Wordsmiths Series Brings 3 Award-Winning Poets To Newtown

NEWTOWN, PA — Three award-winning poets will be reading their works on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Bucks County Community College as its popular Wordsmiths Reading Series resumes this fall.

Jeanne Marie Beaumont, Julie Standig, and Tom Mallouk will read from their works at 7:30 p.m. in the Orangery building on the Newtown campus, followed by book signings and a reception.

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Beaumont is author of five books of poetry, including the National Poetry Series winner, "Placebo Effects," and most recently "Lessons with Scissors." She is also coeditor of
"The Poets' Grimm" anthology and author of the verse play "Asylum Song," which had its premiere at HERE Arts in New York. She is the former director of the Frost Place Seminar and has taught at Rutgers University, the Stonecoast MFA Program, and the 92nd Street Y.

Jeanne Marie Beaumont

Beaumont is serving as the final judge in the college's search for the 50th Bucks County Poet Laureate. Born and raised in Delaware County, Beaumont has lived in New York City for more than 40 years.

Standig is the author of two poetry books, including "The Forsaken Little Black Book," which was a finalist for an Eric Hoffer Award. Her poems have appeared in numerous
publications, including the Schuylkill Valley Journal, Gyroscope Review, One Art, and elsewhere. Standig retired to Bucks County after a lifetime in New York and immediately
found the River Heron Review, which led to the late Professor Chris Bursk's spring poetry workshops at the college.

Mallouk – a practicing psychotherapist – has transformed his interest in the healing possibilities of conversation into poetry. His poetry and creative nonfiction have been widely published, including two chapbooks. A third chapbook, "To Love You More," which includes poems by his wife, Dr. Eileen Engle, and a full-length book are both coming soon.

Tom Mallouk

The Wordsmiths Reading Series is another way that Bucks County Community College connects the community with the region's vibrant literary heritage. The college – founded in 1964 – has a long history of hosting literary greats, including poet Allen Ginsberg and many award-winning authors.

The Wordsmiths Reading Series, which is free and open to the public, is funded by the college's Cultural Affairs Committee. Upcoming events include poet Grant Clauser at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, and poet Michelle Messina Reale reading with the soon-to-be-named 50th Bucks County Poet Laureate at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 14.

To learn more, visit bucks.edu/wordsmiths or contact the School of Language & Literature at langandlit@bucks.edu or 215-968-8150.

Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown 18940, where there is ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit bucks.edu/newtown.