4/1 All Good Things
Heya everyone!
I found a book the other day that in addition to usual copyright statements had a statement that said no AI can use the book to learn how to be AI. What you may be learning from this is AI is rampant and/or publishers are finding ways to combat AI and/or you’re learning what you may do to protect your own works and/or I read copyright pages in books. I also read colophons. (I love a good colophon). Now let’s go.
THINGS HAPPENED
Meditate, Move, & Create at work was a fun time filled with lots of people in a very hot room because temperature regulation at educational institutions is not a thing. While MM&C is always a good time, the special part of this one is that my “longest” friend’s nephew was there and I don’t understand how nephews who were once babies become nephews who are young men in college. During Spring Break, I headed up to the Cloisters where I haven’t visited in over twenty years, and the thing about old stuff is that it simply gets older—and I did see Jesus on a Donkey (included below so you can see it for yourself). Also, I did some independent bookstore hopping and found delightful nooks and crannies of literature. Book club had a special guest in the form of a dog (the one that lives with me, so I guess he’s my dog), which proves you don’t have to read the book to come to book club. We, the humans, had a fantastic discussion about Project Hail Mary, the book and some of the movie. (You can find the follow up here). Also, speaking of dogs—we finished another round of dog training school that acted like part exposure couples therapy and part trauma bonding. The dog may have learned some things, and we’re going back for more sessions soon. I don’t know how this is my life.
WELLNESS CORNER
The Great Saunter is a 32-mile walk around mostly the perimeter of Manhattan, an annual event that unfolds in May. I’ve never finished, and this year, maybe I will, and also maybe I won’t. I found this plan to prepare for long walks. If you’re interested in walking very far, you can use it, too.
I still have limited availability for Reiki, meditation, yoga, and wellness endeavors throughout the month. Info here.
If you're looking for group yoga at a studio, then come to Sukha on Tuesdays at 7:15 PM. The later slot has been pretty okay. I stay awake the whole time, which is good when I'm teaching.
KUDOS!
Bruce AllOne Pandolfo was featured in this interview with Canvas Rebel!
Dr. Howard Margolin and the Destinies crew celebrate 42 years at Stonybrook’s WUSB! They celebrate also as a feature for Radio World!
BOOKSHELF
Breaking News: I’ve been diligently working on book lists in Bookshop.org to make finding book recs easier for both paperback and ebook reads. So far, here’s what I’ve categorized (book club is especially helpful).
I’m almost done with a very short book on Buddhism that I’ve been reading for several years; I keep it at work for when students don’t show up to office hours and I actually have nothing to grade, which is why it’s taking a long time to finish. I’m also reading an anthology of nature and eco poetry several poems at a time along with a book about 80s bands spurt by spurt. All of this is between reading book club books (I'm almost done with Unreliable Narrator by Aparna Nancherla for April), making my way through Figuring, and reading the Italo Calvino train ride book that I guess I read only on trains.
Poetry
My poems “Ferried” and “Montauk, 1967” appeared in The Bloomin’ Onion.
My poem “The Office Mermaid” appeared in Carmina Magazine. She’s been swimming around for about ten years, and I’m thrilled she now has a home.
“有 識: Have Knowledge” by Paisley Rekdal
“Songs to Play at My Funeral, Track 19” by Stephanie Hashagen
“My Body” by Tanisha Bose
“Bootstraps” by Jess Rizkallah
“There is a broad-shouldered bear that lives in me” by Eric Huff
“How Clear The Cut” by Anney Bolgiano
“awaiting a carriage, any” by b ferguson
“We are more than mere endurance” by Isaac Pickell
“Silence and Residue of Waters” by Troy Jollimore
“I Keep Thinking About Colorado” by Jeffrey Heath
“It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times” by Cameron Awkward-Rich
“Ecclesiastes: Thirteen-Year Cicada” by Marissa Davis
“Cow Town” by Todd Turnidge
“Beached Whale” by Aase Berg
“Dark Harvest” by Joseph Millar
“[Tuesday: how to go on writing warm words in round rain?]” by Matvei Yankelevich
“11” by Lao-Tzu
“Time Travel” by Mihee Kim
“Negative Capability” by Michael Quattrone
“Walks” by Joshua Kulseth
“[deadlink]” by Natalie Linh Bolderston
“[stones stacked at the back]” by Justin Cox
“there aren’t enough idioms about the stars” by Keith S. Wilson
“Altitude” by Airea D. Matthews
Fiction
“What We Mean When We Talk About the Hole in the Bathroom” by Angela Liu
Cartoons/Comics
Gotham Central (this is for whomever I was discussing this with and can’t remember who so I’m including it here in the hopes it’s someone reading this).
Nonfiction
The Magic of Japan: Secret Places and Life-Changing Experiences by Hector Garcia
Mixed Media / Cross Genre
“On The Ridge” by Ariel Katz
Internet
Gina Sipley’s newsletter is out now.
About that Great Gatsby cover. You know the one….
Robots. They’re taking over.
Marlena Chertok’s Workshop Follow Up (whether or not you attended)
Fold Out Couch On A Plane
And of course check out these:
Typewriter photographs! Erasure poems! Post card sentiments! Signed copies of How We Make Amends! Stickers!
LISTEN
Sunday Funday Book Club’s soundtrack for Project Hail Mary
“Where All Things Coincide” aired on Destinies: The Voice of Science Fiction radio show on WUSB. Listen here at 12:23.
This blew my mind. It’s one of the only episodes of a podcast I have listened to at regular speed that isn’t a game show. It may mean nothing to you, but if you grew up at a certain time listening to certain music, it may resonate with you just as much. Here’s a back episode of Reply All: #185 The Case of the Missing Hit.
How To Do Everything: The Breakfast Rule – that’s the name of the episode but I’m including it here for the segment about a person who needs help punctuating her own name.
WATCH
Anaconda (2025)
Wake Up Dead Man (Netflix)
96 Minutes
Nuremberg
Project Hail Mary (read the book first because it’s helpful to understand more fully)
Relay
K Pop Demon Hunters
The Ice Road
Honest Thief
House of Gucci
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model (Netflix—only if you used to watch ANTM)
Physical: Welcome To Mongolia (Netflix)
OPPORTUNITIES
Agency Assistant, Part Time, Madwoman Literary Agency: Email resume and cover letter: info@madwomanliterary.com
LI Grants Academy
Works & Process Residencies (various places and deadlines)
USCM Art Poster Project, Deadline May 1
The Other Folk accepts horror prose, Rolling deadline
Brief Ecology/The Rotting Leaf accepts eco-fiction/eco-horror/eco-gothic prose, and photography, Rolling deadline
Long Island Arts Alliance Job Bank (includes LI and nonLI jobs)
Shanghai Writing Program
Keyholder Residency at LES Printshop, Deadline April 1
Looking Glass Arts Goldfinch Residency, Deadline April 17
Corning Museum of Glass Residencies, applications open in 2026
Oak Spring Garden Foundation Eliza Moore Fellowship, Deadline May 2026
SUGGESTED THINGS
Still Point: Poetry and Culture with Brendan McEntee and Don Zirilli
Catharina Coenen, Botany and Storytelling
Independent book stores (like, all of them)
MISCELLANY
The Calm app changed a bunch of features, and my reaction was the opposite.
All good things,
Christina
**Of course, you can forward this email to those you think may have interest. If you post information publicly, please link back to me. Appreciate it.
THINGS ARE HAPPENING
My calendar is here.
Updated book club info is here.
Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 12-2 PM
AllOne life at The Boogie Down Grind, 868 Hunts Pt Ave, Bronx, NY
Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:00pm EDT
Tim Mayo reads from his new collection Muscle Memories of Love and Disaster
Zoom Reading with Open Mic sponsored by Redheaded Stepchild
Free but may be limited.
Inquire at <tim-mayo@tim-mayo.net> to obtain hyperlink to recording
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3-5 PM
Cedarmere Poetry Series presents Long Island Writers Group members
Cedarmere, Roslyn Harbor, NY
Sunday, April 19, 2026, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
In Person Poetry Reading and Art Sponsored by the Poetry Society of Vermont
with Tim Mayo, Bob Messing, Joy Spontak (art) and Kim Ward
Jaquith Public Library 122 School street,Marshfield, VT
Free
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Screening of Alexis Krasilovsky's poetry film Indigestion at the International Poetry Film Festival Los Angeles
Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291 Tickets and info (in April) / Full schedule (in April)
Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club reading Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Imposter Syndrome by Aparna Nancherla at Great South Bay Brewery
Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Sunday Funday Book Club / Threes Book Club Crossover reading Shutter by Ramona Emerson at Threes Brewing in Huntington
Wednesday, May 20, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Performance Workshop: Own the Room: Performance Skills for the Generous Reader
Instructor: Nicole Caruso Garcia
Poetry by the Sea Conference, Mercy Conference & Retreat Center, Madison, CT
Register here. $150. Handicap accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 10 AM – 4 PM
Cedarmere Poetry Writing Retreat with Stefanie Maura and Christina M. Rau
Cedarmere, Roslyn Harbor, NY
Register here. $85 includes lunch and donation
Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 10-noon
Sunday Funday Book Club reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg
Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 2-3:30 PM
The Gypsy Felons at the Center Moriches Free Public Library
On The Regular (Always check with venues. If no contact info is listed below, google it. If your series has changed, let me know for next time. If you want to add your series, drop me a line).
One Sunday a month: Mid-Island Y JCC Poetry Series 2-4 PM
First Sundays: Poetic License, online, 4 PM
One Sunday a month: Speculative Sundays with Akua Lezli Hope, online, 7 PM EST
Later-in-the-month Sundays: Book Club at Great South Bay Brewing, Bay Shore, NY from 10-noon
Third Sundays: Sunday Reading Series at The Hungry Brain, 6:30 PM
NEW!! Last Sundays: Po’Jazz with Golda Solomon at Blue Door Arts Center, Yonkers, NY, 2-4 PM, Free
Every Monday: Restless Open Mic, Marché Le Woof 31-03 Vernon Boulevard Astoria. Signups at 6:30 PM
Every Monday: Phoenix Reading Series, Shades of Green 125 e 15th NY NY, 6:30 PM, $5 plus food purchase
Every Monday: The Underground Open Mic at Bar Freda (Queens/Brooklyn Border), 7:30 PM
Every Monday: Easy Paradise Open Mic at KGB Red Room, 8 PM, sign up in advance, 21+, 2 drink min
First Tuesdays: First Tuesdays Series, Espresso 77 Cafe, Jackson Heights, 6:40 Sign up, 7 PM open begins, feature follows, $5 purchase
First Tuesdays: Poetry At Book and Mortar 157 N Country Rd Mount Sinai, NY 11766 7 PM (open mic sign up 6:30), jeweliasdad@aol.com for info
First Tuesdays: Calling All Writers Spoken Word Open Mic, Urban Coffee, 101 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY, 7-8 PM, 5 minute limit, kindness required
Every Wednesday: Wednesday Night Poetry, Kollective Coffee and Tea, Hot Springs, AZ, 6:30-9 PM
First Wednesdays: The Platform, Madison Community Arts Center 10 Kings Rd Madison NH, 8 PM
Second Wednesdays: Poetry: It's a Shore Thing!, Long Beach Library (NY), 6 PM
Second Wednesdays/Thursdays: The Muse at Neirs Tavern, Queens, 7 PM
Fourth Wednesdays: Risk of Discovery at QED Astoria, 7:30-9 PM
First Thursdays: BVAC at Jack Jacks, Babylon, 7 PM
First Thursdays: Poetry Circle Open Mic, Living Room Café, Ardmore, PA, 6:30 PM
NEW!! First Thursdays: Lowell Writers Open Mic, lalabooks, Market St, Lowell, MA, 6:30-8PM
Third Thursdays: Poetry Pairs Series, Literature Repository Reading, Bohemia, 7 PM
Third Thursdays: NeuroNautic Institute Presents open mic with features, Otto’s Shrunken Head, NYC, 7-9 PM
Third Thursdays: At Brookline Booksmith, MA, 7 PM
Third Thursdays: SAFTA Reading Series, Pretentious Beer Co, Old City Knoxville, TN
Every Friday: Fridays: Seed Café Open Mic, 250 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI, 6:30 PM
First Fridays: Revolutionary Poetry Nights, Grounds Books and Coffee, Tuscon, AZ
First Fridays: Maryland Writers’ Association, 7 PM EST, online
Third Fridays: Hudson Valley Writers Center in person and online, 7 PM
Last Fridays: Northport Arts Coalition Poetry Reading, Northport and online, 7:30 PM EST
Last Fridays: Friday Night Fire, Teatro Yerbabruja Second Avenue Fire House, Bay Shore, NY, 7 PM
Last Fridays: Redmond Association of Spoken Word, Centro Cultural Mexicano Redmond, WA, 7-9 PM
Every Saturday: Astoria Music Collective Saturday Songwriters at The Local Bar, 3 PM
Every Saturday: Cultivating Voices Live, online, 3 PM EST
Biweekly Saturdays: Lip Balm, online, 5 PM EST
First Saturdays: PPA East Meadow Library, 1-3 PM, hosted by J R Turek and Margarette Wahl
Third Saturdays: PPA Levittown Town Hall, 1-3 PM, hosted by J R Turek
Various Saturdays: It’s Poetry Baby!, Oceanside Library, NY, 2 PM
Last Saturdays: Poetry Street On The Road at Riverhead Library and online, Riverhead NY, 2 – 4 PM
Various monthly: Ludy Café and Hudson Valley Poetry, Irvington, NY
Congrats! You've made it to the end! As always, this newsletter is gratis. If you wish to at any time, you can feel free to buy me a tea (or a coffee).
Jesus on a Donkey