I'll be performing at the Da Vinci Poetry Slam in Corvallis, Oregon on Sunday, July 18, 2010. Stop by and enjoy some healthy poetic competition, otherwise known as "Just Plain Fun"!

Stop by the Writers on the River Booth and pick up a free poem or short essay by me, or purchase books or cards by local authors and poets Saturday or Sunday in the Art Village.

In May 2010, my poetry appeared in three different literary journals. "Spring Rain" was published in Autumn Sky Poetry; "Marriage at Work" was published in Cloudbank; and four of my poems comprised the Editor's Choice selection in Touch: The Journal of Healing.

My chapbook, Guitar Without Strings is scheduled for publication by The Lives You Touch Publications in autumn 2010.

I'm at the Northwest Poet's Concord where Colette Tennant has told me that she published her book Commotion of Wings at Main Street Rag Press. This collection of poetry costs $14.

My short essay A Little Perspective and my poem Hospital Hush appear in Strong Voices: A Year of Touch. I am honored to be included with such fine voices.

My first chapbook, Guitar Without Strings, is scheduled to be published by The Lives You Touch Publications later this year.

I will be hosting a 50-minute informational workshop at the Northwest Poet's Concord in Newport, Oregon. The Concord runs from May 7th through 9th. My presentation will be at 3 pm on May 7th. There's a great lineup of poets from the Northwest with some interesting panel topics and workshops. More information as it becomes available!

I will be one of the judges for the Oregon State Spelling Bee at the state fair in Salem on September 4th. Many thanks to Oregon Spellers for their hard work in organizing this event. See you there!

The January meeting of Writers on the River will be Monday the 18th at 6:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis. Our topic is "The Writer Online," presented by Larina Warnock. We'll be discussing everything from personal web sites and blogs to Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites to answer questions like:

Why should I have a blog and what do I write on it?
What should be on my personal web site?
How do I use Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn to promote my work (and why should I)?
I haven't published a book. Why should I be thinking about my online presence?

The next Writers on the River meeting featuring Peter Sears will be Monday, October 19 at 6:30 pm at First Presbyterian in Corvallis. We'll be talking chapbooks, readings, and critique groups.

Writers on the River, a local writers organization of which I'm the chair, is meeting Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 pm at the Old World Deli in Corvallis. We'll be focusing on the critique group experience--ranging from breaking the ice to introducing new members to an existing group, from basic guidance to in-depth, leveled critique. Hope to see many of our local writers there!

I have three poems in Touch: The Journal of Healing, Issue 2. Two of these poems were written during Zachary's major illness last spring. The third focuses on a different kind of healing - social/emotional healing from domestic violence. All three are very personal and mostly outside the realm of my usual more externalist writing. I hope you enjoy them.