Laguna Madre Writer's Forum

I feel so honored that the poets of the Laguna Madre Writer's Forum have been willing to meet at Paragraphs for their monthly readings. Unfortunately, the Saturday morning time does not seem to work for members and others who may be interested since we have not had many attend. So, we are looking to find a better time and day on which to hold these readings.

If you have been interested in attending and just have not been able to make it on Saturday morning, please let me know if there would be a more convenient time. I really would like to see this succeed because we have some truly talented writers in Port Isabel, the Island and the Laguna Madre area.

This morning, I listened to Arturo Saldana read his poem about the a young man's search to discover himself and another celebrating a special friendship and was moved by the beauty of his language and by the depth of feeling expressed in the reading. The poet Rudy Holland Garcia writes the most exquisite love poems which bring tears to ones eyes. It is wonderful for me to have what comes close to being a private reading by these talented artists and I thoroughly enjoy the discussion which follows, but we really need to have more people to both read or listen if this is to be a successful program.

Please send me your suggestions for a better time and how we can reach an audience of both writers and those who enjoy listening to wonderful poetry. This is a great opportunity to experience the power of language and literature but we need your help to make it a success.

"Boundless" New Poetry Anthology

Don't forget to make your submission to the 2010 Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival Anthology and watch for more information about the 3rd Annual Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival (V.I.P.F.), April 22-25, 2010.

Boundless will be published this year as a perfect bound edition with an ISBN. Previous editons include poets from Texas, New York, and London. Be part of this exciting edition!

Poets do not have to attend our festival or register for our festival in order to submit for publication. (While this may change in the future, our open policy remains generous.)

Guidelines:

• Submit 1, 2, or 3 typewritten poems in a legible font.
• Poems may be of any topic, any language. (We ask for a translation if it is not in English, however.)
• 35-line limit per poem, not including title and spaces
• E-mail Submissions Only. Mailed Submissions Will NOT Be Accepted!
• E-mail submissinos to rgvipf@hotmail.com
• No previously published poems, please, except from self-published chapbooks with limited distribution.
• Do not place your name or other identifying information on the poems themselves.

Submit a cover letter that includes:

• Your Name
• Title of poem(s) or first line for an untitled poem
• E-mail address AND phone number
• A short bio – 50 words or less – focusing on your life as a writer

We strongly prefer to communicate by e-mail: rgvipf@hotmail.com
If you change your e-mail, let us know immediately.

NOTE: You must still mail your check, or money order (MADE OUT TO ART THAT HEALS, INC.), along with a SASE to:

Boundless Editorial Committee
1413 Jay Ave.
McAllen, TX 78504

An e-mail address is required for contact. If you will not collect your anthology in person, you should include a self-addressed stamped envelope (payable for $1.50).

www.vipf.org

rgvipf@hotmail.com

Presented by Art That Heals, Inc. in conjunction with the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and The Raúl Tijerina, Jr. Foundation