Scissortail 2010 is in the bag. Congratulations to all who read. We look forward to seeing you next year: March 31-April 2, 2011!Readers pictured here : John Yozzo (at left), and then, clockwise: Jane Taylor, Ron Wallace (in the straw hat), Hardy Jones (in the snap brim), and Dorothy Alexander (in the red hat).
hats 3, bare heads 2
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure it was to participate in East Central University's 5th annual Scissortail Creative Writing Festival. I thank you and your entire staff for the warm welcome I received and for providing an environment that truly made the experience a "festival", a celebration of writers, writing, and people who take pleasure in words....written, spoken and sung!
ReplyDeleteCertainly the presentations of the keynote authors Jim Barnes and Joy Harjo were memorable; however, the entire program was peppered with engaging writers from James Hoggard's Edward Hopper poems to Melissa Morophew's memorable characters to Jonathan Stalling's vibrato reciting his experimental English/Chinese works. Then there are the diverse voices of Alan Berecka, Nathan Brown, Johnnie Catfish, Jeanneta Mish, Phil Morgan, Elizabeth Raby, Steven Schroeder, Jim Spur, Larry Thomas, the list goes on.
A special thank you to the staff who displayed and handled the book sales.
They were both friendly and efficient. Their presence was a warm background for many conversations.
Beyond the formal readings, new friendships are formed. The gatherings sponsored by the University at the Country Club and at the Poetry Gallery, where I had an opportunity to interact with students, allowed me to meet new people, as well as reconnect with old friends. Where else, too, would one find Kate and Phil Morgan, who opened their home and hearts, feeding us more than merely lunch. Then, there were the waiter at one restaurant and a waitress at another, both of whom attended the readings and were eager to discuss poetry, too!
Congratulations on nurturing an environment that encourages all equally.
The Scissortail Creative Writing Festival is not a competition; it is a celebration! Thank you for allowing me to celebrate with you...my first visit to Oklahoma, and I hope, not my last!
Best wishes,
Patricia Goodrich