Yellow Arrow Publishing Blog
Meet a Board Member: Jennifer N. Shannon
We at Yellow Arrow Publishing are thrilled to introduce one of our newest board and staff members, Jennifer N. Shannon! She has joined the Yellow Arrow family as our Marketing Director. Jennifer has written and published three books and has had short stories and poems published in several literary magazines such as Deep South, The Auburn Avenue, and an essay forthcoming in North Dakota Quarterly. Jennifer’s work is also being featured in the Maryland State Arts Council 2021 Virtual Exhibition titled Identity.
Our Grants Manager, Sara Palmer, asked Jennifer a few questions to introduce her to the rest of our community. You can also find a video of Jennifer on the Yellow Arrow Facebook page.
YAP: How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow?
I was introduced to Yellow Arrow by someone at the Maryland State Arts Council. I wanted to get more involved in the Baltimore writing community and I was able to speak with Gina Strauss, who is currently on the Yellow Arrow board. Our conversation was very honest and refreshing, and I felt that the mission and values of Yellow Arrow aligned well with my own. It’s been fun so far and I look forward to learning a ton while using my past experiences to help Yellow Arrow move forward.
YAP: What are you working on currently?
Well . . . the big thing is a novel. I’ve been working on this novel for almost two years now, but it’s moving along well, and I’m so excited about the story I’m telling. It’s set in Baltimore during the 1940s and explores the lives of Black women who are living and working in a brothel. I’m also writing essays and poems. I’m in two writers groups which keep me consistent and I’m always looking for opportunities to submit my work. I write often even if it’s not something that ever makes it to a broader audience. I love exploring photography and when the mood hits, I draw and paint.
YAP: Who is your favorite writer and why?
Toni Morrison is my favorite because her book The Bluest Eye changed my life. I read it in a Women’s Study Class at the University of South Carolina my freshman year in college. Our analysis of the book and everything it symbolized spoke to me in a way that was indescribable. That book gave me the confidence to write exactly what I felt, how I felt it. It also showed me the power of words and the complexity of characters. I am eternally grateful for Toni Morrison and other writers who I admire such as Gloria Naylor, Zora Neale Hurston, and Lucille Clifton (just to name a few).
YAP: Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey?
That’s a good question. More and more I’ve been inspired by other writers. Listening to the perspectives, styles, and brilliance of my fellow poets, essayists, and fiction writers has been amazing. I am in awe of beautiful writing. But my mom is probably the person who has inspired and supported me most. I mean, all of my family and friends have a belief in me that I sometimes haven’t had in myself, but my mom has always been my number one fan. She probably unknowingly put it in my mind to write because she was a great writer and talked about writing in a way that intrigued me. She always has and still does read all of my work, she gives me feedback, and she constantly encourages me. She’s the best! I love you Mom!
YAP: What about your writing do you think is most unique?
I guess the most unique thing would be my dialogue. Mainly because I write as I hear it or would say it. The dialect I use is southern since I’m originally from South Carolina.
YAP: What advice do you have for new writers?
Keep writing—you'll only get better. Get involved with critique groups. Submit your work. Don’t let rejection discourage you, it happens to all of us. And the only reason to write is because you love it. As Whoopi Goldberg said in Sister Act 2: “If when you wake up in the morning all you want to do is sing, then girl you s’posed to be a singer.” Same goes for writing . . .
Visit Jennifer’s website, www.jennifernshannon.com, and follow her @writerjns on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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We are so fortunate to have Jennifer join our team and look forward to working with her and reading her work. Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women writers through publication and access to the literary arts. Thank you for supporting independent publishing.
Meet a Board Member: Sara Palmer
Interview originally from fall 2019
We at Yellow Arrow Publishing are thrilled to introduce one of our board members, Sara Palmer! She is our Grants Manager. Sara is a retired psychologist and author who has embraced her love for creative writing and generously wants to support other women who write by being involved with the Yellow Arrow community. Our Poetry Editor, Ann Quinn, asked Sara a few questions to introduce her to the rest of our community:
YAP: What can you tell us about your relationship with Baltimore?
I moved to Baltimore County with my husband in 1983, after living in New York and Seattle. We didn’t expect to stay here “forever” but Baltimore turned out to be a good fit for us. I found great opportunities as a psychologist with a specialty in physical disability; over the course of my career, I worked at Johns Hopkins, Sinai Hospital, and in private practice. I’ve been active in various local professional and community activities such as serving in the past on the board of directors for Maryland Psychological Association, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, The League for People with Disabilities—and now Yellow Arrow Publishing. I attend many concerts, plays, and art exhibits in Baltimore. Some people say that Baltimore is cliquey but I’ve made wonderful friends here. In 2008, my husband and I moved to Federal Hill, where we are active members of the Light Street Library book club and enjoy easier access to theater and other cultural events.
YAP: How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow?
I got involved with Yellow Arrow when I received an email from the Y:ART Gallery, announcing that they were hosting a series of writing workshops organized by Yellow Arrow. I had been on Y:ART’s mailing list after attending an art exhibit there in which one of my friends had some paintings. I was just starting to take creative writing courses (again) and I quickly signed up for the three-session series. The classes were inspiring and I was impressed by Gwen [Van Velsor] and Ariele’s [Sieling] mission, vision, and dedication.
YAP: What would you like to share about reengaging your creative writing after retirement?
In addition to the classes I took through Yellow Arrow, I took classes last year in self-expression and playwriting at the Everyman Theatre. I had never explored writing a play before, but I found that I liked writing scenes and building characters with dialogue. I’m continuing to work on a couple of “scene collections” from which I hope to create a short play. I joined a writers group at the Light Street Library and also started meeting informally with two friends who are writers, to share work and get feedback. This enabled me to begin revising some of my old poetry with a fresh perspective and to write some new poems. I participated in Yellow Arrow’s First Friday Literary Event last year, reading three of my poems. I am exploring the personal essay and keeping a notebook of ideas and projects. My biggest challenge is disciplining myself to write every day.
YAP: Anything else you would like to share?
My husband and I are both retired now. We spend a lot of time visiting our sons and our two grandchildren. I volunteer as a Board Member for Cure HHT, a nonprofit advocacy foundation for a rare genetic blood vessel disease. When I’m not volunteering or writing, I like to hike, bike, read, walk my dog, knit, cook, and hang out with friends.
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We are so fortunate to have Sara, with her experience and passion, on our team, and look forward to reading more of her work. Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women writers through publication and access to the literary arts. Thank you for supporting independent publishing.
Meet the Instructor: Ann Quinn
We decided it was time to include Ann Quinn in our series about local writers. Ann, who became poetry editor for Yellow Arrow Journal in time for our latest issue, “Resilience,” taught the very first class in our new space, Yellow Arrow House. The students went home with a poem each, and another in progress, a fitting beginning for our new space. Ann has an MFA in poetry from Pacific Lutheran University, and has a chapbook of poetry, Final Deployment, published by Finishing Line Press.
We are thrilled to have Ann teach a series of classes for us—A Year in Poetry. Sign up for the year, or come as you can, the first Saturday of each month starting in March.
What do you like about Baltimore?
I actually live in Catonsville because: trees, but I love that Baltimore is planting more trees. And, fun fact, in high school, when I lived in Northern Virginia and played in a prep orchestra at Peabody, I had an intuition that I would live in Baltimore someday, and here I am, since 1994. I love that people in the area love Baltimore, and I love that the city is knowable: in one week I can spend time in Highlandtown, Sandtown, Cherry Hill, and Mt. Vernon—each so different but so much part of the whole, and so easy to get to. (Because I have a car—and that of course is one of Baltimore’s biggest challenges). I have recently become a rower--I row recreationally with the Baltimore Rowing Club. Being on the water is a whole other way to experience the city.
How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow?
I was looking online for local reading series when my book came out and I found YAP and got on the mailing list. When a poem I submitted for the journal was accepted and Gwen sent me a check, I was hooked. I love Yellow Arrow’s innovative ideas for involving community and their commitment to inclusivity and to nurturing women writers.
What do you love most about writing?
Those somewhat rare moments when it really takes you on its own journey, when you are being used to create something bigger than yourself. I also love the feeling of participation in a conversation that has been going on since we figured out how to tell stories and sing.
Who has inspired you most in your writing journey?
Probably Lia Purpura, with whom I took two classes at UMBC when I was getting into poetry (at age 50). She is a wonderful teacher and writer, and I try to emulate her style in my classes.
What are your classes like?
I like to challenge my students by giving them a lot of poetry to read and think about, and then come back and talk about—because we learn so much from one another. And I find that using masterful poems as models helps leapfrog the question of how to start a poem, what form to put it in. Often when you can start by copying from a model, your own poem takes over and almost writes itself. Of course we work on revision as well. I don’t workshop poems in every class—we’ll share bits and pieces of our writing in each class, but I find that we learn more by spending time discovering what is great about masterful poems before diving into discussing one another’s work.
You can read some of Ann’s work or order her book from her website, www.annquinn.net
Meet our Editor-in-Chief
On November 1st we opened submissions for the Winter 2020 issue of the Yellow Arrow Journal. We wanted our readers to become better acquainted with the journal’s wonderful Editor-in-Chief, Kapua Iao. Currently Kapua resides in Montréal, Québec where she does freelance editing for a variety of archaeological journals and manuscripts. Each summer she takes up residence on Crete, Greece where she works for the Gournia Excavation Project. Kapua originally hails from O’ahu, Hawai’i and holds two M.A.’s—one in Art History from the University at Buffalo, SUNY and another in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto.
We asked Kapua a few questions about her role with us and her life outside of Yellow Arrow.
YAP: How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow?
KI: I was in the Art History Department at the University at Buffalo, SUNY with Gwen’s sister from 2003 to 2005. In 2005, her sister and I participated on the Galatas Survey Project in Crete, Greece. Gwen came to visit for a couple of weeks and ended up working with us! Since then, I’ve stayed in touch with Gwen throughout the years. When she released her Follow that Arrow memoir, I became aware of Yellow Arrow and followed that arrow. Timing worked out perfectly when she started to look for volunteers, and the rest is history!
YAP: What is your role within Yellow Arrow?
KI: I am Editor-in-Chief and am incredibly blessed to find myself in such a position. I largely focus on the Journal and manuscript submission/publication, but as we have a small staff, I also help with branding, the website, and editing/designing other zines/books we publish. We are all learning as we go.
YAP: Who is your favorite writer and why?
KI: I sadly don’t have a favorite writer at the moment. Generally, I love to read nonfiction or science fiction—very different genres! At the moment, I read a tremendous amount of archaeological publications and nonfiction/poetry daily and don’t spend my downtime reading. Growing up, I absolutely loved to soak in books so it would be great to get back to reading for fun.
YAP: Can you tell us a bit about the work you do in Greece?
KI: I started working on archaeological projects in Greece in 2005 and have spent every summer since then on the island of Crete. At the moment, I am Registrar and Project Organizer of the Gournia Excavation Project for the archaeological site of Gournia in east Crete. The site was first dug in the early 1900s by Harriet Boyd-Hawes, a pioneer archaeologist and someone to read about if you get the chance. As Registrar and Project Organizer, I care for all objects and bulk finds (ceramics, lithics, mudbrick, plaster, flora and faunal remains, and so forth), both intellectually and physically, ensure that all publishers (including myself!) have access to the information they need, and do general day-to-day logistics every summer we work.
YAP: What do you love most about the work you do there?
KI: Besides the intellectual aspect of working on an archaeological project, the village we work and live in, Pacheia Ammos, has become a second home to me, and the villagers (as well as the people I work with) are all part of my extended family. I have learned so much from everyone over the years.
YAP: As someone who has spent time living, working, and traveling all around the world, what is one of your favorite places on the planet and why?
KI: Everywhere I travel holds a special place in my heart for different reasons. At the same time, however, no other place will ever compare to Hawai’i as it holds my history, all of my childhood memories, my oldest friends, and much of my family. I still call Hawai’i home no matter where I am living or visiting and always will.
To find out more about Kapua and the rest our staff please visit our about page. For information on submitting to the Yellow Arrow Journal please click here. Finally, if you would like to know more about the Gournia Excavation Project you can find their website here.
Writers in Real Life: Jessica Gregg
Jessica Gregg is the Yellow Arrow writer-in-residence for the Highlandtown First Friday Art Walk during the months of July, August and September. Jessica grew up in the Baltimore area, listening to her family’s stories of the city’s street car days. She and her children lived in Bozeman, Montana, before returning to Baltimore more than a decade ago.
Most of her career since then has been spent in education, and much of her poetry has been informed by the time she spent working at Sisters Academy of Baltimore, a middle school for girls from Southwest Baltimore. Three years ago, she left education and returned to her first career, journalism, and currently oversees three magazines, one of which is Baltimore Style.
In the fall of 2017, she decided to take a prose poetry class through Johns Hopkins University’s Odyssey program as a way to keep writing after spending work days editing. After the class, she entered a contest for women poets that was sponsored by Finishing Line Press. She did not win the contest, but the press chose to publish her manuscript News from This Lonesome City, which will be released this summer.
Poetry is Jessica’s way of documenting the moments and stories in life that are most meaningful to her. It’s also a chance to play with words in a way that the day job doesn’t always provide.
Jessica hopes to use her residency to work on a new collection of poems and to teach a workshop or two for the community.
Jessica will be giving a reading in addition to a book signing at Literary Night on August 2nd. Find her circulating the art walk in July, August and September.
Writers in Real Life: Kerry Graham
We are happy to welcome Kerry as our first Writer-in-Residence. You can find Kerry at the Highlandtown First Friday Art Walk in April, May, and June and hear her read her work at Yellow Arrow's August 2nd reading.
Kerry spent the first few years of her life in Baltimore, but was raised in Baltimore County. After going to college in Southern Maryland, attending grad school in England, and being a full-time volunteer in Nigeria, she moved to Baltimore in 2009. She lived in Pigtown for two years, but has been in the Patterson Park area since then. Almost three years ago, she bought a house in Highlandtown/Patterson Park, and couldn't be happier about being part of this neighborhood.
About her experience in Baltimore, she writes, "Sometimes, I describe myself as being hopefully devoted to Baltimore. My entire professional career, I’ve served some of Baltimore’s most marginalized populations: the HIV+, homeless, and its youth. While I have the fortune of being able to enjoy much of Baltimore’s charm, I care about hundreds of people who have been traumatized by Baltimore. I recognize that to be in this position–someone who gets to experience some of the best of Baltimore, but also understands the depths of its worst–is relatively uncommon, which is why I am committed to writing, and story sharing, and using language as a way to unite those who might otherwise never have found one another. I believe I would have been a writer regardless of where I live, but Baltimore has made my writing meaningful."
Kerry’s vignettes have appeared, or are forthcoming, in borrowed solace, The Citron Review, Crack the Spine, and Gravel. She is a regular contributor to Role Reboot, and runs a collaborative weekly newsletter called In This Together.
from gravelmag.com
Promise Him Pencils
Kerry Graham
I cannot tell which day I mark him absent, again, is the one I know he will not be back. He stops coming to class—mine, and apparently algebra, and biology—but still comes to school. In the halls, he holds his back straighter than he ever did in my room; his eyes shine brighter. Here, it does not matter that he never has paper. Pencils. Whenever we pass each other by the stairwell, he stops laughing long enough to vow, “Ima be there tomorrow!” The next day, I tell myself: he meant it at the time.
Soon, he stops coming to school, but I still see him sometimes. Now, instead of by the stairs, I pass him on the street, wondering how far he is from home. The sun shines on him here.
In my car, even with just glimpses of him, I am reminded of how he would look in the hallway. Every time I see him, it is at the same corner, too far—and too late—for me to promise him pencils. Driving past, I know all the reasons he will not realize I am there. I shout anyway.
This morning, the streets only trickle with traffic, and I can tell that today is the one he will see me. Again, I shout his name. Watching him grin at me as he lifts his hand above his head to wave, I want to press the brakes on my car. On time.
Writers in Real Life: Ariele Sieling
Yellow Arrow Publishing friend and board member Ariele Sieling has a book launch coming up on March 28, so we wanted to introduce her and her work to you. Ariele is a prolific author of science fiction, kids books, and urban fantasy (13 books so far), and has short stories published in a number of journals, anthologies, and magazines. She has become a go-to expert in self-publishing and uses Patreon to help readers find her and support her work.
We sat down with her and asked a couple of questions of local interest, starting with: what do you like most about Baltimore so far?
She replied: “We moved here about two years ago. I think my favorite part of Baltimore so far is honestly the people. Of all the places I've lived, the people we've met here have been the most friendly, welcoming, and helpful, which makes it much easier to make such a significant adjustment from a small New England town to a large city.”
How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow Publishing, and what has that been like for you?
“I met Gwen at a craft fair and she asked me if I would like to help her run a reading series. I had been thinking about getting involved in doing volunteer work again, so I figured it was a good opportunity and perfect timing. We ran the reading series together last year and it was extremely successful, and then we started a workshop series. Now I'm the vice president of the board, and super excited about watching the organization grow!”
Tell us about your book. How did you come up with idea?
“My most recent book, being released on March 28th, is called Tentacles and Teeth. It is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi filled with monsters. I’ve always been intrigued by apocalyptic stories—specifically the idea of an empty world mixed with the desperate need for survival—and I’ve always wanted to write one. But I felt that a lot of post-apocalyptic stories have already been told and told again—zombies, flood, nuclear war, environmental collapse, aliens. I wanted to write something a little different. So after mulling it over in the back of my mind for quite a while, I realized I hadn’t ever read or watched something with monsters. And that’s where I started.”
What the day-to-day writing life look like for you?
“I am a full time writer. I split my time 50/50 between doing freelance writing (mostly web copy, copy editing, and independent publishing consulting) and writing and marketing my own work. On an average day, I get up and work out or go for a walk, then sit down and do three or four hours for my clients, have lunch, and then switch over to my own stuff and spend another three or four hours writing or marketing. And of course, I fit in all of my volunteer work for Yellow Arrow too!”
What do you think is the best thing about being an author?
“I love telling stories. I’ve always indulged in stories, reading, making them up, imaginary friends—and now I love the fact that I get to tell them all day every day.”
We love telling stories, too—and sharing stories and supporting women telling their own stories. Thank you so much, Ariele, for your time. We are looking forward to checking out your work, and we appreciate all the hard work you do for Yellow Arrow!
We’re so happy to have Ariele as part of the Yellow Arrow team. Click here to order a copy of her newest book, Tentacles and Teeth! You can also visit her website to learn more about all the work she’s doing.
The book will be live on March 28th, and Ariele will be going live on Facebook that night on her author page at: https://www.facebook.com/arielejsieling/
Other ways to find Ariele online: