The Wordsmith podcast is up. Come visit me in Australia.

Posted by Jeff on Jan 21st, 2021 in News | 0 comments

I’ve mentioned in a couple of past posts that I was interviewed for an Australian poetry podcast called Wordsmith. You didn’t think I’d lie about something like that, did you?

Well, burn and drown your suspicions in castor oil, my friends, because the episode is now live.
Here’s the Spotify link.

If you’re not a fan of Spotify, fear not – it’s also on Anchor:

Bestselling Australian poet (yes, you read that right – down under, apparently, poetry books can become bestsellers) Kelly Van Nelson interviews me and allows me to perform a few pieces: “Like Poem”, “An Ode to the Moon”, “Kids Write Jokes: A Found Poem” and one that I don’t do often, “Online Public Shamer”.
I rarely read the last one because it’s a controversial take on cancel cul—I mean, online shami—I mean, Twittermobbi—okay, FINE, “accountability”.

In the meantime, keep your ears peeled and your eyes flaked for some Zoom events I’m involved in. Tomorrow is another Ad Lib Talent show (celebrating host Damon Lum’s birthday), and there’s more stuff coming in the next three or four months.

And congratulations to America’s new leader, President NotTrump.

Bye now.

There’s more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are

Posted by Jeff on Dec 21st, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Just a quick note that I’ve been featured in this week’s episode of the Poets and Muses poetry podcast. Imogen Arate interviews me about my poem “Wilfred Owen’s Off-Day”, and then we talk about her poem “I Bought the 18″ ”.

The interview was recorded from a Skype call, and my side came out scratchy for some reason. Just imagine you’re listening to it on a phonograph in 1925. Listen to it here:

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I was also interviewed for the new Australian podcast Wordsmith. The podcast has begun, but I don’t know yet when my episode is being aired. I’ll be sure to bug you about it when I know.

Also, Ad Lib’s Got Talent is happening again soon… twice. Once on New Year’s Eve, and again for Damon Lum’s birthday. Zoom links to come, via the right sidebar.

Now look at doggies.

Merry Xmas, you beautiful old Building & Loan.

Three events and a wacky story

Posted by Jeff on Dec 12th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Hi visitors. If you exist.

Here’s what I’m doing over the next few weeks:

1) Runcible Spoon
Tomorrow afternoon, I’m featuring in this Zoom poetry series based in Leeds, England, with three other features and an open mic.

2) It’s a Wonderful Life
Next Saturday, I’m playing Mr. Potter in this live Zoom reading of the script of the Christmas staple, with a bunch of local actors. And I promise to pay fifty cents on the dollar for all holders of Bailey Building & Loan shares.

3) Ad Lib’s Got Talent
Another one of these things. But this time, it’s a special New Year’s Eve show.

Check the listings on the right sidebar for more info.
There should be links with Zoom info closer to the dates.

Also, I posted a new short story on my Wattpad site:
“Filmmakers’ Heaven”
I’ve been revising this one on and off for more than two years. It’s still far from a final draft, I’m sure, but it’s such a fun concept that I enjoy sharing it, and it seems to amuse people.

Holly Happidays.

I’m in a podcast Down Under. Where verses flow and words thunder.

Posted by Jeff on Nov 6th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Gonna make this as quick as I can, as I’ve got a lot I want to do this weekend, and I know you’re all distracted by the election silliness down south…

1) Wordsmith Podcast Launch
I was recently interviewed for Wordsmith, an upcoming poetry podcast series in Sydney, Australia. Date of the episode to come. If you can’t wait until then (and you’re cool with waking up at four in the morning), I’ll be at the Zoom series launch event this Sunday. Featuring Kelly Van Nelson and Miriam Hechtman; other guests include my friend Special K and many others.

2) Ad Lib’s Got Talent
Another one of these. The usual gang of idiots, including me. Blah blah blah.

3) Runcible Spoon
Another Zoom gig in the U.K., next month. More details closer to the date.

More info and links on the right sidebar. Do your thing.

By the way, did you read my Digital Journal article about the Zoom poetry phenomenon?
No? Well, here it is.

Bye now. Happy November.

Radio Plays the Poetry Stars?

Posted by Jeff on Oct 13th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

As further evidence of my bold assertion in the previous entry that October is the Month of Jeff, here’s a quick note to let you know that I’m going to be on the radio tomorrow.

British radio, that is.
I’ll be reading two silly poems – “Adequate Man” and “How to Make Money in Poetry” – in Under the Evening Light, which airs on Severn FM in Gloucester, England. (My readings are pre-recorded.) If you’ve been following my Zoom exploits over the past couple of months, I’m sure you’ve already heard these two pieces about ten times each now. If you haven’t, though, then they’ll be new to you.

Other readers: Scott Coe, Clive Oseman, Gary Huskisson and Simon Alderwick.
Lucia Daramus hosts the program. 2:00-3:00 Eastern Standard Time.

“But Jeff,” you say, “I’m in Toronto. How can I listen in if the station is all the way over there? My radio isn’t that powerful. Nobody’s is. You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, Sonny-me-boy.”
Fortunately, you can hear the show online at this link.

Also, a reminder that I’m doing these two events on October 30:

Afternoon: Pic n Mix
A U.K. event, which will feature other spoken-word artists and an open mic.

Evening: Ad Lib’s Got Talent – Zoom Edition
The usual gang of idiots is back, for this talent night that happens at Toronto’s Arts and Letters Club during normal times.

Info on the above events in the right sidebar. Click back for updated links.

Oh! And I just posted a new work-in-progress story on Wattpad.com.
It’s called “Pencil”. It’s about a young man who almost loses his prized writing tool. And some other stuff happens.

Now? Time for a cartoon.