may2010enews3

Dear Friends,

This week, Mark Levy, author of Accidental Genius cited Write Around Portland's model of prompt-based freewriting as a great way to "open up" thinking. Writing prompts like the ones we use in our workshops can give a "small push in an unexpected direction," he says. We couldn't agree more.

Throughout the month, we're offering you many "small pushes." There are 5 days of Writing workshops, our spring reading on May 26th, and you can give our online prompts a spin. They're fun, and they're free!

You'll find all the details in this newsletter about how you can join in, along with:

...an interview with our new featured writer who lives

and writes "no matter what"

...your first look at our annual report

...Oregon's new Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen beautiful introduction to our soon-to-be released anthology

There's a lot happening this May, and I'm excited to share it with you!

Robyn Steely

Executive Director

P.S. Did you notice our new logo? We hope you like it! We're in the process of sprucing up our website to match our great new look.

Here's the scoop:

* May 26: Free community reading & anthology release party

* Lucky Us: Oregon's new Poet Laureate writes introduction to our book

* 5 Days of Writing: May 11 - 15 - Free workshops for everyone

* No Matter What: How our new featured writer lives and writes

* Contact us, follow us on Twitter for writing prompts & become a fan on Facebook

Spring Anthology Release Party & Free Community Reading - May 26

Join us to celebrate the release of our new anthology, The Top, featuring writing by women in residential drug and alcohol treatment, homeless youth, low income housing residents, domestic violence survivors and many others.

Wednesday, May 26, 6:30 - 8:30pm

First United Methodist Church, Collins Hall

1838 SW Jefferson St. at the Goose Hollow TriMet MAX stop [MAP]

The reading is free, and everyone is welcome. The location is ADA-accessible, and free (but limited) parking is available. Childcare is also available, but please call in advance if you need it - 503.796.9224. Anthologies will be available for purchase (cash/check), and financial donations are welcome and appreciated.

Oregon's new Poet Laureate, Paulann Petersen, writes introduction to our new anthology

"Writing is a remarkably human endeavor because language both creates and records our humanity," Paulann Petersen writes in her introduction to our new spring anthology, The Top. She was recently named our state's sixth and newest Poet Laureate. We couldn't be happier for Paulann--and for Oregon--and we're honored to have our new book graced with her beautiful words.

"In these pages of the 32nd Write Around Portland anthology, you’ll encounter a number of voices that—without the efforts of this worthy organization—might not have been heard...In short, they become writers. And we get to be their readers...Lucky us." Read Paulann's full introduction here.

Free workshops May 11 - 15 open to everyone

You're invited to attend two-hour creative writing workshops open to everyone (adults and teens). They’re free! Plus, journals, pens and light snacks provided.

Pre-registration is required: Call 503.796.9224 or email 5days@writearound.org with your name, phone number and the date of the workshop you would like to attend. Maps and public transportation options are available on our website.

1. Tuesday, May 11, 6:00 - 8:00pm
     Ladybug Organic Cafe, 8438 N. Lombard
2. Wednesday, May 12, 3:00 - 5:00pm
     Full Life Coffee Shop, 3331 NE Sandy Blvd
3. Thursday, May 13, 5:30 - 7:30pm
     Regional Arts & Culture Council, 108 NW 9th

4. Friday, May 14, 1:00 - 3:00pm
SE Multicultural Center, 4610 SE Belmont St
5. Saturday, May 15, 10am - Noon
Mercy Corps Action Center, 28 SW 1st Ave

5 Days of Writing are made possible by a generous grant from the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition and the Oregon Cultural Trust

No Matter What: New featured writers' way of living and writing

"A lot of people get vulnerable when they write," new featured writer Joseph Jacobus told us. "You learn more about them when they share, when you listen to the writing." He participated in our workshop in partnership with Volunteers of America for adults who are transitioning out of incarceration and who are in residential drug and alcohol treatment.

To Joseph, No Matter What is more than a mere combination of words, simple phrase or title. It’s a way of life. The mantra can be found tattooed across his chest, emblazoned in white letters on the back of his t-shirt, and it's the title of his poem featured in the Write Around Portland anthology. You can read that poem and more about Joseph on our website.

Contact, Follow and Become a Fan

Web: Write Around Portland
Email: info@writearound.org

Phone: 503.796.9224

Mail: 917 SW Oak St. Suite 406, Portland, OR, 97205-2838


	Dear Friends, This week, Mark Levy, author of Accidental Genius cited Write Around Portland's model of prompt-based freewriting as a great way to "open up" thinking. Writing prompts like the ones we use in our workshops can give a "small push in an unexpected direction," he says. We couldn't agree more. Throughout the month, we're offering you many "small pushes." There are 5 days of Writing workshops, our spring reading on May 26th, and you can give our online prompts a spin. They're fun, and they're free! You'll find all the details in this newsletter about how you can join in, along with: ...an interview with our new featured writer who lives and writes "no matter what" ...your first look at our annual report ...Oregon's new Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen beautiful introduction to our soon-to-be released anthology There's a lot happening this May, and I'm excited to share it with you! Robyn Steely Executive Director P.S. Did you notice our new logo? We hope you like it! We're in the process of sprucing up our website to match our great new look. Here's the scoop: * May 26: Free community reading & anthology release party * Lucky Us: Oregon's new Poet Laureate writes introduction to our book * 5 Days of Writing: May 11 - 15 - Free workshops for everyone * No Matter What: How our new featured writer lives and writes * Contact us, follow us on Twitter for writing prompts & become a fan on Facebook Spring Anthology Release Party & Free Community Reading - May 26 Join us to celebrate the release of our new anthology, The Top, featuring writing by women in residential drug and alcohol treatment, homeless youth, low income housing residents, domestic violence survivors and many others. Wednesday, May 26, 6:30 - 8:30pm First United Methodist Church, Collins Hall 1838 SW Jefferson St. at the Goose Hollow TriMet MAX stop [MAP] The reading is free, and everyone is welcome. The location is ADA-accessible, and free (but limited) parking is available. Childcare is also available, but please call in advance if you need it - 503.796.9224. Anthologies will be available for purchase (cash/check), and financial donations are welcome and appreciated. Oregon's new Poet Laureate, Paulann Petersen, writes introduction to our new anthology "Writing is a remarkably human endeavor because language both creates and records our humanity," Paulann Petersen writes in her introduction to our new spring anthology, The Top. She was recently named our state's sixth and newest Poet Laureate. We couldn't be happier for Paulann--and for Oregon--and we're honored to have our new book graced with her beautiful words. "In these pages of the 32nd Write Around Portland anthology, you’ll encounter a number of voices that—without the efforts of this worthy organization—might not have been heard...In short, they become writers. And we get to be their readers...Lucky us." Read Paulann's full introduction here. Free workshops May 11 - 15 open to everyone You're invited to attend two-hour creative writing workshops open to everyone (adults and teens). They’re free! Plus, journals, pens and light snacks provided. Pre-registration is required: Call 503.796.9224 or email 5days@writearound.org with your name, phone number and the date of the workshop you would like to attend. Maps and public transportation options are available on our website. 1. Tuesday, May 11, 6:00 - 8:00pm Ladybug Organic Cafe, 8438 N. Lombard 2. Wednesday, May 12, 3:00 - 5:00pm Full Life Coffee Shop, 3331 NE Sandy Blvd 3. Thursday, May 13, 5:30 - 7:30pm Regional Arts & Culture Council, 108 NW 9th 4. Friday, May 14, 1:00 - 3:00pm SE Multicultural Center, 4610 SE Belmont St 5. Saturday, May 15, 10am - Noon Mercy Corps Action Center, 28 SW 1st Ave 5 Days of Writing are made possible by a generous grant from the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition and the Oregon Cultural Trust No Matter What: New featured writers' way of living and writing "A lot of people get vulnerable when they write," new featured writer Joseph Jacobus told us. "You learn more about them when they share, when you listen to the writing." He participated in our workshop in partnership with Volunteers of America for adults who are transitioning out of incarceration and who are in residential drug and alcohol treatment. To Joseph, No Matter What is more than a mere combination of words, simple phrase or title. It’s a way of life. The mantra can be found tattooed across his chest, emblazoned in white letters on the back of his t-shirt, and it's the title of his poem featured in the Write Around Portland anthology. You can read that poem and more about Joseph on our website. Contact, Follow and Become a Fan Web: Write Around Portland Email: info@writearound.org Phone: 503.796.9224 Mail: 917 SW Oak St. Suite 406, Portland, OR, 97205-2838	Just out - our annual report online: