Excited to talk about the role of research in my writing as part of the Knights Write Symposium. Thanks to Nathan Holic, Vanessa Calkins, and the University of Central Florida Department of Writing and Rhetoric for the invite!
Heading back to Minnesota to read at Winona State University’s John S. Lucas Great River Reading Series on Monday.
MN friends, would love to see some familiar faces if you’re in the area!
When: Monday, September 17th, 5 p.m.
Where: Stark Hall 103, Winona State University
Free and open to the public!
Thanks a million to the fabulous Elizabeth Oness for the invitation!
Holy crap, y’all! I’m long-listed for the University of Canberra’s International Poetry Prize! Keep your fingers crossed for the announcement of the winners on September 13!
Morris area kids and teens, save the date!
First meeting of this year’s Creative Writing Club at the Morris Public Library, next Saturday, May 12: 2 p.m. for kids, 3 p.m. for teens. (Participants are welcome to join whichever group they prefer.)
Wondering what we do there? Check out some of the highlights from last year: http://chrissykolaya.com/creative-writing-club/
This year’s meeting dates:
Saturday, May 12
Saturday May 19
Saturday June 2
Saturday June 9
Saturday June 16
Saturday June 23
See you at the Morris Public Library!
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.
Some exciting news to share: this fall, I’ll be joining the creative writing faculty at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. As some of you know, this type of teaching and mentoring position has been a long-time dream for me, and I’m especially excited to be part of such a growing and dynamic graduate and undergraduate program.
As a family, we’re sad to be leaving Morris, a place where we learned so many good lessons about community, where we’ve made many lifelong friends, and which has been an incredible place to raise our sons.
We’ll miss Minnesota, a state where I’ve felt supported as a writer beyond my wildest dreams.
We will not miss Minnesota winters.
Looking forward to learning more about Florida and Orlando’s literary communities!
Feeling some serious gratitude for “old” students!
Woke up to a message a few days ago from the incredible, unstoppable Joshua P. Preston: “I’ll be participating in the University of Minnesota Libraries Poetry Live! Series, reading Robert Bly’s “Gratitude to Old Teachers” — followed by the work of, well, two of my teachers, Chrissy Kolaya and James Lenfestey. Tune in!”
And now you can! With thanks and admiration to Josh, Jennifer Shaw-Spence, Kate Hujda, Cecily Marcus, and the whole Poetry Live project!
@umnlib presents 'Poetry Live!'
Poetry Live! Featuring Cecily Marcus, Kate Hujda, Jennie Shaw, and Joshua Preston.
Posted by University of Minnesota Libraries on Tuesday, February 13, 2018
You can watch more episodes of Poetry Live!, their awesome Read This Book! series, and lots more cool stuff here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/umnlib/videos/
Belatedly sharing some pics of the fantastic poetry students I’ve gotten to work with this year as a Writer in the School at Morris Area High School.
Thanks so much to the Morris Area Arts Boosters for making this possible, to Ms. Moulton for welcoming me into her classroom, and to these incredible students, who rolled with every crazy activity I brought into class, from Frank O’Hara-inspired Mad Libs to Centos and Exquisite Corpses!
One heck of a welcome! Thanks, Ms. Moulton!
FIERCELY sharing their Frank O’Hara-inspired Mad Lib poem!
Mad Lib poet chefs!
Cento building materials
Hunting through literary journals, anthologies, and poetry collections for some Cento building blocks
Hunting through literary journals, anthologies, and poetry collections for some Cento building blocks
Kardashian Khristmas Kard-inspired Poetry Family Photo!
Generous mentorship has so often kept me afloat as I navigated making a life as a writer, so here’s to paying it forward!
Excited to be serving as a mentor for the Dzanc Books Creative Writing Mentorship Program, along with a whole bunch of talented folks.
The program launches today: check it out!
All mentors donate our time: proceeds from the mentorship fee support the Dzanc Writer in Residence Program, committed to increasing literacy and the literary arts in public schools.
Chicago-area friends, join me on Tuesday, January 2, 6:30 p.m. to kick off the new year at Curbside Books & Records! I’ll be reading with the wildly talented Christine Sneed.
Don’t know about Curbside Books & Records yet? Check out how great they are: “We seek to facilitate the discovery of independent literature and challenge the traditional understanding of literature’s function in our world. As lovers of music, we seek to support the local musicians and labels that we listen to and love. We also aim to enhance the literary community in Chicago’s South Loop by hosting discussions, readings, and pop-up events. We invite you to browse our store, sit down with a book, and read on.”
Tuesday, January 2, 2018, 6:30 p.m. at Curbside Books & Records in the Revival Food Hall, 125 S Clark St, Chicago.
More info here!
Writers Night at the Morris Public Library
Monday, December 11, 7-10 p.m.
102 E. 6th St., Morris
Open Mic, Work in Progress Reading, and Q&A with novelist and poet Chrissy Kolaya
She’ll be reading work in progress from her novel The Second Voyage of Audley Worthington, a project supported by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Come early for the open mic and share your own creative work in progress!
Open Mic: 7-7:30 ~ All Ages Welcome!
Reading and Q&A: 7:30 p.m.
Chrissy Kolaya is a fiscal year 2017 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/
