Anne Kimzey interviews Dr. Kirk Curnutt, chair of the English Department at Troy University, about the 11th annual Alabama Book Festival

In this program Anne Kimzey interviews Dr. Kirk Curnutt, chair of the English Department at Troy University, about the 11th annual Alabama Book Festival to be held Saturday, April 23rd in Montgomery’s Old Alabama Town. Dr. Curnutt will give a preview of the more than 40 authors appearing at the Book Festival plus special features such as the poetry tent and children’s area, as well as free workshops for writers. Alabamabookfestival.org This special radio series will air every Tuesday at 9:00 to 9:30 P.M., on the Troy University Public Radio Network at:   WTSU 89.9 (Montgomery and Troy) WRWA 88.7 (Dothan) WTJB 91.7 (Columbus and Phenix   City)  This radio series may not be broadcast in your area, but it can be accessed via the Internet at: http://www.arts.alabama.gov/actc/radioserieslist.aspx If you have been listening to, and enjoying this radio series, please send your comments to: barbara.reed@arts.alabama.gov Listen first hand using the link below. MP3 Download/Stream

Jason McCall, instructor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Alabama

This week Anne Kimzey interviews poet Jason McCall, instructor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Alabama and a recipient of a 2015 Literary Arts Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. He has published two full-length poetry collections, titled Silver and Dear Hero and is working on his next manuscript.  McCall discusses his writing, his background in Classics and reads some of his latest work. This special radio series will air every Tuesday at 9:00 to 9:30 P.M., on the Troy University Public Radio Network at:   WTSU 89.9 (Montgomery and Troy) WRWA 88.7 (Dothan) WTJB 91.7 (Columbus and Phenix   City)  This radio series may not be broadcast in your area, but it can be accessed via the Internet at: http://www.arts.alabama.gov/actc/radioserieslist.aspx If you have been listening to, and enjoying this radio series, please send your comments to: barbara.reed@arts.alabama.gov Listen first hand using the link below. MP3 Download/Stream

William Cobb, recipient of the 2007 Harper Lee Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Writer

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This is a repeat of a 2009 program with Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers' Forum, interviewing William Cobb, recipient of the 2007 Harper Lee Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Writer. Thompson and Cobb discuss his novels and plays, and his book The Hermit King (from Livingston Press). This special radio series will air every Sunday at 2:00 P.M., on the Troy University Public Radio Network at:   WTSU 89.9 (Montgomery and Troy) WRWA 88.7 (Dothan) WTJB 91.7 (Columbus and Phenix   City)  This radio series may not be broadcast in your area, but it can be accessed via the Internet at: http://www.arts.alabama.gov/actc/radioserieslist.aspx If you have been listening to, and enjoying this radio series, please send your comments to: barbara.reed@arts.alabama.gov Listen first hand using the link below. MP3 Download/Stream

Birmingham native Randall Horton talks with Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum

Randall Horton

This week Birmingham native Randall Horton talks with Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum about his week-long residency in Alabama that included visits to schools in Birmingham and Montgomery, and a featured appearance at the Alabama Book Festival in April. Horton’s visit was supported in part by a grant from South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. An award-winning poet, educator, editor, and organizer of literary events in Connecticut where he teaches at the University of New Haven,  Horton has published three collections of poems, the most recent of which is Pitch Dark Anarchy. He and Thompson discuss the current interest in historical poetry, his appreciation of working with youth in traditional and incarcerated settings such as the Forum’s Writing Our Stories program which he visited during his residency, and matching audiences and poets in successful literary events.  Horton reads two selections from his latest book.

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Jeanie Thompson - 2014 Alabama Book Festival

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Jeanie Thompson - 2014 Alabama Book Festival This week Anne Kimzey interviews Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum, about the 9th annual Alabama Book Festival to be held Saturday, April 19th in Montgomery’s Old Alabama Town.  Jeanie will give a preview of the more than 50 authors appearing at the Book Festival plus special features such as the poetry tent and children’s area, as well as outreach activities for students and teachers. This special radio series will air every Sunday at 2:00 P.M., on the Troy University Public Radio Network at:   WTSU 89.9 (Montgomery and Troy) WRWA 88.7 (Dothan) WTJB 91.7 (Columbus and Phenix   City)  This radio series may not be broadcast in your area, but it can be accessed via the Internet at: http://www.arts.alabama.gov/actc/radioserieslist.aspx If you have been listening to, and enjoying this radio series, please send your comments to: barbara.reed@arts.alabama.gov Listen first hand using the link below. MP3 Download/Stream

8th annual Alabama Book Festival 2013

2013 Alabama Book Festival

This week Anne Kimzey interviews Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum, about the 8th annual Alabama Book Festival to be held Saturday, April 20th in Montgomery’s Old Alabama Town.  Jeanie will give a preview of the more than 40 authors appearing at the Book Festival plus special features such as the poetry tent and children’s area, as well as outreach activities for students and teachers.

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Alabama Poetry Out Loud finals February 18th 2013

In this program Arts in Education Program Manager, Diana Green, interviews students and teachers who attended the Finding Your Voice Workshop hosted by the Tuscaloosa Arts Council for Region 4. Some of these students were selected to participate in the State Poetry Out Loud finals February 18th. Green also interviews Diana Van Fossen, of the Alabama Shakespeare about the Shakespeare Festival partnership. (more)

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Alabama State Poetry Out Loud Winners

Arts in Education Program Manager Diana Green interviews the 2012 Winners of Alabama’s Poetry Out Loud Program. First place in Original poetry recitation went to Doris-Anne Darbouze from Auburn High School. Bonnie Chen, also from Auburn High School, received an Honorable Mention for her original poetry recitation. The Poetry Out Loud State Championship was awarded to Peggy Payne from Mooresville, Alabama. Peggy traveled to Washington DC to compete nationally with 52 other state champions, a Washington DC champion, and a champion from the Virgin Islands. Poetry Out Loud is a National Poetry Recitation Contest supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. The State Finals for the program are held in partnership with the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where students perform on the Festival Stage in Montgomery. (more)

Alabama Arts Radio, Poet Abraham Smith

This week Anne Kimzey interviews poet Abraham Smith of Tuscaloosa, recipient of a 2012 Literary Arts Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.  A 2004 graduate of the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of Alabama, Smith is an instructor of English at the University and the assistant editor at Slash Pine Press. During the program he reads a few of his poems and talks about the influences of his rural Wisconsin childhood on his writing.  He will be giving public readings of his poetry on April 21st at the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery and April 27th at the Alabama Writers Symposium in Monroeville. (more)

Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, Jeanie Thompson, poet and director of the Alabama Writers' Forum

 Anne Kimzey interviews Jeanie Thompson, poet and director of the Alabama Writers' Forum and recipient of a 2012 Literary Arts Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.  Thompson, who is completing a book length persona poem sequence on the adult life of Helen Keller, reads poems from this latest work and discusses her research and the creative process involved in revealing the depth and passion of the famous Alabama author and activist. (more)

Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, Poetry Out Loud National Champion, Youssef Biaz

In this program Diana Green, Arts in Education Program Manager interviews the 2011 Poetry Out Loud National Champion, Youssef Biaz from Auburn High School, along with his English teacher and mentor, Davis Thompson and Youssef's father and sister. more
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Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, Poet Jake Adam York

Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum. interviews Jake Adam York, featured poet at the 6th Annual Alabama Book Festival. Thompson talks with York about his “open project” of poems memorializing murdered civil rights workers, inspired when he visited the newly installed Civil Rights Memorial at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery. more

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Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, Award Winning Poet, Sonia Sanchez

This week Jeanie Thompson interviews poet, playwright, educator and activist Sonia Sanchez.  Sanchez talks about her belief in the power of poetry to help people survive their circumstances, including alienation and incarceration. She also speaks about her early life in Alabama, her father Wilson L. Driver, a 1980 Inductee in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and her formative experiences with the Black Arts Movement and the development of Black Studies programs around the country.

Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, 2011 Alabama Book Festival

Deborah Boykin interviews Gail Waller, co-chair of the 6th annual  Alabama Book Festival , and Jeannie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writer's Forum, about the upcoming festival on April 16 in Montgomery's Old Alabama Town.  They discuss the authors who will appear at the festival and the activities planned for visitors of all ages, including readings, book signings, and children's activities.
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Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, ASCA Program Manager Randy Shoults

This program is a rebroadcast of Joey Brackner, Director of the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture interviewing Randy Shoults, Community Arts and Literature Program Manager for the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Shoults describes various aspects of the grant programs that he manages.

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AlabamaArts Radio Podcast, Poetry Out Loud National Finalist Youssef Biaz

Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry - recitation and performance.  The program, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, provides opportunities for high school students to master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Diana Green, Arts in Education Program Manager interviews the 2010 Alabama State Champion, Youssef Biaz from Auburn High School, along with his English teacher and mentor, Davis Thompson. Following this interview, Youssef competed in Washington D.C. in the National semifinals and finals, placing as one of the top 9 finalists (out of 53 champions nationwide) receiving an additional $1000 scholarship and $500 for his school.

AlabamaArts Radio Podcast, Author and Historian John Sledge

Joey Brackner interviews Mobile preservationist, historian, book reviewer and author John Sledge about his career and his latest book The Pillared City available from the University of Georgia Press.

AlabamaArts Radio Podcast, Poet Mary Kaiser

In this interview, executive director Jeanie Thompson of the Alabama Writers’ Forum, talks with Mary Kaiser, one of two recipients of a fellowship from the Alabama State Council of the Arts and a featured poet at the 5th Alabama Book Festival, April 17 in Montgomery, Ala. Kaiser, a faculty member at Jefferson State Community College, talks about the genesis of her chapbook, Falling into Velazquez, which won the 2006 Slapering Hol Chapbook Award from the Hudson Valley Writers’ Center.

AlabamaArts Radio Podcast, Alabama Book Festival

Randy Shoults, program manager for literature at ASCA, talks with Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum and producer of two events for the 5th Annual Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery, Alabama on April 17 in Old Alabama Town. Thompson produces the Festival’s Poetry Tent and directs the Teacher Workshops associated with the Book Festival. Thompson tells about the range of poets highlighting generations of writers in the state, from up and coming young poets through the state’s poet laureate, and reads selections of poets’ works.  For a complete list of poets and other authors at the Alabama Book Festival, go to www.alabamabookfestival.org.

Alabama Arts Podcast, Bob McClain and Ashley Gordon Alabama Book Festival

For this program Randy Shoults, Community Arts and Literature Program Manager, interviews Bob McClain, Executive Director of Old Alabama Town and Ashley Gordon about the 5th Annual Alabama Book Festival. The Festival will be held again in downtown Montgomery at Old Alabama Town on April 17 and will feature over 50 Alabama authors. This event is free and open to the public.