Poetry in Print

If you think poets court the muse for art’s sake alone--think again. Poets also seek recognition by their peers and the publishers who print their work.

Longtime Simi Valley residents Ron and Diane Reichick know both sides of the equation--they’re both poets and publishers--and will talk about how to maximize your chances of publishing poetry at Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the Ventura County Writers Club at Borders in Thousand Oaks.

Ron Reichick founded and edited Verve, a nationally distributed journal of poetry and short fiction, for 10 years before giving it up last October. It had finally become too much like work for Reichick, who said he wanted to spend time on his own writing. Meanwhile, he knows how tough it is to get published and will discuss how to raise the odds.

“There is a big market out there and hundreds of magazines you can get published in,” Reichick said. “If you have good work in poetry, you can find a place for it.”

The pay may not be great--often it is in copies of the publication.

On the other side of the publisher’s desk, both Reichicks have had their works published. Ron has also written a column for Relax Magazine and has an unfinished novel languishing in a desk drawer. He said he made the classic mistake of spending so much time on research that he finally just got tired of it.

“I’m a physicist and sometimes I tend to get into too much research and am too technical--that’s why I went into writing,” Reichick said. “I wanted to be creative.”

More recently, he has written a screenplay and is hoping to generate interest in a syndicated talk show.

Diane Reichick, the recipient of the 1994-96 Woman of Achievement Award from the National League of American Penwomen, will offer her own brand of advice for aspiring and published poets.

You can hear them both at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Borders in Thousand Oaks.

*

Later this month, Borders will host Poetry and Conversation, featuring readings and the signing of Daybreak, a poetry journal edited by Virginia Anderson. The second edition of this yearly publication showcases poets from around the world, including Ojai poet Joan Raymund. Anderson was a teacher with a lifelong love of writing, attending workshops and readings for 12 years until the death of her husband became a catalyst for action.

“I was so torn apart with grief that I decided to do something and ended up in writing classes in poetry without any prior background in it,” Anderson said.

She met so many talented and creative people that she launched the poetry journal. She calls it a labor of love--as well as a labor of money. Still, she said, this is how she wants to spend the last part of her life and is already at work on volume three of Daybreak. Mark your calendar for this event for 2 p.m. June 27 at Borders in Thousand Oaks.

MORE HAPPENINGS

* Today at 11 a.m.: Robert Crais will discuss and sign “L.A. Requiem” at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084.

* Monday from 6 to 10 p.m.: partnered chess. At 7 p.m., chess aficionado Mark Doyle will hold an intermediate strategy lesson. Bring your own equipment. All ages and levels of play are welcome. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Tuesday at 7 p.m.: The cafe book group will discuss “The Color of Water” by James McBride. In the music section, the book group will discuss an Anthony Trollope work. Borders, 497-8159.

* Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.: The Ventura County Writers Club monthly meeting with Ron and Diane Reichick. Free and open to nonmembers. Borders, 499-8921.

* Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.: Paddington Bear will be featured at story time for toddlers and preschoolers. Ventura Barnes & Noble. 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m.: Sheri Updike will discuss and sign her new book, “The Lactose-Free Cookbook.” Includes a sampling and discussion of milk alternatives. Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m.: Great Books of the Century Fiction Reading Group will discuss “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Friday at 7 p.m.: Learn about the summer reading program beginning June 10 and ending Sept. 10. Students entering first to sixth grade, their parents and teachers are invited. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Saturday at 10 a.m., Rise ‘n’ Shine Storytime with Jessica. Borders, 497-8159.

* Saturday at 4 p.m.: James Barron will discuss and sign his new guide for fatherhood, “She’s Had a Baby and I’m Having a Meltdown: What Every New Father Needs to Know About Marriage, Sex and Diapers.” Borders, 497-8159.

Catch you next week.

*

Information about book signings, writers groups or publishing events can be faxed to Ann Shields at 647-5649 or e-mailed to anns40@aol.com.