Dear Literary Folk,
The merry month of May is bracketed by literary revelry, leading off with The Many Tongues of 100 Thousand Poets for Change in Santa Rosa on May 4, about which Bill Vartnaw has a few words (see Poet Laureate’s post), and wrapping up with Healdsburg’s annual Graveside Readings on May 27. Plus all the usual suspects —a large selection of readings, open mics, workshops and book launches around the county in bookstores, community centers and cafes. Please browse through this email and bookmark www.socolitupdate.com, where events are updated every few days.
Congratulations to all recently published Sonoma County authors: Stefanie Freele on her new short story collection, Surrounded by Water (from Press 53). Also Jonah Raskin (Marijuanaland), Bart Schneider (Nameless Dame) and Joan Frank (Make It Stay). Authors, do check the Calls for Submissions page. Petaluma-based Wordrunner eChapbooks is looking for poetry collections, up until May 21. Final selections will be judged by Terry Ehret.
Sadly, we have lost a vibrant member of our community.
Jane Stuppin, 1936-2012
(Contributed by Gwynn O’Gara, Sonoma County Poet Laureate 2009-2011)
It is with great sadness we say goodbye to Jane Stuppin, beloved Sonoma County poet, writer, and musician. Jane had the rare gift of generosity combined with edginess, an acute mind, and wry humor. She will be missed by all of us in the literary community.
Whether hosting a benefit for the book fair with her husband Jack Stuppin, or judging Harmony Elementary School’s poetry contest, Jane ’s love of le mot juste informed whatever she did. Her work sparkled with clarity and a musician’s ear and sense of pacing. Her piece published in The Dickens about a horny intruder in the pope’s quarters remains a highlight of hilarity. Her poetry books include “But I Say” and “Perfect Pitch” and two short story collections, “A Toast to Reason” and “The Bay Round About.”
Jane’s life and work will be celebrated on Sunday, May 6th at 2 p.m. at the Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court in Occidental, with music and readings of her poetry.
Three of her haiku follow.
on the bronze
forehead
a mosquito alights
disappointed
a lone blackbird
stretches
the cool dew
scatters
his likeness
fish watch
while i swim
wondering when
i shed my scales
_______________
You may download a pdf of most of the pages on this site, updated May 1, 2012.
Jo-Anne Rosen
Sonoma County Literary Update Co-Editor
Sonoma County Literary Update 