Don't Forget ...

... our first meeting of the new writing season will be August 27th at the KY Ag Heritage Center on Hwy 127 across from the Kountry Kupboard. We will begin at 6:30pm.



If you know someone who is interested in joining us or just would like to check us out, bring them along. If you would like to bring a snack to share, let me know.

One of the projects we are going to work on is Scary Stories or Poems (but not horror) for a chapbook we are considering doing for Halloween this year. If you are not a member of The Community of Mercer County Writers, you are still invited to join us or submit a piece for this chapbook. I am not sure when we will present it to the public, but we would like to have it ready for the downtown Halloween event, Night of the Great Pumpkin. The idea is to write something that has a scary tone, but would not give kids nightmares if they heard it or read it. The piece could even be funny if you we so inclined. So think about it, maybe even get something down on paper to read at the meeting.

We also want to work on another chapbook to celebrate the opening of the brand-new Mercer County Public Library in November. We would like the proceeds of the sale of this book to go toward subscriptions of writing journals for the library. Think about your first library visit, your favorite library visit, or even the worst time you had at a library - whatever reminds you of libraries.

If you are working on something and would like a bit of critique, bring that along as well. Please, please let me know if you can or cannot come on the 27th so we know how many snacks we need and what to plan for. I am looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Hope to see you all there!

Tony

Care and Feeding of Nightmares

For anyone who would like to purchase my 2nd chapbook of poetry, "Care and Feeding of Nightmares" - you can email me at:

careandfeedingofnightmares@gmail.com

with your snail-mail address. The books are $5 each plus $2 for shipping and handling. I hope to have PayPal set up on my blog in a few weeks for payments, but currently I can only accept checks or money orders. I will mail out the book on the day I receive your order. You can also buy the books at J. Sampson Antiques on Main Street in Harrodsburg. Thanks to everyone who buys a book!

New Library Kick-Off

As many of you know, our new Mercer County Public Library will be opening hopefully sometime in November and the Community of Mercer County Writers may be asked to help with the Grand Opening. I am not sure what we might be asked to do but I am sure whatever it is, it will be fun.

In conjunction with that I thought we might create another chapbook to give away during the celebration (which will probably last more than one day). I am open for suggestions as to what sort of content we might put in to such a chapbook but my initial thought is that we write about some experience we have had with reading, the importance of a library or even a fictional piece about a library visit... something along those lines but I am not locked into that so if you have suggestions let's talk about them when we meet on August 27th.

I have been asked to have a workshop scheduled as soon as the library is open. It will be something they will promote during the opening. I would like to do something different but I am at a loss for a good idea at the moment. So, again, I am open for suggestions. I have been considering having a running workshop that meets once a week there and the first workshop could be a kick off for that... I bet some of you already have a good idea... bring these ideas with you on the 27th as well. You may not know it but when the library was being designed, I asked for a room that we could use for workshops, one with a small kitchen, maybe a dry erase board and so forth.... well, it is there.

They have designed a large room that can be divided and both rooms will have a sink and a place to make coffee, etc. One side is larger than the other and the plan is for us to use the smaller of the two parts. Both rooms will have access to the restrooms and we will have our own exit so we do not disturb anyone or vise versa. They have gone out of their way to make it easy for us to meet and have workshops so I want us to use it to the max. Isn't that really cool? This morning I toured the new library. It is coming along great and you can see where everything is going to be and I will tell you it is going to be a very impressive place and we will be so proud to have such a place right here in Mercer County.

Hope to see everyone there,

Tony Sexton

First Meeting of the new Writing Season

For our first meeting of the new writing season, we will meet on August 27th at the Heritage Center where we have met before (US 127 across from the Kountry Kupboard). We will begin at 6:30.

If you know someone who is interested in joining us or just would like to check us out, bring them along. If you would like to bring a snack to share, let me know.

One of the projects we are going to work on is the Sort of Scary Story (or poem) for a chapbook we are considering doing for Halloween this year. If you are not a member of The Community of Mercer County Writers you are still invited to join us or submit a piece for this chapbook. I am not sure when we will present it to the public, it could be during the Zombie Crawl sponsored by The Arts Council of Mercer County or during the downtown Halloween event or at another time around Halloween. The idea is to write something that has a scary thought to it but would not give kids nightmares if they heard it or read it. The piece could even be funny if you we so inclined. It should be fun to do even if the chapbook did not develop. So think about it, maybe even get something down on paper to read at the meeting.

Also, if you are working on something and would like a bit of critique, bring that along as well. Please, please let me know if you can or cannot come on the 27th so we know how many snacks we need and what to plan for. I am looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Hope to see you all there!
Tony

Journal of Kentucky Studies

I am so excited! One of my poems - "Silent Memories" - has been selected to be published in the next edition of the Journal of Kentucky Studies, published by Northern Kentucky University.



This will be a special issue honoring James Baker Hall.

Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Arts

The 1st Annual Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Arts was a huge success, even with the extreme heat of the day. This was a joint venture between The Community of Mercer County Writers, The Arts Council of Mercer County and Harrodsburg First. Here are a few highlights from the event:

Harrodsburg Festival of Book and Arts sign

The man who made this event possible - Tony Sexton

Ed McClanahan - Master of Ceremonies

Hershel McKinley and Tony Sexton

My favorite photo of Katerina (Katya) Stoykova-Klemer

Writers awaiting their turn at reading to the public

Carolyn Worley - a member of The Community of Mercer County Writers

Irene Mitchell during her reading

Katya reading from "The Air Around the Butterfly"

Katya

The Community of Mercer County Writers (Nomadic Ink) - from left Katerina Klemer, the Barn Goddess and Paula Pinkston. In the background is Dr. Richard Taylor, an honorary member of Nomadic Ink for the day.

Ruth Ann Fogel, Kentucky native now living near Cincinnati

Peace and Well-Being Seminar

Check out this new venture by one of our Inkblots:

Introducing...
Peace & Well-Being

Free Seminars this Sunday July 25th, 2010
by Ms. Pat Osborn


• Healthy Diet, from 2 to 3p.m.
• Exercise Basics, from 3 to 4 p.m.
• Goal Setting, from 4 to 5 p.m.


Harrodsburg, KY * Seating is Limited * $25 value, each


Reserve your spot in one or more classes:

peacefulone@localnet.com or 859-734-6839

Observations

OBSERVATIONS

I'm not going to give up.
Stomping in mud puddles and making mud pies.
I will never hurt you.
Curling up with a good book, listening to the rain pitter-patter on the tin roof.
...like Rocky Road ice cream good.
Doritio-stained fingertips leaving orange blotches on the pages of my favorite books.
Some men still holding the door open for women.
Some women holding the door open for men.
The smell of an old book as you flip through the pages.
Not seeing your way around the dark veil of depression that increasingly squeezed in on your life.
Occasionally, tiny specks of happiness sprinkled through your life, like bits of candy cane in peppermint ice cream - sharp, but sweet.
The sun hitting the warmest portion of the chair that your cat has already claimed its own.
Mud slurping from you shoes as you trudge through a marshy shore.
Your hair dancing behind you like fairy wisps in a breeze.
Arguing back at the television, but unwilling to turn it off.
Lips that may crack from the width of your smile.
Pretending not to notice the obvious reasons we aren't alike.
Obsessing on the reasons we are alike.
Living half your life, knowing there is only one other half left.

You Bring Out The ....

(Photo copyright Graphic Hunts)

You Bring Out the …… In Me

You bring out the bitch in me.
You bring out the I wouldn’t lift a finger to help you out of a burning fire, in me.
You bring out the “How dare you think you’re better than everyone else,” in me.
You bring out the pure unadulterated hate in me, that I know God may punish me for.
Your bring out the angry stomach hornets and anxious nerves in me.
You bring out the “Why the hell don’t you just stay out of my life,” in me.
You bring out the Cruella DeVille in me.
You bring out the sour stomach and acid reflux in me.
You bring out the evil part of me, the one I am ashamed I feel, but I’ve tried to ignore it and it won’t go away, so I’ll just have to try harder to understand your ignorance.

Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Arts

Below you will find the booth assignments for Saturday's Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Arts. Remember to bring a tent or umbrella, sun screen.. floppy hats or whatever to protect yourself if the sun gets too hot for you.
Tony
1. Ed McClanahan
2. Donna Ison
3. Roberta & Lonnie Brown
4. Christopher Kelder
5. Sheri Wright
6. Abigail Keam
7. Kathy Skaggs
8. Alonzo Fugate
9. Fred L. Cook
10. Ann Gabhart
11. Nic Brown
12. Fiona Young-Brown
13. Mason Smith
14. Marie Mitchell
15. Rebecca Turney
16. Ragged Edge Theater
17. Russell A. Vassallo
18. Bill Womack
19. Betty Pace
20. Nash Black
21. Kentucky Monthly (publisher)
22. Kari Burchfield (artist)
23. Billy Reed
24. The Community of Mercer County Writers (Nomadic Ink) & Katerina Klemer (This is OUR Booth!!!)
25. Richard Taylor
26. Kris Marnon (artist)
27. Joanna Thompson (potter)
28. Shaker Village (organization)
29. Kaboom Writers
30. Lynn Pruett
31. Tim Renfrow (publisher booth)
32. Jeff Loane (artist)
33. Mathew Rodgers (artist)
35. Mark Wayne Adams (writer/ artist)
36. Mike Young (artist)
37. Fort Harrod (organization)
38. Jacquie Woodward (artist)
39. Fan Fun Books
40. Dreama
41. Paula Sparrow
42. Tim Callahan
43. E. Gail Chandler
44. Nelda Shattles Copas
45. Tourist Commission
46. Normandi Ellis
47. Russell Lunsford
48. Jan Sullivan
49. Alycia Davidson
50. Rinda Hahn
51. Lori A. Moore
52.
53. Georgia Stamper/Sherry Chandler
54. Sylvia DeLee Davis
55. Dr. William Montell
56. Vickie Cimprich
57. Ruth Thompson
58. John Braxton Sparks
59. Joan Hall
60. Ron Rhody

Information for Authors and other participants,

Thank you for being a part of this event. I wish each of you great success and a lot of fun.
* You have received your booth assignment but there could be a slight change between now and then but if there is I will let you know. There will be a name tent on each table so if you get lost just look for your name. There should be a volunteer somewhere around the booth area to assist you if you have any problems.

* The Country Hearth Inn in Harrodsburg is offering some great deals on rooms. Call 859-734-2400 and mention The Harrodsburg Books and Arts Festival or ask for Nate Patel

* If you come in from the North or South you will be most likely traveling on US 127 which comes directly into Harrodsburg. Do not take the by pass. Once you get into town there will be signs directing you to the area reserved for our authors and other vendors. If you come in from another direction just watch for the signs bringing you to the parking area. If you do a map quest or google directions put your destination point as Greenville Street, Harrodsburg, KY That will put you very near the parking area. If you need more detailed directions, please call me at either 859-734-7867 or 859-247-0522 (C) if you need to talk with me on the 26th please call the cell phone.

* The booths should be set up by 9 am. If you need help getting to your booth please drop me an email so I can make arrangements but we will be really busy that morning. But if you do need help we will assist you.

* Please bring sun screen. We will provide you will all the water you need and there will be someone to go get it for you. We will also have food available and someone to sit at your booth while you go eat or whatever you need.

* If you have a patio table umbrella with a holder, feel free to bring it. I have one and you fill the base with water so it does not fly away, it will help some if the sun shines too much on your booth. The sun does not shine on both sides of Main St all day. But it will be hot and will shine on you for awhile so please prepare for that. We hope to have a big tent next year and the sun will not be a problem. We will try to make you as comfortable as possible.

We are so excited about you being here and we want your experience to be a great one. And, thank you for being a part of this first Books and Arts Festival.

Tony Sexton

Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Arts

Hey Folks,

Just a reminder that the Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Arts is just around the corner. As you know this thing actually happened because we sat down last November and made some plans for this year... what we thought would be a small book fair blossomed into an amazing event.

Anyway, there will be around 50 authors, a lot of artists and things happening all day that will give folks a lot of things to do. We will be doing reading all day at two locations and we will have a booth where we can sell chap books or whatever and meet all the folks passing by.

The most important thing I have to ask is CAN YOU HELP? We are in charge of the authors. That involves making sure they have everything they need, getting them bottled water or a snack... sitting at their booth if they need a break and so forth. I have done this at The Kentucky Book Fair in Frankfort and it is really a lot of fun. It is a great way to get to know the authors and make friends. We need as many as we can get for as long as they can stay.. so if you can work a few hours or all day please let me know as soon as possible.

I really hope we make a good showing since it was our idea. I know other groups have 15 or 20 volunteers so we need to try and be there. I know some of you will not be able to spend the entire day but I hope you can come for a few hours. Also, if you would like to fix some sort of snack or finger food to share with other volunteers Goldie would appreciate it. We will have a hospitality room at Studio G for all the volunteers (water, food a place to take a break) so we need lots of goodies and I know many of you make some FANTASTIC goodies.

So, please, please try to adjust your schedule so you can be a part of this, help out and go away with a fun and exciting time and let me know as soon as possible how long you can work, what times and so forth. I will send a schedule of the things we need to do and a schedule of who is reading where sometime this week.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Tony

Put an End to Poetry Rejection Letters

Tired of having your poetry rejected from literary magazine after literary magazine? Then check out this new article from WRITER'S RELIEF - "Poetry Turnoffs - Styles and Formatting That Make Editors Cringe." It is very informative and may just turn your rejection letters into acceptance letters.

Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Art

The Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Art

on Main Street

Harrodsburg

June 26, 2010

The public is invited to this event which will feature authors and artists from Kentucky and surrounding states. The day will be filled with interesting activities and an eclectic group of authors, artists and select vendors.

If you would like to participate contact Tony Sexton at

contentedme@hotmail

or call 859-734-7867

Bad News ...

... I'm sorry for being so out of touch, but I have some bad news to pass on to all my bloggy friends.

My mom passed away Sunday evening about 6pm. She was only 65 yo, but she had been in poor health for at least the past 6 months. We tried a few things in CCU to try and wake up her kidneys and other organs back up, but when we realized they weren't working, daddy made the decision - the right decision and mom's wishes - to turn all the machines off. She was in no pain and thankfully went peacefully.

Please keep my family in your prayers ...

Next Meeting

Hello Ink Blots and friends,

We will be meeting at my house - 657 Fairview Court - this Friday, May 7th at 6:30 pm for our first monthly meeting this month (due to unforseen complications, we are not able to meet at the Ag Center). Along with our regular antics we will talk about the Prose and Poetry for Pets project on Saturday, May 8th. If you have a piece in the chapbook, we will have them available at the meeting. We need you to be here if at all possible so we can make sure everything goes as planned on Saturday. As you know, Todd Borek (WKYT TV morning weatherman) will be with us so we want to have a good showing of our group. If you do not have a piece in the book but have a pet/animal story you would like to share, you are welcome to come and read - just let us know .. all are welcome.

Please let me know if you can or cannot come Friday Night -(859)-247-0522 or (859)-734-7867 and leave me a message.

I hope many of you can make it to this meeting... it is going to be a fun couple of days!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Tony Sexton

Prose for Pets

Prose for Pets

May 8, 2010

Downtown on Broadway

• My pet writing contest
• Pet Art - come and let your pet paint a work of art
• Rabies Clinic
• Pet Parade
• Music, food and fun for every age

Bring your own pet

or

Adopt a new pet from the Mercer County Humane Society

All proceeds to benefit the Mercer County Humane Society

Kentucky Writers' Day

The Kentucky Arts Council will celebrate Kentucky Writers' Day at 10am Friday, April 23rd in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.

Past Kentucky Poets laureate Jane Gentry Vance (2007-2008), Sena Jeter Naslund (2005-2006), Joe Survant (2003-2004), and Richard Taylor (1999-2000) will give readings of their work as part of the event.

A special receiption to honor all Kentucky writers will follow at 11am on the mezzanine level of the Capitol. "Five Kentucky Poets Laureate: An Anthology," "Abraham Lincoln of Kentucky" and poet laureat broadsides will be offered for sale at the reception.

Kentucky Writers' Day is officially April 24 in honor of the birth date of Kentucky native Robert Penn Warren, the first poet laureate of the United States and winner of three Pulitzer prizes.

This event is free and open to the public.

KSPS Mid-Year Conference

The Kentucky State Poetry Society will have its Mid-Year Conference April 16-17, 2010 in Harrodsburg, Kentucky

All events will take place on Main Street in Harrodsburg. Meetings and workshop will be held in the Masonic Lodge and The Kentucky Fudge Company at the top of Main Street across from the courthouse construction.

Main Street intersects with US 68 from Lexington, from Louisville turn left at the intersection of US 127 and US 68 then at the stop light turn right on Main Street.

The Friday Night Poetry Reading will begin at 7 pm in the Masonic Lodge and end when everyone is ready to stop. You may come and go as you please.

Saturday Morning we will meet upstairs at The Kentucky Fudge Company, (great coffee and scones) just up the street from the Masonic Lodge at 10 am for a short introduction meeting and workshop assignments and locations.

Workshops will begin @ 10:45 and run until lunch time. There are several wonderful places to have lunch right on Main Street including one of Kentucky’s best Mexican restaurants, Lafonda’s. The Kentucky Fudge Company will be open with fantastic sandwiches and drinks and we are hoping one of the best home cooking restaurant in Harrodsburg, Cousins, will be open. Just off of Main Street is a wonderful café called The Bus Station where you can get a great burger and other tasty delights.

At 1 pm we will meet at The Ragged Edge Theater, just down Main Street from the Masonic Lodge where we will be entertained by some of the Ragged Edge Players. From there we will go to the next round of workshops which will end @ 4-4:30.

The Finality Banquet will be held upstairs at The Kentucky Fudge Company where you will be treated to one of the finest buffets you have ever experienced. After we eat The Kaboom Writers Collective will speak to us about their writing experiences and read some of their work.

The Workshops:

Haiku Workshop led by Drew Logan. I highly recommend this workshop if you have ever wanted to write haiku or if you are just wondering if you could. Drew has a large collection of haiku to share including many of his own.

How To Produced A Video Of Your Creative Writing led by Tom Vigneri a professional videographer and producer is a Workshop discussing how to adapt printed work into television presentations by explaining visualization, sound, performance, equipment needs, resources, the production process and production techniques.

A Persona Workshop led by Sherri Wright will explain persona poems, what they are, how to share someone else's skin for a brief time, see as they see, think as they do, let them whisper their stories into your ear. No brain cells will be harmed in the attendance of this workshop

(Note: Due to the lack of proper equipment we will not be doing the Chapbook Workshop led by Bobbi Rightmyer but Bobbi will be around to answer questions and explain the process. Just ask her to tell you about the process.)

We want your visit to Harrodsburg to be a wonderful experience. If you have not signed up and still would like to, give me a call so I can get a good banquet count. You will be able to pay your fee Saturday morning.

~~Tony Sexton

Tragedy at Upper Big Branch

TRAGEDY AT UPPER BIG BRANCH

It’s happened again
another coal mine disaster
more human lives lost because of our obsession with coal.
An explosion has rocked the underground mine,
Massey Energy again – where’s the surprise?
The largest coal producer in central Appalachia,
the largest number of safety violations;
when will they start caring about the heartache they have caused?
The worst explosion since 1984,
today, 25 miners are dead, and four still unaccounted for,
husbands, brothers, sons, nephews;
grandsons, friends, lovers –
for what?
So I can turn on a light with the flick of a switch,
power up my laptop without a thought in the world,
waste the electricity these men sacrificed for.
Some are cursing what John Peter Salley discovered,
in Boone County, West Virginia in 1742;
coal seams ripe with black gold,
there for the taking
to produce half of the nation’s electricity.
But again, is it worth it?
Coal dust and black lung,
poisonous methane gas,
carcinogens all to the frailty of man.
The women are breaking down
knowing they will ever see their husbands again.
Mothers and fathers will have to bury sons
well before their time.
Sadness engulfs the nation
as we all have the same prayer,
“God be with these families, friends and other loved ones,
protect them with your loving guidance, lessen their sorrow,
their hurting, their grief.”
And to the next generation coming down the line,
please hurry with alternative energy sources,
help us break the dependency on coal,
help us stop this unnecessary suffering;
help us stop the pain.

Accents Publishing

I was so excited today to read the wonderful article in the Lexington Herald Leader on my friend, Katerina Stoykova-Klemer and Accents Publishing, Lexington's newest printer of poetry and prose.

Katerina Stoykova-Klemer, left, with help from her son, Simeon Kondev, center, and Shawn Wright put together a book of poetry at Accents Publishing. Kondev draws the cover art for all the books, which sell for $ 5 each. (Photo copyright Lexington Herald Leader)

The mission statement for her new publishing house is:

"Our vision is to bring low-cost books to people who love literature but often can't afford it," she says. "So we do it quick, easy and cheap. Every one of our books is $ 5, and that is how we want to keep it. "

Katerina Stoykova-Klemer put pages in a glue binder while volunteer Tony Sexton grouped pages at Accents Publishing. Sexton is president of the Kentucky State Poetry Society. (Photo copyright Lexington Herald Leader)

Book publisher Katerina Stoykova-Klemer shown in her upstairs office on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in her home in Lexington, Ky. Katerina Stoykova-Klemer has started her own small company, Accents Publishing, to publish books of poetry that sell for just $ 5 each. This is her way of getting people to read poetry. Her printing and book binding operation, staffed by volunteers, is at her home. (Photo copyright Lexington Herald Leader; Photo by David Perry)

You can find Accents books at The Morris Book Shop, 408 Southland Drive; on Amazon.com; or at www.accents-publishing.com.

Stoykova-Klemer sees good things ahead.

"I think we'll make up in volume for the low cost of our books," she said. "Poetry lets you know about yourself and about the world. It cuts through to the things you don't know, and it's always true in some way.

"We need that. We need the truth."

Poetry Month Gathering

Kentucky State Poetry Society

Poetry Month Gathering

Featuring Workshops, Readings, Special Guest Speakers and Social Activities

April 17, 2010

in downtown

Harrodsburg

All events including the finale dinner are open to the public. Readings will be in an open mic format. Prior reservations are required for the open mic and the dinner.

Prose For Pets

Here is the jump start for the May 8th Prose for Pets event - it can be prose or poetry.

Finish this:

"I picked her up on the side of the road during the worst thunder storm I had ever seen..."

Send your writing to Tony at: contentedme@hotmail.com. Once I get several of these back, I am going to send them to Todd Borek (the morning weatherman for Channel 27) who is going to be at Prose For Pets event we have planned.

.

Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Art

Here is the logo for the 1st Annual Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Art - pretty cool!



We are going to be needing volunteers for both the April 16th-17th KSPS Mid-Year Conference and the June 26th Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Art. We need help with giving people information about where things are and playing host to our out of town guests. The festival needs lots of volunteers: hosts for the hospitality room, author helpers, information booth and general help with whatever might come up. So far we have at least 30 authors signed up with at least that many more who are just going to read at the festival.

If you want to volunteer, contact Tony at: contentedme@hotmail.com

Next Meeting

We will be meeting this Friday

March 12th @ 6:30pm

at the Ag Center on US 127

and we are going to have a great meeting

Bobbi Rightmyer will be doing a Make Your Own Chapbook workshop


She will be showing us how to put one together

and how to bind it.

Shirley Walls will bring some cool material to use for binding

You need to bring a few poems or short stories with you

if you can print them in landscape so there are two poems per page

or two pages of short story on each page

that will help in laying it out.

THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY COOL!!!

So come on and join us so Bobbi can practice on us for her big workshop on April 17th



Please/Please/Please

let me know if you can or cannot come so we can have enough snacks and supplies

I hope to see you there.

Tony

Limerick Contest

March 17, 2010

Saint Patrick's Day

8pm at

Old Owl Tavern

Top 15 entries will be judged by the patrons of the tavern. Open to all and the winner will receive a nice prize, but

you must be present to read your limerick to win!!!

For more information, contact

Tony Sexton

contentedme@hotmail.com

or call (859) 734-7867