[Newspoetry] For Immediate Release: Electronic Literature Interactions Series to Launch August 31st

[Scott Rettberg]

Electronic Literature Interactions Series to Launch August 31st

The Electronic Literature Organization is launching a series of electronic
literature readings in Chicago. The Interactions series will bring together
some of the most innovative artists working on electronic literature with
humanities scholars, who will lead audience and author discussions of works
shown. 

The ELO's Interactions series kicks off Aug. 31st 7 P.M. at the University
of Illinois at Chicago's Student Services Building, Conference Room B, 1200
W. Harrison (northwest corner of Harrison and Racine) with "Newspoetry."

Newspoetry <www.newspoetry.com> is an alternative online news source that,
for the past three years, has presented a poem every day responding to
current news. The Urbana, Illinois-based writing collective's efforts
produce a unique and ongoing form of social history, commentary, comedy, and
poetry. An ensemble reading will be performed by a group of newspoets
including founder William Gillespie, editor-until-chief Joseph Futrelle,
singer-songwriter Paul Kotheimer, Nicolle Ruth Neulist, Anne Bargar and
others. Following the reading a discussion of the work will be led by Notre
Dame University Associate Professor of English Steve Tomasula.

The Interactions series will continue in October, when the editors of the
kinetic poetry site "Poems That Go" <www.poemsthatgo.com> will be featured.
November 11th, as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival, the 2001
Electronic Literature Award Winners John Cayley and Caitlin Fisher will read
at the Chicago Cultural Center. In January 2002, Shelley Jackson, author of
Patchwork Girl, <www.ineradicablestain.com> will read from the classic and
other works. Audio from the events will be archived on the ELO site.

The Interactions series is sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council, the
Chicago Humanities Festival, and the University of Illinois - Chicago
Communication Dept.

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ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC LITERATURE ORGANIZATION

The Electronic Literature Organization <www.eliterature.org> is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization with a mission to promote and facilitate the writing,
reading, and publishing of literature designed for the electronic media.
Based in Chicago, the ELO is directed by a national board of leading experts
in electronic literature, technology, and publishing, and is additionally
advised by an international board of literary advisors. The ELO maintains
the Electronic Literature Directory and an Electronic Literature Web
Resource Center. The ELO is supported by the donations of individual
members, by corporate sponsorship and by foundations including the Ford
Foundation.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Interested media should contact Scott Rettberg, ELO's Executive Director at
<773.769.5340> or <rettberg at eliterature.org>