Catherine Fletcher

I had the pleasure of interviewing my friend Richard Jeffrey Newman for Green Linden Press about his most recent book, T'shuvah , his creative practice of writing and co-translation, and his frank thoughts on the relationship between art and trauma. The conversation is live on Green Linden's site.    

I'm excited to be part of this cool line-up at POEMS FOR THE PEOPLE on June 7 at the Muse Writers Center and hosted by Synnika Alek-Chizoba Lofton . Save the date!    

I t's octopus week in my world! It was wonderful to receive my contributor copy of this literary exploration of all things cephalopod. Thanks to anthology editor Sierra Nelson and World Enough Writers editor Lana Hechtman Ayers.  

On Friday night, I had a great time reading at Word Art with poet Synnika Lofton and drummer Greg Lee as well as MC Teech and a number of Hampton Roads poets. Thanks to the Muse Writers Center for hosting us and to CJ Expression for the photos.                                 

Save the date! On Saturday, December 16, I'm hosting the Poetry Society of Virginia's Across the Lines of Land & Language. Join us for this reading and conversation as this group of fabulous writers shares selections from their work and explores questions such as: What nuances in identity, class, gender, and language in the work of Black women writers are sometimes overlooked in mainstream cultural outlets? What forms and styles are most effective in exploring these nuances? How do different Black literatures think with and about one other? Scan the QR code to register for this Zoom event.

M y friend Jared Harel has a wonderful new poetry collection out: Let Our Bodies Change the Subject . I had the pleasure of speaking with him about this book, his approach to craft, and ways of turning our attention to the world in these challenging times. You can check out the interview at Green Linden Press 's Under a Warm Green Linden here . Many thanks to the fine folks at Green Linden for including us in Issue 16!  

I'm grateful to have made the longlist for Alternating Current 's Electric Book Award . Congrats to all of those chosen and good luck for the next round!