Next Up to The Mic

This week, Thom Francis welcomes Victor Clevenger to the mic. He performed at The Linda as part of the joint reading put on my the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, Hobo Camp Review, and Trailer Park Quarterly on July 23, 2022. 

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Collaboration is crucial in the art and literature world. Working together with other writers, publications, and organizations help build a bigger, stronger community.

A few years ago, the Hudson Valley Writers Guild began an annual reading series featuring writers from the Guild and online zines Hobo Camp Review and Trailer Park Quarterly. In July 2022, contributors from all three shared their work over two nights in Troy and Albany. Today, we are going to hear from poet and editor Victor Clevenger, who took the stage at The Linda in Albany, NY.

Victor’s work has appeared in print magazines and journals around the world, and has also been nominated for the Best of the Net Anthology and the Pushcart Prize. He has published several collections of poetry including A Finger in the Hornets’ Nest (Red Flag Poetry, 2018), Corned Beef Hash By Candlelight (Luchador Press, 2019), A Wildflower In Blood (Roaring Junior Press, 2020), Scratching to Get By (Between Shadows Press, 2021), and 47 Poems (Crisis Chronicles Press, 2022).  

This week, Thom Francis welcomes local writers Carlton Wells & Rhonda Rosenheck to the mic. They shared their work at the Poetic License Poetry Reading and Open Mic at the Honest Weight Food Co-op on Friday, November 7, 2025.

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For four years, the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and the Upstate Artists Guild have worked together on the Poetic License project, bringing together poets and visual artists from the Capital Region and beyond. With the beautiful, inspired artwork as a backdrop the words filled the air at two readings supporting the shows in both Troy and Albany. 

On November 7, writers Carlton Wells and Rhonda Rosenheck shared their work in front of a full audience in the Community Room at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany.

First up to the mic is Carlton Wells who read a sonnet with a lot of word play and then his poem “Wino in the Garden.” Local writer, editor, and educator Rhonda Rosenheck was next with two poems “All the Wonders,” a poem that was picked by an artist to be included in the show, and “Earth’s Watch.”

The call for poetry submission for the 2026 edition of Poetic License will be announced in early-spring with the exhibits taking place in the fall. For more information on the Poetic License project and to view the art and read the poems, go to https://poeticlicensealbany.com 

This week, Thom Francis welcomes local writers S.L. Maurice & Shannon Kauderer to the mic. They shared their work at the annual “Year in Review” event at Mojo’s Cafe & Gallery in downtown Troy on Saturday, December 6, 2025. 

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Early last month, poets and writers got together for the “Year in Review,” the Hudson Valley Writers Guild’s Annual Meeting and Open Mic at Mojo’s Cafe in Troy. A full range of writers took the stage that afternoon to share their poetry and prose, and today we are going to hear from two of those writers. 

First up is S.L. Maurice, who been very active in the local community by leading writing workshops, hosting events, and serving on the HVWG board. At the “Year in Review,” Sam shared two poems as a preview of his featured reading at the Third Thursday Poetry Night at the Social Justice Center in Albany on January 15. 

Next up is science fiction writer and co-founder of the Albany Writers Group Shannon Kauderer. The Albany Writers Group runs two Sunday evening write-in sessions every week in East Greenbush and Clifton Park. Shannon read an except of a short story that was recently published in “Catskill Chaos.”

This week, Thom Francis welcomes local poets Celeste and R.M. Engelhardt to the mic. They performed their poetry at the “Year in Review” event at Mojo’s Cafe & Gallery in downtown Troy on Saturday, December 6, 2025. 

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It’s a new year and the Hudson Valley Writers Guild has a lot of exciting opportunities for poets and writers to share their words at readings, workshops, and other events. We can’t wait to find out what our region is writing about in 2026. 

2025 was an incredible year of dynamic poetry and prose from our very vibrant, creative community. To start off 2026, we are going to go back to the last event of 2025 and hear from two poets who took part in the annual “Year in Review” open mic, hosted by the great Mary Panza, at Mojo’s Cafe in Troy on Saturday, December 6, 2025. 

First up is Celeste, a young, new voice to the area who reads some reworked poems for the afternoon event in the Collar City. And then, long-time Albany poet and open mic host R.M. Engelhardt, takes the stage to share two poems - one calm, the other one, as he says, “different.”

Thom Francis introduces us to poets Susan Kress and Will Nixon. Both of whom were finalists in the 2025 Stephen A. DiBiase Poetry Prize Contest.

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The 2025 Stephen A. DiBiase Poetry Prize winners and finalists were recently announced with many poets from the Capital Region and Hudson Valley included in the list.

The DiBiase contest was created in 2015 to offer a more inclusive and welcoming alternative to traditional poetry competitions. There are no entry fees, no line or page limits, and no restrictions on subject matter, form, publication history, or age, making it especially appealing to younger poets. Each year, approximately $2,500 in prize money is awarded, with $500 going to the first-place winner and the rest distributed among top finishers.

Last week we heard from finalist Howard Kogan, who shared his poem, “Mourning Becomes Her.” This week we will hear from Hudson Valley Writers Guild members Susan Kress and Will Nixon.

First up is Susan Kress. Her poem “Fire-Proof Box” was an Honorable Mention in this years contest. Before she reads her poem, she tells me more about the inspiration of the piece.

Susan Kress was born and educated in England and now lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, having taught at Skidmore College for many years. Her poems appear in Nimrod International, The Southern Review, New Ohio Review, Salmagundi, New Letters, South Florida Poetry Journal, Valparaiso Poetry Review, Third Wednesday, Gyroscope Review, La Presa, and other journals.

The next poet up to the mic is Will Nixon who will read his poem “Orpheum.”

Will Nixon is the author of the poetry collections, “My Late Mother as a Ruffed Grouse” and “Love in the City of Grudges.” With Michael Perkins he is the co-author of “Walking Woodstock: Journeys into the Wild Heart of America’s Most Famous Small Town.” He has also written “The Pocket Guide to Woodstock.” He now lives in Kingston, NY.

For more information on the Stephen A DiBiase Poetry Prize and to read the poems from the winners, finalists, and honorable mentions, go to dibiasepoetry.com.

This week, Thom Francis introduces us to poet Shelby Hafener. They were one of the featured readers at the Eight Poets event at The Fish Market on Saturday, October 11, 2025. That day, Shelby was joined by poets from the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, online zines Trailer Park Quarterly and Hobo Camp Review, and Troy-based bookstore Paper Moon.

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Online literary zines Trailer Park Quarterly and Hobo Camp Review presented an afternoon of poetry and spoken word at the Fish Market with Troy-based bookstore Paper Moon and the Hudson Valley Writers Guild on Saturday, October 11, 2025. 

Eight poets took the stage that day and shared their work that afternoon including Shelby Hafener who read “God Bless the Forever War,” “This House,” a poem about her grandmother, “Different” in commemoration of  National Coming Out Day, and “New Moon Child.”

Shelby Hafener (she/they) is a free form poet based in Troy, NY. Her works are inspired by their life as a lesbian, struggles with mental health, and a response to the world at large. She uses poetry as a form of expression, showing herself to the world in a way that makes sense. Their first collection of poems is titled “two years under my teeth” and was self published in 2023.

Hudson Valley Writers Guild Vice President, Mary Panza, introduced Shelby to the audience.

Thom Francis welcomes poets Brian Liston and Joan Goodman who shared their work at the Poetic License Poetry Reading and Open Mic at the Honest Weight Food Co-op on Monday, October 14, 2024.

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Poetic License celebrates the creative intersections of poetry and visual art by bringing together writers from Hudson Valley Writers Guild and artists from the Upstate Artists Guild.

Last year's exhibit showcased 42 pieces of art, created by 24 artists, each responding to poems written by 23 regional nad national poets. This fusion of imagery and language gives us a fresh look at how art can interpret, transform, and reimagine the written word.

On October 14, 2024, poets featured in the exhibit were invited to read their work in a special poetry reading hosted by local, photographer, and activist Dan Wilcox. Poets shared their pieces while surrounded by the very art they inspired—a full-circle moment for words and visuals alike.

Today, we’re thrilled to bring you the voices of two of those poets: Brian Liston, who is the only poet who has had his poetry appear in all three Poetic License exhibits, and Joan Goodman, who was a reader in the open mic portion of the evening. 

The 2025 edition of Poetic License exhibit has moved across the river and is now on view at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany through November 16. There will be an Artist Reception and Poetry Reading event as part of Albany’s First Friday on November 7, 2025.

For more information on Poetic License and its upcoming events, go to poeticlicensealbany.com. And while you are there, you can read the poems and view the art that is featured in the show.

This week, Thom Francis introduces us to poet Nancy Byrne Iannucci. Nancy was one of the featured readers at the Eight Poets event at The Fish Market on Saturday, October 11, 2025. That day, Nancy was joined by poets from the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, online zines Trailer Park Quarterly and Hobo Camp Review, and Paper Moon.

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The Hudson Valley Writers Guild, Paper Moon, and online zines Trailer Park Quarterly and Hobo Camp Review joined forces to present Eight Poets, an afternoon of poetry and spoken word at the Fish Market in Troy, NY on Saturday, October 11, 2025. One of the poets who shared their work on that beautiful fall afternoon was poet Nancy Byrne Iannucci. Nancy read her poems “Freedom,” “Granddad’s Garden,” Just as They Were About to Bloom,” “Taking Back Eden,” and “We Tried to Fly” and discussed the inspiration behind them.

Nancy Byrne Iannucci is a poet and librarian living with her cats, Nash and Emily Dickinson. Her work appears in journals such as THRUSH, Hobo Camp Review, San Pedro River Review, and Hole in the Head Review. She’s the author of four chapbooks and is currently working on two new collections of poetry.

Hobo Camp Review editor James H Duncan introduced Nancy to the audience.

This week, Thom Francis introduces us to three local poets - BradQuan Copeland, Gripp, and S.L. Maurice - who took the stage and shared their work at the Poetic License Poetry Reading & Open Mic last month at the Fish Market in Troy. That was just the first of two readings that are part of Poetic License 2025, a joint project of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and the Upstate Artists Guild. 

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It was a beautiful early-fall evening in Troy when poets and writers gathered at the Fish Market for a special evening of poetry and spoken word. Local poet and photographer Dan Wilcox hosted the Poetic License Poetry Reading & Open Mic welcoming some of the writers whose work inspired the art lining the walls of the North Central Troy art space. While not in the exhibit themselves, poets BradQuan Copeland, Gripp, and S.L. Maurice, took part in the open mic portion of the night and were warmly received by the audience.  

First up to the mic is a relative newcomer to the local open mic community, BradQuan Copelend, who read two poems ““Phantom Vision,” from his new book “Rebirth,” and “Blood of Tender Flame.” The next poet up is Slam Quphoria’s very own Gripp. They shared two pieces “Azinam” and “Still Sleep.” And finally, the great S.L. Maurice stepped to the mic with two poems of his own, “Vibrant Sounds, Colors, and Motion,” the title poem from his new book, followed by “Spins on Change.” 

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The 2025 edition of Poetic License exhibit has moved across the river and is now on view at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany through November 16. 

For more information on Poetic License and its upcoming events, go to poeticlicensealbany.com. And while you are there, you can read the poems and view the art that is featured in the show.

This week, Thom Francis introduces us to poets Andy Fogle and Jil Hanifan who poems inspired artists to create visual art for the 2025 edition of Poetic License. They shared their work at the Fish Market in Troy on Monday night, September 22.

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Poets and artists gathered in Troy on an early-autumn evening to view the Poetic License art exhibit on the walls of the venue and to hear some of the poems that inspired the artists. 

Dan Wilcox hosted the first Poetic License poetry reading and open mic of the year on Monday, September 22, at the Fish Market featuring some of the talented wrtiters who contributed to this years traveling exhibit. Today we are going to hear from two of those poets. 

First up to the mic is Andy Fogle. He read two poems that night - “The House Up The Hill” (the poem that is in the show) and “Chameleon” by his friend poet Rachel Nix.

Andy Fogle is the author of Mother Countries, Across from Now, and seven chapbooks. A 2021 Saratoga Arts grant recipient, his work has appeared in Best New Poets 2018, Tahoma Literary Review, Potomac Review, and elsewhere. He is the poetry editor at Salvation South, and teaches English at Bethlehem Central High School.

Next up is Jil Hanifan who shared her poem “Mad Lark Laundry” that inspired a photograph by local poet and photographer Tess Lecuyer. She also read a longer poem, “The Luthier’s Lament.”

Jil Hanifan is the author of whethergirl: the wind rose, (TA'Wil Books and Documents, 1999),  "hangar round," a site-specific poetry simultaneity (SIMUL TIN EITY) on permanent exhibit at the Albany International Airport. Her poems have appeared in Peer Glass, Hudson Valley Writer's Guild Anthology, The Second WordThursdays Anthology, Bright Hill Press, and Seeds. Other poems have appeared in Big Scream, Two Girlz, 13th Moon, Little Magazine, Heaven Bone, Contact II, Earth's Daughters, and Snail's Pace Review, and online at hvwg.org. She teaches undergraduate courses in writing, poetry and poetics, as well as courses in contemporary American poetry and genre studies at the University at Albany

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The 2025 edition of Poetic License exhibit has moved across the river and is now on view at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany through November 16. 

For more information on Poetic License and its upcoming events, go to poeticlicensealbany.com. And while you are there, you can read the poems and view the art that is featured in the show.