Poets in the Pines Podcast

The Delirium Interviews: Snails, Transcendence, and The Search for Meaning through Storytelling | Sylvie Althoff

Join us as we chat with writer, editor, teacher, and jazz banjoist Sylvie Althoff. In our conversation, we explore ambiguity, dream logic, transformation, and the strange comfort of unanswered questions. We discuss transcendence through surreal imagery, the limits of language, the body as both home and self, and how writing can become a way of imagining gentler worlds in difficult times. Sylvie also reads an excerpt from her contribution to Made from Midnight: Delirium, “The Other Side,” a surreal and strangely peaceful story about a woman who transcends reality only to discover herself reborn as a snail among countless others on a vast cosmic tree. She shares the inspiration behind the story, the role queerness and embodiment play in her work, and what’s coming next in her growing catalog of speculative fiction. ~ More about Sylvie: Sylvie Althoff is a queer transgender woman who works as a writer, editor, elementary teacher, and jazz banjoist. Her Locus-recommended writing has appeared in venues including Harper’s Bazaar, Escape Pod, Small Wonders, and Lesbians in Space. Her novella Trivial Matters is forthcoming from Android Press. She currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas with her wife, musician and teacher Jen Thomas, their dog Nomi Malone, and their cat Pocket. You can find more of Sylvie’s work at sylviealthoff.com, on Bluesky at sylvie-althoff and on Substack at Sylvie Althoff. ~ Timestamps: 2:00-4:15 “The Other Side” Reading 4:15-6:30 Snails, Transcendence, and the Search for Meaning 6:30-7:30 Carcinization, Trees, and Evolutionary Inevitability 7:30-9:00 Dream Logic, Ambiguity, and the Limits of Language 9:00-10:30 Funhouse Mirrors, Identity, and Transformation 10:30-12:30 Writing Optimism Through Strange Worlds 12:30-13:30 Why the Afterlife Should Be Weird 13:30-15:00 Story Qua Story & Reading Through the Author’s Lens 15:00-17:00 Queerness, Embodiment, and the Universal Through the Specific 17:00-18:00 Snails Carry Their Homes With Them 18:00-20:30 Retreating Inward During Difficult Times 20:30-22:00 Acceptance, Meditation, and Peaceful Resignation 22:00-24:00 Building Worlds Within Ourselves 24:00-27:30 Pirate Radio Stations, Robot Pirates, and other Trivial Matters ~ Here’s some of our favorite quotes from the episode: “Life is great at prompting a lot of wonderful questions and not super long on answers to those questions.” “The other side should be weird too.” “We are all brains in our own jars trying to communicate what’s going on inside.” “There are really no words to fully encapsulate what we’re thinking or feeling.” “I’d rather be on a pirate ship than at Walmart.” “It’s okay to have unanswered questions.” ~ Thanks for reading, watching, or listening! You can find out more about the editors, the press, the anthologies, and the contributors on our socials: IG: poetsinthepines www.poetsinthepines.com Kelly Miller’s Socials: IG: kellymbooks Anne Ramallo’s Socials: IG: anneramallo Leah Cass’s Socials: IG: elleunchained Thanks for reading! It would mean a lot to us if you shared it <3 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit poetsinthepines.substack.com [https://poetsinthepines.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Made from Midnight: Delirium Virtual Contributor Reading

Poets in the Pines Presents: Made from Midnight: Delirium Virtual Contributor Poetry Reading + Open Mic “You cannot know sin in the way that sin knows you…” —JAIMHY “Sorrow is a valley only love could carve.” —Moudi Sbeity “The oak floorboards feel like a blanket of crawfish cracking under my toes.” —J’Nae Join us as we hear the international voices behind our latest anthology. We dive into the works that helped shaped the narrative structure, voice, and style of this book. Get a sneak peek inside and a first look at our new cover! Plus, hear from the editors directly about what exactly goes into structuring an anthology during a live Q & A. Host and Co-Founders Kelly Miller and Anne Ramallo facilitated the event, and 30 poets showed up to share from all over the world—India, Istanbul, UK, Australia, and more. (There’s even a very special clingy kitty guest appearance!) An open-mic portion was held for the last half hour, and the general public was in attendance and able to perform during this time. Contributors (their IGs are linked): Millie Percival [http://instagram.com/milliep_poetry] | Özge Lena [http://instagram.com/lenaozge] | Moudi Sbeity [http://instagram.com/moudi.sbeity] | Vinita Agrawal [http://instagram.com/vinitaagrawal18] | Matthew Pullar [http://instagram.com/matthew.pullar] | Danuta E. Kosk-Kosicka | Jessica Purdy [http://instagram.com/jessica.purdy.735] | Joyce Hayden [http://instagram.com/joyce.hayden] | Steve Bowman | J’Nae [http://instagram.com/phoenix_film_house_] | Erin Schalk [https://www.instagram.com/erin.schalk/] | JAIMHY [https://www.instagram.com/ja.im.hy] | Trevor Tingle | Lara Gaydos [https://www.instagram.com/laraadamsgaydos] | Kelly Miller [https://www.instagram.com/kellymbooks]| Anne Ramallo [https://www.instagram.com/anne.ramallo] | Sarah Carleton | Sarah Carleton’s Bio (please forgive me sarah!): Sarah Carleton writes poetry, edits fiction, plays the banjo, and knits obsessively in Tampa, Florida. Her poems have appeared in numerous publications, including Nimrod, Valparaiso, Rattle, ONE ART, and As It Ought to Be. Sarah’s poems have received nominations for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. Her first collection, Notes from the Girl Cave, was published in 2020 by Kelsay Books. Open-Mic Portion: Sky | Millie | Özge | J’Nae | Jessica | JAIMHY | Susan | Steve | Kelly | Anne | You can find out more about the other 50 contributors of Made from Midnight: Delirium over on our IG, where we have spotlights, quotes, bios, and teasers. It really was such a great event, and we are so grateful to all of the support shown by the authors who stayed up late, got up early, and spent their Friday night with us. In its own way, this reading was a sort of liminal space where many moments in time all over the world collided. <3 We would love to hear which poem resonates most with you. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our community. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit poetsinthepines.substack.com [https://poetsinthepines.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Poetry is Resistance: An Open-Mic Night

Poetry Is Resistance is a live open-mic night held in response to current events surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota—a gathering rooted in the belief that art is not separate from the world, but a way of meeting it. This episode captures an evening where poets and writers came together to speak back to fear, silence, and erasure. Through poetry and personal reflection, participants honored art as protest, witness, and collective care. These readings are raw, urgent, and deeply human, offered not as answers, but as presence. For more, visit poetsinthepines.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit poetsinthepines.substack.com [https://poetsinthepines.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Made from Midnight: A Poetry Reading + Open Mic with Poets in the Pines

In this special first episode, we gather for a cozy evening of poetry, reflection, and community. Contributors from our debut anthology, Made from Midnight: a requiem, take the virtual stage to share their hauntingly beautiful pieces, alongside editors and fellow poets who made this collection possible. The night includes readings from the anthology, a heartfelt intermission and discussion, an open-mic segment where our community shares new and unreleased work, and a sneak peek into upcoming calls for submissions. Pour yourself a cup of something warm, settle in, and join us as we celebrate the power of language, connection, and creation after dark. Featuring readings and reflections from: * The Poets in the Pines editorial team * Contributors of Made from Midnight: a requiem * Open-mic poets from our global community Full timestamps below: 0:00 — Welcome + IntroductionsMeet the editors and hear updates on Made from Midnight: A Requiem, our debut anthology. 08:00 — Contributor ReadingsContributors share their work from the anthology, exploring themes of loss, rebirth, memory, and light emerging from darkness. 1:00:00 — Discussion + Call for SubmissionsA short break and group reflection on the creative process, community, and connection through poetry. 1:13:00 — Open Mic SessionMembers of our community share original pieces — from new works in progress to spontaneous midnight musings. 1:35:00 — Upcoming Submissions + Closing NotesAnnouncements on new submission calls and upcoming events from Poets in the Pines. Want to join the community? Check out our socials down below. If you loved this podcast, please show us in the comments! We thrive on words of affirmation. :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit poetsinthepines.substack.com [https://poetsinthepines.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]