Write by the Rails Writing Retreat
The spur for writing originates in one’s mind, but often the inspiration is Mother Nature. Write by the Rails (WbtR) invites members and non-members to attend a free writers retreat to “the best kept secret in Virginia,” as it is touted – the State Arboretum of Virginia in Boyce, on Route 50 West, 55 minutes from Manassas. The program will be held Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022…
Sand, Pebbles, Fossils, and Rocks
A lyrical ambrosia of poetic writings and captivating photographs.
This book is the quintessence of originality—so multi-faceted in the way it spans a variety of topics. The poems really make you think about the perspective of life while the photographs speak to you in a manner that makes you realize how beautiful this world is and the necessity to just stop and appreciate the significance. This book is a masterpiece and it’s impossible to put it down once you begin reading. Every poem is completely different in tone, topic, artistically, and with the wider-meaning. In two words, it’s—life changing.
“Be prepared to be swept away by the author’s breathtaking original photography in the book. Her poetic words take one right into the scene she is describing. The resulting emotion is spontaneous. I highly recommend this book.” —Amazon Reader
Write by the Rails Writing Retreat
The spur for writing originates in one’s mind, but often the inspiration is Mother Nature. Write by the Rails (WbtR) invites members and non-members to attend a free writers retreat to “the best kept secret in Virginia,” as it is touted – the State Arboretum of Virginia in Boyce, on Route 50 West, 55 minutes from Manassas. The program will be held Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022…
Meet JoAnn Lord Koff
poet & photographer
JoAnn Lord Koff is an accomplished poet and photographer. Her book, “Sand, Pebbles, Fossils, and Rocks,” is available on Amazon. “Sand, Pebbles, Fossils, and Rocks,” was a nominee for the “Literary Award in Poetry” by the Library of Virginia in 2019. Her poetry is in numerous magazines and journals worldwide. In 2020, she had an incredible and unique solo art gallery show at the ARTfactory in Manassas entitled “Camera Eyes: On Poetry,” showcasing poetry and photography, using her book as a basis. She was nominated for Poet Laureate of Prince William County in 2020. She participated in the first Juneteenth event on live radio, reciting her poem, “A Target on Your Back.” She was Vice President of “Write By the Rails” in Manassas from 2021-2023. While VP, she conducted an in-person writing event with a historian at the Manassas National Battlefield Park and a half-day writing event at the State Arboretum of Virginia with the Director of Scientific Engagement. She was one of seven poets asked to recite poetry in a 3-hour international art and poetry zoom event, “Where Art Meets the Line,” sponsored by the Poetry Society of Virginia. She is an artist with ART4US and has been in four gallery shows since 2021 and has been invited to participate in galleries in Naples, Italy and Tbilisi, Georgia. She is currently completing another poetry book and is working on a science fiction prose piece.
Photos from Book Signing
(First Fridays in Manassas, VA)
Photos from Poetry Out Loud
It was an honor to judge the 4B regional Poetry Out Loud contest for the state of Virginia on January 24, 2019 at the Center for the Arts in Manassas. It was a phenomenal experience to hear poems so beautifully executed and enlivened by these sixteen talented high school orators. The winner advanced to the state competition and ultimately, to the National Poetry Out Loud competition held in Washington, D.C.
Click an image to view a larger version.
“Camera Eyes: On Poetry”
“Camera Eyes: On Poetry” ran at the Center for the Arts in Manassas, VA, in January and February 2020. The concept of the exhibit was to cultivate a visceral connection between my original, timeless photographic images and the heartfelt vision within my accompanying poems. In trying to mix two mediums, or forms of artistic expression, visual images and printed words, I connect what is a truism, we use pictures as words and vice versa.
Photography is an instantaneous art form, which is rarely able to be duplicated. A poem, on the other hand, often ferments before its fragile birth and requires time to mature in rewriting. Each relies on instinct and wants its audience to feel its meaning or expression nonetheless.
“Camera Eyes: On Poetry,” showcased approximately 30 pieces of poetry and photography based on my book Sand, Pebbles, Fossils, and Rocks, from January 15 until February 5, 2020. The Opening Night reception was on January 18, 2020.
The exhibit ran concurrently with the Regional Poetry Out Loud competition at the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory in Manassas. In 2019 I had the honor of judging the Poetry Out Loud competition.
View pictures from the event
View videos from the event
What is Sappho Publishing?
Sappho is a new startup publishing company. Begun in March of 2018 in Manassas, Virginia, Sappho Publishing is operated by the mother and daughter team of JoAnn and Tara Koff. The press focuses on poetry and aims to release books that share a zest for the creative spirit.
Photos from the First Friday Book Signing in Manassas, VA
Click an image to view a larger version
What is Sappho Publishing?
Sappho is a new startup publishing company. Begun in March of 2018 in Manassas, Virginia, Sappho Publishing is operated by the mother and daughter team of JoAnn and Tara Koff. The press focuses on poetry and aims to release books that share a zest for the creative spirit.
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