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New Essay in the Smith Alumnae Quarterly

So excited that one of my essays has been published in the Smith Alumnae Quarterly, the SAQ!

I’m especially proud of my essay because I was able to write about the power of writing in my life. Or, perhaps it is the power that writing enables me to set free? I’ve got the power and writing is one conduit for it.

I’m sure this is true for many writers and especially true for women writers. Our voices can rise and be heard through our writing.

Here’s a link to the SAQ and the interviews and essays of my fine fellow alums in an issue devoted to Black Women. Yes, an issue devoted to Black Women!

I am so proud of us!

Here is a link to my essay: SAQ Spring 2019

You must also read the essays and interviews that begin on page 20 of the SAQ. It’s easy to scroll through all of the essays, interviews, and the entire issue from the link above. The of lives and words of these Black Smith alums are illuminating, heartfelt, and powerful!

And so it is.

 

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Upcoming Readings

I have two readings scheduled for this month and I’d love to see you at one or both of them.

Saturday, February 2, 2019 – TONIGHT!
7-9 pm
Nomadic Press First Saturday Showcase
Featuring Mk Chavez, Joyce Young, Melissa Jones. Music by Nick Stephens
Oakland Peace Center
111 Fairmount Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, February 9, 2019
7-9 pm
Featuring Joyce Young
Poetry and Prose
Frank Bette Center for the Arts
1601 Paru Street
Alameda, CA 94501
https://www.frankbettecenter.org/featured-poets.html
https://www.frankbettecenter.org/poetry-at-the-bette.html
Open Mic

 

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Reading in the Rain

view of books in shelf
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Lyrics & Dirges at Pegasus Bookstore Downtown Berkeley was the best place to be on a stormy Wednesday evening. A huge thank you to series cofounder and host Sharon Coleman for setting the tone, which is always welcoming and encouraging of the writers and the audience.

Surrounded by books, writers and an appreciative audience was wonderful. Kimi Sugioka, Sara Mumolo, Joseph Lease took us on journeys of the heart and mind. What teachers and students need in public education, motherhood, loving friendship interrupted by death, and the wisdom of lizard in the face of law enforcement were some of the journeys we writers took with audience members.

Libraries and independent bookstores and the books they offer to us have been places of peace for me and I hope that they continue to be for as many of us as possible despite the current landscape of chaos, confusion and change.

I encourage you to visit and purchase used or new books and catch the annual calendar sale (one of my favorites) at Pegasus and attend a Lyrics & Dirges reading. You can find out about the February Lyrics & Dirges here You can find out more about Pegasus bookstores here

Long live Lyrics & Dirges and its cofounders and co-hosts Mk Chavez and Sharon Coleman and long live independent bookstores.

And if you haven’t yet purchased my book How it Happens, hop on over to the Nomadic Press website and do so here

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Lyrics & Dirges at Pegasus Bookstore Downtown Berkeley on Wednesday 1/16/19

adorable animal black and white book
Photo by Heather McKeen on Pexels.com

My first reading of 2019 in one of my favorite series, Lyrics & Dirges, hosted and co-founded by Supreme Poetess Sharon Coleman. (Co-founder Mk Chavez is stirring up magic elsewhere this week.)

Lyrics&Dirges
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
7:30 pm
Pegasus Books Downtown
2349 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, California 94704
(510) 649-1320
Pegasus Books Downtown Berkeley

The Writers who will read:

Joyce E. Young
Sara Mumolo
Joseph Lease
Kimi Sugioka
Mia Ruiz

You won’t want to miss us – words, snacks, and books for sale. My poetry book “How it Happens”  will be available for your purchasing pleasure. Or, you can purchase it here

And did I mention there’s a bookstore cat who loves poetry and books? Well then, of course you must come!

 

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Thank You – November Readings

beautiful book celebration close up
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I want to thank those of you who have come out to support me at the Nomadic Press book launch in September and at the readings in October at Pandemonium Press at The Octopus Literary Salon, Literary Speakeasy at Lit Crawl, and the Bay Area Writing Project at Expressions Gallery. And a big, hearty thank you for buying my book How it Happens​ (Nomadic Press, 2018). 

It’s been wonderful to connect with you and to share community through words, laughter, sighs, reflection, and sometimes tears. I thoroughly enjoy continuing the oral tradition of poetry through readings and events.

I will be at two more readings this month, one on this coming Sunday, November 11th at Adobe Books in San Francisco, and the second on Monday evening November 19th in the Poetry Express series, Himalayan Flavors restaurant in Berkeley.

On Sunday, I will read at the Gears Turning reading series hosted by Kim Shuck, Poet Laureate of San Francisco. I will be reading with and meeting Lauren Ito and for the first time – looking forward to it.

I’m dedicating the Sunday reading to my mom who would have turned 93 on Sunday. She supported me and my writing and I am grateful for her in so many ways.

Gears Turning
Adobe Books and Arts Cooperative
3130 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Sunday, November 11, 2018
4-6 pm
Featured Writers: Lauren Ito, Joyce Young

Host: Kim Shuck, Poet Laureate of San Francisco

I will also be reading at the long running Poetry Express series in Berkeley on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7 pm. I’m dedicating this reading to gratitude for life itself.

Poetry Express
Himalayan Flavors Restaurant
1585 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94703
Monday evening, November 19, 2018
7pm
Featured Writer: Joyce Young
Host: Bruce Bagnell

I hope to see you at one of these events, hope you’re enjoying reading How it Happens, and if you can’t make it, to a reading, be sure to send me good mojo and spread the word about the book.

To purchase How it Happens, click on Nomadic Press
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New Book. Who’s the lizard?

I really do like the cover of my new poetry chapbook “How it Happens, ” don’t you?

180909 How It Happens by Joyce Young Front Cover

A huge thank you to artist Arthur Johnstone and designer JK Fowler who is also the founder and Executive Director of Nomadic Press (publisher) for their beautiful work!

My book baby is almost in my hands and it can soon be in yours as well. You can preorder signed or unsigned copies of my book here: HOW IT HAPPENS BY JOYCE E. YOUNG

The book launch will be on Saturday September 22, 2018 at 7 pm at the Oakland Peace Center, 111 Fairmount Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611. Come to the launch to hear some of what is inside the book cover. I may even reveal who the lizard is (smile).  You can purchase a copy there and I will gladly sign your book if you wish.

Some of my fellow Nomadic Press authors will read their work that evening, too. It’s going to be a fun time with words, writers, food, books and good mojo. You don’t want to miss this goodness.

 

 

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Publication News

 

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I’m happy to share that my poem “Return” has been published in the current issue of WORDPEACE

Here is the link: https://wordpeace.co/issue-2-2-winter-spring-2018/poetry/joyce-young/

And Nomadic Press is publishing my chapbook “How it Happens” this coming Fall.

Gratitude to WORDPEACE  https://wordpeace.co/

and to Nomadic Press https://www.nomadicpress.org/

Follow me on Twitter @joypoet and Instagram @joypoetry for updates

 

 

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Lyrics & Dirges Tonight at Pegasus Books Downtown

I’ll be reading with a stellar lineup of writers this evening at Lyrics & Dirges hosted by the lovely and gracious Sharon Coleman.

I’m first up, so get there early or you’ll miss me.

Here we are, in reading order:

Joyce E. Young
Monica Zarazua
Joshua McKinney
Katayoun Zandvakili
Rusty Morrison

We’d love to have you in the audience!

Here’s the link:

http://www.pegasusbookstore.com/event/lyrics-dirges-2

Hope to see you there…

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Beast Crawl 2014

 

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Had a great time reading at Beast Crawl 2014 last night. The Beast Crawl Collective rocks!

Writers Tony Press, Robert Pesich, Rafael Jesus Gonzalez, and yours truly took the stage and held the audience rapt with our wordsmithing at Spice Monkey. We worked it, to say the least. I had an absolute blast.

Ah…what a night!

For the breakdown and locations of the entire festival, follow this link:

http://beastcrawl.weebly.com/