Happy! I was stoked to get the news that Rat’s Ass Review wants to publish “Liz Cheney Wins,” for the upcoming fall issue. This poem, celebrating a woman who risked her life to choose her integrity over her senate seat, was written two years ago, after watching her concession speech. I thought it was about the least marketable thing I’d ever done. So glad I sent it in on a lark!
I’m proud to share that three of my prose poems have been published on A Story in 100 Words. “For Yulia Navalnaya” is a tribute to the widow of Russian opposition leader and freedom fighter Alexi Navalny written on the occasion of Navalnaya’s husband’s death in prison. The same day, from exile, Navalnaya vowed to Vladimir Putin that she would continue to fight for freedom and human rights, leading the movement in her husband’s place.
“You Are Fine As You Are” began, as many of my 100-word stories have, as a work email– an invitation to my writers’ group, The Nearby Universe. “‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,'” a tribute to the best Morrissey song ever written, began in a dark car an eternity ago, but was polished up to publishable in workshop with the group. I am so grateful for their help and camaraderie!
I’m thrilled to be selected as a showcase author for the 18th annual PPLD Mountain of Authors on Saturday, June 22 from 12-4:30 p.m. at the Venue, Library 21C, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr. I’ll be signing copies of my book, Only Flying. Mountain of Authors (MOA) is an annual community program that provides an opportunity for the public and local authors to network, listen to notable authors, and learn more about the craft of writing and trends in publishing. It is free to attend, there is no registration, and all are welcome!
Schedule of Events:
12:00 p.m. Doors open
12:00 p.m. – 1 p.m. – Panelist and Showcase Authors, book sales and signings*
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Author Panel Featuring Tanja Britton, Stewart Green, and Susan Joy Paul
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Panelist and Showcase Authors, book sales and signings*
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Keynote Speaker Adrian Miller
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Keynote book signing, Showcase Author book sales and signings*
*Please bring various forms of payment if you wish to buy books.
Mountain of Authors is grateful for the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District for their sponsorship of this event.
For more details about the program and a complete list of participants, click HERE.
The 3rd annual PPLD Pikes Peak Poetry Summit created by our fabulous Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius was awesome! I was honored to be invited to facilitate a Surrealism workshop, where we discussed the movement in literature and art and had a blast playing classic Surrealist games like the Exquisite Corpse. I had so many participants that people had to sit on the floor! Later, I participated in my first poetry slam and connected with so many beautiful people, including the amazing poet Nico Wilkinson. We had over 100 attendees– What an incredible day!
I’m proud to share that my true love story, “Cracking Collarbone Jones,” has been accepted by Unsolicited Press for publication in an anthology set for release in July 2024. The small press also produced my full-length collection of poetry and short stories, Only Flying, in 2021. I am grateful to the Nearby Universe for the feedback that helped make this story, like so many others, the best it could be.
Brook Bhagat 