Left Denver less than inspired by the panels and more than inspired by the people (one exception: The Networked Poetry Classroom (Chris Hosea, Eric Baus, Dorothea Lasky, Mathias Svalina, Michelle Taransky). Much useful and applicable tips on using computers and digital media in the creative writing classroom.
PEOPLE AND PRESSES:
My generation of poets and small press innovators continue to wow me with their generosity, independence, brilliance. What an amazing "class." If you happen upon this blog and haven't heard of the following small presses, I definitely recommend: the new Birds, LLC, Brave Men Press, Forklift Ohio, Flying Guillotine, Slash Pine, Black Ocean, Octopus, Letter Machine Editions, Immaculate Disciples, Coconut, Cannibal, No Tell Motel, DoubleCrossed Press, Harp & Altar, Factory Hollow, Horse Less Press, Sixth Finch, Sir, Ahsahta, Rope-a-Dope press, and the list goes on. Solid citizens, these people. I was glad to meet those I hadn't yet. And to see their books, many of which are handmade, hand-bound--some even sewing books right there at their tables. Awesomeness of the highest degree.
And, of course, on a personal note, my Mississippi Review Poetry Series editors and advisory board folks were the sweetest people and best promotors I could ask for. So nice to finally meet them.
PANELS:
Admittedly, I only attended 5 or 6 panels. But, why do so many panels promise in their descriptions to assert some NEW way or approach to a stagnancy only to spend the entire time just pointing to that stagnancy? Enough punting already.
I'm as career-conscious as the next guy, but let's actually break new ground.
If we're lucky enough to get our Art of the Blurb panel accepted for next year's DC AWP, you better believe that we will move the discussion forward.
Anyway, the theme from the half-dozen panels I attended, coupled with several of those whose descriptions I glossed in the catalogue, seemed to add up to one overarching message:
We're now in a time of fragmentation, hyperactivity, and, well, suck. A dearth of good work (both primary and critical) coupled with a wealth of new. That there has been (another) "wrong turning," or general degradation of something worth preserving seemed to be the backdrop of many a panel. And, as usual, folks are suspect of the new modes and sensibilities. I understand some of this...
However, one look at the poems, titles, editions of many of the entities I've named above and I think it's fair to say the opposite is probably true of new poetry. I brought home a dozen new titles from many of the above presses, and I'll be digging in directly.
Ana Božičević emigrated to NYC in 1997. Stars of the Night Commute (Tarpaulin Sky Press, November 2009) is her first book of poems. Her fifth chapbook, Depth Hoar, will be published by Cinematheque Press in 2010. With Amy King, Ana co-curates The Stain of Poetry reading series in Brooklyn. She works at the Center for the Humanities of The Graduate Center, CUNY. For more, visit nightcommute.org.
Brian Howe is a freelance writer, poet, and multimedia artist living in Durham, NC. His poems and sound art have appeared in many print and online journals, including Drunken Boat, Fascicle, Effing Magazine, McSweeneys.net, Octopus, Soft Targets, and Cannibal. He's the author of three chapbooks: Guitar Smash (3rdness Press), This is the Motherfucking Remix (with Marcus Slease, Scantily Clad), and Foreign Letter (Beard of Bees). His videos (with Ashley Howe) have screened at various NC festivals and showcases. He does a lot of his multimedia jams here: http://glossolalia-blacksail.blogspot.com/.
Amy King's most recent book is Slaves to Do These Things (Blazevox), and forthcoming, I Want to Make You Safe (Litmus Press). She teaches English and Creative Writing at SUNY Nassau Community College. For information on the reading series Amy co-curates in Brooklyn, NY, please visit The Stain of Poetry: A Reading Series (http://stainofpoetry.com) and http://amyking.org for more.
Brent Francese graduated with Bachelor's in Architecture in 2005 from NC State before the turning economy allowed him to explore a variety of creative of avenues. Using a strong graphic background, Brent currently designs logos, blogs and other stand alone graphic art pieces. When he's not working on graphic design or architecture he's playing drums with several local bands in the Raleigh, NC area. He lives with his wife Jessie and two dogs Tahoe and Denali.
Michael Ford often writes poetry with the help of a calculator. He wishes he could add without one but can’t. He hopes that all of the counting and addition that goes into his poems is doing some good in the world. He thinks that 89 is a better number than most, and his current project is a series of 89-line poems. He is the author of two books of poems, Carbon (Ugly Duckling 2006) and Olympia Street (Trembling Pillow 2008). He no longer lives in New Orleans. 
Joshua Marie Wilkinson's new collections are The Book of Whispering in the Projection Booth (Tupelo 2009) and Selenography (Sidebrow 2010) featuring Polaroids by Califone's Tim Rutili. He lives in Chicago and Athens, GA.
Shane Smith is a graphic designer living in Raleigh, NC. He graduated with a BFA in Illustration from East Carolina University. He was recently featured in Print Magazines Regional Design Annual, representing Raleigh with 2 logos. When not designing for the man, he plays with kittens, reads books at 25 words a minute, and gets serious about making people laugh at Dirty South Improv in Carrboro.
