[Cw: brief reference to sexual violence.] So on Monday 25th January, I am taking part in a free online poetry reading for St Dwynwen's Day, which some people call the Welsh Valentine's Day. It's a bit more complicated than that in fact. There are different versions of the story of St Dwynwen, but many of [...]
Author: zbthompson
Sexuality & Violence: A Course in Anti-violence Advocacy
Next semester here at Ohio State, I will be teaching "Sexuality & Violence," a course in anti-violence advocacy. I have taught the course since I first arrived in 2015, but this will probably be the last time, as unfortunately the center for Sexuality Studies here has been closed. I am just considering how I might [...]
Dead Women Poets
I just had to post this video here of the recent Dead Women Poets launch of their special issue for Modern Poetry in Translation. It was incredibly fun. Plus it was such an honor to read with Natalie Linh Bolderston and Jessica Wood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQUxSV5wwRY&feature=youtu.be
Magic & Instinct in Writing Prose about Trauma
A few weeks ago I attended a great event held by Electric Literature on Magical Feminism, an editorial discussion with Marie-Helene Bertino and my friend and colleague Elissa Washuta. It was a really inspiring discussion. You can watch the video back here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/acqg3qqk Halimah Marcus interviewing Elissa Washuta & Marie-Helene Bertino I really liked what Marie-Helene Bertino [...]
Witchy Poetry Events
So it is nearly time for Halloween, Samhain, the Day of Dead, All Hallow's Eve. Whatever you call it, it's a witchy time of year, and I have plans for organizing and attending some great literary events. First up, this Monday 26th, I have booked my ticket to attend a great event from Electric Literature: [...]
Happy National Poetry Day 2020!
It's National Poetry Day, and I am posting this video I recorded during lockdown for Just Another Poet's Poetry Asylum: A Virtual Poetry Yurt from Cardiff. Thanks to Taz Rahman for asking me to record it. https://youtu.be/wldTbXXch5w Poetry Reading You can also see the reading in context at Poetry Asylum with other poets here: https://youtu.be/8gx43mE06FI [...]
How to write about difficult material without using confessional poetry?
This week I was giving a talk for Black Lawrence Books about an essay I wrote for a new anthology, Far Villages: Welcome Essays for New and Beginning Poets edited by Abayomi Animashaun. The talk was about the problem of needing to write about difficult material but not being able to because of the exposure [...]
Motherhood Projects & Talking to My Hospital Nurse About Reproductive Rights
Jude and Zoe Brigley So I'm excited that I am going to be speaking next month at an online series of seminars on motherhood. The online event is titled "Maternal Forums" and it is part of a larger project on "Performance and the Maternal." Sign up here. Our event is on Tuesday 13 October on [...]
Teaching about the Context of Violence with the #ThatsHarrassment Video Series
Recently I have been writing up a book chapter on teaching in the #MeToo era, and this is one exercise that I do not have room to include in the chapter so I thought that I would post it here. In the chapter, I discuss the importance of situating violence not just as an act [...]
Tonight! Reading with Rob Mackenzie and Louise Peterkin
Just a note to mention that I am reading tonight at the launch of books by Rob Mackenzie and Louise Peterkin. It's 7.30pm on Zoom. I'm filling in for Cheryl Follon who can't make it. You can reach Rob here if you want to come along. I wrote a blurb quotation for Louise's new book, [...]
