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 - 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 - 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

Diary of a D.I.Y. MFA - Alan, Andre, Charles, Erika, Gloria, and Myfanwy

January 2013

The Portsmouth Writers Salon began meeting twice a month at Book and Bar.

February 2013

The Portsmouth Writers Salon canceled all meetings due to snowstorms.  

March 2013

I was told about The Poetry Collective at Sheafe Street Books and started attending Tom D'Evelyn's fantastic poetry seminars. 

April 2013

I saw Gloria Steinem speak about equality at the South Church. 

I also attended the Newburyport Literary Festival with my friend Tanya, where we met Andre Dubus III, Myfanwy Collins, and Alan Lightman. 

May 2013

I saw Charles Simic read at the South Church. 

June 2013

I met Erika Robuck at RiverRun Bookstore. 

I feel lucky to live in a town that has three independent bookstores. Each uniquely different. I try to support them all as well as our local library. I hope you do as well. 

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/