Fairhope, ALA. — This month’s speaker at the Pensters meeting is sure to share important publication knowledge — from both sides of the pen.

Saturday, Ginger Murchison, poet, assistant director of the poetry program at Georgia Tech and editor of The Cortland Review, will talk to the writing community about publication from the standpoint of poet and editor.

“The best writing we can come up with —poets and prose writers alike — consists of nothing more than words arranged in an interesting and meaningful way into sentences,” Murchison said. “We are working at a craft, so the ‘making’ is the most important part, and that’s what I’m going to talk about: how the best writers use syntax to construct sentences for meaningful and expressive effect. Syntax is where the art is.”

P.T. Paul, Pensters president, said that Murchison’s breadth and depth of experience will benefit the workshop audience.

“When the officers gather to plan the agenda for the coming season, they are mindful of their obligation to bring speakers who can offer the membership the benefit of their experience and expertise,” she said. “Ginger Murchison brings to the members knowledge and wisdom gained as a poet, as an organizer of poetry programs and as a publisher of poetry.

“She has, literally, been on both sides of the equation, as a student and as a teacher of poetry, as a participant and as an organizer of poetry events, as a published poet and as a publisher of poetry.”

Claiborne Walsh, vice president of the Pensters, said the review is the first online magazine to bring famous poets such as Stephen Dobyns, Richard Foerster, Tony Hoagland, Mark Jarman, Thomas Lux, A.F. Moritz, Charles Simic and R.T. Smith to the Internet.

“As the Editor of The Cortland Review, Ms. Murchison, brings to the Pensters the advantages of reading the newest and upcoming poets as well as established poets,” she said. “Also TCR encourages submissions from these artists.”

“She will discuss not only The Cortland Review and the advantages of using the Internet but will also workshop creative ideas for writing.

“She holds an M.A. in writing and is a featured poet for the Bourne Chair poets of Georgia Tech.

“She was one of the cornerstones in bringing poetry to Georgia Tech along with Thomas Lux, who heads up the program at Georgia Tech.”

Satch Sampson, a Penster’s member, said that these areas of knowledge add to Murchison’s strong presence in the writing community.

“Ginger is an editor who is a significant player in networking,” he said. “She is the type of contact that your seated poet friend may jump up to talk to, pretending you aren't there.”

“Better yet, she is real and open to appreciation of quality literature.”

Paul said that Murchison’s poetry reflects this variety of experience, the benefits of studying other poets and of pouring original elements into her works as seen in her 2008 chapbook publication, “Out Here.”

“I am always pleased and frequently surprised by Ginger’s poetry, as she presents me with the familiar in contrast to the unfamiliar, weaving poems that reflect her exposure to the influences of extremely talented and accomplished poets, as well as showcasing the expertise that she has garnered on her own poetic journey,” she said. “She is a thoughtful, insightful poet whose feet may be firmly planted in terra firma, but whose heart and soul are no longer earthbound.”

Walsh agreed.

She said her “poetry is thought-provoking without being mawkish, strong but without overbearing emotion.” “She delivers truth in a palatable nugget while almost imperceptibly delivering a definite message.” “She enjoys the path of discovery and learning and conveys this to her reader or audience.”

The Pensters meet the second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fairhope Public Library. For more, e-mail Paul at ptphantazein@gmail.com.