The Mom Egg

Day: Saturday

Stage: Algonquin

Time: 12:10 PM

Interview with Marjorie Tesser, Editor.

1. Tell us a little bit about your organization.

The Mom Egg, a print journal of poetry, fiction, creative prose, and art, publishes work by mothers about everything, and by everyone about mothers and motherhood, and is engaged in promoting and celebrating the creative force of mother artists, and in expanding opportunities for mothers, women, and artists.  The tenth annual issue, themed The Body, was released this spring.  More info and work is on the website, www.themomegg.com.

2. Who is reading in your slot at the Festival and why?

A hallmark of The Mom Egg is differing perspectives—our contributors are diverse in just about every way other than the fact that they’re all wonderful writers—and so the readers at the Poetry Festival will reflect that aspect of our publication.  Because our most recent issue was focused on The Body, expect some body-centric work.

3. Who else are you looking forward to seeing at the Festival?

 Coldfront is reading right after us so I definitely will stick around for that one!

4. Did you attend the festival last year? If so, what was your favorite thing about it?

Not to be too parochial, but one of my favorite things about last year’s festival was The Mom Egg reading!  We had a “lightning-fast” reading by 14 or so poets, some of who came from places like Pittsburgh and LA to participate.  Readings like this provide connection with our community of contributors and outreach to new audiences.

5. Why is live poetry important? 

Probably the first poems most people hear with joy are told or sung to them by their mothers.   We at The Mom Egg love print, but word to ear is primal, immediate, visceral, fun.  Poetry deserves to be enjoyed in all modalities.