Judging Crosswinds Poetry Journal Contest (Deadline December 31, 2022)

Issue 3 of Under the Madness Magazine Is Published

 

The staff at Under the Madness Magazine is pleased to announce our third issue!

Under the Madness Magazine is edited by New Hampshire teens and publishes teens from around the globe writing (or translating their work) into English. 

Issue 3 features teens from across the United States, including Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Massachusetts, and our very own New Hampshire. For your reading pleasure, Issue 3 also shares work from writers who call China and Singapore home. 

More cool news about this issue! We debut our first Special Half Issue: ten young writers from Brazil. This Special Issue was accomplished in partnership with the Urca Institute, a non-profit institution that works in the State of Rio de Janeiro. 

Stay tuned for an upcoming virtual reading of teens published in this issue.

Come read us: Issue 3

We're already reading for Issue 4, so if you're a teen writing creatively in English, send us your work! Submission Guidelines

Celebrating Beginnings with New Hampshire Public Radio

 

CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR WITH POETRY 

This month, I'm teaming up with Julia Furukawa, Host of NHPR All Things Considered, to ring in the new year with your poetry. Send us your original poem on the theme of "Beginnings."

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Beginnings can be wonderful but also daunting. This situation is especially true when we consider starting a new piece of writing.

We often heap onto a new writing moment a lot of "extra" thoughts. We might pile on second guesses about our ability. We start worrying about what others will think about us. As a result, we give up the wonderful freedom and creativity we all have in the present moment.

To help listeners jumpstart poems around the theme of "Beginnings," I offered a few tips and prompts on the radio on Wednesday, December 21. (You can find them below.)

As the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki said, "In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." Through a mindful writing perspective, we have many strategies for razing preconceptions and capturing fresh thinking. 

Let this month become a reboot for your writing.

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For a beginner's mind for your poetry this month:

1. Try Moment Tracking. This is a strategy I use in my mindful writing classes.

Ask yourself, "What am I thinking right now about beginnings?" Jot down whatever comes to mind without fixing it. Ask yourself again, "What am I thinking right now about beginnings?" Jot down whatever comes to mind this time, without critiquing it. And a third time. 

Like a hummingbird, dip into your mind, see what arises, and jot it down, without correcting.

Practice this quick method 2-3 times a day. After a week, reread your notes. Select one or more details or phrases for your poem.

2. Keep paper and pen near your bed: Capture first thoughts at the start of consciousness, without fixing whatever arises. Try not to type your first thoughts onto your cell phone (distracting). Use old fashioned paper and pen.

The beginning of a new day of life, in synch with the topic of beginning.

3. Start your poem on beginnings mid-stream: The first line should either begin with an ellipsis (...) or in the middle of a sentence. This method suggests the ongoing nature of creativity. 

Newness comes from perceiving the ongoing.

4. Structured prompt: Personify "beginning." If Beginning were alive:

• What kind of room or house would it prefer?
• What sort or landscape or cityscape is its natural habitat?
• If it were an insect, bird, or animal, what would it be?
• If it had a best friend, who would that be?
• If it used a human gesture or way of talking, what would that be?

Jot down responses. Pick the one or two with the most creative energy for you. Build a poem by telling a story around your response.

I look forward to having the chance to read your poem!

Alexandria Peary

NH Poet Laureate

2023 Jack and Hannah McCarthy Scholarship

2023 Jack and Hannah McCarthy Scholarship

This scholarship is named after brother and sister, Jack McCarthy, a much-loved spoken word poet from New Hampshire who died in 2013, and Hannah McCarthy, retired college president, lifelong advocate for students and resident of Amherst, New Hampshire.

The scholarship provides $800 to a New Hampshire resident pursuing a college or graduate degree in a field of writing (creative writing, professional writing, technical writing, or journalism).

New Hampshire high school seniors intending to pursue writing at the college level may apply, as well as New Hampshire residents already enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Students who are minoring or concentrating in writing may also apply.

Applications are evaluated on the basis of merit and financial need and are renewable. This scholarship was established by the New Hampshire State Poet Laureate, Alexandria Peary. The recipient of this year's Jack and Hannah McCarthy Scholarship will be announced in May 2023.

Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Qualifications:

• a high school, college and/or graduate school GPA of 3.0 or higher
• graduation from a New Hampshire high school (if home schooled, legal residency in New Hampshire) OR will be graduating from a New Hampshire high school by July 2023.

To Apply:

Send a letter of application:

1. In approximately 500 words, what was the journey that brought you to this field of study? How have you already been involved in writing? Where do you see yourself headed in your field of writing? Describe any personal or financial obstacles to your education. 

2. Official transcripts:

• high school applicants: send high school transcript
• college applicants: send high school and college transcript
• graduate school applicants: send high school, college and graduate school transcripts

3. Mailing address of residency in New Hampshire.

4. Indicate whether you currently qualify for a Pell Grant.

For full consideration, send all materials to apeary@salemstate.edu by April 30, 2023. In the subject line of your email, put Application for Jack and Hannah McCarthy Scholarship.