Combined, poets Betty Adcock and David Treadway Manning have won Pushcart prizes, a spot in the N.C. Literary Hall of Fame and the N.C. Poetry Society's Poet Laureate Award. And on tonight, they’ll be coming to Flyleaf Books to share their knowledge with the community.
Adcock and Manning will be featured at Flyleaf Book's “Second Thursday Poetry Reading and Open Mic.”
Adcock and Manning participate in poetry readings and open mics from time to time, though both admit that speaking in front of an audience can get nerve-wracking. However, both poets agreed that getting out in the community and sharing your own work is the best way to connect with other authors and poets alike.
“I think it’s good for aspiring poets to come and hear poetry,” said Adcock.
By featuring two well-known poets with different styles and audiences, Flyleaf hopes to engage the local poetry community. Travis Smith, marketing coordinator at Flyleaf, said having two well-decorated poets accessible to the local community for the evening is exciting.
"One of the biggest values of a bookstore and what it can do is not only provide books but to also bring in authors and books and events to get people into the stores," said Smith.
According to Smith, Manning is a well-known local poet and was heavily involved in the N.C. Poetry Society beginning in the early 1980s. A dedicated community builder in the poetry community, Manning is also well-liked and respected throughout Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. With his cousin, mother and aunt all involved in poetry writing, Manning also attributes his interest in poetry to a genetic predisposition.
While Manning has been around poetry for a while, he’s excited to read his poetry alongside a major N.C. poet.
