Books!

Classes

  • Poetry for the People six-week email class starts March 11!
  • Register or learn more
    sage@sagesaidso.com

Upcoming Readings

  • May 13: Book launch celebration
    Writing the Life Poetic is available! Join us at Barnes & Noble Lloyd Center, 7:00 p.m.

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Join me at Willamette Writers of the Oregon Coast on June 2!

I'll be speaking about "Writing the Life Poetic" this Tuesday at the monthly Willamette Writers meeting in Newport. We'll be exploring what it means to live and write a poetic life--and will do a few exercises to prime your poetry pump. I'd love to see you there!

Tuesday, June 2, 7:00 p.m.
Oregon Chapter of Willamette Writers

Writers-on-Writing Workshop: Writing the Life Poetic
Newport Public Library
McEntee Room
35 NW Nye St.
Newport, OR

For more information, contact Sue Lick at suelick@casco.net or Dorothy Blackcrow Mack at dmack@netportnet.com.

A little more about the Writing the Life Poetic evening

Poetry is one of the great pleasures in life. And no one needs an advanced degree in creative writing to reap its rewards. Sage Cohen's new book, Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry (Writer's Digest Books, 2009) is packed full of captivating new ways to generate ideas and have fun with the writing process. In her "Writing the Life Poetic" workshop, Sage will share some of her favorite exercises and invite writers of all backgrounds to experience their life through a poetic lens. Participants will discover new ways to think and write about the subjects that interest them-- and get inspired to start capturing those observations on paper immediately.

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Get more information about Willamette Writers meetings throughout Oregon.

Join me at Willamette Writers PDX and Salem this week!

In celebration of National Poetry Month and the publication of my new book, Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry, I'll be speaking about "Writing the Life Poetic" this Tuesday at the monthly Willamette Writers meeting in Portland (and again on Thursday in Salem). We'll be exploring what it means to live and write a poetic life--and will do a few exercises to prime your poetry pump. I'd love to see you there!

Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 p.m.
Willamette Writers Portland Monthly Meeting

The Old Church
1422 SW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97201

Thursday, April 9, 7:00 p.m.
Willamette Writers Salem Monthly Meeting

West Salem Roth's
1130 Wallace Rd.
Salem, OR 97304
www.SalemChapter.com

A little more about the Writing the Life Poetic evening

Poetry is one of the great pleasures in life. And no one needs an advanced degree in creative writing to reap its rewards. Sage Cohen's new book, Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry (Writer's Digest Books) is packed full of captivating new ways to generate ideas and have fun with the writing process. In her "Writing the Life Poetic" workshop, Sage will share some of her favorite exercises and invite writers of all backgrounds to experience their life through a poetic lens. Participants will discover new ways to think and write about the subjects that interest them-- and get inspired to start capturing those observations on paper immediately.

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All Portland meetings of Willamette Writers are held at The Old Church, SW 11th and Clay, near Portland State University in downtown Portland, unless otherwise noted. Doors open at 6:15 pm, with a speaker or panel at 7 pm. Meetings usually run until 8 pm, with opportunities to meet the speakers or panelists after they speak. For more information about meetings, call 503-452-1592. Meetings are free to members of Willamette Writers and students, $5 for their guests, and $10 for non- members.

Get more information about Willamette Writers meetings in Newport, Salem, Medford, and Eugene, click on the link.

Three great events at Vancouver Barnes & Noble

Twice the Great Poetry - Both Michael Dickman and Mary Szybist to Read at the Barnes & Noble Vancouver 2nd Wednesday Event, 4/8/09 at 7 pm:  Michael Dickman will read from his illuminating, acclaimed title End of the West.  Mary Szybist, a professor at Lewis & Clark College, will be reading from Granted, her collection of poems that was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.  We feature free Starbucks coffee and treats, hundreds of poetry titles on our shelves, and a wide-ranging open mic.  Barnes & Noble Vancouver:  7700 NE 4th Plain Blvd.  Contact Shawn Sorensen at crm2679@bn.com for extra details…

“The rising poetry stars? Well, you know there was someone we published just the other day [in The New Yorker] whose work I really like. Michael Dickman his name is. . . . Nothing makes me happier than the thought that there is going to be somebody coming down the road who is going to be scintillating.” —Paul Muldoon, The New Yorker

Mary Szybist is one of only two poets in the country selected by the U.S. Poet Laureate, Kay Ryan, for the 2009 Witter Bynner Fellowship.   Ryan said, "Mary Szybist's lovely musical touch is light and exact enough to catch the weight and grind of love. This is a hard paradox to master as she does."  -Library of Congress

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Haiku Hilarity:  David Ash to Read at Barnes & Noble Vancouver (+ Create Your Own):  May 13th at 7 pm.  David Ash will read from several of his hot-selling “Haiku for Life” books, including Haiku for Chocolate Lovers and Haiku for Catholics.  We encourage our poetry patrons to bring their own 17-syllable concoctions to this 2nd Wednesdays Poetry Group and will also feature a short “Haiku creation session”.  We always feature free Starbucks coffee and treats, hundreds of poetry titles on our shelves, and a wide-ranging open mic.  Barnes & Noble Vancouver:  7700 NE 4th Plain Blvd.  Contact Shawn Sorensen at crm2679@bn.com for extra details…

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Creating Your Own Canvas:  Sage Cohen Signs Writing the Life Poetic at Barnes & Noble Vancouver Wednesday, June 10th, 7 pm.  We warmly welcome Sage Cohen to lead us in a workshop session highlighting some of the 80 lessons in her nationally released Writing the Life Poetic, a book aimed at poets of any skill level.  Many of the attendees for this event will discover they have much more to write about than they previously imagined.  We always feature free Starbucks coffee and treats, hundreds of poetry titles on our shelves, and a wide-ranging open mic.  Barnes & Noble Vancouver:  7700 NE 4th Plain Blvd.  Contact Shawn Sorensen at crm2679@bn.com to find out more.

Brought to you by:

Shawn Sorensen
Community Relations Manager
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Vancouver Plaza
7700 NE 4th Plain Blvd.
Vancouver, WA  98662

Buy "Writing the Life Poetic" on amazon.com on March 17 to help spike ratings!

I’m thrilled to announce that my new book, Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry, from Writer’s Digest Books, is about to be born! (I’m so grateful to have one birth this year that is not accompanied by 60 hours of labor!) You’re invited to join the birthday party on Tuesday, March 17––St. Patrick’s Day and my son Theo’s half-birthday––by purchasing Writing the Life Poetic and qualifying to win a variety of inspiring prizes.

Why March 17? It's my official "Amazon.com Spike Day," where I attempt to bump up my book’s rankings. The better my book sells before its March 23 release date, the more often Amazon.com will recommend it to shoppers. Your purchase on that day can make a huge impact on the future of my book.

Why Writing the Life Poetic? I wrote Writing the Life Poetic because I believe no one needs an advanced degree in creative writing to reap the rewards of poetry. The book offers a mix of content, process and craft ideas to help readers tune into the poetry of their lives—and get it down on the page. (It also features poems, quotes, prompts and wisdom from many fabulous poets and writers around the world.) If you’d like to spark (or rekindle) a writing and reading practice, build skills and confidence in your poetic voice, and find the inspiration you need to put pen to paper, this book is for you!

Why buy on March 17? For my eternal gratitude. And the PARTY FAVORS!

The first 10 people to order Writing the Life Poetic from Amazon.com on March 17 will receive a copy of my first poetry collection, Like the Heart, the World.

PLUS…Everyone who orders Writing the Life Poetic from amazon.com on March 17 will have a chance to win one of eight fabulous books from some of my very favorite people:

•    The Darkened Temple by Mari L’Esperance
•    VoiceCatcher 3—two copies!
•    Get Known Before the Book Deal by Christina Katz
•    Writer Mama; How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz
•    In The Margins Of The World by Willa Schneberg
•    Storytelling in Cambodia by Willa Schneberg
•    The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters by Wendy Burt-Thomas

PLUS...
One winner will receive a free, detailed review of a 10-page poetry manuscript followed by a half-hour phone consult with me!

Just order Writing the Life Poetic from Amazon.com on Tuesday, March 17 and email me your receipt within 24 hours to be entered in the drawing!

Thanks so much for your support.

WRITING POEMS OF THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE: March 15

A workshop with Willa Schneberg

Is a Jewish poem something written by a Jewish author, or must it have a Jewish theme? Particiants will explore what we consider the Jewish experience through poetry. Poems by Yehudi Amichai, Gerald Stern, Adrienne Rich, Philip Schultz, Marge Piercy, etc. will be considered.

Writing exercises will be offered to motivate the creation of poems. Poems written in the workshop will be respecfully critiqued. Time permitting, we will critique a previously written poem by each participant who chooses to share. Open to all levels of experience.

Location: Oregon Jewish Museum, 310 NW Davis Street, (Chinatown), Portland, OR

Date & Time: Sunday, March 15, 2009, 1PM - 4PM

Maximum of twelve participants. Suggested Contribution: $75. If you have financial considerations email or call the instructor: info@threewayconversation.org, 503-248-4136.

All Proceeds from the workshop will benefit OJM.
For more info. or to register, call OJM: (503) 226-3600
or email: Friderike Heuer:  friderike@ojm.org

Willa Schneberg received the Oregon Book Award in Poetry for her second collection In The Margins Of The World.  Poems have appeared in Tikkun and Bridges: A Jewish Feminist Journal. In 2004, she judged the Ruben Rose Poetry Contest, an international poetry contest sponsored by Voices Israel, a group of Israeli poets writing in English, and read at Bar Ilan and Tel Aviv University. Willa's one woman exhibition of clay sculpture entitled "Manifestations of the Divine" was on view at Oregon Jewish Museum in 2001. Last year she read at the Library of Congress. Storytelling in Cambodia is her most recent collection. With Judy Margles, Willa has conceived and organized a yearly reading of Oregon Jewish Writers at OJM that is now in its ninth season.

Paulann Petersen teaches free poetry workshop on March 14!

On Saturday, March 14th, Paulann Petersen will be donating her services to Central Library (in downtown Portland) for another free poetry workshop.

It’s listed as a workshop for beginning writers, and beginners are -indeed -very welcome that afternoon.  But since it’s a generative workshop (designed so that the participants will leave with a little trove of new work), it’s suitable to anyone who wants to spend a couple of hours writing in a supportive, congenial group.

Here’s the description of the workshop, and here’s the link if you want to register.  Paulann will be using all new springboards (prompts) -no repeats from the workshop she did at Central last April.
 
ANYONE'S DOMAIN: A BASIC POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP

Poetry is not the domain of just a few. It’s as natural and accessible as heartbeat and breath. Writing poetry requires nothing more than a love of words and a willingness to let your pen move across a page, following language wherever it takes you. Join Paulann Petersen in an afternoon devoted to creating poems and talking about some of the basic elements of poetry. Beginners welcome.

Please pass this on to others who might be interested.

Learn more and register!


Send your favorite love poem and qualify to win Writing the Life Poetic!

I've always loved Ted Kooser's tradition of mailing a valentine poem every year to his friends and family. It was my plan to do such a thing this year for the first time. But then I gave birth to my newest, drooliest dear valentine and the best-laid plans went into the diaper bin! Instead, I thought I'd celebrate here, with you!

20090201-DSC_0106

Have a favorite love poem? Send it to me at sage@sagesaidso.com by midnight on February 13 and qualify to win a free copy of my book, Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry. I'll choose my favorite and post the winner at my new  Writing the Life Poetic blog on Valentine's Day. Then as soon as Writing the Life Poetic is available in April, I'll mail a copy to the winner.

Thanks for playing and happy Valentine's Day!

Introducing The Poetry for the People Scholarship! Apply by February 15 for the class starting March 11!

VALUE: $199.00!!!

Would you love to take the Poetry for the People class that starts March 11 but can’t afford it? Then you qualify for The Poetry for the People Scholarship. And the time to apply is now!

I’ll be accepting applications for the Poetry for the People Scholarship from Saturday, February 7 through Sunday, February 15. The scholarship recipient will be chosen based on the following criteria: demonstrated past effort, need, and enthusiasm as determined by Sage Cohen.

Please see the detailed guidelines below for application requirements. I’ll be announcing the scholarship recipient by midnight, Monday, February 16th in this blog. I invite you to spread the word about the scholarship, even if you do not intend to apply!

How to Apply for the Poetry for the People Scholarship
Please copy and paste the application questions below into a Word document. Answer each question fully, do not exceed one page, then copy and paste your final application into an email. To submit it, send the email to: “sage @ sagesaidso dot com”. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Only U.S. residents may apply at this time. Thanks for understanding.

Have questions? Post ‘em in the comments section and I’ll be happy to answer them.

[Start application here]

Name:

Address:

Email:

Phone:

What version of Microsoft Word software are you currently using?

Write a short paragraph in response to each of the following questions:
 
1. Why do you want to take the class Poetry for the People?
 
2. Please describe your poetry and writing experience, publication history, literary community service endeavors, related education and any other information about your writing life that you think is relevant.
 
3. Please briefly state why you are unable to afford the tuition for the class at this time (see note below).

[End application form]

The Fine Print:

The Poetry for the People Scholarship is only for poets who legitimately cannot afford class tuition. My classes are kept affordable so that more people can take them! You can register for the class as a non-scholarship candidate here. Next class starts on March 11. Don’t wait to register, this class fills early.

Please note that this is a full scholarship, not a giveaway. The scholarship is offered by Sage Cohen. Only one scholarship is available per P4P class. The recipient commits to participating fully in the class and delivering all six assignments on time. Please do not apply if you cannot make the commitment to participate in the class.

The scholarship is not transferable if you fail to complete the class. The scholarship is also not transferable in the case of illness, family emergencies, a move, etc.

No special additional professional time or coaching is offered with the scholarship. It’s up to the scholarship recipient to make the most of the class, like everyone else in the group.

What is written in your application is private, and your personal information will never be shared or sold. No one but Sage Cohen will view your application.

To learn about future scholarship opportunities, please subscribe to this blog.

I’m pleased to be able to offer one free class per semester to one deserving poet. Good luck!

Join Sage at beyond vernacular on February 22

On Sunday, February 22 at 8:30 p.m. I'll be reading at the beyond vernacular reading series with Carson Cistulli, Dan Kaplan and Eric Delehoy. Come on out and join us, won't you?

beyond vernacular reading series
Curated by Chrys Tobey & Allison Tobey

February 22, 8:30 p.m.
The Secret Societ
y
116 NE Russell

Portland, OR 97213

21+        $3 // all proceeds go to readers

Join in the VoiceCatcher3 celebrations!

The third edition of VoiceCatcher, an anthology of Portland-area women's writing, will be available in local bookstores and New Season's Markets on November 5th. This year's VoiceCatcher presents the voices of 62 local artists! We're kicking off the celebrations with three fabulous events:


First Friday at 100th Monkey Studio

Join us for readings by local authors and a celebration of Beth Ann Short's (co-founder of 100th Monkey) beautiful artwork spicing the pages of VoiceCatcher3.

100th Monkey Studio - 110 SE 16th Avenue

Friday, November 7

Reading begins at 7:30 pm; studio open until 9

VoiceCatcher at Wordstock

Come support local women writers' diversity and beauty as VoiceCatcher3 authors spend an hour on Wordstock's local stage! 

Wordstock - Portland Convention Center

Saturday, November 8 from 10:30-11:30am

Powell's City of Books

This reading will feature work by Emily Kendal Frey, Sarah Bartlett, FeLicia Elam, Sandra Sakurai, Tiel Aisha Ansari and Patricia Kullberg and will be hosted by VoiceCatcher3 editor Sara Guest and members of the editorial collective.

Powell's City of Books - Downtown Portland at 10th and Burnside

Monday, November 17 at 7:30pm

VoiceCatcher grew out of a community of women writers and is an offering to the wider community of readers. Please come show your support for the project and join us in celebrating these local artists! For more information visit our website:  www.voicecatcher.org.

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