Promoting poetry

In an effort to further promote poetry on the Central Coast, former San Luis Obispo County Poet Laureate Glenna Luschei is now funding a visiting writers series at Santa Barbara City College.

Luschei, who has homes in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, is best known for her Solo Press, a literary press she has operated for 40 years. That press has produced numerous chapbooks and a series of poetry journals.

The writers series, part of the college’s new Certificate in Creative Writing, will begin this fall. The series will feature master classes conducted by professional writers.

Anyone interested in the series or the creative writing program should contact David Starkey at starkeyd@sbcc.edu or call him at 965-0581, ext. 2345.

Luschei will also present the Glenna Luschei Distinguished Poet Award to Al Young, a past state poet laureate, later this month. The $1,000 award will be presented at the Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival on Sept. 29.

Luschei, who studied at the famed Iowa Writer’s Workshop, has dedicated her life to poetry. In the past she has taught at Cal Poly, Atascadero State Hospital and the California Men’s Colony.

While Luschei has been a strong proponent of poetry on the Central Coast, she is also a poet herself. Earlier this year, Artamo Press published her book, “Libido Dreams.”

She is also currently promoting her press’s latest journal, “Solo Café 3: Central Coast Poets Say What Needs to be Said.” And the next issue, featuring the theme “A Long and Mostly Happy Life,” is in the works.

Luschei’s journals feature poems by both nationally known poets, like Ted Kooser and Robert Bly, as well as local poets, like Dian Sousa, Roy K. Johnston and Rosemary Wilvert.

— Pat P.