Open poetry reading

Open poetry reading

YOUNGSTOWN — Pig Iron Press Literary & Art Works will hold its Second Tuesday open poetry readings outdoors on Tuesday in the AMPCO parking lot on Commerce Street, between Phelps and Hazel streets. Participants may sign-up beginning at 7:45 p.m., and readings will commence at 8. In the event of rain, the session will be moved inside the Pig Iron Press building at 26 N. Phelps St. For more information, call (330) 747-6932.

Liberty High senior
receives poetry honor

LOGAN, Utah — A poem by Liberty High School senior Benjamin Stoyak was selected from thousands of submissions as one of the top 10 in his grade division — 10th-12th — in a nationwide youth poetry contest held by Creative Communication Inc. Stoyak is a son of Stephan and Jodi Stoyak. He and the other top 10 winners from each division (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) was awarded a $50 savings bond and will receive special recognition in a new poetry anthology, “A Celebration of Young Poets,” of which a complimentary copy will be sent to each.

Creative Communication Inc. sponsors writing contests to offer creative outlets to honor youths. The next contest deadline for poetry is Wednesday; entries will be accepted until Oct. 17 for an essay contest. Works are selected for their literary merit, creativity and social significance and only the best will receive an invitation to be published in an anthology. Poems should be 21 lines or less, and the limit for essays is 250 words or less.

Participants may enter by mail to: Creative Communication, 1488 North 200 West, Logan, Utah 84341 (be sure to include student’s name, home address, grade, and school name and address). Or, visit www.poeticpower.com. Direct inquiries about the contests or Creative Communication to Dr. Tom Worthen, (435) 713-4411/editor@poeticpower.com.

Book writing workshop

NORTH CANTON — So you want to write a book but are not quite sure where — or how — how to begin? The Greater Canton Writers Guild will conduct a book writing workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 8 at the North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St. Mike Johnson, author of “The Warrior Priest” and “Fate of the Warriors,” will conduct the session during which aspiring writers will learn about such topics as setting goals, research, building an outline, character development, building central themes, dialog, editing, and more. Registration is $10 and can be made by mailing a check with your name and telephone number to: Greater Canton Writers Guild, P.O. Box 8381, Canton, Ohio 44711-8381, Or contact Bill Wucinich at (330) 497-0518.

Writers Guild meeting

NORTH CANTON — Author Patricia Albrecht will speak at the next meeting of the Greater Canton Writers Guild to be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St. Albrecht lives in New Philadelphia, where she is a freelance writer for a local paper and a member of The Tuscarawas County Writer's Guild and The Friends of the Library. She has authored 34 books in several genres, including “Toodles and Her Poodles,” ( XLibris), her first children’s book. For more information, contact Bob Menarchek, guild vice president, (330) 966-7160.

’Potter’ event benefits First Book of Akron

HUDSON —  “Harry Potter – The Last Extravaganza” brought more than 14,000 people to downtown Hudson on July 20 in what turned out to be a magical celebration for the seventh and final book in the popular J.K. Rowling. It also turned out to be a magical event for First Book of Greater Akron, which on Aug. 6 was presented with a $5,159 check by Liz Murphy, owner of The Learned Owl book store, which sponsored the “Potter” event. The donation, which reflects 10-percent of the store’s pre-sale of 1,474 “Potter” books, surpasses the original goal of $3,500.

First Book of Greater Akron is a national non-profit organization dedicated to giving children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. To learn more about First Book, visit www.firstbook.org or www.firstbook.org/greaterakron.

Letter writing contest
for mothers, daughters

NEW YORK — Lisa Delman, author of “Dear Mom, I've Always Wanted You to Know” and Robyn Freedman Spizman, gift-giving expert and author, are giving mothers the opportunity to communicate their most intimate thoughts and feelings to their daughters in a letter writing contest.

“Letters From The Heart” is open to all mothers writing about daughters, daughters-in-law, stepdaughters, granddaughters, legally- or spiritually- adopted daughters, unborn daughters, deceased daughters, or "daughter" ideas. As judges will be looking for candid, honest letters that evoke strong emotion, and that offer insight and depth, entrants are encouraged to share their personalities, lessons learned, wisdom and reflections. The most original, well-written, poignant letters will be featured in the upcoming book, "Dear Daughter, On the Day You Were Born"…

One will be selected for a grand prize of $1,000, while ten others will receive cash prizes and gifts from contest sponsor, which include Red Envelope, Photofiddle, ProFlowers, and A Perfect Pear. Submissions must be original, written in English and between 500-1000 words. All entries must be postmarked by Sept. 31. For more information or to enter, visit www.lettersfromtheheart.com/deardaughter.htm.

Combined dispatches