Hello everyone!

Events, events, and more events! There's so much happening during the month of April. There's poetry everywhere you turn! I thought it would be swell to have a calendar of poetry-related events to collaborate and share with the community and beyond.

I have created a calendar that anyone can add events to. You can even add an event right now while reading this post! Just click on the day of your event and a pop-up to add event details will come up. You can view events for the day, week, month, as a list, and more. 

As of right now, adding pictures is a little wonky. You have to have the image url in order to add a picture. Your best bet is to take a few minutes and type up the details. If you want to promote a flyer, contact me via the contact tab or on one of my social networks and I'll be happy to share the flyer for your event in this post - I am sure this post will be modified many times.

If you choose to send me event details via social networks, please give me a little time to update the calendar. Priority will go for events coming up within the next couple of days. 

Please share this post so poets, event curators/hosts, and the community can share and go to events that promise to make your hearts sing. Supporting each other is the only way we can keep the arts thriving.

Sharing and contributing this information is free. A little free promo never hurt anyone. 

However, if you would like to work with me for online promotion, photography services, etc. for your event or other reasons on a professional level, please contact me via eatmedia.org.

Till next time loves, 

Christina

Summer 2014Sunday, July 27 - #GrowFierce at the New York City Poetry Festival on Governor's Island, 2:00 - 2:30 PM, the Algonquin Stage.

Sunday August 3 - The Immense Suggestion Poetry Reading - 1:00 - 3:30 PM at La Casa Azul Bookstore. Reading for the end of The Immense Suggestion 

Monday, August 11 - #GrowFierce Reading Series at Bluestockings Bookstore, 7 PM featuring guest poets Cheryl Boyce Taylor and Cathy Linh Che.

Hello Write Queeners!

Now we know that I am not a fashionista. Give me some leggings, a cute shirt, and comfy shoes and we are all good to go! However, I do have a slight passion for accessories. When your clothes are okay, accessories can make a difference. 

I had the pleasure to tag along with my fashionista blog buddy Simone Danielle of FashionRunsTheWorld.com, where we stopped in at the NYFW Accessory Showcase hosted by Untapped PR at The Carlton Hotel and to the one year anniversary event at Christian Siriano's store on Elizabeth Street. Of course I was representing myself and E.A.T. Media, something that Simone is a part of anyway, but this was her day as a fashion blogger to go out there and do her thing!

She did a fantastic job rubbing elbows with the best of accessory kings and queens, fashion bloggers (like Naty of A Love Affair With Fashion - witnessed such a nice moment between them that I almost cried!), and more. I had tons of fun with her and meeting all of these fantastic people. 

I definitely give a Write Recommendation to Simone and FashionRunsTheWorld.com, plus to all of the people we met and their goods.

Make sure to read her blog and to keep looking out for her posts on NYFW. She still has a lot of events to go to! 

Check out the pictures I took of the night below!

Hello my Write Queen readers,

Another month has passed with new writing adventures!

I've had the chance to write a couple of posts on my latest book publishing adventures. It felt good to blog. I really have to make it a regular thing no matter what's going on.

Actually I will have to make it a regular thing because I am helping out World Liberty TV as a copy editor and contributing blogger starting this month. World Liberty TV, a division of Humanitarians of The World, Inc. promotes the news and events of entertainment and culture happening around the US, especially events in New York. Based in Elmhurst, Queens, World Liberty TV aims to be one of the top news channels online. 

I was an intern for their Liberty News Online Network site once upon a time. I am delighted that they asked me to help out with such an important role. I look forward to seeing where this goes. Definitely breaks the monotony of the 9 to 5 life.

Speaking of the 9 to 5 life - this month, my writing skills were showcased in a big way. A promotional piece that I designed and edited for my department made its debut throughout the company this past week. Since its for internal use only, I cannot show the piece but I can show a picture of the announcement.

The last thing I want to mention is the fact that I applied to my dream job at my favorite magazine this month. Just in case they are looking into my stuff, I will not be mentioning the name.

I would like to ask everyone to send me their good vibes, energy, prayers, whatever it may be and hope that I land an interview and the job. I have been checking my e-mail and phone constantly during the week for three weeks to see if I would hear anything. I like my job and I am grateful to have it, but who wouldn't want to get their dream job?

I just keep hoping for the chance. We'll see what I'll have to report next month ; )

Until next month - it's exactly one month today until my 27th birthday!

This is a day that I partially believe in.

This may seem silly to say, but as a poet, I always carry a poem in my pocket. Not literally of course, but you know, in that whole in my soul thing blah blah blah. Plus with the power of technology, I can carry a book of poems in my pocket. There's no excuse to not have poetry with you at all times.

But in the spirit of NaPoWriMo, I still do it on the actual day. This year's poem is one that every New Yorker should recognize if they ride on a NYC subway. It is Voyager by Mary Ruefle, a poem that is a part of the MTA and the Poetry Society of America's Poetry in Motion.

This poem reflects on how I feel about my life at the moment. Every time I see it on the train, I pause and repeat it to myself softly like a prayer. I feel immense comfort and wonder, while I vow to still find my miracles.

But enough about that! Without further ado, the poem:

Voyager (Mary Ruefle)

I have become an orchid
washed in on the salt white beach
Memory,
What can I make of it now
that might please you -
this life, already wasted
and still strewn with
miracles?

As a bonus, I'll add pictures of my second favorite poem in the current series, Ragtime by Kevin Young. I know I certainly have felt this way about someone:

There are many writers and artists that I admire. Each one inspires me to be bigger and better One of my all-time favorite writers who I would love to be when I grow up (in a writer's sense of course) is Miss Erica "RivaFlowz" Buddington. Her writing knocks the wind out of your heart. It's that powerful. Every time she posts a link from rivaflowz.com on my Facebook wall, I know I'm in for a good read. 

Through her blog posts, Riva has helped me see what it really means to be a writer in their 20's, typing away at a keyboard to get to their dreams. Now she needs some help. Riva has the opportunity to go to Callaloo Writing Workshop AND get her book edited by a great editor. She is currently fundraising at Indiegogo. Whether it's by spreading the word or contributing to her fund, I am asking my readers (I know you guys are out there somewhere!) to help out. I'm already doing both because I believe in her dream as much as I believe in my own. If I can't take my opportunities yet, I want to help someone else take theirs. So without further ado, here are the links that will help her get closer to her dream:

Share on it Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, whatever you may have. If you have a blog, do a write up about it. Share this blog post if you want. Just SPREAD THE WORD pretty please, my Write Queeners. If you can contribute, even better. 

As she always does, Riva has opened up my eyes to something else: Indiegogo. I think I will be looking into starting my own fundraiser for my projects ;)

Have a great Sunday Write Queeners!


And Riva - I hope this helps!

Write Queeners,

I am stubborn. I know people who are perfectly capable of designing logos, but being the do-it-myself type of gal, I had to make one myself. Which means a couple of years without a logo. I wanted something simple, yet funky. I have a million ideas and not enough time (or expert skill, I'll admit!) to play on Photoshop. But I finally found time today! After waking up at 6AM to find myself shivering, yet sweating after a night with a terrible headache, I had to call out of work. The extra few hours of sleep did help sort out things and I had at least enough brain power to go on Photoshop (if you knew my occupation, you would see why Photoshop is considered kids play).

Well after hours of frustrating myself with my own logo and a friend's logo, I finally finished my own with the help of my boyfriend (the best cure all after feeling under the weather). Now the final result is on top of my page, but I figured that a larger version was in order:

What do you think guys? Yay or Nay? I can always make (or have someone) make another. For now, after not having one, I think this is pretty dandy. But wait, there is more! I actually made another logo! Check this out:

Eh, that's nothing crazy, but I do think it's cute. What do you think? Hmm, maybe we should do a poll! Yes...we will do a poll. Check out the contenders side by side and tell me what you think.

If you want to skip the poll, you can always leave a comment on the posts!

This sickster must get to bed, but I hope that I might get to wake up to some poll results to make my day.

Good night ya'll!

During the aftermath of Sandy, there is a great deal of information being thrown around all over the place.

The Write Queen blog would like to make things easier for everyone and give you a guide/page of links of need to know information.

If anyone has anything to add, please leave a comment below. More importantly, share this post!

P.S. I am trying to keep most of the links posted in their mobile versions for those who only have their phone as a source of information. If you need a desktop version, go to the sites via your computer (by the way if you can go on a computer, you are doing better than a lot of people so please help in distributing information).

NYC and Government agencies:

NYC's site: http://www.nyc.gov

NYC Severe Weather site: http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/weather_home.shtml

NY State's site with information from the governor: http://www.governor.ny.gov/

The storm resources page: http://www.governor.ny.gov/storm-resources

General information on hurricanes: http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes?qt-view__field_tabs_view__default__166=2

FEMA and Hurricane Sandy:
http://m.fema.gov/
http://www.fema.gov/sandy

Google Crisis Map: http://www.google.org/crisismap/2012-sandy-nyc

Transportation:

MTA's general site: http://www.mta.info

Current map of working transportation: http://project.wnyc.org/mtatiles/embed.html

Transit Tracker to let you know of rules during this time:
http://project.wnyc.org/transit-tracker/embed.html

Supply distribution:

Food and Water: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/foodandwater.html

Dry Ice: https://attachments.sendwordnow.com/Attachments.aspx?token=517c7db5-94f8-48e0-9ecf-339b54f13711

Shelters:

NYC Hurricane Shelters: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/hurricane_shelters.html

Red Cross Shelters:
http://www.redcross.org/find-help/shelter

Donations:

Mayor's Fund: http://www.nyc.gov/html/fund/html/home/home.shtml

Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/hurricane-sandy?scode=RSG00000E017&subcode=paiddonationsbrand&gclid=CPucsNzmsLMCFdKd4Aod4lYAKA

Local information:

Request For Donations (Thank you Jamise Jones for this info!)

Please note - donations will be accepted from 10:00am thru 6:00pm daily (until further notice).

These supplies, while collected in Queens, will be distributed to ALL affected areas citywide.

At this time please do not bring donations to your local police facility, while much appreciated we need to ensure an efficient rapid distribution. Right now this central location is the most effective method as we continually adjust to the shifting conditions.

Resort World Casino (Former Aqueduct Racetrack)

110-00 Rockaway Blvd ; Jamaica, NY 11420

Next to JFK airport - Enter from 109th Street & Rockaway Blvd

Uniformed NYPD Community Affairs officers in marked vehicles will be present in the parking lot to accept these much needed donations.
--------------------------------------------------------
We are seeking donations of the following items (or similar):

Food - Canned goods; Non-perishable food items; Individual snacks (chips, cookies, fruit snacks, granola bars, pudding); Canned Milk; Bottled Water

Shopping List - Paper products (facial tissue, toilet paper, paper towels); Baby care products (diapers, formula, wipes) Trash bags; Aluminum foil, plastic wrap and sandwich bags; Cleaning products (bleach, sponges, dishwashing liquid); Bath and bedroom items (towels, sheets and pillow cases); Personal care products (deodorant, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner; feminine hygiene products); FLASH LIGHTS and BATTERIES; BACKPACKS.

Clothing - All types of clothing for all ages and genders, particularly clothing for the approaching colder weather.

Any questions can be directed to the Community Affairs Bureau at 646-610-5323 or via email at [email protected]

*Store owners, or other large businesses interested in bulk donations should contact the above number to coordinate logistics.

Gas:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/11/01/get-and-share-information-on-where-to-get-gas-in-the-tri-state/

Electricity:

Con Ed's Storm Central: http://apps.coned.com/stormcenter_external/m.htm

National Grid:
https://www1.nationalgridus.com/PowerOutageMap-NY-RES

LIPA: http://mobile.lipower.org/mt/www.lipower.org

Central Hudson:
http://stormcentral.cenhud.com/mobile.html

Additional information on outages at: http://www.governor.ny.gov/

Volunteer:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycservice/home.html

Report Storm Damage:

Homes:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/damage_form.shtml

Trees: http://gis.nyc.gov/parks/forms/

To have the NYC marathon is an insult to all of those in distress after Sandy.

I see Facebook pages popping up and unless you take the time to read them sir, I know that you are still going to go through with this. Hell even if you saw all of the comments, you would still do it.

That's not what a mayor does.

Your people are suffering. I am fortunate enough to be okay, but I know people who are not.

Resuming school on Monday? Great! So what are you going to do for the kids whose schools were damaged in the Rockaways? What is the plan for schools in lower Manhattan if you cannot restore power by then? Are kids going to be penalized for not coming to school next week because they don't know when they are going back to their homes? I would like to know that.

And Staten Island...what are you going to do for them? People are needed everywhere yes, but do you have a plan to get people to Staten Island to help. We can't exactly walk there.

Saying, "We are doing the best we can." is not easing anyone's mind, especially when the next minute, you are saying that the marathon will go on!

If I had the chance to talk to you, I would ask every question in this entry and more. If you cannot come up with a good answer for these questions, then guess what...you shouldn't be having this marathon!

Please use the common sense that the good Lord gave you (but is obviously hidden in the shadows of preparing for a marathon that should be postponed!).