Two CNY Pen Women Launch New Books with Stunning Performances Over One Weekend

Goergia Popoff and Julie Hughes made a big splash on the Central New York literary scene this past weekend, April 5-6, 2024, with public book launces.

Georgia, who is the Onondaga County Poet Laureate, released her new poetry book Living with Haints at the YMCA's Downtown Writers Center in Syracuse on Friday, April 6th. Program coordinator for the Writers Voice at the YMCA, Georgia read from her new collection of poems centered around the idea of living with "ghosts" of the past. Her reading and book talk was the Writers Voice benefit with the rapt audience registering for the special event that was held in person and online through ZOOM. A large crowd at the Writers Center and online engaged with the poet following the reading to ask questions about the process of writing the collection. Popoff generously shared anecdotes with her audience about writing the 100-page collection of poetry published by Tiger Bark Press.

An arts-in-education specialist and the author of a number of other books of poetry and nonfiction, Georgia was named Poet Laureate of Onondaga County, New York, in 2022. She is also the series editor for the University of Michigan Press Under Discussion book series on contemporary poets.

Photo of Georgia Popoff by Janine DeBaise.

Julie B. Hughes launched her new memoir A Real Ballbuster, Untangling Testicular Cancer Together at Books End Bookstore in Syracuse on the afternoon of Saturday, April 6th. Reading from her new, inspiring work that raises awareness about this form of cancer, Julie spoke about the levels and trials of recovery and offered the good news that her husband is now in remission from cancer. Her family joined friends, neighbors, and interested people who came to her Julie talk about writing this very personal and important book. Following the reading, Julie signed copies of her other books that people bought, in addition to toking orders for advance copies of her new memoir.

The author of several books, Julie also writes a SubStack blog Run to Write and created a writing group based on that concept. She has created podcasts designed to enlighten people about the importance of early detection of cancer and how to deal with it in your family.