IAM Releases "InsideOut," a Collection of Poetry by L.L. Barkat

Poems articulate beauty found in everyday encounters, finding dignity in the seemingly mundane

International Arts Movement's mission to "inspire, engage and create" is realized in a new collection of poetry. InsideOut, by L.L. Barkat, was published last month by the non-profit arts organization. Pre-release copies were available prior to Christmas, but the book's official release will take place at IAM's Space 38|39 in midtown Manhattan on January 29. Barkat, whose previous work includes the memoir Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places (InterVarsity Press, 2008), will read from her collection, and singer/songwriter Brooke Campbell will also perform.

In reviews of her first book, Stone Crossings, L.L. Barkat's writing has been compared to Annie Dillard and Eugene Peterson. Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Books and frequent book reviewer, calls Stone Crossings, "one of the best books I've read in a while," and Steve Hayner, President of Columbia Theological Seminary, calls Barkat's writing "beautiful and intelligent." Moving from memoir to poetry, Barkat maintains her unique voice, sensitive to the dignity in everyday encounters.

A prolific blogger, Barkat contributes to Seedlings in Stone, Tweatspeak Poetry, and High Callings Blogs, where she is also a Managing Editor. Barkat is also a staff writer for The Curator Magazine, and in February, she will speak on "The Poet as Minor Pastor" at the Jubilee Conference in Pittsburgh (www.jubilee2010.com).

"An Evening of Poetry and Music," featuring L.L. Barkat and Brooke Campbell, will take place at 7:00 PM on Friday, January 29, at IAM's Space 38|39, located at 38 W. 39th Street, 3rd Floor, in Manhattan. For those who are not in NYC, the event will be streamed live at www.InternationalArtsMovement.org as part of IAM Live, an online resource from the movement. For more information, please visit the web site. InsideOut will be available for purchase at the event, and the poet will sign copies of her books that night.

InsideOut, poems by L.L. Barkat, may be purchased online from Amazon, both in print and for Kindle. More information on the book, author and publisher is at www.internationalartsmovement.org/insideout.