news, media, etc.
February 2015
Judge for 2015 Byron Herbert Reece Society Poetry Contest
I am honored to be asked to judge the 2015 Bettie Sellers Poetry Contest for the Byron Herbert Reece Society. The Society seeks to preserve, perpetuate, and promote the literary and cultural legacy of the Georgia mountain poet/novelist, Byron Herbert Reece. The winner receives $200 and publication of the winning poem. Here is the link to enter your work-
https://byronherbertreecesociety.wordpress.com/
https://byronherbertreecesociety.wordpress.com/
The Lexington Literary Scene Report-Real Pants
Here is the link to my scene report for Atlanta-based website Real Pants, which is highlighting 12 literary scenes from around the world! Of course, Lexington had to be included.
http://realpants.com/eric-scott-sutherland-lexington-kentucky-scene-report/
http://realpants.com/eric-scott-sutherland-lexington-kentucky-scene-report/
January 2015 Holler Poets Series reaches 80
Holler 80 by Erica Chambers
January 9, 2015 Lostintheletters Reading Series, Atlanta, GA
The second show of my January Georgia tour was a stop at Atlanta's Lostintheletters Reading Series created and hosted by poet Scott Daughtridge. I was blessed to share the mic with writers from three states- Florida's J. Bradley, Georgia's Andi Rogers (of the acclaimed band Night Driving in Small Towns), and North Carolina's Amanda Dahill-Moore.
http://lostintheletters.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Lostintheletters
January 7, 2015 Athens Word of Mouth, Athens, GA
My first trip to Athens was fantastic! Athens Word of Mouth, a fantastic series started by the late Aralee Strange and continued by local poet Alx Johns, takes place in Athens staple The Globe. It sits downtown directly across the street from the historic Georgia Theater. In fact, that night, Greg Allman was playing a sold out show.
http://www.athenswordofmouth.com/
https://www.facebook.com/athenswordofmouth
http://www.athenswordofmouth.com/
https://www.facebook.com/athenswordofmouth
December 2014 Nominated for Pushcart Prize in Poetry
I am thrilled to announce that I have been nominated by my publisher, Accents Publishing, for a Pushcart Prize in Poetry
for my poem "plague" from my latest book, pendulum.
plague
is always a dirty
paw away.
a hand not washed
in who knows how long.
a hand stained by soil
and cigarette resin, the filth
permanent under fingernails.
a hand sprouting long claws
the color of skin, camouflaged,
each one a hook, a tool to dig.
a hand counting out
eighty pennies for a soda.
Here is a link to the announcement
http://accents-publishing.com/blog/category/news/
for my poem "plague" from my latest book, pendulum.
plague
is always a dirty
paw away.
a hand not washed
in who knows how long.
a hand stained by soil
and cigarette resin, the filth
permanent under fingernails.
a hand sprouting long claws
the color of skin, camouflaged,
each one a hook, a tool to dig.
a hand counting out
eighty pennies for a soda.
Here is a link to the announcement
http://accents-publishing.com/blog/category/news/
November 2014
Carnegie Center Kentucky Author Spotlight
Check out The Carnegie Center's blog at the link below for their Kentucky Author Spotlight featuring Eric Scott Sutherland
http://carnegiecenterlex.org/2014/11/kentucky-author-spotlight-eric-scott-sutherland/
http://carnegiecenterlex.org/2014/11/kentucky-author-spotlight-eric-scott-sutherland/
Pendulum makes list of 10 Kentucky books not to miss in 2014
Affrilachian poet Bianca Spriggs makes a list of 10 Kentucky books not to be missed in 2014 and pendulum is one of three poetry collections mentioned. Check out the link below for Smiley Pete's November issue of Chevy Chaser/Southsider for the full list (page 40)
http://issuu.com/smileypetepublishing/docs/cc_nov_2014
http://issuu.com/smileypetepublishing/docs/cc_nov_2014
November 8, 2014 Accents Tour #3, Half-Price Books, Bowling Green, KY
November 2, 2014 Old Washington Wordsmiths, Maysville, KY
with Amy Cunningham and K. Nicole Wilson
photo by Deirdre Scaggs
October 25, 2014 Accents Tour #2, Carmichael's, Louisville, KY
September 28, 2014 Accents Tour #1, The Morris Book Shop, Lexington, KY
with Tom Hunley and Lynnell Edwards
photo by children's author, JD Lester
September 7, 2014 SAFTA Reading Series, The Birdhouse - Knoxville, TN
with Matthew Haughton
August 24, 2014 Paul Sawyier Public Library's 7th Gathering of Authors
Frankfort, KY
with former Kentucky Poet Laureate, Joe Survant
August 16, 2014 Sixth & Main Coffeehouse's Author Spotlight, Shelbyville, KY
August 15, 2014 Speak Social, Seidenfaden's - Louisville, KY
with Cynthia Arrieu-King and Marie Coma-Thompson
July 19, 2014 Art & Music Party at Centered, Lexington, KY
with Goldelights and Bear Medicine
Enjoying some golden vibes with Bear Medicine's Kim Smith
July 3, 2014 Innisfree Poetry Bookstore & Cafe, Boulder, CO
The pendulum book tour gathers steam and heads west for a reading/signing at Boulder's Innisfree Poetry Bookstore, one of only three book stores in the United States to sell only poetry. An intimate crowd, that included three Kentuckians, several Naropa University students/alums and a woman dressed in a stuffed animal costume. Don't get any better than that, folks!
(photos below courtesy of Jessica Holman)
(photos below courtesy of Jessica Holman)
June 27, 2014 Lexington Art League's CSA Live
Honored to play emcee for this Lexington Art League event, a community supported art harvest party. Several writers and musicians whose work was included in the program were on hand for this show at the historic Lyric Theater in downtown Lexington.
June 24, 2014 Art in the Yard with the Honeys
Shared "the stage" with a few Lexington artists in support of a new girls empowerment group called The Honeys in my Northside Lexington neighborhood.
Rapping with local hip hop legend and community activist, Devine Carama before our sets.
June 20, 2014 Lexington Fashion Collaborative
The Neighborhood Series Gallery Hop Reception
June 13, 2014 Down One Bourbon Bar, Louisville, KY
with Derek Pollard and Tasha Cotter
June 7, 2014 Treehouse Poets Series, Hazard, KY
May 28, 2014 Holler Poets Series 72: 6 Year Anniversary/pendulum release
Holler's 6 year anniversary show was incredible. Former Kentucky Poet Laureate Richard Taylor co-featured while Maurice Manning presided over the night's festivities as guest host. Don Rogers shared his musical talents for an enthusiastic standing room only crowd. The show served as the official release party for pendulum.
Close to the edge by Tom Eblen
May 9-10, 2014 The Inaugural Moonshiner's Ball
The first ever Moonshiner's Ball took place outside Berea, KY at Homegrown Hideaways. The capacity crowd was treated to many great musical acts as well as passionate literary readings from Kentucky writers Ed McClanahan, Bianca Spriggs, Maurice Manning, and Eric Scott Sutherland.
Here I am rocking the mic for the Saturday night crowd.
Here I am rocking the mic for the Saturday night crowd.
May 2014 And the Pendulum Swings: An Interview with Eric Scott Sutherland by Christopher McCurry
May 2014 The Official Release of pendulum
The official press release for my new book of poems, pendulum from Accents Publishing
http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=80d5abed015c9dc17a4f9e274&id=7c60f4e7e7
http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=80d5abed015c9dc17a4f9e274&id=7c60f4e7e7
Hanging with Whitman and Dali
at The Morris Book Shop, Lexington, KY
April 24, 2014 Jackson County High's Poetry Night
Had a great night as the guest of honor at this year's Jackson County High Poetry Night
April 19, 2014 Woodford County Library, Kentucky Writer's Roundtable
Woodford County Public Library
Kentucky Writer Roundtable
with Crystal Wilkinson, George Ella Lyon,
and Katerina Stoykova-Klemer
January 23, 2014 2nd Kentucky Writer's Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Artist John Lackey, myself, and writer Erik Reece
January 4, 2014 The Season of Delicate Hunger:
Anthology of Contemporary Bulgarian Poetry reading
Me reading Bulgarian poet Vladimir Levchev's poem "Cicada" at the release party of The Season of Delicate Hunger: Anthology of Contemporary Bulgarian Poetry (Accents Publishing, 2014) at The Morris Book Shop in Lexington, KY. Watch the video of my reading here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcpevL4B6QE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcpevL4B6QE
Reading Bulgarian poet Vladimir Levchev's poem "Cicada"
January 2014 Small Batch review, Kentucky Poetry, Well Aged
Joseph Nichols wrote a wonderful review of Small Batch for the Bluegrass Writer's Studio's blog. He says "Jesse Stuart, Wendell Berry, and Maurice Manning are names that we all know. They are accomplished poets who hailed from our state, as are Frank X Walker and Eric Sutherland."
Read his review here:
http://www.creativewriting.eku.edu/insidelook/kentucky-poetry-well-aged
Read his review here:
http://www.creativewriting.eku.edu/insidelook/kentucky-poetry-well-aged
December 3, 2013 Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2013 at the Kentucky Theater
I had the honor of emceeing the 2013 Wild & Scenic Film Festival hosted by Kentucky Heartwood at the historic Kentucky Theater
December 2013 Small Batch: an anthology of bourbon poems review
Sarah Biggs Chaney's wonderful review of Two of Cups Press' anthology of bourbon poems, Small Batch
My poem "wild men were babies once" along with several others gets mentioned in it. Read it here:
http://sarabiggschaney.blogspot.com/2013/12/small-batch-anthology-of-bourbon-poetry.html
My poem "wild men were babies once" along with several others gets mentioned in it. Read it here:
http://sarabiggschaney.blogspot.com/2013/12/small-batch-anthology-of-bourbon-poetry.html
November 2013 Another Night in the Ruins ekphrasis project
Another Night in the Ruins, ekphrasis project collaboration between Louisville artist Laurie Doctor and 16 Kentucky writers gets coverage in this Louisville Courier-Journal article following the November exhibit and reading at Lexington's New Editions Gallery
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20131221/SCENE0506/312220005/Painting-poetry-inspire-each-other-result-collaborative-exhibit
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20131221/SCENE0506/312220005/Painting-poetry-inspire-each-other-result-collaborative-exhibit
October 12, 2013 Keep Louisville Literary's The Writer's Block Festival 2013
Discussed the beginnings of Holler Poets Series on the Start Something Panel at this wonderful annual festival of writers and writing
September 19, 2013 Off the Road Benefit Show, Lyric Theater, SOLD OUT!
September 13, 2013 Special Guest on Accents -
A Radio Show for Literature, Art, and Culture
The podcast from my most recent appearance on Accents - A Radio Show for Literature, Art, and Culture hosted by Katerina Stoykova-Klemer
http://katerinaklemer.com/audio/accents_091313.mp3
http://katerinaklemer.com/audio/accents_091313.mp3
September 13, 2013 Carnegie Center's 21st Birthday Bash
August 18, 2013 Lexington Herald Leader
Preview article in the Lexington Herald Leader for an event of epic proportions where I am blessed to be sharing the bill with friends and heroes.
Here is the link to this important event protesting the proposed I-75 Connector that would destroy the stunning and unique Palisades area of the Kentucky River watershed. Headliners are two of my biggest literary heroes, Wendell Berry and Barbara Kingsolver
http://www.kentucky.com/2013/08/18/2773134/berry-kingsolver-to-take-part.html
Here is the link to this important event protesting the proposed I-75 Connector that would destroy the stunning and unique Palisades area of the Kentucky River watershed. Headliners are two of my biggest literary heroes, Wendell Berry and Barbara Kingsolver
http://www.kentucky.com/2013/08/18/2773134/berry-kingsolver-to-take-part.html
June 2013 Still: The Journal
I make my debut in the Summer 2013 edition of this terrific Appalachian journal. Several new poems from my forthcoming collection, Pendulum, and another that was a finalist in their 2012 Poetry Contest. Check it out here:
http://www.stilljournal.net/
http://www.stilljournal.net/
May 2013 Lexington Herald Leader feature article celebrating Holler Poets Series Five Year Anniversary
Tom Eblen's wonderful article featuring my work curating the Holler Poets Series, which celebrated five years on May 29th.
Here is the link:
http://tomeblen.bloginky.com/2013/05/25/holler-poets-celebrates-5-years-of-showcasing-kentucky-writers/
Here is the link:
http://tomeblen.bloginky.com/2013/05/25/holler-poets-celebrates-5-years-of-showcasing-kentucky-writers/
photo by Tom Eblen
May 2013 The Louisville Review
My poem, the definition of insanity, from my forthcoming collection Pendulum, was published in the Spring 2013 edition of the prestigious literary magazine The Louisville Review. You can read it and the rest of the issue here!
http://www2.spalding.edu/louisvillereview/graphics/TLR73.pdf
http://www2.spalding.edu/louisvillereview/graphics/TLR73.pdf
May 2013 Keep Louisville Literary Interview
Here is my interview with Brandon Stettenbenz of Keep Louisville Literary. Enjoy!
http://keeplouisvilleliterary.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/holler-poets-papa-eric-scott-sutherland-on-his-babys-5th-b-day-ky-literature-and-his-forthcoming-collection-pendulum/
http://keeplouisvilleliterary.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/holler-poets-papa-eric-scott-sutherland-on-his-babys-5th-b-day-ky-literature-and-his-forthcoming-collection-pendulum/
February 27, 2013 The Next Big Thing Interview Project
The Next Big Thing Interview Project
A few weeks ago I was asked by my dear friend and brilliant poet, Chris Mattingly, author of the forthcoming Scuffletown, to participate in this amazing project where writers talk about their new or forthcoming books. Today, I’m excited to share with you some thoughts about my next book of poems to be published later this year by Accents Publishing.
1. What is the working title of the book?
As of now, the title is pendulum.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
The book was born along the way in my eight years managing a natural foods café in the Central Library in Lexington, KY. I was exposed daily to characters of all sorts, both tragic and inspiring.
3. What genre does your book fall under?
It is a full length collection of poetry that publisher Katerina Stoykova-Klemer calls “spiritual political.”
4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Steve Buscemi, Harry Dean Stanton, Christopher Walken, Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lawrence, Juliette Lewis, Mickey Rourke, Denzel Washington….there are so many characters in this book, I could go on and on!
5. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Like the movement of a pendulum, there is a constant swaying between pain and joy, malevolence and benevolence, light and darkness; that movement is embodied in each of our lives.
6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Overall, pendulum has been in the works for nine years; from the time I started working in Central in 2004. It was one of three manuscripts in my queue, and was not the focus of my attention at all. Along the way, I amassed nearly two hundred pages of scribbles and sketches. I started workshopping a few of the poems that were nearly complete and began reading a few of them at events. The positive feedback I received caused me to pay more attention to the concept of this book. When the publisher approached me with an interest in reading the manuscript, it took about six months to get a first draft together.
7. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Central Library and the myriad of characters I met and observed there inspired this book. Also, Rebecca Gayle Howell recognized the importance of this work in a workshop she facilitated, which inspired me to pursue this manuscript with a newfound confidence.
8. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
For local readers there should be several “I know who that is!” moments throughout and for others, a way to find their central light source again by reading the stories of other people.
9. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
pendulum will be published by Accents Publishing in the summer/fall 2013.
My tagged writers for next Wednesday are:
Rebecca Gayle Howell
Jeremy Paden
Leigh Anne Hornfeldt
Teneice Durrant Delgado
Adam Clay
A few weeks ago I was asked by my dear friend and brilliant poet, Chris Mattingly, author of the forthcoming Scuffletown, to participate in this amazing project where writers talk about their new or forthcoming books. Today, I’m excited to share with you some thoughts about my next book of poems to be published later this year by Accents Publishing.
1. What is the working title of the book?
As of now, the title is pendulum.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
The book was born along the way in my eight years managing a natural foods café in the Central Library in Lexington, KY. I was exposed daily to characters of all sorts, both tragic and inspiring.
3. What genre does your book fall under?
It is a full length collection of poetry that publisher Katerina Stoykova-Klemer calls “spiritual political.”
4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Steve Buscemi, Harry Dean Stanton, Christopher Walken, Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lawrence, Juliette Lewis, Mickey Rourke, Denzel Washington….there are so many characters in this book, I could go on and on!
5. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Like the movement of a pendulum, there is a constant swaying between pain and joy, malevolence and benevolence, light and darkness; that movement is embodied in each of our lives.
6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Overall, pendulum has been in the works for nine years; from the time I started working in Central in 2004. It was one of three manuscripts in my queue, and was not the focus of my attention at all. Along the way, I amassed nearly two hundred pages of scribbles and sketches. I started workshopping a few of the poems that were nearly complete and began reading a few of them at events. The positive feedback I received caused me to pay more attention to the concept of this book. When the publisher approached me with an interest in reading the manuscript, it took about six months to get a first draft together.
7. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Central Library and the myriad of characters I met and observed there inspired this book. Also, Rebecca Gayle Howell recognized the importance of this work in a workshop she facilitated, which inspired me to pursue this manuscript with a newfound confidence.
8. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
For local readers there should be several “I know who that is!” moments throughout and for others, a way to find their central light source again by reading the stories of other people.
9. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
pendulum will be published by Accents Publishing in the summer/fall 2013.
My tagged writers for next Wednesday are:
Rebecca Gayle Howell
Jeremy Paden
Leigh Anne Hornfeldt
Teneice Durrant Delgado
Adam Clay
January 2013 The Thirteen, Bianca Spriggs' multimedia masterpiece including an all-star ensemble of musicians, spoken word performances and this amazing short film, "The Noosed Life," made its debut at Transylvania University
The film was shot at my property in Menifee Co. In it, I play a slave owner and the wonderful LeTonia Jones plays a slave running for her life
here's the link....be prepared to be moved
http://vimeo.com/56565746
here's the link....be prepared to be moved
http://vimeo.com/56565746
February 2013 I Love Mountains Week
Here is a link to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth's blog with news, pictures, etc. from the festivities. I am quoted here on their blog
http://www.kftc.org/blog/lexington-loves-mountains-events-were-hit
http://www.kftc.org/blog/lexington-loves-mountains-events-were-hit
Speaking out at the I Love Mountains Day Rally at the State Capitol, Frankfort, KY
February, 14, 2013 by Tom Eblen
(appeared in the Lexington Herald Leader)
New Full length collection forthcoming from Accents Publishing 2013
Stay tuned for news about book release events. Tentatively scheduled for publication in late 2013
Performing at Tadoo Lounge
January 17, 2013
photo by Tom Eblen
My poem, becoming a man chosen a finalist
in Still: The Journal's 2012 Poetry Contest
Here is the link for a list of the winners and finalists
http://www.stilljournal.net/contest.php
The poem will also be published in 2013 by Still: The Journal
http://www.stilljournal.net/contest.php
The poem will also be published in 2013 by Still: The Journal
November 2012
Feature story, Poetry Pioneer, appears in Kentucky Monthly's
annual literary issue along with my poem, Reclamation.
Please read the poem, but take into account that due to an editorial error, another poem, Off the Wagon Outside Waddy is tacked onto the end of Reclamation. The end of the poem is, "I am the snake/winding from one/end of the wetland/to the other."
December 2012
Featured in Ploughshares Literary Magazine's online series, Literary Boroughs
Here is the link to a cool article about the Lexington literary community in a cool series from this award winning journal
http://blog.pshares.org/index.php/literary-boroughs-35-lexington-ky/
http://blog.pshares.org/index.php/literary-boroughs-35-lexington-ky/
August/September 2010
Garden & Gun Magazine
Check out this great article by Kentucky writer Erik Reece about Lexington that appeared before the World Equestrian Games
On page 2 you'll find me and Holler Poets Series mentioned, here is the link!
http://gardenandgun.com/article/city-portrait-lexington-kentucky
On page 2 you'll find me and Holler Poets Series mentioned, here is the link!
http://gardenandgun.com/article/city-portrait-lexington-kentucky
2009
The First Dead Poets Bash held in Lexington
Literary enthusiast Walter Skold contacted myself and a few others about his idea to start The Dead Poets Bash to honor our deceased literary figures. A native of Massachusetts, Walter has since visited the graves of almost 500 dead poets across the United States. Proud to say, we were the first such bash held anywhere!
Here is a link to my performance of James Baker Hall's poem "The First Winter Light."
https://vimeo.com/8062281
Here is a link to my performance of James Baker Hall's poem "The First Winter Light."
https://vimeo.com/8062281