A few days ago, I received some great news — at the end of March, I will be reading with one of my favorite poets, Paula Bohince, at the Appalachian Studies Conference in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Fans of the Scrapper Poet know how much I love Bohince’s work (and so excited that her next book, The Children, will be out in spring 2012!), so I’m thrilled (and a bit nervous, I must admit) to read with her! The conference also holds other great writers including poets Maggie Anderson, Peter Oresick, and Lori Jakiela.
This is the first time I have ever planned on attending the Appalachian Studies Association Conference, and I’m really looking forward to the event. The Appalachian Studies Association is much like the Working Class Studies Association — that is, it’s an interdisciplinary conference, so there will be films, readings, panels about pedagogy and literature, plus panels concerning history and sociology. I always love these kinds of conferences because I learn so many new things.
I don’t know how many readers I have in the Western/Central Pennsylvania area, but if you live in the area — I would think this is a conference well worth attending, even if you can only make the Saturday events! Here is the link to the ASA’s website, along with the conference schedule.
The Scrapper Poet 
Erin Said:
on December 21, 2011 at 5:48 am
Oh, I got to meet Paula at Bread Loaf in 2010 – she was the scholar of my workshop. Her poetry is so moving and she’s such a wonderfully gracious person. I’m so envious!
Karen Said:
on December 21, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Thanks Erin — I’m so excited that I will have a hard time waiting until March!
Gabe Welsch Said:
on December 22, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Congrats to you! And happy holidays, Karen!
Collin Kelley (@CollinKelley) Said:
on December 24, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Happy Holidays!