I have been Slack

Yes, I know. I have not posted in awhile. Lot has happened. Now that summer is here I know I will have more time.

So, me looking for a new post this week updating on all the happenings and then I can get back to the usually rants on literature, movies, music, and the culture that is in a flux.

cheers,
Will

Flood of 2011 - A Year Later

My family was celebrating Easter in 2011 when the river report came in that soon record levels would be hitting the Delta. It was a strange day. Our nature family, twenty plus, enjoyed the day while recollecting stories in fear that this world that has been carved out along the MS River might not exist.

Now it is a year later and the house is almost complete. Furniture has begun to be moved back in.

This year for spring break I went back home and was able to explore the area. Unfortunately, many house exist as abandoned relics, some still owned by those that still due not have the answers and others now purchased by the government.

Below are some of the pictures I took while exploring the area.

Deep South Magazine: "The Levee" - National Poetry Month

In honor of National Poetry Month, Deep South Magazine is putting up one new poem a day during the month of April. All of the poems are from Southern Writers or contain Southern themes. Today, they posted my poem, "The Levee." Please visit and enjoy.

My Heart Belongs to Buffalo - Upcoming Show Schedule

New Publications on the Horizon

It was been awhile since my last post. Work has been kicking my butt. However, it seems that I do have some fruits of labor to share. I have a handful of upcoming publications. I will keep everyone posted.

• Passages North (Forthcoming): "Fantasies of Men;"
• The Pedestal (Forthcoming): "The Continuing Story of Robert Johnson;"
• The Greensboro Review (forthcoming): "Work Song;"
• Tapestry (Forthcoming): "River Monster;"
• Deep South Magazine (Forthcoming): "The Levee;"
• The Pinch (Forthcoming): "Crossing;"

New Story - Word Riot

Hello out there in Internet Land. Please head over to Word Riot and check out my latest story, "Out at Shellmound." You can listen to a recording of me reading it as well.

Shop Local for the Holiday (update: with Freaker coupon code)

Now, I am not one to jump up on any soapbox, but I do feel that there is a new sense of camaraderie in america with the buying of local products. In the last few years, farmers markets have gained mass popularity. With that, products beyond produce are being sold. This is a good thing. I wanted to give a couple of shopping spots for NC locals.

1. Freaker USA: The Home of the Freaker (Made in NC). What is a Freaker you ask? Well, simply put it is a knit drink koozie that can bend and stretch and still hold its shape. It can fit over anything from a cup of coffee from Port City Java or Java Dog to your favorite brew to a 5th of Jamison (yes, I have tried it. I didn't want my 5th to catch a cold) to bottles of wine and even a 40oz beer. I am waiting to test mine on a handle (liter) of crown.

Here is a really cool video that introduces you to the Freaker: The Birth of the Freaker.



Coupon code good through the holidays: http://freaker.refr.cc/NDPJLW 







2. Allison Weeks Thomas: Illustrator. I cannot say enough kind words about Allie and her work. I am lucky to have known her for around 10 years now. Over the past few years she begun to create anything from jewelry to prints to ornaments and tote bags. All of these items are illustrated with her own designs. Please visit her website or her Etsy shop. Be on the look out for her designs and products at galleries and boutiques in Wilmington.

3. Old Books of Front Street: Old books are the best books. They have the feel, the smell. The pages are already worn. Old Books have been in operation in Wilmington since 1982. They have a huge selection of books, as well as a cafe inside. Old Books also host numerous weekly events such as readings. Please visit their website or facebook page.

New Publication - Oxford American 13th Annual Southern Music Issue

My poem, "Last Call at Walnut Street Blues Bar," is featured in this issue, which is very excited since the issue focuses of Mississippi. Please pick up a copy today. You also receive a free cd with your purchase.

Taken from the Oxford American website:

13th Annual Music Issue

Nov. 2011 - Issue: 75

Arriving on newsstands on December 1, this year's Oxford American Southern Music Issue, which comes with a 27-song CD, focuses on the music of Mississippi.

Inspired by the diversity and depth of the state's musical heritage, the editors of The Oxford American have scoured the Magnolia State and unearthed 27 brilliant Mississippi songs to shake up the thinking (and booties) of its audience.

In fact, the new Music Issue may surprise people who believe that Mississippi boasts only blues music. Though rightly regarded for its fantastically rich blues heritage, Mississippi can also claim the birthplace of rock & roll (Tupelo, Miss., where Elvis Presley was born) and country (Meridian, Miss., where Jimmie Rodgers, "The Father of Country Music," was born).

New Publication - The Cream City Review (Spring/Summer 2011)

The Spring/Summer 2011 issue of Cream City Review has been released, containing my poem "The Last September."

"Speed Dating" Peer Review and Text Message Alerts for Class

Today I tried two new elements in class today. First, I incorporated a "speed-dating" like peer-review. I got the idea from ProfHacker which is the education/technology blog from The Chronicle of Higher Education. The original article is here. The idea is simple. Arrange the chairs so that students face each other. The original article has the students in a circle. I did not have enough room; therefore, I had them in a straight line facing each other. Have a completed assignments for the students to peer review. I had them work on Introductions and topic sentences. You do need some way to play music in the background. I went to YouTube and just used the audio (not turning on the projector). When the music starts, students switch papers with their partners across from them. Each student reads the work; however, they should not make comments on the papers. Instead, the students will verbally tell each other the biggest weakness of the work. It is up to the student being reviewed to write the comments down on a separate sheet of paper. Once the music stops, only one row gets up and moves down one. Then the process repeats while a new song is playing. Each work receives 7-10 peer review in around an hour. If a students keeps hearing the same comment, then they should realize that is something they need to go back and address. One class had an old number. I let the odd person each time select the next song. I felt this was a success. Another great thing about this is that students get to read more examples. The more they read, the better they will write.

Another thing that I also incorporated today was class text alerts. I want to use this next semester, so today was a trial. The website Remind101 is a text messaging service for instructors. You create an account. Sign up each class of yours (very simple). Each class will have a phone number and code they will text to. That is it. Then, you can get on the computer and send out text alerts to one class or all classes. This works great since students are glued to their phones. As a test I sent them a text while in class. That was a great example of how many people have their phones out. I can see this working great not only as a reminder, but also if the class location changes.

Please share your thoughts.