Eve West Bessier, Kevin Smokler, and Grant Faulkner

On the 5/22/25 edition of Dr. Andy’s Poetry and Technology Hour:

Eve West Bessier joins the program to talk about her New Mexico poetic endeavors. She shares details about her two most recent collections, both poetic micro-essays: Poems Before Breakfast (2023), and The Road Home (2024). Bessier shares two poems “The Clothes Translation Hope” and “This Labor Mess.” The next guest is Kevin Smokler, who discusses his new book, Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers, published by Oxford University. Smokler conducted 24 career-length interviews for this book, focusing on the successes of these women throughout their careers directing films. The last guest on the hour is Grant Faulkner, who details his new project, Memoir Nation, which highlights that everyone has a story to tell and a life to document. He also details the membership tiers and benefits that Memoir Nation has to offer.

Eve West Bessier is a poet laureate emerita of Silver City and Grant County, New Mexico; and of Davis and Yolo County, California. She served on the steering committee for the Southwest Word Fiesta, and has been a festival presenter. Eve is a retired social scientist, educator, and voice coach. She is a published author, jazz vocalist, photographer and nature enthusiast currently living in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Kevin Smokler is the author of 4 books about pop culture including has latest Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers, out tomorrow. He also directs documentary films including the award winning VINYL NATION about the comeback of vinyl records in America, available at www.vinylnationfilm.com. He lives in San Francisco.

Grant Faulkner is the co-founder of Memoir Nation, the co-founder of 100 Word Story, and an executive producer on America’s Next Great Author. He has published three books on writing: The Art of Brevity: Crafting the Very Short Story; Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo; and Brave the Page, a teen writing guide. He’s also published All the Comfort Sin Can Provide, a collection of short stories, Fissures, a collection of 100-word stories, and Nothing Short of 100: Selected Tales from 100 Word Story.

The Poetry Night Reading Series takes place on first and third Thursdays of the month at 7 PM, is generously supported by the people and poets of the Sacramento Valley, by John Natsoulas, Robby Nykodym, and by members of the staff at the John Natsoulas Gallery. Your host will be Dr. Andy Jones, the poet laureate emeritus of the City of Davis. 

On Tuesday, May 27th, we will have the monthly convocation of the Village Homes Performers’ Circle featuring the quintet NoteWorthy. NoteWorthy have fun writing, singing, playing, and sharing songs.  NoteWorthy includes Meri Superak, Wendy Silk, Meg Alison, Ron Goldberg and Mike Elfant.  Meg is celebrating the recent release of her second album, “No Matter What Breaks,” recorded at Foxtail Studios (https://megalison.hearnow.com/). All five members treasure the community and connections they’ve made at Performers Circle - some for over 20 years! 

Find out more about Dr. Andy's Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis, California by visiting http://www.poetryindavis.com. Invite your friends to sign up for the mailing list. To learn more about Dr. Andy’s tiny media fiefdom, subscribe to his weekly newsletter at https://andyjones.substack.com.