poetry this weekend, it's getting real

two chapbooks, first reading, what's next??

I took a break from sharing online for a bit, but I’ve been preparing poetry and some new songs that I’m planning to share soon!

Until that’s ready, I did want to share that I’ll be at an Author Fest event Saturday, April 12 at Bean’s Books in Conway. If you’re around the area, stop by and say hello! (You can scroll to the end for more info.)

a (very) short story about Bean’s Books

Bean's Books in Conway, Arkansas

When my family was living in the river valley/central Arkansas area, we found a new bookstore in a little shopping area called The Village at Pickles Gap. That’s where we found Bean’s Books!

Bean's Books is a book store with a feeling of fantasy and whimsy. On the first visit, I was pleasantly surprised to find they were stocked with books from Rabbit Room Press and got a beautiful copy of George MacDonald’s The Light Princess.

We made friends with the owner Marshall that day, and have since enjoyed visiting the shop whenever we’re in the area!

what in the world is a chapbook

Since I am fairly new to the writing world, I had never heard of chapbooks until this past year. Apparently, they’re small, fun-to-make booklets for sharing poetry, short stories, etc.

I love physical copies of writings, so I’m making some chapbooks!

drafts of the chapbooks and some 5x7 prints

I’ve organized the poems into two categories resulting in two different chapbooks with 12 poems in each!

two chapbooks!?

YES.

1. slow down, friend is a chapbook focused on what I’m calling “social digitization and life illumination”. It’s the story (through poetry) of my battle with digital noise and a busy, anxious life.

   
   My addiction to screens & comfort.
   
   It’s light shining on internal darkness to bring peace and hope.
   

2. I saw a church or a factory is the second chapbook. It’s 12 poems for spiritual transformation. Literally changing form. Looking at myself, God, the “modern church”, and asking hard questions.
   
   My journey through disillusionment & turning.
   
   It’s a prophetic word on industrialized spirituality and a living church.
   

I’ve really enjoyed designing the chapbooks over the last year, then printing them out this week, and finally putting them together by hand. I’ll be taking some of my first copies to sell at the Author Fest this weekend!

I don’t have an online shop set up yet, so if you’re interested in getting some chapbooks, send me a message or reply to this email and let me know!

(If you haven't had a chance to read any of my poetry, you can click here to check out some of the poems in the chapbooks.)

okay, also. I DID MY FIRST POETRY READING!

It was a reading of both chapbooks for about fifteen people.

It was incredibly encouraging all around and there was powerful resonance in all of us.

I have a sense of transformation and shalom.

God is guiding me to prepare to do more small readings around Northwest Arkansas. I also feel compelled to record them in an audio and video format.

Please pray for my family and I for wisdom in how I pursue these next steps. 😊

Author Fest Info

This Saturday, April 12th from 9 AM to 5 PM, Bean’s Books in Conway, AR will be having an Author Fest featuring local authors and makers sharing and selling at their booths. I’m excited to be joining them this year!

Here’s a link to a post about the event and some of the authors: https://www.facebook.com/beansbooksconway/posts/122226735146235510

thank you

Thanks for reading, praying, and following along. There are creative works happening all around us to bring light and healing and flavor to our world. Reconciling peace is moving in the world even now. Through people.

I hope my work can encourage you, but also encourage you to create.

Bring order from the chaos.

Bring dead to life.

Shalom,

Durgan

pic thanks to @gabriellerowell

P. S. - I’m currently reading N. T. Wright for the first time (Simply Jesus). It’s been very transformative alongside gathering with the church.