Tag: fiction

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Preparing for the KSPS Annual Conference

The KSPS 2025 Conference is almost here—November 1–2—and it’s shaping up to be an exciting weekend for poets across Kentucky and beyond. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned participant, taking a little time now to prepare can help you make the most of the experience. This year’s conference promises craft talks, panel discussions, poetry readings, workshops, and plenty of opportunities to connect with other poets in meaningful ways.

Tips for making the most of the conference:

  1. Plan your schedule in advance: Review the list of talks, panels, and workshops. Identify sessions that align with your interests or areas where you want to grow. Planning ahead ensures you don’t miss your must-attend events.
  2. Bring your writing: Whether you’re working on a new piece or revising an older poem, bring your notebook or laptop. Participate in workshops, join readings, or share your work with peers for feedback. The conference is an ideal space to test new ideas and get constructive input.
  3. Connect with other attendees: Conferences are as much about community as content. Introduce yourself, exchange ideas, and discuss poetry with others who share your passion. These connections often extend beyond the conference, building long-lasting relationships and support networks.
  4. Take notes and reflect: Between panels and readings, jot down insights, favorite lines, and ideas to incorporate into your own work. Reflection helps solidify what you’ve learned and inspires future projects.

The KSPS Annual Conference isn’t just a weekend of events—it’s a chance to grow as a poet, expand your creative toolkit, and become part of a vibrant literary community. Mark your calendar, make your plans, and stay tuned for updates on speakers, panels, and activities that will make this year’s conference unforgettable.

Register now! If you are a student, please use this link to register and receive a special discount.

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Pegasus: Spring 2025 is One Week Away + Kentucky Humanities Needs Your Help!

It’s that time of year again! We are just one week away from unveiling Pegasus: Spring 2025, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. This upcoming issue promises to be a celebration of the beauty and complexity of poetry, and we’re sure it will resonate with everyone who has ever felt the power of a well-placed word.

Before we dive into the pages of Pegasus, let’s take a moment to reflect on something truly special: our new editorial voice, Suz Spearman (she/they).

Introducing Suz Spearman: A New Editorial Voice

We’re thrilled to introduce Suz Spearman as the new editorial voice of Pegasus. Suz is a queer, Appalachian poet and the Secretary of the Kentucky State Poetry Society (KSPS). She teaches ESL and English at Bluegrass Technical and Community College, and is a beloved member of Kentucky’s poetry community. When she’s not writing or teaching, Suz can be found surrounded by green things and delighting in the joy of words like petrichor and defenestrate. We are so excited for you to read her thoughtful perspective in the upcoming issue, and we know she’ll bring a fresh and engaging voice to the journal.

A Teaser from the Editor’s Note

In her Editor’s Note for Pegasus: Spring 2025, Suz reflects on the deeper connections between the effort of poetry and the labor of the garden. She writes:

“Spring brings in the awful burden of the garden, the torturous labor of the yard, the row, the line of verse, and the volta. A generous reminder of the effort required to produce creative fruit, the back-curling endeavor of staying honest. Poetry, like cultivating nightshades, can keep us oddly tender and calloused. Spring renders us abundant and tired together.”

We love how Suz captures the delicate balance between effort and reward, labor and creation. It’s a sentiment that will resonate with poets and non-poets alike. Be sure to check out her full Editor’s Note when the issue drops!

Open Mic Opportunities This Month

As if all of this isn’t enough, we have two exciting open mics this month that you won’t want to miss! Whether you’re looking to share your own work or simply enjoy the creative energy, these events are the perfect way to connect with fellow poetry lovers.

  • Virtual Open Mic on Zoom – April 15 at 8 PM EST
    Join us from the comfort of your home for a virtual open mic. It’s a chance to share your poems, hear others’ work, and be part of our vibrant literary community. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a first-timer, we welcome you to step up to the mic.
  • In-Person Open Mic at Loudoun House – April 28 at 6 PM EST
    In celebration of LEX250, we’re hosting a special in-person open mic at Loudoun House. If you’re in the area, come out and join us for a night of poetry, music, and community in one of Lexington’s most iconic venues.

A Call to Action for Kentucky Humanities

While we celebrate the upcoming release of Pegasus: Spring 2025 and our exciting events, we also want to take a moment to address an important issue. This week, Kentucky Humanities received notice that our federal funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has been terminated effective immediately. This news is deeply concerning, as it threatens the vital programs Kentucky Humanities offers across the Commonwealth, including cultural events, educational initiatives, and resources for libraries, schools, and community centers.

We urgently need your support. Please contact your Congress members and advocate for the restoration of NEH funding. Kentucky Humanities has sponsored nearly 2,500 events from 2020 to 2024, reaching over 3 million Kentuckians and awarding more than $1.6 million in grant funds. These programs are essential to the cultural fabric of our state, and we cannot afford to lose them.

Take action today to ensure that Kentucky Humanities can continue its important work in our communities.

Looking Ahead

We can’t wait to share Pegasus: Spring 2025 with you in just one week. In the meantime, don’t forget to join us for our open mics, and keep advocating for the humanities in Kentucky. Poetry and the arts have the power to transform communities, and with your help, we can keep that momentum going.

Until next week, keep writing, keep reading, and keep supporting Kentucky’s poetry community!

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KSPS Weekly Blog #2: Poetry Reading, Student Poetry Contests, and the Upcoming Pegasus Edition

Spring is in the air, and with it, exciting literary events and opportunities are blooming here at KSPS. Whether you’re a seasoned poetry lover or a budding writer, we have something for everyone this month. From an inspiring poetry reading to upcoming student contests, plus the highly anticipated release of the next Pegasus edition, March and April are shaping up to be a celebration of poetic creativity and talent.

Tom Hunley Poetry Reading: March 18

Next week, we’re looking forward to a poetry reading from poet Tom Hunley. Tom will be sharing his poetry and insights with us on March 18 at 8 p.m. on Zoom as a continuation of our ongoing poetry reading series, Kentucky Voices. Whether you’re interested in writing or simply want to immerse yourself in the beauty of language, this poetry reading is a must-attend event. Mark your calendars and register here!

Student Poetry Contests

We’re also excited to announce the student poetry contests for 2025! KSPS is committed to nurturing young talent, and these contests are the perfect platform for students in grades 3-12 to showcase their creativity and passion for poetry. The contest is open to all students, including homeschool students and those outside of Kentucky.

Here are the details and guidelines for the contest:

  • Submission Format: Submissions should be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Each submission must include a cover page with the following information:
    • Student Name / Age / Grade / School / Email
    • Teacher Name / Email
    • Parent or Guardian Name / Email / Mailing Address
  • Submission Limit: Up to 5 poems can be submitted per document. Each poem should start on a fresh page. All submissions must be unpublished, original work.
  • Submission Email: studentcontestksps@gmail.com.
  • Eligibility: The contest is open to students in grades 3-12. This includes homeschool students and those from outside Kentucky.
  • Deadline: May 18th – Don’t miss out on your chance to participate!

Pegasus: April 15 Release

But that’s not all – the next edition of Pegasus is right around the corner! Set to be released on April 15, this upcoming edition promises to be a stellar collection of poetry, prose, and visual art created by local talent. Pegasus is the perfect platform for poets to share their work with a broader audience, and we can’t wait to showcase the diverse and innovative pieces we’ve received.

This edition will feature a range of voices, styles, and themes, from the personal to the universal. Whether you’re submitting your own work (submissions are still open!) or eagerly awaiting the release, you won’t want to miss this vibrant compilation of creative expression.

Join Us in Celebrating Poetry and Creative Expression!

We’re thrilled about the opportunities ahead and hope you’ll join us for the March 18 poetry reading, get involved in the student poetry contests, and stay tuned for the upcoming release of Pegasus. Let’s continue to celebrate the power of words, the beauty of language, and the creativity that thrives in our community.

Stay connected with KSPS for more updates and announcements. We can’t wait to share these exciting events with you!