PUB: Teachers & Writers Collaborative - Bechtel Prize

2011 Bechtel Prize

Since 2004, Teachers & Writers Collaborative (T&W) has honored the author of an exemplary essay on literary arts education with the annual Bechtel Prize. Submissions for the award address important issues in creative writing education and/or literary studies.

The 2011 Bechtel Prize will be judged by Patricia Hampl. Hampl’s most recent book is The Florist’s Daughter, winner of numerous “best” and “year-end” awards, including the New York Times “100 Notable Books of the Year” and the 2008 Minnesota Book Award for Memoir and Creative Nonfiction. Blue Arabesque: A Search for the Sublime, published in 2006 and now in paperback, was also one of the Times Notable Books; a portion was chosen for The Best Spiritual Writing 2005. Hampl first won recognition for A Romantic Education, her memoir about her Czech heritage, awarded a Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship. This book and subsequent works have established her as an influential figure in the rise of autobiographical writing in the past 25 years. She is also the author of two collections of poetry, Woman before an Aquarium, and Resort and Other Poems. And she has published Spillville, a meditation on Antonín Dvo?ák’s 1893 summer in Iowa, with engravings by Steven Sorman. Virgin Time, about her Catholic upbringing and an inquiry into contemplative life, is available in a recent paperback. Hampl is Regents Professor of English at the University of Minnesota and serves on the T&W Board of Directors.

The essay selected to receive the Bechtel Prize appears in Teachers & Writers magazine and on the T&W website, and the author receives a $1,000 honorarium. Honoraria totaling $500 are shared by the authors of entries selected as finalists for the prize, which may also be published in Teachers & Writers.

Possible topics for Bechtel Prize submissions include contemporary issues in classroom teaching, innovative approaches to teaching literary forms and genres, and the intersection between literature and imaginative writing. The previous winners of the Bechtel Prize can be found at Bechtel Prize Winners.

Selection criteria for the Bechtel Prize include the essay’s relevance and appropriateness for readers of Teachers & Writers magazine, most of whom teach at the elementary, secondary, or postsecondary level. Teachers & Writers publishes work that is concise, lively, and geared to a general audience. Prospective entrants for the Bechtel Prize are encouraged to review a sample issue of Teachers & Writers to familiarize themselves with the magazine’s style. Go to Teachers & Writers to order a sample issue of the magazine for $5.00.

The submission deadline for the 2011 Bechtel Prize is 5:00 PM (Eastern), Thursday, June 30, 2011. Please refer to the submission guidelines below for additional information. For further information, e-mail BechtelPrize or call 212-691-6590.

2011 Bechtel Prize Submission Guidelines
  • Entry fee: $20 for each entry (make checks payable to Teachers & Writers Collaborative). Each fee entitles the entrant to a new one-year subscription to Teachers & Writers or a one-year extension of a current subscription. Please indicate your choice and include a complete address for subscriptions.
  • Submissions should relate to creative writing education and/or literary studies.
  • Submissions must be previously unpublished and under 3,500 words in length.
  • Submissions must be typed, paginated, and double-spaced.
  • Submissions will be judged anonymously. The author’s name and address must not appear anywhere on the essay/article.
  • Two copies of the entry must be submitted. One copy should include a cover page with the following information: the author’s name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, the title of the submission, and where the author learned about the Bechtel Prize. The other copy should include a cover page with only the title.
  • Authors of the Bechtel Prize winner and finalists must permit T&W to publish their submissions in Teachers & Writers magazine. The winner must permit T&W to publish the essay on the T&W website. T&W reserves the right to edit the submissions for publication.
  • Please mail entries to The Bechtel Prize, Teachers & Writers Collaborative, 520 Eighth Ave., Ste. 2020, New York, NY 10018. Entries may be delivered to T&W between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Submissions will not be accepted via e-mail or fax.
  • Submissions must be received by 5:00 PM (Eastern), Thursday, June 30, 2011.
  • Submissions that do not conform to the above guidelines will not be reviewed for the Bechtel Prize. Submissions will not be returned to the authors.
Support for the Bechtel Prize

To make a contribution to support the Bechtel Prize or Teachers & Writers magazine, please contact T&W Director Amy Swauger at 212-691-6590, e-mail.

via twc.org

 

VIDEO: "Girl: The Film" (Volume I) - A Message from Ardija Red-Cloud

Tantra-zawadi

"Girl: The Film" (Volume I) -

A Message from

Ardija Red-Cloud

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Uploaded by on May 11, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dedicated with love to the girls of Girl-Child Network Worldwide

New York City, New York
May 11, 2011
Girl: The Film (Volume I
A Message from Ardija Red-Cloud)
Scheduled for Release on May 15, 2011
A Documentary directed by Tantra-zawadi
Edited by Oliver Covrett, XyayX Multimedia
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi

Brooklyn born performance poet/artist Tantra-zawadi, announced today the release of her short documentary "Girl: The Film (Volume I -- A Message from Ardija Red-Cloud)." "Girl: The Film" is a series of short documentaries with uplifting messages from men and women to encourage girls in their quest for transformation, independence and self love. Ms. Zawadi, a mentor for Girl-Child Network Worldwide founded by CNN Hero Betty Makoni, created this film to inspire and empower girls in crisis.

"Girl: The Film Volume I" is a message from Ardija Red-Cloud, a 77 year-old mother/grandmother/retired guidance counselor with the New York City Department of Education, who exudes a timeless wisdom based upon her personal experiences and self discovery.

The film was shot in New York City and Cape Town, South Africa. It is directed by Ms. Zawadi and edited by Oliver Covrett of XyayX Multimedia. The New York City filming was done by Oliver Covrett and Deb Williams. Contributors are Dorothy Johnson-Laird, Blogger for Girl-Child Network Worldwide, Groove Assassin (Gotta Keep Faith Records), Soul Agenda Musique (Do It Now Recordings), singer/songwriter Dana Byrd, Tut Amin (Sankofa Soulz), Saxophonist Shannon Mowday, poetry by Nathan P. and Tshombe Sekou, with "Girl" graphic design by Stephanie Griffin and artwork by Aaron Mobley.

Tantra-zawadi is an internationally known performance poet/recording artist and the author of "Gathered at Her Sky" (PWP Books), "alifepoeminprogress" (Chuma Spirit Books), and a contributor in The 2011 Austin International Poetry Festival Anthology and "A Poetically Spoken Anthology -- Volume I" (Inner Child Press 2011). Her poetry has appeared in Essence Magazine and SpokenVizions Magazine. She has performed her soul stirring poems to standing room audiences at venues all over the world including London and Germany as well as the Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, the Montserrat Poetry Festival in Missouri and the Austin International Poetry Festival in Texas. Her latest projects include the stage play "Stolen Dreams, "Girl -- A Choreospective," and collaborations such as "Love Seeker" by Groove Assassin (GKF Records), "Secrets of Life" by Nastee Nev (DIN Recordings), "Don't Let Go" by Soul Agenda Musique (DIN Recordings), The Love Planet EP by Collective Spirits, The Summerbreeze EP By Dolls Combers, EARTHOLOGY by Floyd Boykin, Jr., and the award winning Liberation Sessions Soul of the City CD by Mwalim.

"Girl: The Film Volume I" will be available for viewing on May 15th at www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi. To learn more about Tantra-zawadi, please visit her website at www.tantra-zawadi.com.

Ms. Zawadi is grateful for your continued love and support.

Media Contact: Debra Williams
Diamond and Company
449 West 49th Street #3D
(212) 247-3692
# # #

 

EVENT: London—Theatre: "Once upon A Time in the 90s" - 26– 27 May 2011 in London > AFRO-EUROPE

Theatre:

"Once Upon A Time

in the 90s"

26– 27 May 2011 in London

 

A compelling story following seven young people on a journey of self discovery.

A musical theatre production set in the 90's exploring the social issues that have affected the world across the years; although many of these issues are still present in society they are often seen as taboo and not spoken about.

Each of the characters is representative of a different era ranging from the 50's right up until the 90's. This piece makes political and social comment presenting comedic humour, song and dance and will be an entertaining experience to all spectators.

Featuring special guest performer AKALA (UK recording artist).

26TH – 27TH May 2011: The Albany Theatre Deptford, London, SE8 4AG. For more information www.thealbany.org.uk

 

 

ACTION + VIDEO: “If I knew then what I know now, Troy Davis would... - Liliana Segura - SIGN PETITION

FREE TROY DAVIS
Troy Davis

Friday, May 20, 2011

“If I knew then what I know now, Troy Davis would not be on death row. The verdict would be Not Guilty.” — Brenda Forrest, juror at trial.

Troy Davis could face a new execution date any day now.

Sign the petition: JusticeForTroy.org

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DISQUS...

 

 

VIDEO: Wole Soyinka Lectures on Freedom, Myths and Metaphors at the New York Public Library - WNYC Culture

Talk to Me:

Wole Soyinka Lectures on

Freedom, Myths & Metaphors

at the New York Public Library

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

With a shock of white hair and matching beard, Wole Soyinka was a striking figure as he indulged a rapt audience at the New York Public Library as the closing speaker for the PEN World Voices Festival. Soyinka's take on the "Arthur Miller Freedom to Write Lecture" was imbued with perfect diction, mythical metaphors, and biographical clout — he penned his book "Poems from Prison" while in jail for 22 months and has been an outspoken critic of political oppression throughout his five-decade career.

Soyinka used Humpty Dumpty as a metaphor for dictators across nations and cultures, and likened writing to sorcery. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about his speech, though, is the elevated and elegant language he used to address the freedom of writers both historically as well as in present day.

Bon Mots:

Soyinka on retaliation against literary oppression: "When the life of a Salman Rushdie or another literary tribesman is declared open season for all religious or secular psychopaths, we should, as I proposed at the time, organize an unmanned aerial armada of those contemporary broomsticks known as hot air balloons. Load the wicker baskets with the allegedly offending material, and, using the latest witchcraft technology known as remote control, spew their contents all over Humpty Dumpty’s wall. Sooner or later, true power will lend a hand."

On the duty of writers: "Writers and intellectuals have a duty to humanity. It is to insist that the human entity remains the primary asset in overall development, thus it must be safeguarded."

On writers' salaries: "No writer has a right to make that much money. Indeed, without diabolical assistance, no writer can."

__________________________

The Sixth Annual

Arthur Miller Freedom to Write

Lecture: Wole Soyinka

May 1, 2011 | New York Public Library | New York City

With Wole Soyinka


Co-sponsored by LIVE from the New York Public Library


 LISTEN Download the mp3
 

 PHOTO GALLERY | View the photo gallery on Flickr  



Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Nigerian poet-dramatist, Wole Soyinka, writes: “Books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to suppress the truth.” He offers a thoughtful examination of censorship—and a writer’s purpose and responsibility in a climate of forced silences and intolerance.

 

VIDEO: How TV Ruined Your Life > Open Culture

Charlie Brooker

How TV Ruined Your Life

The world is in shambles. Civilization is in free fall. And it’s all because of that ubiquitous electronic box spewing Snooki and Ozzy and The Donald into the homes of innocent people, polluting their minds and corrupting their souls. Or anyway, that’s what British comedian Charlie Brooker thinks.

Brooker is in a position to know. He makes his living off the offending medium, writing and appearing on such caustic programs as Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe, his hilarious and merciless biting of the hand that feeds. Earlier this year BBC Two presented its follow-up to Screenwipe, a six-part series titled How TV Ruined Your Life. The result is one part social satire, two parts raving lunacy, as the misanthropic Brooker—remote control clenched furiously in hand—takes us on a manic channel-surfing tour of the depravity.

In the window above we feature Episode 3: “Aspiration. The other five installments can be accessed through the links below. Warning: How TV Ruined Your Life contains harsh language that would not be safe for work. (But then, if you’re watching half-hour comedy shows at the office you’re probably skating on thin ice anyway.)

Episode 1: “Fear”
Episode 2: “The Lifecycle”
Episode 4: “Love”
Episode 5: “Progress”
Episode 6: “Knowledge”

 

VIDEO: THE LAST POETS

The Last Poets

 on Aug 30, 2009

Harlem 1968 a group of young poets get together and found THE LAST POETS. With jazz or funk as a backdrop, percussions rolling and words shooting out like bursts of machine gun fire, the group denounces the oppression of African Americans, while painting a devastating yet humorous picture of life in the ghetto. Nearly forty years after their separation, the members of this legendary group - the founding fathers of today's hip hop, rap and slam - come together in Paris for a one-time concert at the 2008 Banlieues Bleues Festival.

From the intimacy of their Parisian rehearsal room, they evoke the past: the birth of the collective, the years of political unrest, their high-risk creative madness. THE LAST POETS: Made in Amerikkka is a film that erases the boundaries between different genres. It's a live recording, a musical documentary and an art film, all combined into one, and yet it goes beyond any of these. It is a film event, faithful to the spirit and the image of The Last Poets.

Last Poets with Pharoah Sanders

Blessed are those who struggle

 on Dec 5, 2008

The Last Poets with Bernard Purdie...from the LP "Delights Of The Garden"...This is the tune "Blessed Are Those Who Struggle"..

Written by Suliaman El Hadi

Voices: Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin Suliaman El Hadi Abu Mustapha

Bass, Guitar: Mann
Drums: Bernard Purdie
Conga: Abu Mustapha Suliaman El Hadi
Percusion: Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin Suliaman El Hadi Abu Mustapha

This is a different lineup then the original "Last Poets"
The original Last Poets were formed on May 19, 1968 (Malcolm X's birthday), at Marcus Garvey Park (formerly Mount Morris Park, at 124th Street and Fifth Avenue) in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City. The original members were Felipe Luciano, Gylan Kain, and David Nelson.

The group continued to evolve via a 1969 Harlem writers' workshop known as "East Wind." Jalal Mansur Nuriddin, Umar Bin Hassan, and Abiodun Oyewole, along with percussionist Nilaja, are generally considered the primary and core members of the group, as they appeared on the group's 1970 self-titled debut (contracted by noted Jimi Hendrix producer Alan Douglas) and, in various combinations, on subsequent releases. Luciano, Kain, and Nelson recorded separately as The Original Last Poets, gaining some renown as the soundtrack artists for the 1971 film "Right On!". 

Umar Bin Hassan, and Abiodun Oyewole still perform under the name "The Last Poets".

 

 

PUB: The New Measure Poetry Prize 2011 | Parlor Press

The New Measure Poetry Prize 2011

Parlor Press's poetry series, Free Verse Editions, is pleased to announce the third annual New Measure Poetry Prize, which will carry a cash award of $1,000 and publication of an original, unpublished manuscript of poems. Submissions for the prize must be postmarked in May or June of 2011. The non-refundable entry fee is $25.00; checks and money orders should be made out to "Parlor Press." Parlor Press/Free Verse Editions will announce the winning manuscript no later than December 1, 2011. The judge for 2011 will be Susan Stewart.

The New Measure Poetry Prize Winners

2009: 13 Ways of Happily by Emily Carr [selected by Cole Swensen]
2010: Country Album by James Capozzi [selected by Jon Thompson]

Other manuscripts not selected for the New Measure Poetry Prize may still be eligible for publication by Free Verse Editions. Friends and former students of the judge are not eligible for the prize, but may submit for publication to Free Verse Editions (please indicate whether the submission is for the prize or for publication only). Each manuscript should be word processed, paginated, and contain a list of acknowledgments for published or forthcoming poems. The title page should include the name of the author, a postal address, telephone number and email address. Send submissions with SASE to:

The New Measure Poetry Prize
c/o Jon Thompson
Department of English
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8105

All manuscripts not selected for publication will be recycled. No feedback on submitted manuscripts can be offered.

For more information about Free Verse Editions, visit the series page.

Free Verse Editions logo

Download a printable, PDF copy of this announcement for distribution (146 kb).

 

PUB: Book Contest « Bauhan Publishing

May Sarton First Book Contest

The May Sarton New Hampshire First Book Prize

Deadline: June 30, 2011

In honor of May Sarton’s 100th birthday (May 3, 2012), Bauhan Publishing is launching the May Sarton New Hampshire First Book Prize. In conjunction with the prize competition, we will re-issue Sarton’s collection, As Does New Hampshire, which we initially published in 1967.

The May Sarton New Hampshire First Book Prize welcomes submissions from poets who have yet to publish a full-length poetry manuscript. Entrants may reside anywhere in the world, but must write in English. The winner receives $1000, book publication, and 100 copies of the published book. New Hampshire Poet Laureate Walter Butts will serve as final judge.

The newly publishied May Sarton New Hampshire book prize edition and As Does New Hampshire will be released at the celebration of May Sarton’s 100th birthday – a conference being held in York, Maine, May 3-6, 2012. 

Submission guidelines:
1. Manuscripts must be typed, paginated, and 50 to 80 pages in length (single spaced). Single or double-sided manuscripts are acceptable. Your name should not appear on the manuscript itself.

2. Individual poems in the manuscript may have been previously published in magazines, journals, anthologies, or chapbooks of 32 pages or less, but the collection as a whole must be unpublished.

3. Translations and self-published books are not eligible. The manuscript must be the product of only one author. Any person who has studied poetry in a formal program with the final judge – through a college, university, community program, residency, or private tutorial, within the last two years – is not eligible to submit a manuscript to this contest.

4. The manuscript should include a table of contents and a list of acknowledgments for poems previously published.

5. Submit two title pages with the manuscript, one that has only the title of the collection and one that includes the title, your name, address, e-mail address, and phone number. Manuscripts cannot be returned. Please do not send your only copy.

6. No illustrations, photographs or images should be included.

7. Send one copy of your manuscript submission. Use only binder clips or rubber bands. No staples, folders, or printer-bound copies.

8. For notification of winners, include a business-sized SASE. For acknowledgment of the receipt of your manuscript, include a stamped addressed postcard. Winners will be announced by January, 2012.

9. Entry fee is $25. Enclose a check or money order payable to Bauhan Publishing.

10. Send manuscripts to:

May Sarton NH Prize
Bauhan Publishing
7 Main Street
Peterborough, NH 03458

11. Manuscripts must be postmarked on or before June 30, 2011.

12. Bauhan Publishing reserves the right to cancel the contest for any reason. In that unlikely event, all entry fees will be returned to contestants.