Deep Waters Poetry Reading on August 18
2017-08-18 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | 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!

Unity Writers' Group
2019-01-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center, WA, United States
Unity Writers’ Group 2019
Come join us to create truth through our words! All types of writers (poets, fiction writers, playwrights, those composing family stories or memoir) are invited to be part of this positive, inspiring group. Both experienced and beginning authors are welcome, including people who are just thinking they might like to start writing!
The plan is for the group to meet weekly for 4 weeks to get established, then once a month. Each meeting will last about 2 hours and everyone wishing to, will get a chance to share what they have composed.
During our first meeting, those attending are invited to bring a short piece (one page or less) to read to the group. Each person will be asked to tell a little bit about themselves, why and how they are inspired.
To keep the creativity flowing, at the end of each session, group leader Joanne Clarkson, will suggest a topic those attending can choose to write about for next time, or they can work on an on-going project. She will also have a hand-out on some aspect of the writer’s craft.
All discussion of a writer’s work will be POSITIVE AND AFFIRMING. All subject matter will be confidential.

Reading at Northwinds Gallery
2019-03-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Northwinds Gallery, 701 Water St., Port Townsend, WA, 98368, United States
I will be reading with fellow Port Townsend poet Terry Persun at the Northwinds Art Gallery in Port Townsend on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 7 p.m. The beautiful art gallery is in downtown Port Townsend at 701 Water Street and the reading space is in the spacious back room. The reading is free, but a donation of $5.00 is welcome. I am excited to share some poems from “The Fates” and “Believing the Body” as well as work from my in progress chapbook focussing on my palmistry and psychic work including dreams. Pat is perhaps best known as a Fisher Poet and as editor of their anthology. He will be also be reading from his book and new manuscript.

Fifty Things to Do with a Poem, A Workshop in Honor of National Poetry Month 2019
2019-04-18 19:00 - 20:00 | WA, United States
It’s time to get poems out of drawers and notebooks and computer files and into the world. Whether you have written one poem or a thousand, beautiful words are meant to be shared. Over her many years as a practicing poet and writing teacher, Joanne Clarkson has compiled a list of 50 things to do with poems. Participants in this workshop will discuss these ideas, complete with successful examples. Additional materials include: places to publish, writing prompts, and how to stay positive in the face of rejection. The event is free and poets and poetry lovers of all levels of expertise are welcome.

Unity Writers Group
2019-09-10 08:00 - 17:00 | WA, United States
I am again facilitating the Unity Writers Group. Beginning September 2019, we will meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at the Unity Spiritual Center, 3918 San Juan Ave., Port Townsend. The sessions will run 1-3 p.m. in the Hearth Room. You don’t have to have participated before and you can write in any genre: poetry, prose, memoir, non-fiction, plays, blogs — anything. All levels, from beginning to well-published authors are welcome. Each week there will be a prompt for writing that participants can use or not. Sometimes we do some writing in class. Other times we bring writing we are work on to share for encouragement and gentle critiquing. The group is relaxed and intent upon having fun with words. For more information, contact Joanne at JoanneClarkson28@gmail.com or 360-701-2030.

Interview with Sheila Bender on KPTZ RAdio
2019-11-19 10:00 - 11:00 | WA
Joanne the Poet will be a guest on “In Conversation,” the radio program hosted by respected Port Townsend writer and teacher Sheila Bender, on KPTZ radio. The interview is scheduled for November 19, 2019 at 10 a.m. Joanne will discuss her passion for poetry, her craftsmanship, publication and will read some of her award-winning poems.

Unity Writers Group
2020-02-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center, WA, United States
Unity Writers group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 1-3 p.m. at the Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center on 3918 San Juan Ave. The workshop is open to writers who work in all genres and who have all levels of experience. We have poets, memoir writers, playwrights, bloggers, nature writers and fiction authors. Typically during class we each take a turn sharing either something we have written recently or a piece of writing that inspires us. We also share opportunities for writers that we have come across. We confess our dreams and our misgivings. Everything presented in class is confidential. We come together to collaborate in the Art of Words — that often come from our deepest places. Those attending do not need to register and the class is free, although a small donation to Unity for the use of the Hearth room is appreciated. For more information, contact Joanne at 360-701-2030 or JoanneClarkson28@gmail.com.

Earth Day Film and Poetry Collaboration!
2020-04-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Northwest Film Center, 1219 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR, 97205, United States
My poem, “Little Earth,” will be paired with a short film by film artist Devon Damonte of Olympia for a celebration of Gaia through words and image this April. The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day falls in April which is also National Poetry Month! Here is the Announcement of the Event:

Animation & Poetry for the Earth
A 2020 Vision for the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
​For the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, and with the month of April being National Poetry Month, artist and animator Marilyn Zornado is bringing together animators, poets and musicians for two programs featuring animated environmental films with live poetry readings in Portland, Oregon.

The first event will take place on April 9, 2020 at the Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium. The second event will be at Roosevelt High School Auditorium on Earth Day, April 22, 2020. Both events start at 7pm.

Writers' Workshop from Dreams and Visions
2022-01-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
“On the first page of my dreambook,” A Workshop for Writers and Seekers
Saturday, January 15, 1-4 p.m. on Zoom.
During this class we address dreams – both those we encounter during sleep and the ones that come to us as visions during our daytime meditations or spontaneously during activities.
For the week before the class, we will keep a journal of these messages and insights. During our session we will discuss visionary wisdom – including Charles Simic’s wonderful “Empire of Dreams” from which the title of this course has been taken. We will not write ABOUT dreams so much as THROUGH them to uncover themes and issues and questions we need and feel called to address.
For those who wish, Joanne will draw 3 Tarot cards and send them to assist with the dreaming.
Experienced and beginning writers and dreamers of all kinds are welcome.
Please sign up by emailing Joanne at JoanneClarkson28@gmail.com, texting 360-701-2030, or messaging on FB. Suggested donation is $10.

"Hospice House" from MoonPath Press, Zoom Launch Reading
2023-01-14 14:00 - 16:00 | WA
I will be reading poems from my brand new collection “Hospice House,” and telling how and why I created them. Many of my poems were inspired by Hospice patients I cared for. Others are about my experiences with the passing of loved ones. Still others speak to the life force energy around us. I like to call this a book about Spirit rather than one about death. If feel that my book is full of loving energy and I am so excited to share it.
Reading with me will be Risa Denenberg whose beautiful book “Rain/Dweller” was also just released from MoonPath. She is a family nurse practitioner and has worked in many areas of progressive health care. She lives not too far from us on our beautiful Olympia peninsula.
If you would like to attend this reading, contact me for the link by email: JoanneClarkson28@gmail, by messaging me on FaceBook or through texting to 360-701-2030. I sure hope you will celebrate with me on Saturday, January 14!

Lakewold Gardens Lit Fest
2023-02-05 12:00 - 17:00 | Lakewold Gardens
Joanne the Poet will be selling and signing copies of her new poetry collection, “Hospice House” and reading from the book during Lit Fest, Poetry in the Gardens, at Lakewold Gardens in Lakewood, WA. Joanne will be there on Sunday, February 5, from 12 -5. The event is also happening on Saturday, the 4th, and includes workshops, an authors’ panel and a display of award winning poetry.
For more information or to register and buy a ticket, go to www.lakewoldgardens.org.

Featured Reader for Collective Colloquy's February Event
2023-02-20 19:00 - 21:00 | WA
Joanne Clarkson will read and recite poems from her new collection “Hospice House” for Collective Colloquy’s February Event Monday, February 20, 7-9 p.m. The reading is being held at Anthems coffee house in the stadium district of Tacoma. An Open Mic will be part of this program so bring writing to share!

Ars Poetica Gallery Exhibition 2023
2023-04-16 14:00 - 17:00 | Front Street Gallery, Poulsbo, WA, United States
Galleries in Poulsbo, WA, host a program called Ars Poetica where poets are invited to submit poems for artists to consider using to inspire their art. This year my poem “Tear of Reverence” was selected by Leigh Metteer. My poem and her painting will be featured Sunday, April 16, at Front Street Gallery. At 2 p.m. authors and artists will present and discuss their work and the public is invited. I am so excited to be part of this event. The Exhibit will remain through May 7.

Featured Reader for the Olympia Poetry Network in May
2023-05-17 18:00 - 19:30 | WA
I will be the featured reader for the Olympia Poetry Network in May, reading from my new collection “Hospice House” from MoonPath Press and maybe a new poem or two. The event begins at 6 p.m. with an Open Mic (sign ups at 5:30) when audience members can present their own or their favorite poems. There is a 3 minute time limit. Location for the event is New Traditions Cafe at 5th and Water streets in downtown Olympia.
I like to say that my book is more about ‘spirit’ than death although in it I tell stories about my loving and courageous Hospice patients and their loved ones. It also includes themes from my personal life as a child who lost a parent and from my beautiful natural surroundings here in Port Townsend. I will have copies of the book for sale along with my other poetry collections and my memoir “There’s Always a Miracle.”
Many thanks to OPN member Cynthia Pratt for inviting me. When we lived in Olympia, I served on the Board of OPN. I am so excited to spend time with old friends!

"I Sing the Salmon Home" Reading at Finn River
2023-09-14 16:30 - 18:00 | Finn River Farm and Cidary, Chimacum, WA, United States
I am honored to join 10 other local poets on Thursday, September 14, from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at Finn River Farm to read our poems from the beautiful anthology, “I Sing the Salmon Home,” created by former Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest and published by Empty Bowl Press. This collection pays homage to salmon, Native Peoples and our environment generally. My poem, “Salmon Bones,” is about a story my dear friend Judy DuPuis, a fellow Youth Services Librarian, and storyteller told at one of our Family Campfire Evenings. Judy, who is now in spirit, and her husband Curtis, often graced our library events with their storytelling talents. And Jim and I still talk about their generous gifts of Curtis’ smoked salmon. I am so excited to help bring to life these poems about a nourishing resource that contributes so importantly to individual health and health of the planet.
