Joanne the Poet

Local Poets, Local Places
2015-12-01 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | OR
Five Olympia poets will read from their published works at Orca Books, Saturday December 5, 7:30 p.m. Poets include Joanne M. Clarkson, Bill Yake, Barbara Gibson, Dean Olson and Brian McCracken and is sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. Poems shared will have some images drawn from our beautiful Pacific Northwest. Poets’ work will be available for purchase. The event is free.

Seasons Readings
2015-12-01 08:00 - 17:00 | OR
Olympia Poetry Network Board Members will reading seasonal (Holiday, winter, solstice) poems Wednesday evening, December 16, 6:30 p.m. An Open Mic will follow the featured readers which include Joanne Clarkson, Terri Cohlene, Chris Dahl, Cynthia Pratt, Brian McCracken and Bill Yake. The event is free. Children’s Poetry Books are being collected at this event to distribute to needy families in the Olympia area.

Seattle Rep Salon
2015-12-01 08:00 - 17:00 | OR
Joanne Clarkson will be one of the poets featured at the annual Seattle Rep Salon Monday evening December 14 beginning at 7 p.m. The salon also features original plays and fiction readers. Patty Kinney from Olympia will also be reading. The event is free.

The Center Salon
2016-02-06 19:30 - 21:00 | OR
Saturday evening, February 6, 2016, beginning at 7:30, The Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia will host a celebration of Pacific Northwest talent. In the historical tradition of Paris salons, we present an intimate evening of music, theater, literature, and art. Featuring the work of several Olympia-based artists, including Jim Lynch, Bryan Willis, Patty Kinney, Cindy Weinberg, Joanne Clarkson, Brian McCracken, Nathan Barnes and Becky Knold. Proceeds benefit The Washington Center’s Education fund!

Book Launch for "There's Always a Miracle: True Stories of Life Before and After Death"
2016-06-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Orca Books, 509 E. 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA, United States
The launch party and reading for my new non-fiction book is set for Sunday, June 26, 2 p.m. at Orca Books on 4th Ave. in downtown Olympia. The 24 true stories in “There’s Always a Miracle” describe the amazing things that happen when someone makes their transition. Five stories are from my personal life. Nineteen involve patients I served as a Hospice nurse. Several involve ghosts or messages from the other side. Some talk about coincidences or synchronicities. All involve some sort of love and courage. I will talk about how and why I wrote the book. I will tell some of the stories. I will encourage those in the audience to realize the miracles in their own lives. The event is free. All ages welcome.

Program at Seattle Metaphysical Library in September
2016-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 | OR
I will be talking about and sharing stories from my new book: “There’s Always A Miracle: True Stories of Life Before and After Death.”
Seattle Metaphysical Library, 2220 NW Market St. L-05, Seattle, WA 98107 (Ballard area)
Tuesday, September 13, 7 p.m. $7.00 charge (1/2 to support the Library)
“The Seattle Metaphysical Library was established in Seattle in 1961.We have grown over the past five decades to hold over 14,000 books plus many hundreds of audio and video tapes, CDs, DVDs, magazines and newspaper clippings on a variety of metaphysical and spiritual topics, as well as material selected to help remove the Veil of Maya – the veil of illusion – from our eyes. We are an independent resource center providing esoteric and alternative material and events to support personal growth to enhance our understanding of ourselves, the universe and our place in it.
We are open to the public. There is no charge for browsing the materials or reading at our location. Operating expenses are paid for by our members, who are able to borrow material. We also host a variety of ongoing events and groups. See website: www.seattlemetaphysicallibrary.org.”

Paranormal Pub - "There's Always a Miracle"
2016-09-25 19:00 - 21:00 | McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 N.W. Glisan St., Portland, OR, United States
Joanne Clarkson will discuss and read from her new book, “There’s Always a Miracle: True Stories of Life Before and After Death.” Topics include how the dead contact us, how spirits arrive to help those crossing over, whether we can talk to loved ones who have passed, real ghosts and much more. Question and answer session to follow the presentation.

"Miracles" Talk at Port Townsend Meet-Up
2016-11-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Unnamed Venue, Port Townsend, WA, United States
Olympic UFO Meet up takes place on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Port Townsend Friends Meeting House located at 1841 Sheridan Ave. Attendees are invited to continue the discussion at another location following the main meeting. Space will be available for experiencers to meet in private.
Joanne Clarkson, Hospice RN and author of There’s Always A Miracle: True Stories of Life Before & After Death, will talk about how caring for the dying changed her way of thinking about body and spirit—how final moments become extraordinary. Her stories include ghosts and UFOs and examples of small coincidences that made a great difference.
“Single acts of unselfish love let us know we’re not alone in our sorrow and wonder.”
Joanne’s poetry, stories and non-fiction pieces have appeared in over 150 magazines and journals internationally and she has published four volumes of poetry. She has Master’s Degrees in English and Library Science and worked as a teacher and professional librarian. Joanne has also read Palms and Tarot most of her life.

Workshop: The Language of Profession
2017-02-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, WA, 98508, United States
The Language of Profession: Writing from Who We Are and What We Do is the theme for the Paul Gillie Memorial workshop, Monday evening, February 13. The free event takes place from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. Using terms, phrases and details from any specific type of work or hobby can add depth and character to a poem. Whether you are a scientist, nurse, heavy equipment operator, skier, coin collector, botanist, bird watcher, or whatever else, your poem relies on your experience to be vivid, fascinating and publishable. Poet Joanne Clarkson, nurse and OPN Board Member, will share famous poems and writing exercises to make the ordinary memorable.

Creative Colloquy Three Year Anniversary Event
2017-03-20 19:00 - 21:00 | B Sharp Coffee House, 706 Opera Alley, Tacoma, WA, United States
Joanne Clarkson will be a featured poet at Creative Colloquy’s First Day of Spring, Happy Birthday event on Monday, March 20 at 7 p.m. The celebration will be held at B Sharp Coffee House, 706 Opera Alley in Tacoma. Washington State Poet Laureate Tod Marshall will headline and MC the reading which includes 5 featured readers and an Open Mic. In addition to poetry, there will be cake and a ‘super rad raffle.’ See more at www.CreativeCollquy.com.

Book Launch at Bright Hill
2017-06-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Bright Hill Literary Center, 94 Church Street, Treadwell, NY, 13846, United States
I will be reading from my new poetry collection, “The Fates,” at Bright Hill Literary Center in Treadwell, New York on June 22! This is part of their Word Thursday series. Bright Hill Press awarded my book first prize in their annual competition. I am so excited to share my poems about fortune and free will, to talk about my publishing experiences and to meet Bertha Rogers, my editors. I hope some of my New England friends can come! The event begins at 7 p.m.

"The Fates" Book Launch at Orca Books
2017-07-29 18:30 - 20:00 | Orca Books, 509 E. 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA, United States
A celebration of my new award-winning poetry volume: “The Fates” is happening on Saturday evening, July 29th, 6:30 p.m. at Orca Books, 509 E. 4th Ave. in downtown Olympia. As the title suggests, the book is organized around the Three Sisters from classical mythology who ruled the lives of humans: spinning the thread of life, measuring it and snipping it at the end. Thus the question I am asking is how much control do we have over our lives? A number of the poems deal with the difficult life of my grandmother Esther, a psychic medium. Some talk about my experiences as a Hospice RN. Others are autobiographical or address themes from both science and nature.
During my presentation, I will talk about individual poems and how the book came to be and how I won Bright Hill Press’ contest. And of course, I will read and recite poems Klotho, Lachesis and Atropos choose for me! I also welcome questions about poetry and my writing. My theme always: I just love poetry!
I hope you will join me in this celebration of art and life!

"The Fates" at the Point Ruston Farmers Market in Tacoma
2017-08-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Point Ruston Farmers Market, 5005 Grand Loop, Tacoma, WA, United States
Joanne will read and recite poems from her new book “The Fates” about noon on Sunday, August 6, the day of the Grand Opening of the Point Ruston Farmer’s Market. Joanne feels honored to share a table with memoirist E.C. Murray from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. where she will be available to talk about her book — and sell a personalized, autographed copy.

Program about "There's Always a Miracle" for SUFON
2017-08-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Stargazers Bookstore, 12727 Northup Way, Ste. 10, Bellevue, WA, 98005, United States
Joanne will be the featured speaker for the monthly meeting of SUFON (Seattle UFO Network) on Sunday, August 13, from 1-3 p.m. The event takes place at Stargazer’s Bookstore in Bellevue. Joanne will share stories about extraordinary experiences from her career as a Hospice RN and from her personal life. She believes Lives from the Other Side are available to us at the moment of our passing and at other times to share wisdom and comfort. Her book includes actual ghosts, spirits who use technology, a miracle involving roses, another with a rainbow and much, much more.

Deep Waters Poetry Reading on August 18
2017-08-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Steilacoom Public Library, 2950 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Steilacoom, WA, 98388, United States
Joanne the Poet will be giving a reading on Friday, August 18, from 7-8:45 p.m. at the Steilacoom Public Library. She will be a guest of the Deep Waters poetry group. Joanne plans to read from her new poetry book “The Fates” and to talk a little bit about how she put the poems together to form the book and how she got it published. Those attending can address their fate, by reading at the Open Mic! One of the best parts of an evening like this one is how all the wonderful poems and poets come together! The Deep Waters website is www.andersonislandwriters.com.

Detective Sargeant Meets the Psychic: A New Spin on Investigating and Reporting UFOs
2017-09-24 19:00 - 21:00 | McMenamins Mission Theater and Pub, 1624 NW Glisan, Portland, WA, 97209, United States
Working with real life cases, James Clarkson, a seasoned investigator, and Joanne Clarkson, a psychic medium, will describe and enact interviews and reports about UFO and paranormal encounters. Joanne will portray such key UFO witnesses as June Crain (Roswell and other crashes), Estella Kressel (Westport Crash), Frankie Rowe (Roswell) and others and also describe her own sighting. James who has devoted thirty years to exploring the possibility of Alien contact will use his detection tools and interviewing techniques to explore truth in testimony.
Although this program has been planned and organized, the presenters leave room for new revelations. Come and see what happens when science meets intuition!

Memoir Writing Workshop at the Westport Timberland Library
2017-10-14 10:30 - 12:00 | Westport Timberland Library, Westport, WA, United States
Joanne will lead a Memoir Writing workshop at the Westport Timberland Library on Saturday, October 14, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Experienced and beginning writers are welcome. The event will focus on the immigration experience. Joanne’s new award-winning poetry book “The Fates” draws on the experiences of both her grandmother Esther who came from Sweden in her teens and her Slovakian grandparents who arrived in America in 1910. Joanne has also published prose pieces about this brave people and their struggles. The workshop will include lots of practical examples and writing exercises and hand-outs. The event is free.

Memoir Writing Workshop at the Aberdeen Timberland Library
2017-10-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Aberdeen Timberland Library, 121 E. Market St., Aberdeen, WA, 98520, United States
Joanne will lead a Memoir Writing workshop at the Aberdeen Timberland Library on Saturday, October 14, beginning at 2 p.m. Experienced and beginning writers are welcome. The event will focus on the immigration experience. Joanne’s new award-winning poetry book “The Fates” draws on the experiences of both her grandmother Esther who came from Sweden in her teens and her Slovakian grandparents who arrived in America in 1910. Joanne has also published prose pieces about this brave people and their struggles. The workshop will include lots of practical examples and writing exercises and hand-outs. The event is free.

Washington Poets' Anthology Reading at Orca Books
2017-10-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Orca Books, 509 4th Ave. E., Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
I will be part of the WA129 Anthology Reading at Orca Books, 509 4th Ave. E. in downtown Olympia on Saturday, October 21. This free event begins at 6:30 p.m. I will recite my poem, “The Girl Who Wore Cedar” and share a few more poems having a connection to our beautiful Pacific Northwest. My new, award-winning book, “The Fates,” will be available for sale.
Washington State Poet Laureate Tod Marshall will be the MC and 6 other local poets will also read their work.
This time last year I was seeking inspiration and trying out various themes for poems to write and send to Tod Marshall for possible inclusion in the anthology. I ended up sending a poem about Sasquatch, one about a wood sculpture in a park in Aberdeen and the poem from my childhood that did find a place in WA129. I worked very, very hard on this piece and re-wrote is maybe a dozen times trying to get the tone just right. The poem is based on a memory, and includes the broader theme of ‘differentness’ and how difficult it is to relate to people of other cultures even if you really want to. I attempted to portray the discomfort I felt as a child, almost an unworthiness, to befriend someone whose life I didn’t really understand. We were two little girls who wore the same uniform, who even walked the same direction home. Eventually it was sort of her symbol, her higher self reflected in her native dance, that allowed me to relate since I also loved the mystery of cedar trees.

Publish Your Poetry Workshop
2017-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St., Olympia, WA, 98501
“Publish Your Poetry,” a free workshop sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 7-8:30 p.m. The class takes place at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW in downtown Olympia. Topics covered will include how to find and evaluate poetry markets, how to put together a submission, how to stay positive in the face of rejection and an overview of 40 things to do with a poem. Presenter is Joanne Clarkson, OPN Board Member. Joanne has published poems, stories and non-fiction pieces in over 200 magazines and journals internationally. Her full-length poetry collection “The Fates” won Bright Hill Press’ annual contest and was published in June 2017.

Joanne Clarkson is Featured Poet for OPN's November Event
2017-11-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Traditions Cafe, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Many thanks to Chris Dahl for sponsoring me as featured poet for the Olympia Poetry Network’s Third Wednesday reading on November 15. I plan to perform several poems from my recent award-winning collection, “The Fates,” as well as reading others. I am finding that memorizing my work really takes me deeply into the character of the poem and therefore makes it more alive for the audience. I may include a couple of new pieces, also about the question of how much can we control in our lives versus what Fortune has in store. I have been trying to incorporate a bit of palm and Tarot lore in my verse.
This event occurs from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Traditions Café, 300 5th Ave. SW in downtown Olympia. An Open Mic precedes the main reading. The event is free.

Reading from We'Moon 2018: The Luna
2017-12-02 15:00 - 17:00 | Tabor Space, 5441 SE Belmont Street, Portland, OR, United States
We’Moon 2018: La Luna will have an unveiling event on Saturday, December 2 from 3-5 p.m. in the Muir Room at TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont Street, Portland, OR. I will be reading my three pieces that are included in the Datebook. They are, “Letter to Other Moons,” “Palmistry Lesson: The Mount of the Moon,” and “Two Moons” about talking a walk with my granddaughter Bliss. The datebook is truly beautiful and I feel so honored to have my work included.

Season's Readings from the Olympia Poetry Network
2017-12-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Traditions Cafe, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Joanne Clarkson will read Solstice poems as part of Season’s Readings, the December 20th event sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network. Other Board members Terri Cohlene, Chris Dahl, Ben Olson, Cynthia Pratt and Carrie Born will also read their work. The reading begins at 6:30 p.m. at Traditions Café, 300 Water St. in downtown Olympia. An Open Mic precedes the featured reading and community poets are encouraged to also bring work having to do with winter, holidays, family, tradition, legend, solstice and the like. The event is free.

Workshop and Reading at Book Tree in Kirkland
2018-01-20 16:00 - 20:00 | Book Tree, 609 Market St., Kirkland, WA, 98033, United States
I will be presenting my workshop “Publish Your Poetry” at the beautiful, poet-friendly indie bookshop in Kirkland on Saturday, January 20 beginning at 4 p.m. This event will be followed by a reading which includes my esteemed friend from Seattle poet Heidi Seaborn and an Open Mic. The reading begins at 6:15. Come and browse books, get motivated to send work out and listen to poems – share one if you wish! Many thanks to poet Chris Jarmick who owns and operates this wonderful venue.

Poets Clarkson and Butcher to Read at Browser's Book in Olympia
2018-01-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Browser’s Books, 107 Capital Way N., Olympia, 98501, United States
Christina Butcher, Tacoma poet and member of Creative Colloquy and Joanne M. Clarkson, member of the Olympia Poetry Network Board, will team up for a reading Monday, January 22, at Browser’s Books, 107 Capital Way N. in downtown Olympia. The event begins at 6 p.m. and is free of charge. Butcher’s debut poetry collection, Still Clutching Maps, was published in May 2017 by Blue Cactus Press. It explores ideas of language, power, and place as they inform a person’s constantly-evolving identity. Clarkson’s most recent book, “The Fates,” won Bright Hill Press’ annual competition and appeared in June 2017. Organized around the 3 fates from classical mythology, and based both on Clarkson’s experience as a Hospice RN and as a palm reader, it explores how much we can and cannot control in our lives.

10 Minute Critiques at the Olympia Timberland Library
2018-04-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Olympia Timberland Library, Franklin & 8th Ave., Olympia, 98501, United States
I will be in the Olympia Timberland Library, Saturday, April 7, and Wednesday, April 11, from 2-4 p.m. to read over individual poems with writers who would like pointers for developing strengths in their work. During each 10-minute appointment I might suggest slight revisions, places to submit for publication and poets to read for additional inspiration. All critiques are positive and affirming. Many of us write in relative isolation, so it is often helpful to have another working poet experience our writing. Call the library or drop in to schedule a time. This event is part of the celebration of National Poetry Month in April.

Second 10 Minute Poetry Critique Opportunity
2018-04-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Olympia Timberland Library, Franklin & 8th St., Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
I will be in the Olympia Timberland Library, Saturday, April 7, and Wednesday, April 11, from 2-4 p.m. to read over individual poems with writers who would like pointers for developing strengths in their work. During each 10-minute appointment I might suggest slight revisions, places to submit for publication and poets to read for additional inspiration. All critiques are positive and affirming. Many of us write in relative isolation, so it is often helpful to have another working poet experience our writing. Call the library or drop in to schedule a time. This event is part of the celebration of National Poetry Month 2018.

"Inspiration" Reading for National Poetry Month
2018-04-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Orca Books, 509 4th Ave. E., WA, 98501, United States
“Inspiration” at Orca Books.

Poets Celebrate April 2018 National Poetry Month
Poets are inspired to write in a variety of ways. One of the most effective and powerful is by reading other accomplished poets. Local verse-makers will share work by their favorite writers coupled with the poems they created because of them on Saturday, April 21, 6-7:30 p.m. at Orca Books in downtown Olympia. Poets participating include: Carolyn Gilman, Patrick Dixon, Lorrie Lambert Smith, Joanne Clarkson, Wesley Jones, Thomas A. Thomas and Carol Sunde.
Come to learn more about the work of wonderful poets and how one mind can trigger others to create image, rhythm, sound and sense. The program is free and all ages are welcome.

Poetry Reading in Tacoma in August
2018-08-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 9th and I St., Tacoma, WA, United States
I will be reading poetry for Puget Sound Poetry Connection on Friday, August 10, 7-9 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on 9th and I Sts. in Tacoma. I will be first and an Open Mic will follow, so bring poems to read! I plan to present selections from my book “The Fates” as well as some recent work focusing on social consciousness issues — with, of course, some Palm and Tarot references thrown in. Come to help celebrate the fact that we just love poetry!!!

October Reading for Oak Harbor Poetry Project
2018-10-21 15:00 - 16:30 | Oak Harbor Library, 1000 S.E. Regatta Dr., Oak Harbor, WA, 98277, United States
I will be the featured reader for the Oak Harbor Poetry Project on Whidbey Island on Sunday October 21. The event runs from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Library and includes an Open Mic. Since this is the month for amazing mystic things I plan to read from my book, “The Fates,” and also some recent poetry having to do with ghosts and psychic readings. Rumor has it that I might also read a palm or two!
