SDSU MFA Poets & Writers

New Website for Our MFA Program! And New Films of MFA!

2008-01-30T00:31:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone -

Our MFA Program in Creative Writing at SDSU has a new and gorgeous web-site at:

http://www.mfa.sdsu.edu/

Visit Us!!

And, also. here is link to the new film about our MFA at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CYDYVAm05k&feature=related

and also a film of last semester's graduation reading at Scripps Cotage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuEtF_ycMCE&NR=1

and here is a film about our MFA students' recent trip to AWP in NYC:

http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=27959489

Enjoy!

Poetry Readings this year

2007-11-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

SPRING 08

March 18: Henri Cole
April 19: Border Voices Festival at SDSU: Kay Ryan, Ilya Kaminsky, Li Young Lee

Past Events:

In Fall 07 Galway Kinnell and Lorna Dee Cervantes read at SDSU, among many other authors.

In Spring 07, Robert Pinsky and Adrianne Rich & Steve Kowitt read at Border Voices

Future Events:
Carolyn Forche is scheduled to read next semester!

For more cool news about readings at SDSU MFA - check out the website: http://www.mfa.sdsu.edu/

SDSU MFA alumni workshop and reading group

2007-09-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hello, this is Deniz.

We currently have a wonderful and active group of alumni, meeting to talk about poetry (alumni writing workshop and reading book group) and if you would like to join us please email me at haideniz@gmail.com

Deniz

Mtv hires Poet

2007-08-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

Check it out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/books/27laur.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

-Jesi Brubaker

Addendum to Below

2007-07-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I forgot to mention I work at UCLA Extension Writers' Program which means (sniff, sniff) I am no longer in the 619, but rather the 323, er, the 213, you know what I mean--I'm in LA!

The Writers' Program is so great, for those who don't know about it--we offer classes not only in creative writing but also seminars in publishing, creating your pitch package, etc. all taught by writers in the thick of it! Most of the classes are fiction-oriented but I hope this will change!

And, we just entered the bloggosphere, so check out the blog and tell me what you think.

So, it's a 9-5er, but I count myself lucky to work with a talented group of writers, and plus, free classes!

Take care all,javascript:void(0)
Publish Post
Gabe
Gabrielle

2007-07-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hi SDSU MFA Bloggers--

Ditch actuality this summer and hit refreshing cyberspace at another writer-friendly blog: www.uclaextensionwritersprogram.blogspot.com

I'm not posting up there currently, but soon hopefully. We'd love to have other writers weigh in on the pressing issues which are only pressing to writers but still warrant conversation, right?

And we are oh-so timely, we had a Harry Potter post last week, dig?

Over and out,
Gabe
Gabrielle

Art Event Saturday Night

2007-06-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I know it is visual art, but it should be a good show. Besides, it's so hard to find poetry events in this town! Announce 'em if you hear of 'em!

The San Diego Art Prize
Final Exhibition and Ceremony: June 30th - August 2007
Featuring All SD ART PRIZE Artists:
Raul Guerrero, Yvonne Venegas, Jean Lowe, Iana Quesnell, Ernest Silva, May-Ling Martinez
Opening Reception: June 30, 2007 / 7pm to 9pm

The San Diego Art Prize will be given annually to three established artists and three emerging artists who have exhibited outstanding achievement in the field of Visual Arts. The Prize recipients will receive a cash grant and an exhibition a the L Street Gallery. Each exhibition will pair an established artist with an emerging artist. The final exhibition will run from June 2007- September 2007 and will feature work by all recognized recipients.

The Dead - Billy Collins Animated Poetry

2007-06-26T16:23:00.001-07:00

Anyone reading any poetry anytime soon?

Anyone going to see poetry being read anytime soon?

A List @ the Athenaeum

2007-06-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

Get on the list!

If you haven’t been to an A List event, come see what you’ve been missing! At this next event, the body is art—whether as the subject, in the portraits of Alida Cervantes, or as the canvas, as painted by local artist Ginger Placek, a.k.a. “Fresh Ginga.” While you chill out with a complimentary beer or cocktail, enjoy music by on-the-rise, acoustic rock duo Podunk Nowhere. Become an A List member and get free admission for yourself and a guest.

The A List: Body/Art
June 28, 7:30 p.m.
A List and Upper Category Members: Free
Nonmembers: $10 at the door

The A List is the Athenaeum’s youngest, hippest membership group. If you’re Gen X or Y, and love contemporary art and music – or want to get some more culture in your life but don’t know where to start – this is the place for you. Check out our exhibitions, hang out with artists, take in some great live music, and meet some new people, all in a fun, unique atmosphere. You won’t believe you’re having so much fun in a library!

As a member of the Athenaeum’s A List, you and a friend will enjoy 4 to 5 A List events per year, with art exhibitions, live music, complimentary drinks and door prizes; plus all of the perks of an Athenaeum Membership:

• Member discounts on over 150 events per year, including jazz, classical and new music concerts, lectures, and special events.
• Invitations to all art exhibition openings – about 10 per year.
• Member discounts on a vast array of art classes at the La Jolla and University Heights studios.
• Borrowing privileges to the Athenaeum’s unique collection of art and music books, periodicals, CDs and DVDs.
• A subscription to the bi-monthly member newsletter so you’ll be the first to know what’s happening.

… all for just $75!

www.ljathenaeum.org

red. a journal of arts

2007-06-22T15:57:00.001-07:00

red., a journal of arts that was created by MFA students at SDSU, has recently released it's second issue. It also happens to feature a number of SDSU MFA alumni, as well as talented writers from across the country.

Order online.

For those still living in San Diego

2007-06-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of this:

http://www.sandiegopoetryannual.com/?

Myspace wants YOU!

2007-06-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hello my lovelies,
I have created a myspace group for the SDSU MFA Creative Writing Graduates, so you should join if you have an account. And if you don't have an account you should create one. I think it would be a lot easier to keep in touch, don't need a username or password. Oops, almost forgot here's the url: http://groups.myspace.com/sdsumfaalumni.

Jesi Brubaker

Art Event Friday June 22nd

2007-06-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to an art show that some of you poet-types might enjoy... painting and scultpture, and free food, to boot!

http://www.simayspace.com/

Reception: Friday June 22nd 6 PM – 9 PM

The San Diego Art Prize nominating committee chose 17 emerging San DIego artists and created one exhibition showcasing all of them at Simayspace, the gallery of the Art Academy of San Diego.

Poetry International Opportunities

2007-06-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Poetry International is considering the possibility of
creating a post-MFA internship for the
alumni - something like post-graduate opportunities
that some PhD programs have. Also, every semester PI
does a panel on bookreviewing & publishing, and it
would be great to have the alumni participate in it.
PI could also do an alumni reading each year or each
semester.

Interested?

Contact Poetry International!

Ilya Kaminsky
Poetry International
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, California 92182-8140

Online Poetry Workshop

2007-06-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Does anyone still read this blogspot? I wanted to let you know I'm going to start a poetry workshop blog at the end of the summer. It will be really low-key--so don't worry about time obligation. We each can post a poem in the main body of a blog, then comments can be posted in the comment section under each poem. All of this can be done at your leisure. I only ask that for every poem of your own you post, you comment on at least three different poems by your peers. Comments can be global or local.

Email me if your interested: cannonsplinter@gmail.com

I'll probably start it at the end of August.

Here's a great book of poems to check out: Body of the World by Sam Taylor. I found it refreshing, unique, and inspiring.

Cheers, Tana

Thanks for posting!

2007-05-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for posting - it is great to meet you all online again, or for the first time! I think Timothy and Tana's idea is great: feel free to post your new work, or even better: post lists of books you have been reading and falling in love with. Any new book reccommendations would be wonderful. Also - what are the best places for writers and poets in San Diego to go to? Any advice? Thanks! And, my best to all of you, Ilya.

Hi

2007-05-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

I graduated in 01, so for those who don't know me, my name is Jesi. I'm still writing but haven't sent anything out. My mantra of late has been if you want something to happen you have to make it happen. So I'm self-publishing my own chapbook. Will probably send it to contests. Also will be selling my chapbook at the Mission Valley Borders; it's not there yet but soon. If you're interested in creating a chapbook and not sure where to find paper, there's a very cool place called the Kelly Paper Company, http://www.kellypaper.com/.

I am curious to know if anyone who graduated in the early 2000's is reading this, if so please post.

Timothy and Tana in Tallahassee

2007-05-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! It's so nice to hear what you're up to over on the beautiful side of the country. (And, of course, Piotr.)

Timothy and I survived our first year of Tallahassee and PhD school and are getting ready to go spend some time in New England. We're going to attend the Juniper Writing Institute and then stay in Boston for the month of July. If anyone is going to be in the area during that time, please give us a call.

As far as poetry progress goes: we don't allow ourselves to take more than one lit. seminar a semester so we can still have time to write. I'm currently working on a disastrous series of poems about a lady who works in a grocery store deli slicing pastrami all day...I'll probably have to dump the project. I have a couple poems coming out in The North American Review this year, but that's about it. Oh, in order to beat the depressing PoBiz nonsense, I've started working for Runaway With Words--a program that runs poetry workshops for "at-risk youths." It's been a really good experience.

If anyone is thinking about applying for PhD programs, T and I would be glad to field any questions. My email is cannonsplinter@gmail.com, or you can just post questions here.

I know this arena won't work for the fictioneers, but maybe we could set up something similar to post poems for comments. Anyone interested?

I think that's all I have to say at this time.

We miss San Diego so very much!!!
Love Tana and Timothy

Still here...

2007-05-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hello All!

Well I'm still at SDSU-- no children (I know you all just breathed a collective sigh of relief). Anyway, I'm teaching here through a grant project and the College of Education. If you know anyone who needs upper division elective credit, or is planning to apply for the credential program, tell them to take one of my TE 362 classes. This summer I'm teaching for the high school residential program on campus as well.

Writing here and there, trying to keep up on the submissions-- I find that checking my student loan total periodically, and calculating how much interest I will have paid once I'm done paying it back, keeps me motivated.

Taught a workshop up in San Francisco-- trying to reform the writing curricula in high schools so undergrads are more prepared for what is required of them.

Almost moved to the east coast a few times-- but then I remembered what it was like in the winter... and thanks to Piotr, what it's like in the summer.

Hope everyone is well!
~Courtney Lea Franklin

2007-05-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hey there! A round of applause for helping us keep track of each other!

What's going on? I am doing my best to prepare for yet another East Coast summer -- you know, the heat and the bugs, the constant hum of air-conditioners and dehumidifiers...

Am I writing? Yes, a poem here or there, but mostly book reviews and articles: my longish article on Charles Simic and Joseph Cornell might soon find a home within the friendly pages of World Literature Today...

Do I have a job? Yes, after teaching at two small colleges in Delaware and Maryland, I will be with the big boys and girls at the University of Delaware this fall...

What else? I will keep you posted...

Cheers to All!

piotr

Writing on

2007-05-23T22:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't gotten into any academic or atistic journals lately, but I have been enjoying writing for websites and making depressingly small amounts of money for it. (My new year's resoltuion was to "make money from my writing" ... next year I will have to specify how much!)

But, working from my laptop has allowed me to keep up a rigorous vacation schedule. So, that's been life for hte past year: writing, vacationing, eating chocolate. It's been fun, but hopefully I will be getting something more stable soon.

You can link to some of my recent work via my blog: alegramarcel.blogspot.com

mostly an excuse...by Heather Caliri

2007-05-23T20:29:00.001-07:00

This is my daughter, Lucy.
I know, I know, she's so cute you want to scream! It's how I feel, too.
For those of you that are wondering, she has my chin.
Let's be honest: I'm posting as an excuse to show off my daughter.
So she's how I've spent my time the past nine months. I am at home with Lucy exclusively.

As for writing, Abi Coulter O'Roarty and I found each other by chance through a playgroup that neither of us liked. But we've become mommy writer buddies. We even managed to get together with two other mommy writers, one of whom was Diana Duke. So the alums of North County are huddling together for warmth. And publication ideas.

While my daughter was nursing non-stop, I even managed to get two sets of submissions out to various publications while typing one-handed. Happily, I've gotten a few stories and poems published (If you're wondering: Harpur Palate, Sow's Ear Poetry Review and (just found out) Flint Hills. Which helps me to feel that my hiatus from writing (for that is, in effect, what a baby is) is not completely permanent.

For those of you in the peanut gallery, I know, I know, I'm not an official alum yet. Picky, picky. I plan on finishing my last class this fall. (Cross your fingers). And I've had two? three? thesis meetings so far with daughter in tow. One of which (driving to State) that just about turned my hair white. Not because the edits were harrowing, but because my daughter didn't (at that point) like the car very much. It's really no fun driving the 52 with a newborn screaming in the backseat.

I'm blogging myself at thespicechoir.blogspot.com. Blogging is about all the writing my brain has space for these days. Check a mother out.
I'm excited to see updates from everyone else.
Peace.
Heather

Welcome to SDSU MFA Blog!

2007-05-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

This blog is created for the former students of SDSU MFA Program in Creative Writing. Please post here the information about your current doings, plans, and writings. We would love to hear from you!

- Ilya