Link to information packet/pdf
Continental Breakfast (and Open Mic)
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
FSPA Business Meeting: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
David Axelrod — Being a Bridge to Poetry: 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
If you love poetry as literature or as writer, whether it is your hobby or you have made it a career goal, consider your place in the field. Be the best whether you are a devoted fan or a hobbyist or you strive to be a professional. To love the art, be knowledgeable and respectful. Moreso, be helpful and generous. As a professional poet, at whatever level I have been fortunate to attain, and at 80 the folks I’ve met and worked with make me at least a bridge to literary history even as I wish to encourage you to center yourself to the next crop across. Let me have a little brag and I promise not just some juicy anecdotes. I hope to give you handy how-to’s.
Lunch/Break (and Open Mic): 11:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m.
We will be providing a box lunch and will enjoy some more Open Mic time while we’re eating.
Elaine Person — Ekphrastic Poetry Writing Workshop: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Marquis (Xyz) Lee: 1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
One of our newest chapters, The Boulevard Poetry Collective of DeLand will be presenting, featuring the renowned page and stage poet Marquis (Xyz) Lee.
Lola Haskins: 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Lola Haskins’ Homelight was recently named Poetry Book of the Year by Southern Literary Review. Here are some of its subjects: Sappho, Michelangelo, birds, wind, the ocean, fire, the pandemic (via sleep aids) and walking in the woods, (featuring one tree in particular), Noriega, Syria, bad and good loves, remembering friends, death, and finally, time. Her tones include tenderness, observational (sometimes journalistic), elegiac, and, of course, humorous; her means from tiny poems all the way to sagas. She is looking forward to sharing the above with you.
Optional Dinner Groups: 5:00 p.m.–7 p.m.
For those who are able, we plan to go out to dinner together (Dutch Treat). We will have a sign-up sheet.