What’s Gnu?

Once again my life has taken a left turn. This time, though, it’s a left turn for the better.

I’m not going to Upaya Zen Center. I am instead staying in Auburn, Alabama, to become the assistant director of Gnu Arts, a nonprofit that runs a bookstore, community center, publishing imprint and (soon) a whole lot more. The Gnu’s Room, the bookstore, is where I read poetry last time I was in town.

I really fell in love with Auburn and made several good friends here. I think there’s a real chance for me to build a life here and to make an impact on a changing community.

Gnu Arts’ director is Tina Tatum (interview). She’s one of the people working hard to build a progressive, inclusive community in Auburn. She and I have become very close and she really lobbied for me to stay in town. Factor in a lovely community, low cost of living, several other good friends, and the chance to have a home my kids can come to, and it really feels like the right thing to do.

All of this happened because my friend Patrick McCurry has a Twitter account. If he hadn’t contacted me via Twitter, I never would have come to Auburn in the first place. Thanks, Patrick.

My main initial goal with Gnu Arts will be raising the money to expand the organization and pay myself. So I’ll be looking for some additional work while things get off the ground.

If you’d told me in May that I’d be living in Alabama by October, I’d have said you were nuts. But I couldn’t be happier. I’m tired of being on the move and ready to have a real life again. And I have a feeling it won’t be long before you can hear my voice on some sort of show again, too.

By the way, if you’re in Auburn, I’m reading poetry one week from today, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at The Gnu’s Room. Details are here. Hope to see you!