Writers are for the most part lone wolfs, notorious for hibernating in order to release the “jinns” inside them via writing. However, this year, I found myself more than ever involved in collaborations that expanded my community of Asian American and Central Asian American authors, performers and intellectuals. Since I was bedazzled by the Hipstamatic App on my iPhone, I fortunately documented these moments of collaborations, both formal and informal (almost always informal with a generous dosage of laughter). I am blessed and honored to be part of this community.
Here is my tribute to a growing community:
The inimitable Cihan Kaan, author of Halal Pork & Other Stories whose book happily almost sold out 9 months after release (UpSet Press: Spring 2011)
Amir Parsa, genius poet, and Robert Booras, editor of UpSet Press drawing up a contract for 2013 and beyond with a cool $20 on the table.
Purvi Shah, director of KAVAD programs, Kundiman. Fearless leader of the Together We Are New York, a Post 9/11 Community Voices and Poetry Series.
These photos are a series of collaborative meetings poets: Hossannah Asuncion, Tamiko Beyer, Marlon Esguerra, April Naoko Heck, Eugenia Leigh, Bushra Rehman, Zohra Saed, Purvi Shah, and R.A. Villanueva had while putting together the Together We Are New York performance in NYC.
April Naoko Heck, poet/beauty/blogger
Tamiko Beyer, poet with the most joyous laughter, Together We Are New York (Kundiman)
Bushra Rehman, comedian meets poet meets novelist, Together We Are New York (Kundiman)
Marlon Esguerra, poet extraordinare, listening and editing the voices for Together We Are New York (Kundiman)
Hossannah Asuncion, poet and human vitamin C, bringing the good cheer at a Together We Are New York meeting.
R.A. Villanueva and Tamiko Beyer in the midst of editing at Together We Are New York meeting (Fast editing creates visual blurs -- aka Poets at Work defy still photos).
Eugenia Leigh, pushcart winner for her poetry! Here gathering the yellow candles we decorated the stage with at Fordham University.
Dad was my collaborator for the show -- his story became woven in with the interviews from the Asian American community.
My perspective... don
Nisa, the young future scientist interviewed by Tamiko Beyer. Tamiko
Sahar Muradi, poet/actress/co-editor, during a session to organize the first Afghan American artists and writers commemoration of the 10 years of war in Afghanistan.
Wazhmah Osman, Filmmaker/Scholar/Activist, at organization meeting for Afghan Americans Ten Years Later event.
Afghan American Artists and Writers Association (AAAWA) L-R: Sahar Muradi, moi, Naheed Elyasi, and Najila Naderi. The organization is now growing with members and events.
Bushra Aryan, PhD in Education, writes excellent probing work on Afghan American women in higher education.
Shehnaz Khan, community activist and author of
Veil matches iPhone. Madonna meets Hijabi Fashionista.
Shehnaz Khan, truly rocking that veil!
Winter Wonderland with Najila Naderi, Afghan American fiction writer.
Here is my pictorial formula to further increase my writing productivity 2012:
Some people see Jesus shapes on frosted windows -- I see the Buddha of Bamiyan on a tree in Midwood, Brooklyn.
+
Ezra Pound
+
My Turbano Totem: Found in a Chinatown Souvenir Shop on Doyer Street.
+
A Smiley Zohra
=
Wish me luck for the New Year! And thank you for all of your support! Happy writing, performing, creating and reading to you as well!
