The Devil and Joe Wilson

“There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president." These words were spoken by former US president Jimmy Carter in response to a question at a town hall at his presidential center in Atlanta.

I could not agree more. As much as Joe Wilson and other closeted racist don’t like being called racist it is none the less true. The sad thing is that most of these people don’t believe they are racist. The fear of a black president is that deeply embed in their psyche. Since president Obama was elected, I have witnessed people that I never suspected of racism display their true feelings. The odd thing is the way they mask these racist tendencies behind political rhetoric.

Racism is a national illness and I think it is time for an intervention because too many people are in denial. It does not matter what color you are or what culture you come from we all have issues in this area buried somewhere. Isn’t it time we all stood up and said, Hi my name is___and I’m racist. Maybe then, we can cut through our own bullshit, face the problem like adults, and get well.

Faces in Time

Amphisbaena by Ray Succre

Congratulations to Write Room contributing author Ray Succre on the release of his new novel Amphisbaena. Amphisbaena is described as, “A modern, experimental romance novel about a man dating a sometimes two-headed snake.”

“Sober disinterest in relationships causes a failing calendarist, Bill Sherman, to abandon dating for years. When pressured into a speed-dating event, Bill meets Amy and decides to attempt a relationship. However, Bill quickly learns that Amy is two inseparable people: Amy and Janine. Both women date Bill, to his confusion and enjoyment, in tandem. Amy holds Bill dear to her heart, but Janine is unable to function outside of physical pleasure. This strange predicament is only the beginning of a much larger system of rules and interaction. The relationship changes when Bill realizes that each of the women is one-half of an ancient, two-headed snake. Amy is the alpha head, who has subjugated her poison in an attempt to understand human notions of beauty. Bill is not allowed to touch Amy. Janine is the enticer head and she may not be in league with Amy where Bill is concerned” (from the back cover, edited).

“Can a man love if there is only appetite? Will he care more deeply for the woman he can never touch? What happens when monogamy becomes taboo and a fine-tuned machine of murder learns the human consequence of going against one's nature for a greater meaning?

“Laden with whimsical depiction and a foraging exposition on gender, occupation, and dating in modern society, Amphisbaena is the story of three people trapped somewhere between nature and culture, through a humorous adventure into the biological mess of love and romance.”


A recent review of Amphisbaena:

http://unlikelystories.org/blog/content/?p=133

More Information:

http://www.raysuccre2.blogspot.com/
raysuccre@hotmail.com

Amphisbaena by Ray Succre
ISBN: 0955899273

We Can be Heroes: September’s Play Pen

The Write Room presents an evening of Poetry, Prose and Music entitled The Play Pen the first Wednesday of every month.

September’s Play Pen is scheduled for Wednesday September 2, 2009 and is dedicated to controversial writing (in celebration of the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week). In support of our theme, We Can be Heroes, we encourage our performers to either read from one of texts on the ALA’s list of Frequently Challenged Books or read something of their own that deals with a controversial issue.

We are including the link to ALA’s Most Banned and Challenged Classics List
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/index.cfm
If our readers have never seen this list; now is the time. It is a shocker.

As with all Play Pen’s, we will have an open mic segment where participants may read from any genre of work they choose.

Our musical guest for this month is Dave Daniels band.

The event is open to the public. Interested participants (writers and musicians) should contact us via email thewriteroom@live.com.

The Play Pen is held from 8 pm to 10 pm in Kybele restaurant located at 113 N. Park Sq in Marietta, Georgia.

We look forward to seeing you.

The Write Room's Editorial Calendar 2009-2010

Month: September
Issue: Controversial Writing (in celebration of ALA Banned Books Week )
Focus: Opinion pieces, Editorials, Pornography or Erotica, Religious, Political, GLTG, Young Adult Literature

Month: October
Issue: New Media
Focus: New Media/Hypertext/Animation/Promotion Social Networks

Month: November
Issue:Novel/Books
Focus: National Novel Writing Month, Book reviews, Novel excerpts, Book festivals

Month: December
Issue: Music
Focus: Singer/Songwriter lyrics, Music reviews, Artist Interviews

Month: January
Issue: The Business of Writing
Focus: Software, Agents, Publishers, Workshops

Month: February
Issue: Southern Literature & the Southern Writer

Month: March
Issue: Memoir Writing

Month: April
Issue: Humor Writing

Month:May
Issue: Nature & Travel Writing

Month: June
Issue: Poetry

Month: July
Issue: Flash Fiction

Month: August
Issue: Non Fiction & Journalism
Focus: Ethics, Blogging

It Ain't for Everybody

A lot has happened. I have acquired a reading venue, designed an audition flyer, written an email encouraging friends and WR contributors to read at the show. The show is scheduled for August 5th. I emailed CW about reading his man poems. I have musician CC set to perform. I still need a PA. I have read numerous submissions, none that can be used without revision.

I took out a Call for Submissions ad in Poets and Writers to run Sept-Dec 2009. We’ll see what that lands us. I have joined several writer/publisher groups, passed hundreds of emails between myself and my interns. I plan on meeting with G Wed or Thurs for dinner at the venue to discuss staging, PA, set ect. I called the venue’s owner. He may meet with us. I wrote templates for WR correspondence to ensure uniformity and professionalism.

Still working on my capstone proposal which is difficult when I’m already doing most of what I’m proposing. I get out of breath just writing about all of this.

I suppose one of the most important questions that you must ask yourself when beginning a magazine is, “How much time are you willing to devote to it?” It had better be a lot and you’d better love it because it’s hard, a time vampire and often thankless. “Are OK with promoting other writers while your own work waits on the sidelines?” Ouch! I am struggling with that one, seriously struggling.

Oh I wrote my intern evaluations today. Hint to those who follow in my footsteps GOOD INTERNS DESERVE GOOD EVALUATIONS. Look word travels fast, don’t suck these folks dry and then leave them twisting. Take your time, really think about what they did for you and the fact that they did it for the opportunity, the learning experience, and then add to it their other paying job, other classes, and oh my God do they get to have a social or family life. Do them a solid and next time around, you’ll get some interns just as excellent as ones I had because others will want to work with you.

On a personal note while all this was going on I was providing hospice care for my dying Grandmother in another state. Yeah… so the rest of you don’t be a bunch of woosies. I don’t want to hear it’s too hard or I don’t have the time. No…you just don’t want it bad enough. Man up_ the writing life ain’t for the meek or the weak.

Call For Submissions The Write Room

The Write Room, an online literary magazine featuring new and established writers, is currently seeking submissions in fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and poetry. In addition, we accept film, book, music reviews, and interviews. Occasionally, we accept photography. We prefer reviews of independent films and documentaries. Generally, that which is less mainstream, less well known, or underappreciated in the arts appeals to us.

All submissions should include a brief author bio, contact information and a photo. All authors will receive a space on our Author Profiles page. Although photography does not have its own category, all photographs are credited, and photographers receive a featured profile.

Submissions accepted in Word document format via email: thewriteroom@live.com

Attn: Joellen Kubiak Woodall

Editor The Write Room

Visit the site: http://thewriteroom.wordpress.com/

The Write Room