Poetry Friday: An Invitation to Learn about Collaboration
Haiku of the Week
Chinese paperbush
stars in the sun-drenched garden
yellow bursts of spring
–Haiku and photo by Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Photo taken at Enid A. Haupt Garden
Collaboration: An Invitation
The Mid-Atlantic SCBWI is hosting Irene Latham and Charles Waters for a webinar on collaboration. As you may know, Charles and Irene have collaborated on several poetry collections together, and they have a new historical fiction novel-in-verse AFRICAN TOWN. Each time I read their books, I have such admiration for their work, and I have so many questions. How DO you collaborate? What does that look like? They’ll be sharing their collaboration process with us on April 26. Come join us. Here’s the link to sign up.
What I’m Reading
I just finished reading AFRICAN TOWN by Irene Latham and Charles Waters this week. I also downloaded on LibroFM. It was a recent selection for their educator program. I have so many thoughts. The story itself is eye-opening. I’m so glad they brought the story of the enslaved people who came to this country on the Clotilda, endured the unimaginable, and then established their own community in Alabama. I learned so much.
But this is also a novel-in-verse, and I’m in AWE of the structure of the poems individually. Each voice has its own style of poetry. There was so much thought and care put into each individual person represented. It’s a masterful work to read as a fellow writer. I’ll hope you’ll pick up your own copy. The audio (which I’m about halfway through) is also amazing. I do like to listen to poetry when I get the chance. There are multiple voices cast for the characters in the book. I’d recommend it as well.
13 Comments
Matt Forrest Esenwine
Beautiful photo and haiku, Marcie!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Matt! And thanks for hosting on Friday!
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Karin Fisher-Golton
I love your haiku! It’s so full of sunshine.
The program on collaboration sounds very interesting. If I wasn’t in such a many layered busy time, I’d be there!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
We’re recording it, if you think you can watch within a month of the event.
PATRICIA J FRANZ
Okay, on my download list and hoping to get it read before the webinar! Thank you.
And I love your “yellow bursts of spring”! It’s Yellow Season in AZ right now, too!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Patricia! I hope you love the book!
Linda Baie
I love your haiku, a spring welcome, Marcie. And I loved African Town, both heartbreaking & an inspiration. It will be enlightening to hear about how they collaborate.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It is heartbreaking. I’m fascinated by how this book is structured from a craft standpoint too.
Michelle Heidenrich Barnes
What a beautiful photo and haiku!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you!
Elisabeth
A beautiful poem and photo pairing – the perfect celebration of spring. Thanks for the info about the upcoming program – I’m looking forward to reading this book!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It’s a great book. And yay for spring!