A new children’s book ‘The Midnight Ball,’ by Sara Barkat, combines a delightful story and illustrations with poetic device and telling time. Can you find the double meanings?
Hermit Crab Essay Series: 001 How to Do A Switch Leap
Callie Feyen begins a new series: The Hermit Crab Essay. She begins with the how-to of a switch leap and reveals something more vulnerable.
Reading Generously: Stories with Older Characters
How do we develop empathy? By reading fiction—generously. This month we focus on older characters in a novel by Ernest J. Gaines.
Poems to Listen By: Moonstruck 04—Delicate
The moon is full of mystery and delicate secrets. In this episode of Poems to Listen By: Moonstruck, Laurie Klein reads L.L. Barkat’s “Delicate.”
Poet Laura: Where I’m From
Meet Tweetspeak’s new Poet Laura, who is not named Laura and is not “that kind” of Karen. Karen Paul Holmes introduces herself with a Where I’m From prompt.
By Heart: ‘Sea Poppies’ + New Tracy K. Smith Challenge
Imagine discovering a treasure—a flower. Who will you tell? Join us and learn “Sea Poppies” by H.D. By Heart.
Don’t Ask Why: So Many Meteorites
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
50 States of Generosity: West Virginia
We continue our 50 States of Generosity series with a focus on West Virginia, The Mountain State, where “Mountaineers are Always Free.”
Don’t Ask Why Book Club: Dolores
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Poet Laura: Passing the Feather Again
Laura Boggess closes out her term as Poet Laura and passes the feather to Tweetspeak’s newest resident poet.
Poetry Prompt: It’s the Setting
What role does setting play in your poetry? Join author Callie Feyen as she explores how setting can be used to move our writing forward.
Children’s Book Club: ‘Coraline’
Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline” is a spooky story that kids read as an adventure tale. Join us for this month’s Children’s Book Club.
The Old Victorian Inn, Alderson, West Virginia
Mildred’s Garden characters Mildred Ruffner and Cindy Newton wind up their bed and breakfast tour at Old Vic, the Old Victorian Inn, in Alderson, WV.
Book Club Announcement: Don’t Ask Why by Michelle Ortega
Join us for our next book club, discussing poet Michelle Ortega’s chapbook, Don’t Ask Why, beginning in October (domestic violence month).
Poetry Prompt: Homecoming Poems
Join author Callie Feyen as she considers the romantic struggle that is Homecoming and offers a poetry prompt about rites of passage.
The Surprise Leap: Notes on the Writing Life
As in the rest of life, the writing life is about more than beginning. Often times, what defines the work (and who we are) happens in the middles.
The Preston County Inn, Kingwood, West Virginia
Fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden) continue their bed and breakfast tour, visiting the lovely Preston County Inn, in Kingwood, West Virginia.
Poetry Prompt: Dickinson the Series & Code Poems
Join author Callie Feyen as she watches Dickinson the Series, tries to crack the code of a Dickinson poem, and invites you to write your own code poem.
By Heart: ‘Somewhere or Other’ + New H.D. Challenge
Love is there — “Somewhere or Other.” Beauty keeps hope alive. Join us and learn a love poem by Christina Rossetti By Heart.
The Beekeeper Inn, Helvetia, West Virginia
Fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden) continue their bed and breakfast tour, visiting the charming Beekeeper Inn, in the Swiss-American community of Helvetia, West Virginia.