Meet the Hosts: Autumn Konopka
Autumn Konopka, of Glenside, Pa., hosts the Mad Poets Society’s monthly reading at the Milkboy Acoustic Cafe in Bryn Mawr, serves as the (ever procrastinating) MPS web czar & lead blogger, and rarely writes about herself in the third person (except for right now).
Autumn has published some poems, won some awards, gotten some degrees, and taught a few classes. She’s got a book that nobody has published yet (any takers??). Over the past year or so, she’s taken a break from teaching and publishing while she focuses on being a full-time stay at home mom to her rambunctious little son. In her “free” time, she’s honing her baking skills, blogging, and occassionally publishing arts & culture articles for Philly2Philly.com.
Autumn has been an active member of the Mad Poets since about 2001. “I met Eileen at an open mic, she suggested I send a poem to the Mad Poets contest, so I did,” Autumn explains. “When I won an award (the illustrious 8th honorable mention), I knew this was an organization I need to be a part of.”
Seriously, Autumn explains, after her first Mad Poets Festival she was hooked. She quickly learned about the myriad Mad Poets events and became a regular at the series at the Barnes & Noble in Bryn Mawr. A few years later when that series needed a host, Autumn was happy to jump in. “As soon as I started going to readings, I knew I wanted to be a host,” Autumn explains. “The two-poem limit of the open mic just didn’t do it for me. I like being up on stage more than that!”
That’s only partly true. Autumn, who has been hosting for about 5 years now, also believes its important for poets to not take themselves or their poetry too seriously. She works hard to keep her readings lively and playful. She thinks its the host’s job to make everyone comfortable and to make poetry accessible. Most of the time, the crowds seem to respond. Autumn has been called “a lively exuberant poet” and a “charming and gracious” poetry host. (*Blush*)
Autumn is particularly excited to be hosting the hosts, and reading with them, on August 13th. She has some fun surprises in mind to keep the hosts and the audience on their toes.
