Lit & Art Reading Series Returns to Bromo-Seltzer Arts Tower!

We're thrilled to announce the return of the Lit & Art Reading Series for a vibrant afternoon of readings, music, and artistic exploration.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 21 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the iconic Bromo-Seltzer Arts Tower. This event is free and open to the public.

The Lit & Art Reading Series has been a Baltimore staple since 2007, showcasing the talents of local and regional authors, poets, and artists. We’re back with a stellar lineup for your literary and artistic delight.

Featured readers include Lauren Beth Eisenberg Davis, Judith Krummeck, Nathan Leslie, and Heather Rounds.

Live Music will be provided by Red Sammy.

The event is being emceed and hosted by Nitin Jagdish and Eric D. Goodman.

Come early and sign up for the opportunity to share your work during the open mic session.

Mingle with fellow art, music, and literature enthusiasts. Explore the Bromo-Seltzer Arts Tower’s art exhibits and clock tower. Immerse yourself in a vibrant literary and artistic community.

Spread the word! Share this event with your friends and family.

Learn more about this event and the featured talent by visiting the Lit And Art Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitAndArt

We look forward to seeing you there!

Charles Rammelkamp on Faraway Tables: “Brooding on the Vastness of Experience”

 

The most recent poet to take a place at the table is Charles Rammelkamp, known for such works as Field of Happiness, Mortal Coil, Catastroika, and American Zeitgeist. Rammelkamp writes:

“Eric D. Goodman has always been known for taking the long view of life, as his novel Womb demonstrates, an unborn child looking into the abyss of a future all tangled up with the past. Now, in his debut poetry collection, he takes the same perspective, only this time it’s more pithy, more concise. Goodman’s poetry ranges around the world.

“While Goodman can lyrically capture the personal distress of the Russian invasion of Ukraine through reflections on friendships, he can also nostalgically evoke the joy of the faraway tables in a Munich beer hall or a Portuguese pub – or the feast-day table at his 1994 Russian wedding.

“Largely composed during the Covid pandemic, the poems in this collection reveal a mind brooding on the vastness of experience and the essential values that make life worth living, from family and culture to nature and friendships.”

Faraway Tables will be released on Tuesday, October 1 by Yorkshire Publishing. Learn more about the book, pre-order information, and news about the collection by staying tuned to this blog and at www.EricDGoodman.com.

"Avocado Toast," published in Border Beats

My poem, "Avocado Toast," has been featured in Border Beats, a thought-provoking collection that explores the concept of borders—both physical and metaphorical—in shaping our lives, identities, and cultures.

The anthology provides a rich tapestry of essays, stories, and poetry that delve into the complexities of human existence through the lens of borders. 

You can find Border Beats on Amazon, available in paperback for $15.00. The anthology features  a range of unique voices and perspectives that are well worth crossing the border for.

Enjoy some “Avacado Toast” at the link below.

 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJ457764/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 

 

You May Have Already Sampled Faraway Tables

There’s a good chance you've already encountered a sample of Faraway Tables before the collection is even published.

That’s because more than 40 of the poems from the debut collection have been published in print and online literary journals. From the contemplative “Patience” in Main Street Rag to the playful defiance of “Social Media Boycott” in Mid-Atlantic Review; from the observational “Sissons” in North of Oxford to the longing “Water Fall Blues” in Gargoyle, these poems have cast a wide net.

Faraway Tables sets the table and brings them all together—along with even more not-yet-published poems—into a coherent collection.

Whether you've encountered these poems before or are preparing to discover them for the first time, make your reservation by pre-ordering your copy of Faraway Tables today.

Faraway Tables will be released on Tuesday, October 1 by Yorkshire Publishing. Learn more about the book, pre-order information, and news about the collection by staying tuned to this blog and at www.EricDGoodman.com.

Deanna Nikaido on Faraway Tables: “Condensed Journeys Reminding Us of What Shapes Us”

Deanna Nikaido knows how to write a poem—she wrote the book on it! She also knows how to read one.

Today's endorsement comes from Deanna Nikaido, whose works include How To Write a Poem, Voice Like Water, and Vibrating With Silence. Nikaido writes:

“If life is an invitation, poetry helps us to recall how we show up. These poems are condensed journeys reminding us of what shapes us and how each unique ingredient makes a poem of us.”

Faraway Tables will be released on Tuesday, October 1 by Yorkshire Publishing. Learn more about the book, pre-order information, and news about the collection by staying tuned to this blog and at www.EricDGoodman.com.

"Rug Pull" Published inThe Beatnik Cowboy

"Rug Pull," my recent poem,  has found its home in the digital pages of The Beatnik Cowboy, an online journal  that observes poetic injustice.

Anyone who has invested in questionable projects, whether in the stock market, crypto space, or in other marketplaces, will understand the bad flavor that can be left by blindly following emotiont and trusting a bad project. Unjust? Certainly for those swindled by scammers. 

Enjoy “Rug Pull” in The Beatnik Cowboy at the link below.

https://beatnikcowboy.com/2023/09/15/eric-d-goodman/

 

Faraway Tables Cover Reveal

 

It’s here! I'm pleased to reveal the cover for my debut collection, Faraway Tables.

The minimalist painting by Gene McCormick graces the front cover. True to his style and to the essence of my collection, the cover invites readers to join us at the table for a journey both introspective and global.

Published by Yorkshire Publishing and arriving on October 1, 2024, Faraway Tables is my first collection of poetry and my first collaboration with Gene McCormick, who has had his artwork grace the covers of other authors and poets, like Charles Rammeklamp.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates about Faraway Tables in the coming weeks, including pre-order information and launch celebration details. You can find it here at Writeful or at www.EricDGoodman.com.

Featured Reader at Manor Mill Fiction Series

This Monday I’m the featured reader at Manor Mill’s Writers Guild Prose Night. Join us on Monday, August 19 for an evening of poetry. After my reading and Q&A period, there is an opportunity for audience members to share their own work during open mic.

Past featured readers at Manor Mill's Writers Guild Prose Night have included Madison Smartt Bell, Jane Delury, Michelle Brafman, Katie Aiken Ritter, and Betsy Boyd.  

Manor Mill has become a creative hub, with classes and workshops from weaving to songwriting, leather bracelet making to mushroom cultivation. A fine arts gallery features three floors of art by juried, talented artists and the first floor has a small shop to buy extremely unique creations made onsite and locally. Yoga, meditation and wellness classes are available. Incredible musical performances fill many afternoons and nights in the loft, and woodworking, welding and turning keep the barn occupied. There’s something for everyone!

Hosted by local writer Susan Keatley, the Manor Mill Writers Guild Prose Night has featured such authors as Madison Smartt Bell, Betsy Boyd, and Jane Delury.Hope to see you there! Learn more at https://manor-mill.com/prose

 

Toby Devens on Faraway Tables: "A dazzling collection"

Poets and readers are starting to take their places at the table. Today’s advance praise of Faraway Tables comes from poet and author Toby Devens, known for My Best Mid-Life Crisis (Yet) and Barefoot Beach. Devens writes:

“Faraway Tables is a dazzling collection—a mixture of the mundane and the monumental that travels to marvelous times and places in the world and in the heart, with surprise detonated in many of the poem's last lines. Travel around the world with stops at enlightenment, enchantment, and memorable experience.”

Faraway Tables will be released on Tuesday, October 1 by Yorkshire Publishing. Learn more about the book, pre-order information, and news about the collection by staying tuned to this blog and at www.EricDGoodman.com.

Letting Characters Decide

 

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting regional author Alice McDermott several times over the years at various book festivals and literary events. During one of those events, she explained that although she writes fiction, she bases her fiction on experience. 

“Writers like to say that they write from their imagination because that sounds harder,” she said. She’s not literally writing about herself or her family, but she is writing from her experience, observations, and the world she knows. “Our thoughts come from our experience. The way we use words is part of our experience.”

McDermott said that she never writes from an outline or with a set destination in mind. She writes from the hearts and minds of her characters and allows them and their relationships to evolve and drive the story. “If I’m not surprised by what my characters are doing, I stop writing.”

An emotive writer approaches writing like a reader, wanting to be surprised. McDermott’s characters make choices based on who they are; the choices are not made by her as the author. She compares this method to the great clockmaker theory: the author creates the world and then leaves it up to the created to determine their destiny. But once it’s set in motion, the characters have to follow the established rules.

“When writing fiction, you’re constantly eliminating choices. As soon as you’ve written that first sentence, you’ve eliminated a million choices. Each sentence eliminates more.”

Alice McDermott has won the National Book Award and has been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize. Her characters seem to be making good choices for her.

Learn more about Alice McDermott and her books at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7505.Alice_McDermott

Faraway Tables Cover Art Unveiled

 

As an art enthusiast, I’m excited to share the new painting by Gene McCormick which will grace the cover of my new poetry collection, Faraway Tables.

Gene McCormick’s original painting is titled "Faraway Tables," sharing the title of the book for which it was created. This 16" x 20" acrylic masterpiece sets the visual tone for the poems within the pages.

McCormick's signature style, known for uncovering hidden beauty in the ordinary, perfectly captures the essence of the collection. The artwork depicts a seemingly simple scene: two glasses, a little more than half empty, resting on a rustic beer-hall table. Yet, with each brushstroke, a deeper narrative unfolds.

McCormick reviewed the manuscript prior to painting and we discussed the concepts. The resulting minimalist piece beautifully complements the themes explored within Faraway Tables, creating a visual invitation for readers to take a seat at the table and dig in.

Stay tuned for more updates about Faraway Tables, including pre-order information and exciting launch celebration details. In the meantime, I invite you to contemplate the enigmatic scene on the cover and let your imagination wander towards the world that awaits within the poems.

Learn more about Gene McCormick and his artwork at http://donbob.com/GenePainting/GenePainting/PaintHome.htm.

"Relics," "Retirement Plans" and "Pests" in latest print issue of Blue Collar Review”

A recemt print issue of Blue Collar Review features three of my poems: "Relics," "Retirement Plans," and "Pests." 

Blue Collar Review  is known for its focus on works that resonate with the experiences and perspectives of working-class people. 

Explore the latest issue of Blue Collar Review here: 

https://www.partisanpress.org/ 

 

Coming October 1, 2024: Faraway Tables

 

The Table is set! My debut poetry collection, Faraway Tables, has a publication date. Yorkshire Publishing will release Faraway Tables on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

This collection, largely a product of those introspective, shelter-in-place days of the pandemic, has been described as a meditation on the human experience. Examining places of the mind and the world. These poems explore the personal and global shifts we've all navigated, recalling the strength it takes to find one’s place in a constantly changing world.

You have a place at the table. Savor the delicate flavors of memory, explore the poignant beauty of other places and other times, and celebrate the enduring connections that define our shared humanity.

Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks as we delve deeper into the world of Faraway Tables! Come back to this blog, and visit www.EricDGoodman.com.

“Toast to Friendship” in Syndic Literary Journal

 

My recent poem, “Toast to Friendship,” was published in a recent issue of Syndic Literary Journal. This piece reflects on my memories of visiting both Russia and Ukraine in the 1990s and 2010s, and toasting to international friendship betweenRussians, Ukrainians, and Americans. In light of current events, it carries a hopeful message for future generations to raise a toast to peace and friendship.

Listen to the poem, along with others, in Syndic Literary Journal: https://www.syndicjournal.us/syndic-narrations-cloudburst-8-poems-by-menke-katz-narrated-in-english-translation/

John Sanford Goes to Camp

 

Or Rather, John Camp went to Sanford.  The two Johns are one and the same.  One name is his given, the other he uses for marketing reasons.

John’s not alone. Other writers do it too. John writes two types of books, and instead of confusing or disappointing readers who have come to love one kind of book over the other, he simply sells them under different names. 

He uses his grandfather’s name for his adult fiction and his real name for children’s books.

What’s in a name?  A lot when you’re a bestselling novelist.

Do you use a pen name when you go to publish your work?

Learn more about the two Johns at his website.

http://www.johnsandford.org/author.html

Goodman Places as Finalist in the Willow Run Poetry Book Award for Faraway Tables

 

Goodman Places as Finalist in the Willow Run Poetry Book Award for Faraway Tables

Hidden River Arts recently announced the semi-finalists, finalists, and winner of the Willow Run Poetry Book Award. Judges advanced Eric's forthcoming manuscript, Faraway Tables, from the semi-finalist round to place as a finalist. 

Congratulations to all of the semi-finalists, finalists, and to winner Stephen Odiedo of Siaya, Kenya.

Faraway Tables is being published by Yorkshire Publishing later this year.

Learn more about the Willow Run Poetry Book Award at the link:

https://hiddenriverarts.wordpress.com/news-celebrations-and-publications/book-award-announcements/willow-run-poetry-book-award-semi-finalists-finalists-and-winner-2023-2024/ 

My Poem, “Moments,” Published in Syndic Literary Journal

My recent poem, "Moments," was published in Syndic Literary Journal. Have a listen to “Moments” along with four other recent poems at Syndic: https://www.syndicjournal.us/syndic-narrations-cloudburst-8-poems-by-menke-katz-narrated-in-english-translation/

Is Rewriting Writing?

 

We've all heard it: writing is rewriting. A first draft should never be considered complete. In order to be successful as a writer, it's important not to fall in love with your own first draft.

Alice McDermott knows a thing or two about the various stages of a successful novel. Here's her take.

"The first draft is spillage," she explains. A writer should just let the words and story flow from you without regard to rules, structure, plot, character development, what makes sense, what doesn't jive. Write the first draft from your heart, as it comes to you. Hey, it's only a first draft.

"Then," McDermott suggests, "write at least three drafts. In rewrites, spend the time, don't try to save time. Hone the prose, shape it, redo it. Don't just re-copy with minor edits—that's the easy way out."

With the soul of your first draft already on paper, the second, third, and any additional drafts should be where the true craftsmanship comes in. Sculpt your clay into something wonderful and unique, something others will want to read as well as yourself.

"A novel should evolve from its own predictable themes," McDermott said. 

Learn more about Alice McDermott: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_McDermott 

“Last Call” Published in Syndic Literary Journal

My poem "Last Call," has been published in the Syndic Literary Journal.

Listen to "Last Call" and other poems in Syndic Literary Journal at the link below.: https://www.syndicjournal.us/syndic-narrations-cloudburst-8-poems-by-menke-katz-narrated-in-english-translation/

Krakow’s Wawel Hill: Dragons and Sacred Stones

 

My latest travel story “Krakow’s Wawel Hill: Dragons and Sacred Stones'' has been published in Go World Travel Magazine. Read about the Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral, and the legend of the Wawel Dragon, as the story offers a factual tour of the site's historical and cultural significance, including visits to notable landmarks and the cathedral's royal crypts. 

For a detailed guide and insights into this Polish heritage site, you can read the full story at the following link: https://www.goworldtravel.com/krakows-wawel-hill/

Featured Poet at the Wilde Reading Series

Wilde Readings, also known as the Howard County Literary Reading Series, is a free monthly event that provides local writers — poets, fiction, non-fiction — a chance to share their work with the community. The format showcases featured authors, as well as an open mic for interested audience members.

Sponsored by HoCoPoLitSo and coordinated by Laura Shovan, Ann Bracken, and Linda Joy Burke, Wilde Readings are held the second Tuesdays of each month from September through early summer at the Columbia Association Art Center in the village of Long Reach. Readings start at 7 p.m.

Featured during the May event are Eric D. Goodman and Charles Rammelkamp.

Join us on May 14 at 7 p.m. for an evening of poetry. Learn more at https://hocopolitso.org/programs/wilde-readings/.

 

“We No Longer Kill Our Visitors" and "Sacrifice for Sleep" in The Mid-Atlantic Review

The Mid-Atlantic Review has published two of my recent poems: "We No Longer Kill Our Visitors" and "Sacrifice for Sleep." “We No Longer Kill Our Visitors” explores the types of house guests that came around during the pandemic. “Sacrifice for Sleep” admires sacrifices that are often made in the interest of others. 

Find the poems and others in The Mid-Atlantic Review at the following link:

https://midatlanticreview.com/2023/10/two-poems-by-eric-goodman/

 

Discovering Dublin Published in Go World Travel

Go World Travel Magazine has just featured my latest adventure, "Discovering Dublin: Don’t Miss These Irish Gems."
See the city's must-see spots, like the Little Museum of Dublin, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Guinness Storehouse, blending historical insights with local experiences.

For the full story and tips on enjoying Dublin like a local, read my story at the following link:
https://www.goworldtravel.com/discovering-dublin/

 

“Just Enough” in Syndic Literary Journal

My poem "Just Enough" has been published in the Syndic Literary Journal.

But there's more! Along with "Just Enough," you can also listen to four other poems written and narrated by me.

Learn more at the following link: https://www.syndicjournal.us/syndic-narrations-cloudburst-8-poems-by-menke-katz-narrated-in-english-translation/

Poetry Reading at Philadelphia Northeast Regional Library

                                 

The next event in the North of Oxford Reading Series takes place on Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. at Philadelphia’s Northeast Regional Library. Featured poets include Ernest Hilbert and Eric D. Goodman.

Ernest Hilbert is the author of the poetry collections Sixty Sonnets, All of You on the Good Earth, Caligulan—selected as winner of the 2017 Poets’ Prize—and Last One Out. His fifth book, Storm Swimmer, was selected by Rowan Ricardo Phillips as the winner of the 2022 Vassar Miller Prize. In 2023 he was awarded the Meringoff Writing Award for Poetry from the Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers. Visit him at www.ernesthilbert.com

Eric D. Goodman lives and writes in Maryland, where he’s remained sheltered in place for most of the pandemic, spending a portion of his hermithood writing poetry. He’s author of Wrecks and Ruins (Loyola University’s Apprentice House Press, 2022) The Color of Jadeite (Apprentice House, 2020), Setting the Family Free (Apprentice House, 2019), Womb: a novel in utero (Merge Publishing, 2017) Tracks: A Novel in Stories (Atticus Books, 2011), and Flightless Goose, (Writers Lair Books, 2008). More than a hundred short stories, articles, and travel stories have been published in literary journals, magazines, and periodicals. His recent poems have appeared in Gargoyle, Loch Raven Review, North of Oxford, and Bourgeon. Learn more about Eric and his writing at www.EricDGoodman.com

Learn more about this and other events in the North of Oxford Reading Series at https://northofoxfordreadingseries.wordpress.com/.

To Battle: A Civil-War Tour of Gettysburg” in Baltimore Style Magazine

 

“To Battle: A Civil-War Tour of Gettysburg” has been published on the Baltimore Style Magazine website.

We explored the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum, walked the historic battlefield, and paid our respects at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. We also visited key sites like the David Wills House and the Eisenhower National Historic Site.

Read more about our experience and the town's significant Civil War history: https://www.baltimorestyle.com/to-battle-a-civil-war-tour-of-gettysburg/

In Conversation with Sally Whitney published on Book Smuggler’s Den

 

The Book Smuggler’s Den published an interview with Sally Whitney and me talking about our novels, writing processes, and more. 

Setting, history, culture, diverse characters, research, where ideas come from, and the writing process are all covered in the article. We also discuss my first adventure thriller and the locations I went to get the facts precise, as well as why fiction is important. 

Check out the full interview at https://booksmugglersden.com/portfolio/authors-goodman-and-whitney/ 

“Two Wrongs, Making a Right” in The Five-Two

The Five-Two has published my poem "Two Wrongs, Making a Right."

"Two Wrongs, Making a Right" was inspired by the idea of raising the stakes in a situation many of us have experienced - getting pulled over for speeding. The poem goes beyond that and explores the consequences of one's actions and the potential for redemption.

Read “Two Wrongs, Making a Right” in The Five-Two at the link below:

https://poemsoncrime.blogspot.com/2023/04/eric-d-goodman.html

A Weekend in Nashville: Music, Food and Fun for Everyone” in Baltimore Style Magazine

 

My travel story, "A Weekend in Nashville: Music, Food and Fun for Everyone," has been featured in Baltimore Style Magazine. It's an exploration of Nashville's unique character, showcasing its music scene, delicious cuisine, and engaging cultural experiences. 

Get an insight into the city's historical landmarks and renowned music venues, along with its diverse food scene by visiting Baltimore Style Magazine and reading the story: https://www.baltimorestyle.com/a-weekend-in-nashville-music-food-and-fun-for-everyone/ 

Another McEwan Coincidence

 

British author Ian McEwan, perhaps best known for his novel Atonement, has experienced coincidence fitting for one of his novels. For example, when he discovered that he had a long-lost half-brother. (See my earlier post.)

Here’s another coincidence: Ian McEwan released his novel-in-utero, Nutshell, within the same 12-month period as two others with the same point of view — including my own, Womb: a novel in utero.

What are the odds? I started the first draft of my novel narrated from within the womb about 10 years before it was published. I even had excerpts from it published in literary journals years before the novel was completed, submitted, and published. And yet, three books with very different takes on the same unique narrator were published in such close proximity. 

Nutshell and Womb: a novel in utero were even compared to one another in essays, reviews, and Library Journal. 

Learn more about Ian McEwan’s books in Library Journal.

https://www.libraryjournal.com/?authorName=McEwan%2C%20Ian

Raven Reading

 

It looks like Taylor brought along some reading material to last week's Ravens Game!

Readers gonna read; get your copy today!

http://www.tracksnovel.com/animals.html

Five Recent Poems in The Fictional Cafe

Five new poems were published in The Fictional Cafe.

In "Knights that Pass in the Ship," we see the contrasting perspectives of two knights. One is constantly on the lookout for danger, while the other chooses to savor the view, exposing his heart to potential harm. It's a reflection on how we each choose to navigate the world.

"Newsworthy" is a commentary on the overwhelming amount of devastating news that often overshadows personal achievements. It was inspired by the day my first book was published, a joyous occasion that seemed insignificant amidst the world's tragedies.

"Buried Reason" is a contemplation on the cycle of life and death. I draw parallels between the burial of the dead and the fertilization of the earth, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life forms.

In "Systolic," I reflect on the impact of work-related stress on health. The poem was inspired by a personal experience, where I noticed a rise in my blood pressure upon returning to work after a relaxing staycation.

Finally, "Backyard Weeds" is a meditation on our place in the world. I suggest that humans are no more consequential than the weeds in our backyard, a humbling reminder of our place in the grand scheme of things.

 

Read poems in The Fictional Cafe at the following link: https://www.fictionalcafe.com/week-4-eric-forsbergh-susan-simonds-and-eric-goodman/

Sparks of Calliope Publish Two Recent Poems

Two of my recent poems, "As for the Ticket" and "Thanks for the Socks," have been published in Sparks of Calliope: A Journal of Poetic Observations.

Sparks of Calliope is known for its emphasis on reflective and thought-provoking poetry.  Hopefully these two poems, and others included in the issue, will give you something to think about.

You can find the poems at the following link: https://sparksofcalliope.com/2023/10/25/two-poems-by-eric-d-goodman/