Burning Swamp Returns: The Re-Cap

Ice storms, floods, snow, even earthquakes: the coastal Georgia area has, as of late, experienced its share of cataclysmic events.  However, rather than feeling afraid, we here at Burning Swamp feel that this is just the planet’s way of expressing its excitement that the reading series has returned.  Here are some photos from the spectacular February 11th reading — make sure that you’ve got milk, bread, flashlights, and batteries, because these are photos of some apocalyptically awesome readings.

The Walnut Room, packed with people ready to hear some good words and good work.

 

Bob Marsh starts the evening off right with a stunner of a short story.

Jared Yates Sexton and Bob Marsh: an interlude.

 

The lovely Yavaria Ryan reading her lovely poems.

Joey Blackwell, parkour practitioner and poet extraordinaire.

Heather Nysewander reading a short story that shook down the house.

Eric Nelson’s reading was too amazing to be captured on film, so here is a photo of him talking poetry with Jekka.

A behind-the-scenes look at Eric Nelson’s reading and another glimpse at that handsome crowd. Thanks to everyone who came out, and we’ll see you again in March!

Burning Swamp Introduces — Bob Marsh

Bob Marsh, one of our readers on Tuesday, February 11th, 7:00 pm, in The Walnut Room behind Chop’s on Main.

We’re so close to the return of the Burning Swamp Reading Series that I can taste the excitement, which kind of tastes like smoke.  But in a good way.  A positive, awesome, amazing, and super-exciting good way.  It’s time to get to know one of our five awesome, amazing, and super-exciting good readers: Bob Marsh.

1. Do you believe in swamp primates? Of course there are swamp primates, depending on what you mean by swamp and primates.
2. Would you support the recent proposal to domesticate swamp primates? They should be domesticated as soon as the rest of us are.
3. Monster Battle Royale of the Month: Kraken vs. Loch Ness Monster – who would win? Loch ness is just a baby Kraken so there will not be a fight.

Bob Marsh was born in upper Michigan because he wanted to be close to his mother. He’s not from The South but got here as soon as he could. In high school he was a good student in math and science but failed English twice. College was much the same. After one semester he was invited to take a semester off. During the time off he became a journeyman railway carman. After flunking out again, the United States government offered him an all-expense paid tour of Vietnam. He declined and joined the Navy. After the Navy he became a sho nuf electrician. He worked in an iron mine, several oil rigs, and a steel mill. While working nights at the steel mill in Atlanta, he went to school days at a place sometimes called North Avenue Trade School. He got a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree there and went to work in several nuclear power plants. While taking some time off, he happened to see a posting for a math teacher. He applied and much to his amazement was hired to teach math. Sometime during the 14 years of attending GSU and teaching math East Georgia College, he was invited to participate in the Georgia Southern Writing Project Summer Institute. This was a life changing event. Bob discovered that he could actually write.

With encouragement from colleagues and friends at The Writing Project, he became a book author, published poet, and award-winning playwright.

He also calls Bingo at the American Legion and is chancellor of APW Wrestling.