With Thoughts of Christmas...

For unique and personal gifts this Christmas, consider giving copies of Core Samples: Poems from Northwestern Ontario. Books can be purchased through any of the poets directly (see page on this blog or e-mail us at coresamplespoetry@gmail.com ) or from Chapters and Coles in Thunder Bay or on-line through Chapters . Happy (and simple) gift giving!

Random Acts of Poetry

Mary & Sue participated in Random Acts of Poetry sponsored by Definitely Superior Art Gallery throughout the city of Thunder Bay last week. Thanks to all those who cheered us on, listened quietly or held our words in their minds and hearts. We hope we inspired you to share your own words with the world. We were on LU Radio and covered by CBC Radio.

Books For Sale!

On Saturday 27th August, Sue will be selling copies of Core Samples at the Westfort Village Street Fair. Drop by, say hi, buy a book to enjoy after the fair! She'd love to see you!

Reading at Rosslyn Community Centre

Looking forward to reading at the library at Rosslyn Community Centre tomorrow afternoon. :-)

A Timely Poem From Core Samples

Father’s Day Gifts

My father grabs an umbrella

and races out the door:

a gesture as spontaneous

as the sudden squall.

Down his long driveway,

pelting rain darkening his shirt,

to reach a woman dog-walking,

defenceless against the downpour.

He hands her the closed umbrella

then returns to the house, drenched.

Water drips down his face, off his arms,

as he goes upstairs to dry and change.

I present him with a store-bought gift

but its significance has washed away.

~ Sue Blott

Looking forward

After May's excitement (the launch, Mary's first book Straightlines being nominated to represent our region in the CBC Cross Country Bookshelf and the annual NOWW awards in which Sue won 3rd prize for poetry), we're heading into June by focusing on getting our books into stores and by beginning our regular poetry meetings again. 

Our regular meetings are monthly and involve critiquing each other's work. We haven't had one of these for months and months due to the demands of the book but we miss these meetings. They remain the backbone of our group. Who knows, the poems we critique in June may be ones you read some place somewhere...in another anthology perhaps?

Happy summer reading! (and critiquing for us!)

Core Samples & Beyond!

Mary reading her poems at the launch

Some bits & pieces about some of our Core Samples poets: visit http://www.cbc.ca to vote for Mary's first book of poetry Straightlines to represent our region in the Cross-Country Bookshelf. Sue won 3rd prize in the poetry division of NOWW's annual contest last night at the Literary Awards Party for a trio of poems judged by poet Ann Compton. In an interesting twist, one of the poems in the winning trio was a Core Samples reject! Also, at the awards, it was wonderful to see people carrying (and delving into!) copies of Core Samples. Your support is very much appreciated! Thank you!

WOW!

People people everywhere! We had to add more chairs for the launch!

Books for sale! Come & get 'em!

Phew! Just back home after the launch and it was humbling, overwhelming and thrilling! A wonderful turn out. Thanks so much to everyone who came out to see and hear us and wish us well. To those who bought books, we do hope you'll enjoy them. May our poems resonate within your hearts. Let us know what you think. We'd love to hear from you. And, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so very much.

Radio interview & launch!

Finally the launch is only 24 hours away! Also, tomorrow at 4pm, Sharon and Sue will be doing a LIVE interview on CBC One's Voyage North with Cathy Alex. http://www.cbc.ca/voyagenorth/ It promises to be an exciting day!

5...4...3...2...almost!

It's a countdown to our launch! A week today!

Books!

The books have arrived! The books have arrived! Safe & dry in Sharon's garage...does one belong to YOU?

Approving the Proofs

Yesterday we finished approving the proofs and are now eagerly awaiting our book's arrival and prepping for our launch where we hope to see you:

Wednesday 11th May 7pm

Prince Arthur Hotel

Dawson Room

Readings, book signings & food!

Special launch price of $15:00 per book!

Poetry Magic

After a poetry meeting,

a plastic bag snagged on winter branches

is a white crane amongst bulrushes.

                                             ~ Sue Blott