I was asked to guest instruct a class on the art of creating poetry manuscripts this year at Lambda Literary’s The Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices. So looking forward to this! Our community has cultivated a publishing landscape and readership that give LGBTQ poets some very special avenues to publication. I’ll be at the […]
So, right now I am in San Leandro, getting ready to film a short screenplay, “Asura” I wrote for Neelu Bhuman’s Transfinite project. I get to play a role, as well. Kelsi Umeko is playing my granddaughter–so inter-generationally queer! It is exciting to see a project come together; I usually work with only a few people […]
I am so happy to be able to share like this. I sometimes (not too often) search myself on Google. And I just saw this. “Rykas books give LGBTQ individuals a voice; a chance to speak up over their oppression. Rykas ability to articulate her inner feelings shows an in-depth mastery over the written word. […]
So, this February, I was at Northern Arizona University. I had an excellent time–but gosh, it was my first reading after the election (I chose not to attend the AWP–more on that in another post). I was struck by how resilient and brave the students and the faculty at NAU are–but stunned that at a […]
I have been a little behind on the posts. But, Lambda Literary has been working very hard on its first literary festival, right here in Los Angeles. Today, I have the honor of sitting on a panel with Bernard Cooper, D’Lo, Wendy C. Ortiz, Claudia Rodríguez and Terry Wolverton. “In many ways, California has been the leader in the nation for LGBTQ rights, […]
Last month I had the honor of visiting UMass Amherst to inaugurate their trans speakers series! 🙂 I had a wonderful time speaking with different classes on issues of gender, postcolonialism, queer theory, and writing practice. I watched the autumn leaves change. I had an impromptu sushi lunch, and met some awesome people! Here’s the […]
Well, it’s been a bit since I have updated. But I’ve been busy! This THURSDAY, Sept 15 I am taking part in Literary Death Match! I am looking forward to this so much! Please come by!!!READERS: * Jon Klassen, American Caldecott and British Kate Greenaway Medal-winning author of This is Not My Hat * Nadja Spiegelman, graphic novelist, […]
Today, June 14, 4 pm. I am reading poetry. Please come by if you can. I’ll be also talking a bit of how poetry and poets might deal with grief. It’s a difficult time, and we all try our best to contemplate and process, look backward, move ahead. Thank you. Brentwood Branch. 11820 San Vicente […]
(Delivered at the 2016 AWP, 4/1/2016) Thank you everyone for coming! Gosh, it’s the last day of the AWP. I kind of have a love-hate relationship with the AWP. I think I feel that way with a lot of things that purport to have a purpose, but are often chaotic, huge, and relentless. One realizes this […]
I am really looking forward to this event. The AWP is the big creative writing shindig–and if you can make it down, please come by! Please join us for this extraordinary AWP panel/conversation/experience with CA Conrad, Joy Ladin, Ryka Aoki, Ian Ellasante, and TC Tolbert. Spirituality, like writing, hinges on transformation. Similarly, trans and genderqueer writers have unique experiences with […]