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Tongues Afire: A Free Creative Writing Workshop for Queer Women, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color*

Led by R. Erica Doyle
October 14 – December 16, 2009
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm

Workshops will take place at the Audre Lorde Project, 85 South Oxford Street; Brooklyn, NY 11217**

To Apply – Send an email to tonguesafire@gmail.com with the following information

• Your contact information (name, phone, email, mailing address),
• One paragraph that describes who you are and how you identify as queer woman/gender non-conforming person of color (be creative and definitive)
• One – two paragraphs for why you want to be a part of Tongues Afire, and
• A writing sample (1-3 pages of poetry, prose, fiction, or creative non-fiction)

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 07, 2009. Space is limited.

***All applicants will be notified by e-mail and accepted applicants must confirm their attendance upon notification.

About the Workshop

*Always want to write, but never seem to find the time? Looking for a supportive space to develop new work? This workshop, led by writer-teacher-performer R. Erica Doyle, is for writers of all levels. Sessions will incorporate readings along with in-class workshop exercises in literary memoir, poetry, and short fiction. Participating writers will develop methods of constructive critique and strategies for incorporating writing in their everyday lives. Information on publication, funding, and reading opportunities will be shared. This year, we will do a Reading Series in which present and past Tongues Afire participants will read alongside three established writers at the Audre Lorde Project.

About the Workshop Facilitator

*R. Erica Doyle is a writer of Trinidadian descent who lives in New York City. Her work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including Best American Poetry, Ploughshares, Callaloo, Bum Rush the Page, and Ms. Magazine. She has performed her work at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Kennedy Center, Public Theater, St Mark’s Poetry Project, Bar 13, Bowery Poetry Club, and the Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica. She has taught creative writing workshops at the 14th Street Y, the Brooklyn Public Library, Union Settlement, Sisterspace and Books, and in the New York City public schools. She is the recipient of awards

and fellowships from the Hurston/Wright and Astraea Foundations and the New York Foundation for the Arts. She is a fellow of Cave Canem, a workshop and retreat for African-American poets.

* Anyone who identifies as a woman of color is welcome, including people of color who self-identify as women, trans, butch lesbians, bois, drag queens, bi-gendered, two-spirited, drag kings, femme queens, A.G.s, genderqueer, non-gendered, andro, crossdressers, gender-benders, gender fluid as well as other identities of peoples who face gender oppression because of their non-conventional gender expression.

** Directions: C train to Lafayette Avenue; G train to Fulton Street; 2, 3, 4, 5, B, Q, D, M, N, R to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street

Tongues Afire is made possible by support from the Brooklyn Arts Council, Poets and Writers, Inc and the Audre Lorde Project.

Need More Info?
You may send questions to tonguesafire@gmail.com or call 718.813.7240. Click to http://www.alp.org/afire

Lisa C. Moore will read from the newly revised edition of does your mama know? on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Guthrie Theatre, Polhad Lobby (9th floor), 818 South 2nd St., Minneapolis. This event also features G. Winston James reading from his new book, Shaming the Devil, plus readings from talented local youth writers.

Date: 9/9/2009
Time: 8pm (est)
Show: Sippin On Ink
Guest: Tim’m T West

Call-in Number: (646) 378-0402

Tim'm T West

Join host Kat Williams as she talks with performance artist, author, and culture producer Tim’m T West.

Beyond The Stereotypes

Most mainstream ideas of who black lesbians are and what they are like come from images/media NOT created by black lesbians themselves. That’s why black./womyn: conversations is such a breath of fresh air. The documentary contains interviews with a wide variety of black lesbians who discuss a multitude of topics.

I would say that the overarching theme of the movie is: How do you exist/survive in a world where everything that you are (black, female, lesbian) is NOT valued–if not downright despised?

Though people are frank and honest, it’s not a depressing film at all and has quite a bit of humor.

To keep up with when/where the film will be shown (and keep your eyes peeled for a dvd), join the Facebook Group, the director’s MySpace Page, or subscribe to the film’s blog.