January 30, 2010

Welcome to the new Publisher's Blog

This here marks the point where the new Poet's Haven Publisher's Blog goes live.

I've spent some time over the past several months checking out various blog programs, intending to keep the blog hosted on PoetsHaven.com.  There are many great programs out there, but none that had all the features I wanted to have already built in.  While I certainly could work on a program and add everything, I decided that time is an issue (or the lack thereof) and it would be best to simply take the easy route.  So, the new blog is here on Google's Blogger.com.

I was selective in which old posts I imported here.  Many posts promoting shows or announcing a new podcast were left behind, along with all the posts (and all the newsletters from before the old blog was launched) talking about parts of the site that have been closed.  (How many posts would you want to read about the old chat room, which has been closed for several years?  lol)

So here we be.  This is where I'll now be posting Poet's Haven event promotion, podcast updates, and the occasional rant or bitching session.  Have fun!

January 27, 2010

More Updates...

For the first time in a VERY long time, the PoetsHaven.com submission queue is all caught up.  Now it is time for me to get some work done on the site itself.

The review sections have been removed from the site.  These sections have never been terribly popular: Only two music review submissions have been received in the last six years. As part of the ongoing effort to streamline the site into something more akin to a literary journal, the movie, music, book, and game reviews have fallen outside the territory we want to cover.  If I want to throw an entertainment recommendation your way, don't worry, I'll do it right on the blog.

Speaking of: Everyone HAS to go see "The Lovely Bones" while it is still in theaters!!!  Why is "Avatar" collecting awards when this AMAZING piece of cinematic art is showing on a neighboring screen? I can count the films I've found truly moving on one hand, and "The Lovely Bones" has made that list.  (And since I know someone will ask, no, I have not read the book, though I may pick it up if I see it at Mac's Backs or HPB.)

Okay, back on topic...

The next thing to go will be the message forums.  As soon as the blog has been moved, this will happen.  If you need to collect any work or drafts out of the "Work in Progress" forum, get it done ASAP.

I've been asked why the forums are being closed.  When the internet was a new thing for most people, having a community discussion on a poetry site worked.  However, as time has gone on, the community discussions have moved away from sites like this and taken up residence on sites like Facebook.  Again, efforts are being made to focus on the core of poetry, stories, and art that have made PoetsHaven.com popular these past thirteen years, leaving the mass-media chit-chat and skewed polls to the social networking sites.

Work is underway on more podcasts.  Three new episodes were released earlier this month, and two more are nearing completion.  Unfortunately, due to time limitations, the podcast work had to take a temporary pause while I worked through the submission queue.  There's one more big change on the way for the presentation of the podcasts, something that I think everyone will love to hear.  big_smile  Keep listening.

Our live event schedule is right on track!  Saturday Night With The Poet's Haven shows will now be held on the third Saturday of every month.

February 20th, we'll be at Blue Arrow Records in Cleveland, with featured poets Azalea Tidwell and Miles Budimir and featured musician Blackwell!


March 20th, we're at Angel Falls Coffee in Akron, with featured poet Laraine Seidl and a featured poetry/music set by T.M. Göttl and Zach!


April 17th's show is in the works, and won't be what was expected. big_smile  Then May 15th, we're at Angel Falls with John Dorsey and Christina Brooks!

Also, be sure to check out the Canton First Friday Poetry Slam!  The first Friday of every month, a huge art festival fills downtown Canton, Ohio.  Come to the 2nd April Art Galerie (downstairs in the Kathleen Howland Theater) at 7:30 for the First Friday Poetry Slam.  The show starts with an open-mic to warm everyone up, then we have the competition.  First place takes home $50, second and third take home $30 and $20.

Okay, back to work I go...

January 10, 2010

Updates...

Three new podcast episodes have finally gone online!  Changes are underway in the format and presentation of the episodes that will help me produce the episodes faster while giving them a bigger-budget sound.  You'll hear some of the initial changes across these three episodes, with more changes in the weeks ahead.

Episode 27 features Jason Floyd Williams, Ramona Stone, Gina Tabasso, T.M. Göttl, and Timothy House!

Episode 28 features the poetry of Parker Amsel and Lisa Vicious, with the music of AURAL Heather!

Episode 29 features Lisa Vicious, Ramona Stone, Jake from (Me) vs Them, Christopher Franke, Jen Pezzo, and Anne McMillen!

Download episodes directly at:
http://podcast.PoetsHaven.com

Or subscribe to the podcast through iTunes at:
http://itunes.PoetsHaven.com


The Saturday Night With The Poet's Haven open-mic series will be happening on the third Saturday of every month through 2010.  Odd-numbered months (January, March, etc.), we will be at Angel Falls in Akron, Ohio.  Even-numbered months (February, April, etc.), we will be at various venues across Cleveland.

January 16th, we will be featuring poets Michelle Sinsky and February Luv at Angel Falls!


February 20th, we will feature poets Azalea Tidwell and Miles Budimir with hip-hop artist Blackwell at Blue Arrow Records in Cleveland!



Please note:  I will be closing the forums on this site in the not-too-distant future.  I will be moving this blog to a traditional blogging program (complete with RSS feeds, etc.).  Anyone who has work posted in the "work in progress" forum that you do not have saved elsewhere, you should get it copied to your own system ASAP.  Or, y'know, finish it and submit it to the poetry gallery.  (AHEM... Riske...)