October 6, 2017
Austin Poetry Society Museletter
Monthly Meeting: November 18
Presenter: Alan Birkelbach, 2005 Poet Laureate of Texas

Please join us for our monthly meeting on Saturday, November 18, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Austin Public Libr ary's University Hills Library, 4721 Loyola Ln, Austin.

Entries to the November   Monthly Contest  will be due at this meeting (you must be a current member to submit).

The final meeting of the year will be the APS annual holiday potluck and open mic event -- Saturday, Dec. 16, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at th e Yarborough Branch Library, 2200 Hancock Dr, Austin.
APS Saturday Critique Group

Join the next meeting of the APS Saturday Critique Group Saturday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m at the Millwood Branch Library, 12500 Amherst Dr, Austin.

Bring 10 copies of a poem in progress to discuss with friendly poets. The group is facilitated by Elizabeth Krop f. Email [email protected]  for more information.
Membership renewal reminder
Please renew your APS membership as soon as possible if you have not already done so. You can renew online through Submittable or by mail. More information is located on our website here .

If you haven't paid your dues for the 2017-2018 membership year, you will be deleted from the membership rolls this month. You will not receive the Museletter or be able to participate in contests. For questions related to membership, contact Sonny Regelman, membership director, at [email protected] .
Poetry Contests and Calls for Submissions
  • Expressions! is seeking submissions for its final issue. Deadline: Nov. 14.
  • Vallum Magazine in Montreal is seeking submissions for its "FORGETTING" issue. Deadline: Nov. 15.
  • Send in a poem about the Odessa Jackalopes hockey team (which is celebrating its 21st season) to [email protected] by Dec. 31. Two poets will be selected to read their poems during intermission. All submitting poets will receive a free 2018 Permian Basin Poetry Society membership and a free ticket to the Jackalopes game on Feb. 3.

Please send contest and calls for submission information to [email protected]
Poetry Events

Monday, Nov. 6, 7-9pm, Malvern Books ,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705 .  Austin Community College Literary Coffeehouse: Reading & Open Mic. Everyone is welcome to attend the Austin Community College Creative Writing Department’s Literary Coffeehouse, hosted by John Herndon. Featured reader W. Joe Hoppe is a poet, mechanic, and professor of English and Creative Writing at Austin Community College. 

Every Monday, 8-10pm, Fort 2 Famous at Buzz Mill Coffee, 1505 Town Creek Dr. Hosted by Stephanie Morrissey.

Every Wednesday, 1-3pm, Harriet's Writing Group at Full English Cafe, hosted by Robin Barratt.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 6:30-8pm, Temple Live Poets, Belton Library, 301 E. 1st St., Belton. An all-ages theme reading hosted by Donna Bowling.

Friday, Nov. 10, 7-8pm, Malvern Books,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Meg Freitag Book Launch. Join us in celebrating the launch of Meg Freitag’s debut poetry collection,  Edith. Meg will be joined by Taisia Kitaiskaia and Blake Lee Pate.

Sunday, Nov. 12, 4-6pm, Malvern Books,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Austin Writers Roulette. Austin Writers Roulette is an uncensored, theme-inspired spoken word and storytelling event. It features a different monthly theme and line up of artists who perform their original written works such as poetry, essays, and spoken word. This month’s theme is “Reinvented Past.” 

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7pm. Drink 'N' Ink Pot Luck hosted by Genevieve Evans at Magic Jacks. Theme: Mirth.

Nathan Brown's new book,  An Honest Day's Prayer,  takes the spotlight at Thirsty Thursday, Nov. 16, 7pm  in the Council Chambers at Dripping Springs City Hall,  511 W. Mercer St . An Open mic session will follow, and this month's suggested theme is "Turkeys." Call venue host Nancy Fierstien at  512-858-2024  for more info.

Friday, Nov. 17, 7-8pm, Malvern Books,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Rob Jackson Book Launch. Join us in celebrating the launch of Rob Jackson’s  The Witness, a collection of meditations in the form of poems, stories, and straight talk on spirituality.

Saturday, Nov. 18, 12:30-2:30pm, Poetry Aloud! Round robin and open mic hosted by Mike and Joyce Gullickson at Georgetown Public Library.



Saturday, Nov. 18, 7-9pm, Malvern Books,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  The Lion & The Pirate Unplugged. In association with VSA Texas (The State Organization on Arts and Disability) and the Pen2Paper Creative Writing Contest (a project of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities), we’re delighted to present an inclusive (mic-less) open mic for writers and musicians. Join us for a fun and friendly evening suitable for performers of all ages and abilities.

Friday, Dec. 1, 6.30-7.30pm, Malvern Books,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Pterodáctilo Presents: Poetry & Ptamale Party. Join us for a celebration hosted by  Pterodáctilo, the bilingual journal and blog run by graduate students in UT Austin’s department of Spanish and Portuguese. This bilingual event will feature poetry readings… and tamales!

Saturday, Dec. 2, 6-10pm, Expressions: All That We Are! Featured readings followed by a round robin. Austin Baha'i Center, 2215 E.M. Franklin Ave. All ages welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 3-4pm, Malvern Books,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Texas  Poetry Calendar Reading. For twenty years, the Austin reading for the Texas Poetry Calendar has been the culmination of the fall calendar readings for Dos Gatos Press. This year’s reading will feature poets sharing Texas-related work, including their poems from the 2018 Texas Poetry Calendar (edited by Wade Martin, Allyson Whipple, and David Meischen).

Sunday, Dec. 3, 4-5pm, Malvern Books,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  An Afternoon with Conor Bracken, Michael Parker & Karen Davidson. Join us for an afternoon with Conor Bracken, Michael Parker, and Karen Davidson. Bracken will read from his award-winning chapbook,  Henry Kissinger, Mon Amour.

Monday, Dec. 4, 7-9pm, Malvern Books,  613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.  Austin Community College Literary Coffeehouse: Reading & Open Mic. Everyone is welcome to attend the Austin Community College Creative Writing Department’s Literary Coffeehouse, hosted by John Herndon. 

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1-3pm, Half Price Books, 5555 N. Lamar, Community Open Mic for all ages. BYO original poetry or read from the shelves of Half Price Books.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:30pm. Wake the Dead, three rounds of round robin poetry, at 1432 Old Ranch Road 12, San Marcos. Hosted by Michael McClanahan.
September/October Monthly Contest Winners
Judge's results
Judge: Frank Pool

General Verse:
1st Place – “The Hurrying” by Michael Eaton
2nd Place – “Fire Leafs Through Her” by Omer Zamir
3rd Place – “Nine” by Brooke June

Light Verse:
1st Place – “Summer and the Living is Crowded” by LaVern Spencer McCarthy
2nd Place – “Hose Crying Now” by Barbara Blanks
3rd Place – “Time & Ink” by Jeffrey L. Taylor
Popular Vote


General Verse:
1st Place -“Last Light” by Lavern Spencer McCarthy
2nd Place -“The Hurrying” by Michael Eaton
3rd Place -“Afternoon” by Benjamin Nash

Light Verse:
1st Place -“Cruising…to the Fat Farm!” by Preston Kirk
2nd Place -“Summer and the Living is Crowded” by LaVern Spencer McCarthy
3rd Place – “Time & Ink” by Jeffrey L. Taylor
Austin Poetry Society | P.O. Box 41346, Austin, TX 78704 | www.austinpoetrysociety.org
We need volunteers!
APS can't function without volunteers, and several positions are available for the upcoming year!

If you would like to volunteer, please email us at [email protected] . We are currently looking for a  treasurer , as well as people to chair various committees. Let us know if you can help!