TLA Network Virtual Salon

TLA Network Virtual Salon

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Join Us!

5:00–6:30 pm ET (UTC-4)

4:00–5:30 pm CT // 3:00–4:30 pm MT // 2:00–3:30 pm PT // 9:00-10:30 pm UTC

Click here to find your timezone.

Our Virtual Salons feature TLAN members who all use the written, spoken, or sung word for personal and community transformation. TLAN members have incredibly generous spirits, and we are excited to provide a venue to feature their artistic work.

The Transformative Language Arts Network (TLAN) virtual salons feature presenters who are active members of TLAN. Each presenter will have 5-7 minutes to present their written, spoken, or sung work followed by a brief period of audience response. 

Potential Presenters: To present at the Virtual Salon you must be an active member of TLAN. Active members are current on their dues. (Check on your membership status or re-join TLAN.)

If you are interested in presenting at the December Virtual Salon, please fill out the Google Form. If we have a multitude of entries we may have to feature you at a future salon. 

Audience members: Registration is FREE and open to anyone, not just members of TLAN and will take place online via Zoom. 

After the reading, there will be an artist talkback and time for questions and engagement from the audience. 

You must register if you would like to attend: a Zoom link will be sent to all registrants the day before the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Presenters!

Sharon O. Blumberg is a former junior high Spanish/Language Arts teacher with a M.S. in Education, now devoted to writing children’s books. Her publishing credits include: Four children’s magazines and some book anthologies. She is an active member of SCBWI, Inked Voices, 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, and a CBA Mentorship Program graduate, living in sunny Austin, Texas. Keep up with Sharon on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

Judy Fort Brenneman, story meddler and enthusiastic supporter of TLAN, is an award-winning author and playwright, occasional poet, and long-time writing coach with expertise in helping writers who have interesting neurologies. Her short work has appeared in everything from literary magazines to wayside signs and museum exhibits. Her longer work includes the award-winning book, “Electric Lemons: Interpretation and the Art of Writing” and the play, “Dracula and The Writing Coach,” winner of the Trimedia Audience Choice Award—Best Theatre. Keep up with Judy on Facebook. 

Claire Coenen, LMSW,  is a writer and teacher living in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband-to-be, Davey, and dog, Lion. After many years of graduate school and working in the mental health field, Claire now devotes her time to writing and to teaching the practices that nourish her most: collage, yoga, and expressive writing. Throughout her life, Claire has experienced the creative process as a path toward healing, peace, and wonder. The Beautiful Keeps Breathing is her first collection of poems. Keep up with Claire on Instagram and Facebook.

From Tasjha Dixon: I live in Kansas City, KS. I am a social justice advocate of over 20 years. I am a therapeutic yoga teacher of over 10 years. I am Buddhist and became a member of my local sangha over 15 years ago. I am a disabled veteran from my military service. I have a lot to say. 

From Tracie: I’m Tracie Nichols, poet, facilitator, HSP, over-thinker, introvert, and woman of deepening years. When I’m not doing managing director things for the Transformative Language Arts Network (TLAN), I write poetry and create seasonal word adventures for shy but curious people. I'm honored that my work has appeared or is forthcoming in kerning, Rogue Agent, Text Power Telling, and several anthologies. Keep up with Tracie on Substack.

Elizabeth Page Shepley is a writer & storyteller, creative living coach and healer supporting other helpers, healers and artists to restore a deeper relationship with their creative essence in order to show up more fully in their life and work. Through her stories, poems and prayers, Elizabeth shares a message of hope and healing with a voice that loves so big a stranger can feel it and, perhaps, take their own inspired action towards creative recovery. 

From Oyah! Beverly A Scott: I am a women that has known pain intimately and has been deeply transformed by it. Keep up with Oyah! on Instagram and Facebook.

John L. Swainston started writing poetry to cope with feelings of isolation during COVID.  He learned the craft by taking Zoom classes in poetry and writing at Turning Point, a support organization. He is a Member of the Mystic Poet Society, The Writers Place, and The Kansas City Writers Group.  He has had twenty-seven poems published with three awards: a poem in Veterans’ Voices received Editor’s Choice Award. His first book of poems, Memory Box, was published spring 2022. John is a retired Finance Executive, College Adjunct Professor, and Army Veteran. Gardner, Kansas. Board treasurer emeritus.