Billie Dee: Links and Webrings

Los Angeles Poet Billie Dee lists poets' resources and sites of interest. Website also includes Billie's selected poems, contemporary poetry anthology, gallery, diatribes and commentary on poetry-related issues. Home page at http://www.billiedee.com

Billie Dee's

Poetry Venues and Workshops

Online Workshops

The Albany Poetry Workshop ... an interactive Forum for Poets and Writers. Written and produced by the Albany Poetry Workshop in Albany, California, this is a live forum for poets who which to read and comment on each other's work-in-progress. Read their submission guidelines first. FREE.

AlienFlower Poetry Workshop

The Gazebo Not for the beginning writer, nor for the faint of heart, The Gazebo is a useful FREE resource for testing and improving your writing. You will gather more commentary on your work if you comment on others' poems first. You will be taken seriously and be held accountable for what you post, so take the time to read a number of other submissions before sticking your own toe into the waters. Don't take anything personally. There are a few soreheads and prima donnas on this site, but most are other poets genuinely interested in helping one another. Be sure to read their guidelines first. CAUTION: this site can become additive.

The Sistine Chapbook

Zeugma ..an Online Workshop for Poets. You must submit work and jump through a few hoops to be included here. Informed literati will appreciate commentary at this site.

Southern California Venues and Workshops

Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 Los Angeles' oldest continuously ongoing poetry venue; Featured readings of prominent writers, monthly open poetry readings. Free workshops Wednesday and Thursday 8 p.m. Others scheduled throughout the year at various times. Fiction, theater, performance art, experimental music, publishing, bookstore and archive, and more. An invaluable resource. http://www.beyondbaroque.org (310) 822-3006.

The Saturday Group Workshop Held at the Church in Ocean Park (235 Hill Street, Ocean Park, CA -- 1 block east of Main at the corner of 2nd and Hill) every Saturday 1 - 4 p.m. Open group discussion in a time-limited format. This is a seasoned, competent group of writers. Their criticism will improve your writing; you will delight in reading theirs. Bring 20 copies of a work-in-progress. Newcomers welcome. Almost free: $3 donation requested.

Poetic License Tuesday nights at the Zen Restaurant Theatre [2609 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, CA -- in Silverlake -- (323) 665 2929]. Hosted by Don Deedon and Larry Jaffe, this is L.A.'s hottest open mike gig. Featured poet each week, a line-up of terrific performance poets, (sometimes) back up jazz musicians. Sign-up online or at the venue 7:30-8:00 p.m. Arrive early (it's usually packed)

For other venues, check pOeTIX online bulletin board. You may wish to call first as dates, times, locations may change without notice.