Interstial Arts Foundation - Jewelry Auction!

Have you perchance heard of a little anthology called Interfictions: An Anthology of Interstitial Writing? Brought to us by Delia Sherman and Theodora Goss, it is a positively brilliant collection of genre-breaking fiction. I read it last summer and enjoyed nearly every bit of it, which is a fine thing indeed to say about such an eclectic collection of stories.

You want tales of 12th century Prester John, beyond the edges of the map and adrift in a land of monsters? You want social commentary and reimagined fairy tales? You want a harrowing interpretation of Joseph's (of the coat of many colors) life? How about a shoe shop where shoes aren't sold? Or a distraught girlfriend who, forsaken by her man, mails herself to him and ends up living in the dead letter office?

I'll stop there. Hopefully you already have several clear reasons of why you should pick up this book. Now, to the point of my mentioning it...

The Interstitial Arts Foundation is holding an auction which they hope will help fund a second Interfictions anthology. I really want this to happen. And their auction idea is excellent-- from the post by ellen_kushner:

"April 30th marks the first anniversary of the publication of Interfictions, the first ever collection of Interstitial writing, edited by deliasherman & Theodora Goss. To celebrate - and raise money for the Interstitial Arts Foundation (and so we can put out another volume) - we are inviting people to create a piece of jewelry inspired by any story in Interfictions, which we will auction ONLINE to help support IAF. K. Tempest Bradford, an Interfictions author who has kindly consented to organize this event, tells you how :

What: Jewelry inspired by stories in Interfictions to be auctioned off for an IAF fundraiser.

Why: Because jewelry is pretty and pretty things are awesome.

To participate: send an email to IAFbead at g maild otc om expressing your interest. If you already have some idea what you will make and what story it's based on, let us know.

What we're accepting: Any jewelry or jewelry-like objects -- necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, pins/brooches, etc. We'd love to get stuff that people can and will wear. We love other art inspired by Interfictions, we just can't use it for this particular project.

How many can I submit?: You may submit up to 7 pieces of jewelry or up to 5 matching sets.

Deadline: We would love to have all entries in by April 26th because the auction starts the last week of April. But if you can send the pieces in any time before that, it would be extra helpful. If you need more time, ask and we can work it out."

Doesn't that sound brilliant? I know I have a couple of jewelers on my friends page and it is my sincere hope that you guys will think about participating in this charity auction.

For my part, I already have a concept clear in my mind and can only hope that I'll find the funds to purchase the materials so that I can get my piece done in time.

Poem: Exhalation

There are some exciting things afoot! If only they weren't so behind-the-scenes right now. Still, I will shortly be able to share on some of them.

Last year, for National Poetry Month, I hosted intermittent poetry attacks on my journal. I haven't had the opportunity to do that so far this month (too tied up with school, etc.), but I hope I'll at least be able to throw some original poetry at you guys each week for the rest of the month.

So, in that spirit: have a poem!

Exhalation
by Deborah J. Brannon

I walked down the path
though I was frightened
--a thousand smoke-colored birds
flew up
startled (a sudden exhalation)
and I thought that must be
what terror looked like
in the hearts of the great.
The soft creature of me paused
a great tension stirring in my thighs:
I could feel the furious blood
in those desperate bodies
winging across the still bloodless
sky.
My eyes fell to a red sun rising
--but the blue of the sky could not leave
my eyes.
I kept walking.

Poetry from last year: Elegy for a Fallen Angel
(which, incidentally, was also my offering for International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day)