Recently I announced that Tom and I were set to meet with award-winning local poet and 3-time published author, Daniel Edward Moore, for our next WOWI session. What neither of us knew then was that we were about to meet a fascinating gentleman who proved to be — frankly — a POWERHOUSE!
Daniel met us today at a delightful new shop in downtown Oak Harbor — Whidbey Made — which features a splendid array of local-only artisan goods and keepsakes. If you haven’t dropped by yet, I’m tellin’ ya, GO NOW! In the back of the Whidbey Made mercantile is a cozy space available to rent for small meetings and workshops. It proved to be perfect for WOWI — I think partly due to proprietors, Catherine & Brian, seeing their shop in-part as highlighting all the local talent. But I wonderfully digress . . . .
(Please follow @WhidbeyMade on Twitter)
Daniel shared his story of how he made his personal discovery of poetry — picking up a well-loved Sylvia Plath copy at a garage sale — and beginning to write. His insights and experiences with developing his craft and submitting to national journals had Tom and myself chomping at the opportunity to ask more questions. Easily this was a conversation that could have gone into ‘the wee hours’ — but, alas, Whidbey Made did need to close up!
As said — Daniel was a powerhouse in conversation. His passion about expression through the written word is clearly merely unabashed on a slow day — and you’ll hear this in the recording session. He is also no-holds-barred when it comes to the poetry community on Whidbey Island. For three years he and his wife, Laura, have managed the Oak Harbor Poetry Project, a group that both features established poets, supports upcoming poets with writing workshops, and holds an open mic. Saturday (14Mar2020) Daniel will be giving a poetry reading from 7 to 830PM at Unity of Whidbey (free admission, refreshments and book signing at intermission). With a “Writing Poetry Inside Out Workshop” at the Freeland Library 29Apr2020 from 2 to 4PM . . . . Daniel is one to watch.
(Take a look at the Readings & Events page on his website — note that he’s already booked out into next year!)
Once our session concluded, Daniel kindly pulled out copies of his book “BOYS” (Nov2019), inscribed and signed them, and gave copies to Tom and myself. He also gave a copy to Catherine, who apparently observed most of our recording from the doorway to the workshop room — our first WOWI audience member!
I have no doubt that you too will be impressed with Daniel Edward Moore and our latest WOWI podcast!
~ Don
Writing on Whidbey Island (WOWI) Episode 12
Daniel Edward Moore, poet
Daniel Edward Moore at…
- DanielEdwardMoore.com
- WhidbeyNews-Times article 10Mar2020
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Oak Harbor Poetry Project — “a wonderful open mic tribe!!”
Daniel Edward Moore is an award-winning poet whose works have appeared in some of the country’s most prestigious literary journals. Additionally he is the author of “Confessions of a Pentecostal Buddhist“, “BOYS“, and his latest book “Waxing the Dents” published 01Feb2020.