Local Writers Extras

2024 Art and Poetry Walk

2024 Art and Poetry Walk signs will be up during for the month of April at Strang Park. Poems by Jamie Lynn Heller, Annie Newcomer, Jared Campbell, and Morgan Schneebell, paired with art by Fred Trease are included.

Submissions Are Open for the 2024 Art and Poetry Walk!

Christina Rossetti said it best: There is no time like Spring/When life’s alive in everything

Winter hasn’t arrived yet but we’re already thinking about Spring. The chill breeze, the flower buds, the promise of sunshine—there are so many things to love. That’s why we’re creating an Art and Poetry Walk in April 2024!

Johnson County Library is accepting written and visual art submissions. Selected submissions will be printed on 17 x 23 inch signs and placed along the walking trail in Strang Park behind the Central Resource Library in April 2024.

In a short poem, haiku, or micro-story tell us what makes you feel alive. Or, share a visual representation of the same. 

The deadline for all submissions is March 1. You can submit your work here

Curious what a poetry walk looks like? Check out the current poetry walk on display in Strang Park now through November 30th. You can also check out the Walk and Read information page to see what the signs will look like: Walk and Read | Johnson County Library (jocolibrary.org)

 

Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Planners!

Hopefully we’ve met you at one of our previous programs or at a past Writers Conference, but if not we’d love to meet you! Planning the annual Writers Conference is a joy and total labor of love. If you’d like to get to know the conference planners a bit more, continue reading below. We can’t wait to see you at this year’s Writers Conference!

You can register for the conference here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Helen Hokanson has worked at the Library for 25 years. She found her niche as the Local Writers Librarian in 2014 and leads our committee not just in planning the Writers Conference, but in envisioning and planning year-round programming, readings, and writing contests. Currently reading: Blindsided: Essays from the Only Black Woman in the Room by Dawn Downey.

Joseph Keehn is the Events & Programs Coordinator for the Johnson County Library, where he plans, develops, implements, evaluates and manages programs and events that meet the diverse needs of all patrons. He has been with the Writers Conference since its beginning. 

Lisa Allen started at the Library in 2019 and joined the Local Writers Committee that same year. She is the Social Media Coordinator for the Library. This year at the conference Lisa will be offering one-on-one critiques on reading your work aloud at one of our drop-in activity tables.

Cindy Frazer has been at Johnson County Library since 1985 and has been on the Writers Conference committee for 7 years. Thanks to Cindy, we have signage and schedules and all those didn’t-think-of-that essentials that make the conference successful. 

Diane Haner has worked at the Library since 2001 and joined the Local Writers committee in 2016. She is an Information Specialist. Currently reading: Black Oscars: From Mammy to Minny, What the Academy Awards Tell Us about African Americans by Frederick Gooding Jr. Favorite book: “One of my favorite books is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.” TBR: “On my TBR pile is Pines by Blake Crouch and Bibi: My Story by Binyamin Netanyahu.”

Eden Pierce is an Information Specialist with Johnson County Library and the newest member of the Local Writers committee. It’s been a pleasure for her to get to know the community of writers in Kansas City and see how such different people can come together to share their writing and support each other. Her educational background is in English and creative writing, where she helped found an art and literature journal and worked as a newspaper copy editor. Eden will be available at the conference to discuss and hone your elevator pitches, helping you pinpoint and present the heart of your work. Currently reading: “I’ve been reading a ton of graphic novels this fall. I love the way your mind can fill in the blanks between comic panels to bring a story to life. At the moment, I’m reading Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, a bitter-sweet “tragicomic” memoir of Bechdel’s family.” Favorite book: “I like recommending Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott for its solid advice for both writing and life. Sometimes it’s helpful to be reminded to take your writing “bird by bird,” one thing at a time.”

Jesseca is an Information Specialist at Johnson County Library. She joined the Local Writers Committee in 2022 and has loved getting to work with so many local writers. Currently reading:  Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. Favorite book: “So hard to narrow it down! I guess I’ll pick Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.”

Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Natasha Ria El-Scari

We are thrilled to announce that Natasha Ria El-Scari will join us at this year’s Writers Conference! Natasha will facilitate a discussion between Traci Brimhall and Kelly Yarbrough as they dive into the details of their writer-artist collaboration while working on the Library’s November poetry walk in Strang Park. Make sure you don’t miss out on this great discussion and be sure to check out the poetry walk behind the library during the conference!

Natasha Ria El-Scari is a poet, performer, writer, Cave Canem alum, Ragdale Residency recipient and facilitator/educator for nearly two decades. Her poetry, academic papers, and personal essays have been published in anthologies, literary and online journals.  She has opened for and introduced many great writers, singers and activists, and has been featured at a host of universities and venues nationwide. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Natasha has a BA from Jackson State University and an MA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Natasha’s Black Feminist approach is reflected in her writing, poetry and performance pieces. Once asked in an interview what makes her unique she replied, “…most people lie to themselves, but I like to reveal myself.” 

In 2015 Natasha released her first book, Screaming Times (Spartan Press, 2015). Of her work, critic and poet Denise Low writes, “Poems lift off the page, almost reading themselves. Unlike some performance poetry, her words translate well to the printed page.” Her second book, The Only Other (Main Street Rag, 2016) dives into the taboo voice of the other woman. In 2019 Natasha released her first self-published and non-fiction book in collaboration with her son entitled, Mama Sutra: Love and Lovemaking Advice to My Son.  In 2020, Natasha self-released, I Say, T(He)y Say a chapbook about a special decade in her maternal grandmother’s life. In the same month she released Growing Up Sina, her first novel created after challenging herself creatively to grow outside of her first love, poetry. Her forthcoming work, Steelife, explores her feminist upbringing and the evolution of her womanhood.

Natasha’s CDs, DragonButterFirefly (2006), This is Love… (2010), CuddleComplex (2016), We Found Us (2023) and DVD Live at the Blue Room (2015) display how Natasha connects with any crowd with maternal warmth and unrelenting honesty. This mother of two adult children and a bonus son is also the founder and curator of Black Space Black Art, an organization created to promote the exhibition of African American visual arts and businesses. She is also the founder and curator of the Natasha Ria Art Gallery, a small powerhouse that focuses on exhibiting marginalized artists and cross genre cultural events. In 2021, Natasha was featured in the Emmy nominated PBS documentary 6 Streets and received the 2021 KC People’s Choice Award Winner for Best Author. In 2022 BSBA was awarded the Downtown KC Urban Hero Award. Natasha and her husband Kevin have plans to open her day and overnight urban retreat space for creatives in the future. For details and booking: www.natasharia.com

You can register for the conference here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Joseph Keehn

Joseph Keehn has been with Johnson County Library for 10 years, and currently serves as the Library’s Event Coordinator. Joseph is a founding member of the Writers Conference and helped bring the first conference to life in 2014 with the LDS Storymakers before the library made the event their own in 2015. Since then, he has played a critical role in planning and executing the Writers Conference each year.

We’re excited to announce that this year Joseph will be joining us at the Conference in a front-of-house role, facilitating one of our passive program activities outside of the Carmack Room (the large meeting room where we host many of our lectures during the conference.)

Joseph will guide a collage-making exercise that is not only fun but also thoughtful. This creative exercise gets folks reflecting on their creative practice in an intentional way. We’ll provide all the materials you need to make a work of art that reflects you and your inner wisdom.

I’ve attended several of Joseph’s collage-making classes in the past, and it’s always been a blast. I learn something new about myself or one of my colleagues every time and always walk away with a cool piece of collage art.

You can register for the conference here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Bryan Voell

Marketing yourself is just as important as marketing your work. What’s your artist statement? Maybe you feel like you can better represent yourself and your creative work to the world. Bryan Voell, librarian and artist, can help you craft an artist statement that authentically reflects you and your writing. Bring your current artist statement or author bio for some one-on-one feedback at this year’s Writers Conference!

Bryan Voell is an Adult Services Librarian with Johnson County Library. He has also been the Local Arts Librarian, working with many artists and arts organizations to bring local artwork to the library's physical and digital spaces. While he is currently a librarian and a visual artist, he has a background in writing and experience as a teacher. He has read many artist statements and bios and is here to help make yours the best it can be.

You can find Bryan’s table in the open space with other drop-in activities to enjoy in-between sessions. You can register for the 2023 Writers Conference here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Inspired by this year’s conference book, By the Book: Writers on Literature and the Literary Life from The New York Times Book Review, we asked Bryan what he’s been reading lately:

What are you reading right now? 

The In-Between: Unfortgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments by Hadley Vlahos

Your Brain on Art: How Art Transforms Us by Susan Magsamen

Esther's Notebooks by Riad Sattouf

 

Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Gregg Winsor

Need some practice honing your pitch? Librarian Gregg Winsor is here to help at this year’s Writers Conference! Sometimes you only have a few moments in front of an editor, publisher, or a reader to grab their attention and to make your work memorable and understandable. Gregg will be available at the conference to discuss one-on-one how to whittle down your pitches for maximum effectiveness.

Gregg is a Reference Librarian who works at the Johnson County Library with a specialty in Readers' Advisory, working with book groups and raising awareness of new and mid-list titles. You can find Gregg at one of the drop-in tables during the conference. Also, if you’re looking for your next favorite read, check out one of his lists

You can register for the conference here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Inspired by this year’s conference book, By the Book: Writers on Literature and the Literary Life from The New York Times Book Review, we asked Gregg a few questions to get to know him better:

1. What’s in your TBR pile?

As a Readers’ Advisory librarian, I *always* have too many books on by TBR pile. (It’s a good problem to have, though!) Currently I have on my list Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson, a witty locked-room mystery set on a train headed to a crime writers’ convention, as well as The Final Curtain by Keigo Higashino, the latest in the Detective Kaga series, a celebrated police procedural novel translated from Japanese. (I must be on a mystery/thriller mood.)

2. What are you reading right now?

My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon, a haunting slow-burn psychological thriller about a woman who suspects her cancer-stricken mother might be the victim of demonic possession after he moves in. Delightfully creepy and atmospheric – perfect for the fall season. 

3. Do you have a favorite book you love to recommend?

I love recommending Seanan McGuire’s “Wayward Children” series, starting with Every Heart A Doorway, a charming (and short!) dark fantasy series about the doors that seem to appear to children in novels that whisk them to faraway magical lands – but what happens to them when they come back is not always happily ever after. Also, Martha Wells’ wry and thoughtful sci-fi “Murderbot” series (start with All Systems Red) about a rogue AI android who just wants to be left alone to watch soap operas but gets dragged into the concerns of the humans around it. I could rattle off more!

4. Do you have a favorite bookstore?

As someone who worked at bookstores throughout my 20s, I always love browsing through bookstores and libraries wherever I go – just being around books makes me feel comforted and safe, knowing that I’m surrounded by thousands and thousands of stories. (But to answer your question, I found one of my favorite books of all time, The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler, at a Rainy Day Books store, so I’ll always have a soft spot for them. 

5. Answer the question you wish we had asked.

No one ever asks me what books I hate! Which, honestly, isn’t a very good question – there are no books that I hate, just books that weren’t for me.

Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Matt Crist

Peer critique is essential for any writer! We’ve invited Matt Crist, JoCoLibrary staff member and fellow writer, to offer craft critique at this year’s Writers Conference. Matthew is an information specialist at the Lenexa Branch, but he is also an avid writer with two manuscripts and a dozen short stories lying around. He loves discussing all things related to writing, ideas, creativity and the arts. This will be a fun, casual setting where no judgement is allowed. You can find Matt in the open area outside of the Carmack Room with other drop-in activity tables to peruse in-between sessions.

You can register for the 2023 Writers Conference here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Inspired by this year’s conference book, By the Book: Writers on Literature and the Literary Life from The New York Times Book Review, we asked Matt a few questions to get to know him better:

 1. What's in your TBR pile? 

In my TBR pile I have so many books I have no idea where to begin.

2. What are you reading right now? 

Currently, I'm finishing up Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy with a few friends. I've been reading it since January. When people ask me what it's about, I just say: "Everything."

3. Do you have a favorite book you love to recommend? 

I love recommending Mark Danielewski's House of Leaves. Telling people about that book never gets old.

4. Do you have a favorite bookstore? 

I once visited a bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan that had a mummy case!

5. Answer the question you wish we had asked.

What do I love the most about writing? I love taking the chaos in my head, whether tragic or rhapsodic, and letting other people experience it on the page.

Meet the 2023 Writers Conference Presenter: Cassidy Coles

When was the last time your work felt like play?  Cassidy Coles can help guide you on how to connect to your characters, storyline, and self through a series of creative games and exercises at this year’s Writers Conference. Do pencil sports, build a toy to compel you toward your vision, craft a musical playlist for a character, or try your hand at flash fiction to get those synapses firing! You can find Cassidy’s station with the other drop-in activity tables in the open space near the Carmack Community Room.

Cassidy Coles is a staff editor on the Johnson County Library's teen literary magazine, elementia. Her work in the Library has ranged from hosting weekly storytimes to providing Library services to incarcerated populations. A homeschooling parent with an elementary education background, she writes with her kids by day and spends the wee hours crafting her own poems and stories.

You can register for the 2023 Writers Conference here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Inspired by this year’s conference book, By the Book: Writers on Literature and the Literary Life from The New York Times Book Review, we asked Cassidy a few questions to get to know her better:

1. What's in your TBR pile? 

If I Was a Horse by Sophie Blackall

The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

2. What are you reading right now? 

Ulysses by James Joyce

The Bartender's Tale by Ivan Doig

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers

3. Do you have a favorite book you love to recommend? 

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

4. Do you have a favorite bookstore? 

The Raven Book Store in Lawrence, KS. And be on the lookout for The Rabbit hOle, coming soon to North Kansas City! This museum for children's literature will likely include a bookshop.

5. Answer the question you wish we had asked.

Favorite quote about writing? Joan Didion: “I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking.

Writers Conference: RSVP and BYOT!

The Local Writers committee is SO excited that the 2023 conference is just around the corner—the first weekend in November! We’ll have a kickoff on Thursday and the conference will run all day Friday and Saturday. Make sure to “RSVP” here. Registration isn’t required but is appreciated, and your RSVP includes both days of the conference, Nov. 3 and 4. Sessions are available on a first-come first-serve basis. We will also be hosting a Writers Conference Kickoff on Thursday, Nov. 2. 

 This year you have the option to BYOT—Bring Your Own T-shirt! Bring a cotton t-shirt (or bag, or hat) and we’ll use the heat press from our Makerspace to adhere a vinyl “Writers Conference” design to your shirt. You can have a piece of the conference with you forever! The heat press will be available the night of the kickoff as well as available on both days of the conference, while the supplies of pre-printed vinyl stickers last. 

 Stay tuned for the conference schedule reveal!