA Rez First Ever Poetry Slam was held Thursday night, 30 December 2010 at the Maron Hotel. Out of fifteen slammers (all great), Marj Laydon was crowned the winner after some tough judging by Stef Botelho, Erik Mortenson and Elizabeth Cohen. The brainchild of hostess Lisa Siedlarz, let's hope the Slam is a regular rez event!



Thursday, December 30, 2010

Hayden Essay Receives Honorable Mention in CT REVIEW

I just received word that my essay, "Nesting" earned an Honorable Mention in nonfiction in the CT Review writing contest. "Nesting"  is part of Staying Alive: A Love Story, my collection of linked essays which just completed the requirements for my thesis. 

Connecticut Review is published twice each year by the Connecticut State University System as a public service contribution to the national literary and intellectual discourse.

The journal publishes the best in contemporary literature and essays. The selection process focuses on bringing to general readers cutting edge work that is both thought provoking and accessible.

Connecticut Review is under the exclusive direction of editors chosen from each of the four CSUS universities: Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven and Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Connecticut.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Peer Workshop - Poetry Genre

Hello All,

I'm only aware of three (3) students working in the genre of poetry; myself, M.Laydon and C. Baccaro. If there are any more of you out there - returning or new students - and you see this post, please identify yourselves and express your level of interest in creating a Peer Workshop that is focused on our common Genre.

If you can, please respond here in "Comment" or privately to vinniekmetz@yahoo.com. Beyond that communication, I will set up in a notorious location for our first lunch, tomorrow 12/28 and we can organize from that kiosk.

Cheers

VK

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Residency Events on Monday 12/27 CANCELLED

The University will be closed on Monday, December 27th due to weather, which means we will not have access or support services for our Welcome Dinner or other meetings.  They are predicting 1 to 2 feet of snow in Danbury between Sunday and Monday a.m.

All events for the Residency scheduled for Monday, December 27th are CANCELLED.

All Attendees: I will give a brief Welcome talk at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday in the Ballroom South, Westside Campus Center (where we eat our meals).

New students:  I will do your orientation at the end of the WebCT and email orientation session, scheduled for 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Travelers:  Please take necessary precautions when traveling to the residency.  Let me know if you will be delayed on Tuesday via my email (azevedoh@wcsu.edu) or the residency hotline 860-488-3882.

Attendees Staying at the Maron: Do let the hotel know if you will not be arriving on Monday evening.

Open Mic at Residency Jan. 1

In addition to the Poetry Slam on Thursday night, Dec. 30th, you will have another (optional!) opportunity to share some of your work with your peers in the program.  There will be an Open Mic on Saturday evening, Jan. 1, so bring a poem, a piece of falsh fiction, an excerpt from a story or novel or memoir, a scene from a play or screenplay, a short essay -- something to show us what you're up to in your work!

There will be a sign up sheet for the Open Mic in the dining room (Ballroom South) of the Campus Center during the week. The time allowed for each reading will depend on how many people sign up.

Weather Report: Snow Expected Sunday & Monday AM

Our current forecast for Danbury is for blizzard conditions today (Sunday), with the snow on Monday giving way to snow showers by mid-morning. We expect several inches of snow on Sunday, with an additional 1 to 3 inches on Monday.

Given this forecast, I expect that all residency activities will happen as planned on Monday afternoon and evening.  However, I'm sure that the city and the University will still be digging out of snow, and I expect it will affect travel for several of you.  Please keep me posted on your travel plans and any delays by email, or via the residency hotline 860-488-3882.

I'll update the blog as the weather forecast changes.  Safe travels to all, and we look forward to seeing you.

Holly

Friday, December 24, 2010

Young Writers Program, Revived With CSU System Support, Will Run 2011 Competition

'We're delighted'
-- CSUS Senior Vice Chancellor
for Academic and Student Affairs Louise Feroe



  • Young Writers Trust Website




  • CT Young Writers Trust
    231 Beach St. Litchfield, CT 06759
    * 860-567-8865 * Fax- 860-567-9119
    http://www.ct.edu/initiatives/ctyoungwriters/

    RON WINTER
    Executive Director, hjrwinter@comcast.net, 860-228-6803
    CAROL THIBEAULT
    Administrator, ctbeau@yahoo.com, 203-843-1423
    ATTY WILLIAM CROWE
    Legal Counsel, wcrowe@mayocrowe.com, 860-275-6801
    ANDY THIBAULT
    Chairman, tntcomm82@cs.com, 860-690-0211
    Dec. 24, 2010


    Holiday Rescue Donor Matt Daly
    With Son Jack Several Years Ago @ Marist College


    ANNOUNCEMENT:
    Young Writers Program Revived,
    Will Run 2011 Competition


    Connecticut's young poets and writers will be able to enter a streamlined competition in 2011 following pledged infusions of cash to the CT Young Writers Trust in recent days.

    The Trust's board received pledges totaling $20,000 on Wednesday from the Connecticut State University System and the family trust of a Glastonbury businessman. The CSU System donation of $10,000 is expected in early January and Matthew Daly's donation of the same amount from his family trust is expected in February. Before Wednesday, the Trust had no funding for the 2011 competition.

    Entry forms will be posted at the CSU System page http://www.ct.edu/initiatives/ctyoungwriters/
    in early January and mailed to all public, private and parochial schools. Home school students are also eligible.

    "This is a far too important program to see die because of lack of funds," Daley said. "We must continue to provide such writing exercises and contests to our young people. I am proud to support such an effort."

    The Trust board on Wednesday also hired an executive director and an administrator for the program, to be paid by the Daly family trust donation. Ron Winter, an author and a long-time judge for the competition, will serve as executive director. Carol Thibeault, a Realtor who managed the program for the CSU System in 2000 and 2001, will serve as administrator.

    "Matt Daly is our holiday rescue angel," said Andy Thibault, chairman of the Trust. "Without his support, we were facing an immediate shutdown."

    The Trust has given more nearly $200,000 to young poets and writers since 1998. About 6,000 students have participated in the competition.

    As the economy soured in recent years, the Trust lost upwards of $10,000 in funding from its corporate benefactor IMPAC. Jim Irwin, the IMPAC chairman and founder of the competition, died in September 2009.

    Since 2000, The Trust and the CSU System have organized four regional ceremonies and an annual dinner celebration. For the 2011 competition, there will be one event to be scheduled in the spring.

    Widespread community support has sustained the program over the years. Small businesses, banks, lawyers, real estate agents and others have donated upwards of $75,000 for expenses.

    Winter will manage operations and fundraising. Thibeault will manage the finances and maintain all records and filings.

    The annual entry deadline of Feb. 1 will be postponed at least a month. More announcements will be forthcoming.

    RON WINTER, CAROL THIBEAULT, MATT DALY
    SHORT BIOS
    FOLLOW BELOW.


    RON WINTER SHORT BIO

    Ronald Winter is an author, public relations executive, college professor and award winning journalist. He regularly writes and speaks on the military and politics.

    Ron is author of the book Masters of the Art, A Fighting Marine's Memoir of Vietnam published by Random House, and writes Winter's Soldier Story, his website, blog and column.

    His newest work of non-fiction is Granny Snatching, How a 92-Year-Old Widow Fought the Courts and Her Family to Win Her Freedom. A long-time journalist, Winter worked for newspapers including The Hartford Courant and Journal Inquirer of Manchester.

    Winter also was a team member of Poets &Writers For Avery, supporting free speech rights in the landmark case [aka The Famous Douche Bag Case] now before the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

    He has served as a judge for the Connecticut Young Writers Competition for six years.

    He was featured in 2004 in the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project; is an adjunct professor of communication at the University of Hartford; and is a director for Michael J. London &Associates Public Relations firm in Trumbull, CT.
    --
    CAROL THIBEAULT SHORT BIO

    Carol Thibeault, administrator for the CT Young Writers Trust, managed the young writers competition for the CSU System in 2000 and 2001. From 1996-2001, she managed the Office of the Chancellor, including budget preparation and supervision of part-time employees. Before that, she managed the operation of the office of the Chief Financial Officer.

    Thibeault, a Realtor, earned an accounting degree from Central Connecticut State University in 2000.

    She owned and operated New Haven's first wireless Internet café and Fair Trade espresso bar, Elm City Java, from 2002-2005.
    --

    MATT DALY SHORT BIO


    Matt Daly, a business consultant based in Glastonbury, was a defensive tackle for Marist College where he graduated in 1991.

    Born in Fairfield, he served on the Hebron Board of Finance from 2003-2006.

    Marist University
    Degree awarded: B.A.
    Major: Fine Arts

    Global Financial Services
    Business Efficiency Consultant

    Yankee Institute
    Policy Scholar
    2007-2008

    State of Connecticut Judicial Department
    Bail Commissioner
    1993-2007
    -------------
    news story
    in today's
    Register Citizen


    The Register Citizen (registercitizen.com,
    Serving Torrington, CT

    News

    Connecticut Young Writers Competition bounces back

    'We're delighted'- CSUS Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Louise Feroe


    Friday, December 24, 2010

    By RICKY CAMPBELL

    LITCHFIELD — It seems as if Christmas has come a few days early for the Connecticut Young Writers Trust.

    The non-profit organization which has held a competition for high school students in both prose and poetry since 1998 was facing its dissolution going into Wednesday’s board meeting because of a lack in funding. That isn’t the case any longer.

    Thanks to Glastonbury resident Matthew Daly, the Connecticut Young Writers Competition will live to see another day because of his financial donation of $10,000. The Connecticut State University System (CSUS) will match the donor’s gift, giving the competition enough fuel for another year.

    “It’s a terrific organization we can’t let die,” the former state congress candidate said. “Our young people are given such an enormous opportunity [through it].”

    Daly, son of a former Federal Justice T.F. Gilroy Daly, said he was approached by “an old friend” and given the mission of the fund. After hearing the purpose of the organization and its competition, Daly felt willing to help out the group’s monetary woes, saying he has always had a place in his heart for the literary arts.

    “I have a very strong passion for writing, myself,” he added.

    The “old friend” who approached Daly was six-year competition judge Ron Winter, who recently stepped up as the program’s executive director and said when he learned of the rut the organization was in, immediately thought of Daly.

    “I didn’t realize the program was in jeopardy,” Winter said. “[Daly] helped out a lot of programs before so I called him up and asked if he could help,”

    And Daly answered the call. Ten thousand times.

    Along with Daly, CSUS has once again thrown their hat into the ring, supporting the fund for the 11th straight year.

    “We were always willing to be a partner,” Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Louise Feroe said, adding that as long as the competition still has a breath left in it, “we’re delighted.”

    CSUS and the fund’s board members aren’t the only ones jumping with holiday joy. Former competitors know how much the prose and poetry limelight can mean to high school aged kids.

    “As a writer, it’s a great encouragement,” 2003 prose champion Lauren Hefferon said. “It encourages talent and proves there’s a network of writers out there.”

    Hefferon, a Yale University graduate and keynote speaker for the 2010 competition added that the donation by Daly is “a pretty nice Christmas present.”

    “I’m so glad to hear it’s getting another chance this year,” said Melanie Lieberman who won the prose championship four years following Hefferon. “Having the recognition can mean so much to a student. It’s such a great opportunity and I’m so thrilled.”

    That same thrilling feeling was felt throughout the Young Writers board, with trust chairman Andy Thibault mentioning how much it the donation meant.

    “It’s a renewed commitment,” said Thibault, who has witnessed the program’s growth and been a huge part of it since its inception. “It’s great and unexpected news to have a holiday donor. A rescue donor.”

    While the joyous news may have come as a surprise to many, everyone from top to bottom is aware the future of the competition will remain an uphill battle.

    “We’re going to do everything we can,” Winter said. “I’m going to do everything I can to keep this thing going.”

    “We have a lot of work do do right now,” he added. “That’s priority number one.”

    According to Thibault, the trust is trying to get the entry forms online as early as the first week of January and instead of the usual five annual ceremonies, the organization may have to combine into a single one.

    While the competition may see some changes in the near future, the program’s new favorite son says it still has what it takes to move forward.

    “It can grow exponentially,” Daly said. “Some of the people involved can really help it expand.”

    As long as contributors such as Daly are around, the competition which has seen over 6,000 students and has given nearly $200,000 in prizes can continue its support of hard-working competitors, giving the nod to those directly involved, providing the Young Writers Trust with a Christmas present its sure to remember for years to come.

    Ricky Campbell can be reached by e-mail at rcampbell@registercitizen.com and followed on Twitter at Twitter.com/rickycampbellRC. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/registercitizen.

  • Marine Leads Charge To Revitalize Connecticut Young Writers Trust


  • twitter@cooljustice




  • VIDEO: 6-3-10, Young Writers 13th Annual Celebration


  • Photos, 6-3-10, Hartford Club


  • Boxing & Poetry Event, 1-15-10


  • WNPR Preview of Triple KO Event


  • CT Young Writers 'Photos of Old'


  • Twain House Photos 2009
  • Thursday, December 23, 2010

    Faculty / Student Meetings & Updated Schedule Posted

    The schedule of faculty / student meetings at the residency is now posted on the website.

    An updated residency schedule is also posted.  Note that we will be in the Maron Hotel for all activities on Friday, December 31st, and Saturday, January 1st, due to the University holidays.

    See you next week!

    Wednesday, December 22, 2010

    MFA Graduates May Register for Residency Workshops

    Current students have completed their residency registrations.  MFA graduates are welcome to register for any remaining seats in the workshops.

    If you register for a workshop with a prerequisite to submit work, I will send you the submission information as soon as possible.

    Holly

    Monday, December 20, 2010

    Key Dates for Spring 2011

    If you're thinking ahead, here are the key dates for the Spring 2011 semester:

    January 18: Syllabi are due

    January 18: Semester begins

    January 18: Online Workshops begin (syllabi will be posted by this date)

    January 31: Enrichment project proposals are due (1st semester students, & 2nd semester students if you have not already submitted a proposal)

    February 15: Thesis proposals are due

    May 6: Final thesis submissions are due

    May 21: Last day of semester

    May 25: Grades are due

    Faculty Mentors for Intersession / Spring 2011

    To see which mentors you have for which class, you can check the OpenClose system online. All mentors have been filled in according to your registration, so look for your section and you'll see the mentor listed. Go to

    http://online.wcsu.edu/openclose/

    select Intersession 2011 or Spring 2011; on the next page select Writing in the Subject box and click Class Search.

    Sunday, December 19, 2010

    Book Signing Today at Deja Brew Cafe




    If anyone is in the New Haven area today (12/19), I'll be doing a book signing and reading at Deja Brew Cafe, 763 Edgewood Avenue, New Haven (Westville section near Yale Bowl.) I'll have books on hand for purchase. Event is noon to 3 p.m.

    For more information on Press Pause Moments: Essays about Life Transitions by Women Writers visit the blog. By the way, the collection also features WCSU M.F.A. graduates Kirsten Genthner and Jennifer Bouchard.

    Thursday, December 16, 2010

    Don Snyder Available to Assist Students with Plot Lines

    Don Snyder believes that we are living at a time when writers really need to conceive of AMAZING PLOTS in order to have a chance in New York and Hollywood-- plots with GREAT REVERSALS.

    Don is offering to help by making himself available at the residency to talk one on one with any student who needs help figuring out the plot lines in a novel or short story. You can write to him in advance of the residency if you wish, or just talk to him when we are together at the residency. He will set aside time to sit and talk with each student who needs help.

    If you want to contact Don Snyder in advance of the residency, email him at Hancockpt@aol.com

    Monday, December 13, 2010

    Review Opportunity

    Book reviews are good ways to pick up publication credits. Here's a new venue run by an excellent young poet, Molly Gaudry:

    If you happen to have a book review lying around, or if you find yourself suddenly inclined to write one, would you mind sending it to me for Cow Heavy's blog? 

    molly.gaudry@gmail.com

    I want the blog component of our website to become a space for book reviews -- for anyone to send a book review (of course in the interest of generating more traffic to the site), and I want to launch the blog/reviews some time in January, with, like, 50 guest posts all at once. 

    If you'd want to do more reviews than that in the future, of course we'd love it, but this favor is just to ask for one (or more) initial reviews that will help launch and establish Cow Heavy as a review venue. 

    Hope you're well, and thanks if you can help us out!

    Happy holidays!

    Molly

    http://cowheavybooks.com/

    Peer Workshops at January 2011 Residency

    As you did for the August 2010 residency, you will self-organize for the Peer Workshops . Use the comments space under this post to discuss what you might like to do or discus in peer workshops, topics you might like to cover, organization by genre or subgenre or technical question or whatever. You can also post a new blog entry with that information, so that others can comment and join.

    There are two blocks of time on the schedule for the workshops (Wednesday and Friday afternoons, 2 ½ hours each). You just need to decide how you're going to use that time and let Laurel know if your group is going to have any unusual needs in terms of technology, space, etc. Keep in mind that the incoming first-semester students have no frame of reference for this, and need guidance from some of the more seasoned students (this was a comment in the residency evaluations).

    Suggestions were also made in the residency evaluations that the Peer Workshops be led by a mentor, but that would render the sessions as traditional workshops and not peer-to-peer sessions. Any student is welcome to step up to be a leader of a peer group, however you wish to organize.

    Sunday, December 12, 2010

    Last Day for Hotel Reservations at Special Rate (12/12/10)

    The Maron Hotel rate for students for the Winter residency is $89/per night.  This rate will only be available until midnight December 12th.  Don't forget to ask for the WestConn MFA student rate when you call.

    The number is (203) 791-2200. http://www.maronhotel.com/hotel-overview.html

    After December 12th, neither the availability nor the rate is guaranteed.

    See the November 12, 2010, blog entry for more information.

    Saturday, December 11, 2010

    Never Miss Another Blog Entry

    You never have to miss another MFA blog entry if you set up a Google Alert.  This will send an email to your personal id everytime a new entry is made to the MFA blog.

    Go to Google Alerts:  http://www.google.com/alerts and set up the following:

    Search term:  westconnmfa.blogspot.com/

    Type:  Blogs

    How Often: as-it-happens (or other choices)

    Volume: All results

    Deliver to: send it to your gmail account, or have it forwarded to another account  (If you don't have a Google email account, you will need to register for one.)

    You can use Google alerts for other searches as well. I know authors who use it to determine where their names, book reviews, links, etc. are appearing on the web. 

    Friday, December 10, 2010

    The Newtowner - New Literary Magazine Launching 12/11/10

    A new literary magazine is debuting in this area tomorrow.  The Newtowner "is a first-of-its-kind quarterly arts and literary magazine featuring fiction, poetry, memoir, essays and features celebrating local literary, visual and performing artists."

    Read about The Newtowner at newtownermagazine.homestead.com ; they are also on Facebook.

    The Newtowner official launch and reception are on Saturday, Dec 11, 2010, at the C.H. Booth Library Conference Room, 25 Main St, Newtown, CT, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Meet the first issue's featured poets, authors and artists.

    I met one of the editors recently, and she requested that I encourage you to submit to The Newtowner -- they are looking for submissions for the next issue (creative nonfiction, poetry, fiction, artwork and photography)!  

    Thursday, December 09, 2010

    January 2011 Residency Schedule, Workshop Descriptions & Signup Ready

    The January 2011 Residency Schedule, Workshop Descriptions, & Workshop Signup have been posted to the MFA website:

    http://www.wcsu.edu/writing/mfa/

    "Workshop Descriptions" links you to a pdf of all workshop details, including any advance work that is expected of you. Each workshop description is also available on the workshop signup page. Each workshop is limited to 15 participants (and one is limited to 6), so sign up as soon as possible!

    If you have not made your selections by December 20th, you will be assigned to workshops.

    Wednesday, December 08, 2010

    REMINDER: Registration Ends Today 12/8/2010

    Registration must be completed online by the end of today, Wednesday, December 8th.

    If you have questions about your registration, let me know.

    Holly

    Monday, December 06, 2010

    Poetry Slam at the Winter Residency

    We're working out the final details of the residency schedule.  In the meantime, we wanted you to get ready for the Late Night Poetry Slam, planned for Thursday, December 30th.

    Lisa Siedlarz is your host for the slam, and she writes:

    Do you fancy yourself a poet? Do you have what it takes to wow us? If so, then dare to sign up for the first ever Westconn MFA Idol Poetry Slam. One poem – or 3 minutes. Give it your best shot. See what the judges say. And maybe YOU will be crowned Westconn MFA Poetry Idol. (Not responsible for judges remarks, poor performance, or crying)

    Lisa will have more details and a signup sheet at the residency, but you've been notified!

    Sunday, December 05, 2010

    Faculty / Course Evaluations for Fall 2010

    If you are enrolled in any course this semester, please download, complete and return evaluation forms from the MFA web site. These forms are an important part of our program review process and are crucial for faculty in their performance reviews.

    http://www.wcsu.edu/writing/mfa//Student%20Forms.asp

    Please complete the Program Course Evaluation Form for ALL mentors; you may email it to me or Laurel or mail it to the MFA office. If your mentor is James Scrimgeour, De Los Santos, Steinmetz, Misercola, or Holub (all of whom have taught, are teaching, or will teach in traditional courses on campus and thus undergo faculty performance review), please ALSO complete the Departmental Course Evaluation Form ONLY if your mentor asks you to do so; that form should be emailed or mailed to Sharon Foster in the Writing Dept. office.

    All evaluation forms must be received in the MFA office no later than December 18th or they will be discarded.

    Reminder for Fall 2010 Internship / Practicum Students

    In order for you to receive credit for your internship or practicum, I must receive from your on-site mentor or supervisor a brief narrative evaluation of your on-site performance no later than December 18th. Please remind your on-site supervisor of this requirement; s/he can email the evaluation to me at azevedoh@wscu.edu.

    Thursday, December 02, 2010

    Reminder: CT Review Contest Deadline 12/4/10

    A reminder that the Connecticut Review writing contest deadline is this Saturday, Dec. 4th. 

    For full details, refer to the 10/4/2010 blog entry:  CT Review Writing Contests

    Wednesday, December 01, 2010

    Seeking Single Fairfield County, CT Women 35+ for Magazine Article

    Hello, All.

    Hope your respective semesters are going well. I am writing a piece on single women 35+, preferably never married, for a Fairfield County, CT based magazine, Healthy Life. The angle is strong, accomplished women who simply haven't found that elusive Mr. Right (yet). ;)

    I will also be discussing ways to meet men, from Meetup.com groups and online dating sites to (gasp) real life places. I will also be gathering the perspectives of area relationship counselors. Finally, I will be offering Census Bureau stats on the state of marriage.

    If you know of any single ladies 35+ who lives in the Danbury, Bridgeport or Greenwich, Ct areas, please ask if they might be interested in being profiled. First names only assured.

    If you have any questions, or know of any women who fit my story, please reach me at larissa@larissalytwyn.com. Deadline is Dec. 17 and I would like the interviews completed by the end of next week, ideally.

    Thanks!

    Larissa