Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday EDGAR ALLAN POE!

You will be toasted tonight.

https://www.createspace.com/3610670

Poe-esque

Spooky fog! - Aldermey
Originally uploaded by neilalderney123

"During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country; and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher. I know not how it was—but, with the first glimpse of the building, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit. I say insufferable; for the feeling was unrelieved by any of that half-pleasurable, because poetic, sentiment, with which the mind usually receives even the sternest natural images of the desolate or terrible. I looked upon the scene before me—upon the mere house, and the simple landscape features of the domain—upon the bleak walls—upon the vacant eye-like windows—upon a few rank sedges—and upon a few white trunks of decayed trees—with an utter depression of soul which I can compare to no earthly sensation more properly than to the after-dream of the reveler upon opium—the bitter lapse into every-day life—the hideous dropping off of the veil."

--Edgar Allan Poe
The Fall of the House of Usher

Poe

Delivered a well received lecture to an attentive audience last night on Edgar Allan Poe, Eureka, MODERN POE: VOL. I, and poetry. While I positively loathe public speaking, I have a passion for enlightening the masses when it comes to Mr. Poe's legacy. I've always suspected that much of the public has certain ingrained misconceptions about the man's life and history (you mean to say he wasn't a drug-fueled, depraved lunatic?) that are very hard to shake. They are always amazed to learn there was so much more to the man - he was fascinated by science, astronomy, and cosmography; he had a keen sense of humor and appreciated a good hoax; and was a true gentleman with Southern manners and grace, keeping his appearance fastidious - even while his clothes were threadbare and thin.

The most satisfying part of the evening was seeing all the young faces in the crowd. As the event was put on by The Friends of the Public Library, I expected the audience to be skewed slightly older, so I was delighted to see one of our local English teachers who had enticed her 8th Grade class with extra credit for attending and taking notes. As gratifying as it is to set the record straight with people who think they know Poe, it's even more rewarding to give accurate facts and information on the great poet to a generation that knows little about him. Read more here:

https://www.createspace.com/3610670

Update: Poe

Gave a grueling lecture yesterday in support of MODERN POE: VOL. I called: Edgar Allan Poe and the Short Story. It was over the course of four hours and in front of one of the toughest crowds I've ever faced: my hometown's middle school 8th Graders! In all honesty, other than being hoarse today with a slight sore throat, the talk went surprisingly well and I'm very proud at how attentive the kids were and of the intelligent, insightful questions they asked regarding Mr. Poe and the short story process. Yes, there were a couple 'class clowns,' but I even tried to answer their questions thoughtfully and somehow tie it back to Poe - who liked a good laugh himself and was certainly no stranger to humbugs and hoaxes. My gratitude and thanks to the English Department for putting the program together - let's do it again sometime! (I am in fact in talks to return for their Poetry section in a month or two - exciting! Well...for me, maybe not the 8th Graders!)

In other MODERN POE: VOL. I news, I received a short blurb in the Post Bulletin - which is the biggest newspaper in SE Minnesota with the largest circulation around. Unfortunately, the reporter who contacted had me convinced that I would have a lengthy, in-depth article discussing the book - but in the end it was simply a blurb. Doubly unfortunate is the fact that they spelled Mr. Poe's name wrong. If nothing irritates a Poe disciple more it's when someone misspells his name as Edgar ALLEN Poe, and not ALLAN. Triply unfortunate is the fact that they misspelled MY name too. Quadruply unfortunate (is that even a word?) is the fact that they failed to include the link to my e-store.

I guess bad press is better than no press at all right? Well, for the sake of journalistic integrity, here's the link: https://www.createspace.com/3610670

Respects Paid

-----------------------------EDGAR ALLAN POE-----------------------------
----------------Born: January 19th, 1809 in Boston, MA. ----------------
----------------Died: October 7th, 1849 in Baltimore, MD----------------

--------------------Deep in earth my love is lying--------------------
-----------------------And I must weep alone.-----------------------

-------------------------------IN MEMORIAM--------------------------------

All Things Edgar

Things are about to get seriously kicked into over-drive in the world of MODERN POE: VOL I in the next few weeks. As I make my notes and collect my thoughts, I feel a curious combination of both nervousness and excitement: excitement because I have a passion for Poe and revel in the opportunity to speak at length about the man and his works. Nervous because I dread the idea of speaking in front of a crowd. Nevertheless - with a book comes book promotion, so I will summon my courage and (hopefully) let the excitement of the subject properly motivate me.

My scheduled E. A. Poe engagements thus far will all be of the local variety. I recently got a mention in our city's monthly newsletter; I've been asked to speak to our middle school and high school English classes, the local Art Guild has scheduled a book signing; a nearby Opera House has requested a brief performance of 'The Raven' in support of my book; and the Public Library is promoting a Hot Reads program which spotlights regional authors - with me being their October selection. Like I said, all small-town fare, but I am tremendously honored and grateful for all of these organizations for choosing to have me and help support their local Poe researcher.

I hope to do them all proud in what is sure to be, with all of the rest of the haunted happenings that occur around our home, one of the most memorable and thrilling months of October of all time!

To purchase your own copy of MODERN POE: VOL. I, please visit my e-store at: https://www.createspace.com/3610670

Nevermore

Another sign of mine. Poe themed, natch.

http://www.eapoe.org/works/poems/ravena.htm

Poe Speak

So I recently booked my first speaking engagement for MODERN POE: VOL I. I'm actually pretty excited about it, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't more than a little nervous. Many people do not know that Edgar Allan Poe was actually an excellent orator who gave popular lectures (or not, depending on his mood) later in his life. This is something we do not share. Like the majority of the American public, the thought of public speaking sends my knees knocking. There are about a thousand other things I can think of that I'd rather be doing than standing in front of a crowd of strangers and talking for approximately an hour.

Unless, of course, I'm passionate about the subject matter. And - as anyone who knows me can attest - I am extremely passionate about the life and times of Edgar Allan Poe. This should make for a fun and enlightening night of conversation as we talk about MODERN POE: VOL I, the man, his legacy, and his words. More details to come as the date approaches! To pick up your own copy of MODERN POE: VOL I, simply click on the link below to visit my e-store: https://www.createspace.com/3610670

Glass Raven

An amazing Poe-inspired stain-glassed window created by my crazily talented sister-in-law. This beauty is hanging in our entry-way just inside the front door. The design is actually based off a logo by The Poet Oatmeal Stout, one of my favorite seasonal brews. I think it turned out fantastic - worthy of hanging all year round!

http://newhollandbrew.com/beer/mainstays/the-poet/

One Sheet

THE RAVEN is a gritty psychological thriller in which famed author Edgar Allan Poe joins forces with a young Baltimore detective to hunt down a mad serial killer who’s using Poe's own works as the basis in a string of brutal murders.

Starring John Cusak, Alice Eve, Luke Evans, Brendan Gleeson, Dave Legeno, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Pam Ferris. Coming to theaters on March 9, 2012.

Dreamland

I had the weirdest dream about Edgar Allan Poe last night/this morning. It's all fading so fast that I barely remember much of it except that Poe was dressed in an off-white suit and a panama hat like a southern gentleman (think: Tom Hanks in 'The Ladykillers') and we were sitting outside on a large plantation-style porch on wrought iron furniture. It was definitely a trip to get to hang out with him and sip tea and talk poetry. The big thing I remember is that I kept thinking: "He has nice manners, but he's too smart for me - I don't know what to say without sounding stupid..."

By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have reached these lands but newly
From an ultimate dim Thule-
From a wild clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of SPACE- out of TIME.

Orange Poe

Edgar Allan Poe
Originally uploaded by Dingerz

My love, she sleeps! Oh, may her sleep
As it is lasting, so be deep!
Soft may the worms about her creep!
Far in the forest, dim and old,
For her may some tall vault unfold-
Some vault that oft has flung its black
And winged panels fluttering back,
Triumphant, o'er the crested palls,
Of her grand family funerals-
Some sepulchre, remote, alone,
Against whose portal she hath thrown,
In childhood, many an idle stone-
Some tomb from out whose sounding door
She ne'er shall force an echo more,
Thrilling to think, poor child of sin!
It was the dead who groaned within.

Poe Shadow

Edgar Allan Poe
Originally uploaded by chucka_nc

[From the photographer's description:] Bust in the garden at Edgar Allan Poe Museum. Not exactly a huge place, but a few interesting artifacts -- His desk, chair, some writings, childhood bed, etc.

I must see this. I WILL see this...someday.

Happy Birthday

It's hard to put in to words just how strongly I connect with the greatest American writer and poet of the 19th century - Edgar Allan Poe. A true master of words and weaver of fear in prose, it's perhaps Poe's poetry that really resonates with me the most. If you've never read any of his poetry, why not take a minute on your break from work to stop by the Barnes & Noble in the skyway and pick up a copy? It just may change your life. Happy birthday, good sir - you were a misunderstood genius gone before you time and you deserve to be toasted each year (I will be raising a pint in your honor tonight), even if the Poe Toaster is no more...

http://www.startribune.com/nation/114184339.html

One of my favorites:

ALONE

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.
Then- in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life- was drawn
From every depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent, or the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that round me rolled
In its autumn tint of gold,
From the lightning in the sky
As it passed me flying by,
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view.

Quote of the Day

"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. During these fits of absolute unconsciousness, I drank--God only knows how often or how much. As a matter of course, my enemies referred the insanity to the drink rather than the drink to the insanity. I had, indeed, nearly abandoned all hope of a permanent cure, when I found one in the death of my wife. This I can and do endure as becomes a man. It was the horrible never-ending oscillation between hope and despair which I could not longer have endured, without total loss of reason."

--Edgar Allan Poe

Nevermore

Here's the first pic from the set of the James McTeigue directed thriller 'The Raven' starring John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe. As a major fan of Poe, I'm satisfied with Cusack in the starring role (although I would have cast Johnny Depp myself - with Tim Burton directing, natch), but I'm not thrilled with the goatee. Granted there aren't many images of the poet to work off of - but of the known likenesses in existence, I can't recall ever seeing one in which he sported a goatee. Cusack does not look like Poe here - he looks more like some random guy in 1845 wearing sneakers, Professor Moriarty perhaps. I also don't jive with the plot, which seems a little too Sherlock Holmes-ish for my liking:

"A fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe's life, in which the poet is in pursuit of a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer's stories."

I would have preferred a straight biopic rather than a fictionalized thriller - but hey - no one asked my opinion...

Edgar Allan Portrait

Edgar Allan Poe
Originally uploaded by Steve, H.

I would hang this in my house of Usher.