Poetry Postcard Fest co-founder Paul Nelson interviews Gabriel Cleveland on his experience with the august POetry POstcard festival.
This year the Poetry Postcard Fest celebrates its 20th anniversary. From the fest many a creative project has spawned, and one recent example of that is Julie Master’s book: No Headlines Here: Postcard Poems.
Notes on the last Poetry Postcard Activation for 2026 at Pritchard Beach in Seattle.
Postcarding and DaySonging (A Workshop). In this session it will be a presentation of how the postcard fest developed, how the daysong developed, how I prepare for the fest and how participants attending prepare for the fest, as well as how to prepare for a successful daysong. The similarities of the daysong to serial poetry could be discussed, as well as the effort to put one’s self into the open, which has benefits in one’s own life.
INTERVIEW # 4 WITH Gabriel Cleveland was an absolute uplifting JOY to my “Writing Open Heart”…I am enjoying both the interviewee and the interviewer’s questions & responses…This morning Resha & I shared a coffee & toast hour with Billy Collins “Picnic, Lightening” Lines Lost Am…follong Trees…Billy laments …that ….While walking in the woods…with no pen…and nothing to write on anyway…I remembered the line in Sharon’s poem “Untiltled” (p54 in the 56 Days) Frank O’Hara stopping, leaning against a wall and scribbling in a small notebook…Paul et al…this is the beauty of PoPo in that my creative juices are awake aware & alive because I am a member of this ever expanding group of creative thinkers and fellow travelers…StanleydelGozo
Gabriel is such a gem! Loving these interviews Paul.
Miss having Gabriel here in Austin, Always brings a honest, heart to his work, not one to pull a punch. look forward to his words showing up in my box. “Engage in writing on the regular” love that
Such an uplifting interview … I enjoyed listening to the back and forth conversation,
thinking how wonderful that Gabriel’s enthusiasm is contagious … no mask required.
.
Gabriel … One of the blessings was coming upon a conversation about post cards .. I think the
52/52 year. At that point in my life and that particular month, the idea of the money
for post cards, the stamps… overwhelming … and some kind soul or souls, helped me be able
to participate. You mentioned about people who really can’t afford the fest…
my thought is that those are the people who would really benefit from receiving a post card
in August.
.
Appreciate Gabriel’s honesty and open spirit about likes and dislikes .. also such a big and kind heart
and soul.
A truly wonderful experience listening to this interview. 🙂 <3