Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA - I published my first collection of poetry!

This is the 9th and final blog post in the series of Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA posts. These posts have spanned five years, from 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, to 2016, making it more like a D.I.Y. Ph.D. than an MFA program! 

In conclusion, here's what I got out of my D.I.Y. MFA; in addition to publishing my first collection of poetry, I met a lot of interesting writers from all different genres. I learned that as much as I enjoy reading fiction, I am not a fiction writer. I learned I can teach people the elements of writing good fiction and copy edit excerpts from short stories and novels for publication for setting, tone, character, plot, and ease of readability. 

I learned that poetry heals hurting hearts and brings the community together. 

I learned that the best personal essays are sparked by passion. 

I learned that marketing writing is greatly different than literary writing. I may never be a national book award-winning author, but damn, I can write some powerful words and invoke emotions. I am a copywriter, creative nonfiction writer, finder, and researcher extraordinaire, and I am more than okay with that. 

I learned how to hone my reading and writing skills on a much deeper level than I expected. I became less sensitive to feedback about my writing. 

In addition to the events referenced in my diary, I also attended as many NH Writers' Project Writers Night Out meetups as possible. As many Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program Poetry Hoots as I could, and as many Beat Nights at the Press Room as I could. 

Edit*: At the start of this experiment, I thought I had wanted to pursue a real MFA program and came close to applying for one in the Fall of 2016. What happened? Read my poem, “Flashes of Terror,” from Lunation to find out. It is a good thing the universe prevented me from taking that route because it wouldn't have been the right fit for me. My dream would be to get a Master's Degree in Copywriting from the Miami Ad School.  (*Edit: Added this paragraph on January 23, 2021).

If I were to include a list of thanks to everyone I met over the past 5 years, it would fill an entire entry alone. So I'll just say a heartfelt thank you to each of you; you know who you are. I appreciate you. 

July 2016 

I took a poetry workshop all month with Matt Miller and Sara Anderson at the Word Barn in Exeter, NH. 

I saw Matt Miller read at Beat Night at the Press Room. 

My first book, Metempsychosis: Poems, was published on House of Love and Pizza Press and available for sale in time for my reading at RiverRunBookstore at the end of the month. 

 

I organized the RiverRun Bookstore After Hours Poetry Series - featured readers were Brenna Lilly, Meaghan Gagnon, Tamara J. Collins. 

August 2016

I organized the RiverRun Bookstore After Hours Poetry Series - featured readers were Cyndle Plaiseted Riels, Sarah Anderson, and Jenna Baillargeon. 

September 2016

I organized the RiverRun Bookstore After Hours Poetry Series - featured readers 

were students from the poetry club at Portsmouth High School. 

October 2016 

RiverRun Bookstore After Hours Poetry Series - reading this month canceled, we will be back next month! 

November 2016

I organized the RiverRun Bookstore After Hours Poetry Series - featured readers 

were Kayla Wheeler and Daniel Haislet. 

December 2016 

The RiverRun Bookstore After Hours Poetry Series - no reading this month. Happy Holidays! 

About this Blog

Since graduating from college, I have been a full-time freelance writer. I've created my own D.I.Y. MFA program by attending as many literary events as possible in my community. My goal is to attend a diverse array of events and to keep an open mind and an open heart. 

This blogger account is where I log my literary events attended over the past six months. 

Check out my author and freelance writing page. Please visit: tamarajcollins.com

Need someone to help you with copywriting and marketing? Please visit: https://www.mapkeycreative.com/

Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA - Poetry Galore!

March 2016

I went to the book launch at 3s Artspace for The Penny Poet of Portsmouth and saw friends of Robert Dunn read his poems.

I saw our beautiful Poet Laureate, Kate Leigh, do her Star Island reading at Portsmouth Book and Bar.       

April 2016

I saw Monica Wood read at RiverRun Bookstore. 

RiverRun Bookstore asked me to organize two poetry events for National Poetry Month. The featured readers included Mark Palos and RyanMcLellan at the first one, then Heidi Therrien and Lauren WB Vermette at the second one. 

I saw our 8^th poet, Laureate John- Michael Albert, read from his new book, Portsmouth and Star Island Poems at PPLH. I attended the Newburyport Literary Festival.

May 2016

I volunteered at the Seacoast Outright coffeehouse at RiverRun Bookstore. 

I volunteered at the Shelley Girdner book launch for You Were That White Bird at RiverRun Bookstore.

 I attended the Station NoteReading Series at 3s Artspace and saw poets Emilia Phillips, Duncan D. Campbell, and Guy Capecelatro III. 

I saw Jackson Warfield read from his chapbooks at Lost Coast in Kittery, ME. 

I was asked to organize and host a monthly young folks poetry series at RiverRun Bookstore featured readers for May were LaurenElma Frament and William James. 

Someone nominated me & Mapkey Creative for the 10 to Watch list by Seacoast Online and Catapult Seacoast.

June 2016 

I organized the RiverRun Bookstore After Hours Poetry Series - featured readers were Christopher Clauss and Mike Jo Riello.

About this Blog

Since graduating from college, I have been a full-time freelance writer. I've created my own D.I.Y. MFA program by attending as many literary events as possible in my community. My goal is to attend a diverse array of events and to keep an open mind and an open heart. 

This blogger account is where I log my literary events attended over the past six months. 

Check out my author and freelance writing page. Please visit: tamarajcollins.com

 

Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA - Local Authors' Fair at The Portsmouth Public Library and Portsmouth Writers' Salon closes.

July 2015

Began marketing for the first-ever Local Authors' Fair at The Portsmouth Public Library. 

Last month was the final month for The Portsmouth Writers' Salon. It was a truly wonderful experience over the past two and a half years. My heart was happy to see all of our writers become published.  

September 2015

I worked with Amy Ray and Laura Horwood-Benton at the first-ever Local Authors' Fair at The Portsmouth Public Library. 

About this Blog

Since graduating from college, I have been a full-time freelance writer. I've created my own D.I.Y. MFA program by attending as many literary events as possible in my community. My goal is to attend a diverse array of events and to keep an open mind and an open heart. 

This blogger account is where I log my literary events attended over the past six months. 

Check out my author and freelance writing page. Please visit: tamarajcollins.com

 

Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA - Charles, Dagan, Michael, and Tammi

January 2015

I wrote a review of The Poet's Tale, Lady Wentworth, edited by Tammi J. Truax for publication.  

April 2015

I met with Amy Ray and Laura Horwood-Benton to help plan the Local Authors' Fair at the Portsmouth Public Library. 

May 2015

I attended Long Story Short to see Dagan Migirditch (Portsmouth Writers Salon Member), Michael Boulerice (author of The Adventures of KungFu Mike and the Magic Sunglasses), and Charles McMahon (author of Legendary Locals of Portsmouth) perform. 

June 2015
I was invited to read some poems on Writers in the Round on June 15th. 

About this Blog

Since graduating from college, I have been a full-time freelance writer. I've created my own D.I.Y. MFA program by attending as many literary events as possible in my community. My goal is to attend a diverse array of events and to keep an open mind and an open heart. 

This blogger account is where I log my literary events attended over the past six months. 

Check out my author and freelance writing page. Please visit: tamarajcollins.com

To learn more about Portsmouth Writers' Salon, please visit http://portsmouthwriterssalon.blogspot.com/

Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA - Rejection Letters

Me 09.10.2014

July 2014 

I was invited to teach the Teen Writers' Workshop at the Lane Memorial Library in Hampton, NH, which I taught in Fall 2014. 

August 2014

I wrote a letter to the editor in support of Keep Portsmouth Loud, which was published.

I submitted an essay to the Paris Review and received an encouraging rejection letter. 

September 2014

I met former City of Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand for coffee and discussed Keep Portsmouth LOUD and other community ideas.

October 2014

I submitted essays and poems to Granta, Tin House,  AGNI, The SUN, and Real Simple.

November 2014

I was a featured reader at Beat Poetry Night at the Press Room.

December 2014

The rejection letters from the essays and poems submitted to Granta, Tin House,  AGNI, The SUN appeared in my mailbox. 
 

About this Blog

Since graduating from college, I have been a full-time freelance writer. I've created my own D.I.Y. MFA program by attending as many literary events as possible in my community. My goal is to attend a diverse array of events and to keep an open mind and an open heart. 

This blogger account is where I log my literary events attended over the past six months. 

Check out my author and freelance writing page. Please visit: tamarajcollins.com

To learn more about Portsmouth Writers' Salon, please visit http://portsmouthwriterssalon.blogspot.com/

Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA - Adelle, Brian, Elizabeth, Kate, Jackson, Jason, Leslie, Pat

January 2014

I kept the Portsmouth Writers Salon going.

I discontinued the Essays Book Group. 

I continued volunteering at Sheafe Street Books. 

February 2014

I saw Jackson Warfield Read and BCAP perform at the Red Door. I sat with John-Michael Albert and John Simon. 

I attended Jason Laundry's photos & essays at NHIA.  

March 2014

I read my first poem aloud at the Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program Poetry Hoot. 

April 2014

I saw Leslie Jamison read from The Empathy Exams at RiverRun Bookstore. 

I attended Pat Parnell's 90^th Birthday Party at the Wiggin Memorial Library. 

I was invited to participate in the Portsmouth Love Wall at Prescott Park.

May 2014

I saw Elizabeth McCraken (5/20/14) and Kate Christensen (5/24/14) speak at RiverRun Bookstore. 

I attended the Provence Prize reading hosted by Adam Irish at Portsmouth Book and Bar, in which two members of Portsmouth Writers Salon came in first and second place. 

I saw Adelle Waldman read at RiverRun Bookstore.

June 2014

 I moved the Portsmouth Writers Salon Meetings to my home. So that we could meet without the distractions and interruptions of being in a public setting. 

Kate Christensen at RiverRun Bookstore

About this Blog

Since graduating from college, I have been a full-time freelance writer. I've created my own D.I.Y. MFA program by attending as many literary events as possible in my community. My goal is to attend a diverse array of events and to keep an open mind and an open heart. 

This blogger account is where I log my literary events attended over the past six months. 

Check out my author and freelance writing page. Please visit: tamarajcollins.com

To learn more about Portsmouth Writers' Salon, please visit http://portsmouthwriterssalon.blogspot.com/

Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA - Nicholsan and Paul

Nicholson Baker at RiverRun Bookstore

July 2013

I started volunteering at Sheafe Street Books on the weekends.

I also started running an Essays Book Group that meets at Portsmouth Book and Bar on the first Tuesday of the month. The Essays Book Group is open to all, and if you email me at TamaraJCollins (at) gmail (dot) com, I'll send you the list of who we are reading, what we are discussing, and when we are meeting. 

August 2013

I started working with Tom D'Evelyn, editor & writing coach. I wasn't seeking a writing coach, but he approached me about it, and I agreed to give it a go. 

September 2013

I saw Paul Harding speak at RiverRun Bookstore.

October 2013

I attended the NEIBA conference in Providence, RI.

November 2013

I saw Nicholson Baker speak at RiverRun Bookstore. 

December 2013

I was asked by Larry Clow from The Wire to provide some holiday book giving recommendations. 

I was asked by Toby Hatchett from the Portsmouth Herald to provide some holiday book giving suggestions.

About this Blog

Since graduating from college, I have been a full-time freelance writer. I've created my own D.I.Y. MFA program by attending as many literary events as possible in my community. My goal is to attend a diverse array of events and to keep an open mind and an open heart. 

This blogger account is where I log my literary events attended over the past six months. 

Check out my author and freelance writing page. Please visit: tamarajcollins.com

To learn more about Portsmouth Writers' Salon, please visit http://portsmouthwriterssalon.blogspot.com/

Paul Harding at RiverRun Bookstore