Rhyme Over Wine event is a monthly night of poetry by Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry Club. It starts with an hour of open mic then a featured poet. This month it is me!
I will do a few pieces on social issues and then some on broken hearted search for love, and end with some new love poetry.
Lady Naps Winery, 6940 Lee Hwy, Chattanooga, 6 to 8pm, Friday October 10, 2025
Rescuing Jesus from American Christianity: In his own words
In this survey of the Sermon on the Mount the author contrasts the Old Testament nationalistic kingdom of Israel, with the New Covenant kingdom of Jesus. It is proposed that when people believe in the kingdom of God as Jesus taught, then they will be less enticed by imitation kingdoms, and that the kingdom of Jesus which is one of love, is incompatible with political empires of conquest.
“Both conservatives and liberals attempt to claim Jesus as their own, but Jesus will not be owned by either, so in the cultural wars for dominion the best side to choose could be neither.” Pg 42
Purchase on Amazon HERE
In May 2024 I published, The Wisdom of Jesus: a Close Look at the Sermon on the Mount. Today a review by Jennifer Daniels Neal was published in The Heart of Flesh Literary Journal. My work was over twenty years of study, writing and rewriting, and this fine review captures the essence of what I hoped to accomplish.
Rear cover text: “The Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus, is one of the most influential passages in the history of religious literature. However, it has been used as a source of fanaticism as well as a source of deep beautiful spirituality.
The author gives us a literary analysis of the sermon, tracing its roots back into the earliest parts of the Bible, while also including a careful study of literary patterns within the text. The result is a deep appreciation for the wise words of Jesus, which leads us into healthy spiritual lives.”
Purchase on Amazon HERE
FILM SYNOPSIS
In this film you will view interviews with homeless people selected randomly from the streets of Chattanooga. This project is dedicated to providing a space for the unsheltered to tell their own stories in their own words, so that the housed may hear, understand, and grow in compassion for the people we view daily on our streets from a distance. Their stories may in some cases confirm our preconceptions, but more often, these stories will disturb our presumptions.
SHOWINGS
Saturday April 5, 2 to 4 PM at the Chattanooga Public Library, downtown branch
Sunday April 6, 3 to 5 PM at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Avenue,
(Sunday only, suggested donation $10-)
Film is 58 minutes long. Panel discussions moderated by Mark J Anderson
Panelists: Representatives from the Mayor’s office, The Chatt Foundation, Chattanooga Metro Ministries and Doing What We Can Homeless Outreach
Details and updates @ http://www.chattownpress.net
It is live and published!
Chattown Chatta: Our Homeless
Rear cover text: “Inside of this book you will find interviews with homeless people selected randomly from the streets of Chattanooga Tennessee. This project is dedicated to providing a space for the unsheltered to tell their own stories in their own words, so that the housed may hear, understand, and grow in compassion for the people we view daily on our streets from a distance. Their stories may in some cases confirm our preconceptions, but more often, these stories will disturb our presumptions.”
10% of sales price is donated to The Chatt Foundation
Purchase in person or on Amazon HERE
Main X 24 is an annual celebration of Chattanooga’s Southside district, held on the 1st Saturday of December (Dec 7th). All day and early into Sunday morning events are held on or near Main Street. Do not miss the parade at 10:30 ish! (www.mainx24.com)
Our contribution to the fun is Poets n Pickers Open Mic, from 2 to 4pm, on the large patio at 1603 Williams Street, one block off of Main Street behind Clyde’s. Come share a poem, a song, or a story. All material must be suitable for families with children.
This year we are also getting connected into the Music Passport event series by Make Music Day Chattanooga. Facebook event page HERE
Richard Winham of radio WUTC.org, hosts a podcast on writing called Open Book. We talked about my books, The Wisdom of Jesus, and my eclectic memoir, And Then. It is the last 15 minutes, starting at minute 41. We talk about the literary approach to reading the bible, and the significance of the Sermon on the Mount, on a personal level and social level.
Listen to interview HERE
Chattanooga Writers’ Guild presents a two-part series on Self-Publishing
Tuesdays, July 9th and August 13th, 6 to 8pm at the Edney Innovation Center,
The 21st Century Self-Publishing Revolution
Session 1, July 9th, with Mark Anderson
Pros and cons of self-publishing in 21st century market.
Prepare your work publishing using Microsoft Word
Session 2, August 13, with Kate and John Landers
Prepare your work for publishing using InDesign or Ingram Spark.
The monthly program meeting of the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild is free and open to all. It is held on the 2nd Tuesday, 6 to 8 PM, at The Edney Building, 5th floor, 1100 Market Street, Chattanooga. Note that the entrance door is locked after 6:30 so please arrive promptly, or if late, text a friend to open door.
About the presenters:
Mark J Anderson is the current president of the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild. He has self-published two children’s books, a collection of poetry and personal essays, and a full length inspirational book. More on his website: www.mjanderson.art
Kate Landers is a former president of the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild and has written and illustrated several books which have been self-published in collaboration with John Landers. More information on her website: katelanders.com
Author signing event at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Hamilton Place Mall
Saturday July 13, 2 to 4pm
Note: Rather than readings from the text, small printed portions will be available as free samples
Mark J Anderson, presents, The Wisdom of Jesus, A Close Look at the Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus, is one of the most influential passages in the history of religious literature. However, it has been used as a source of fanaticism as well as a source of deeply beautiful spirituality. The author takes us on a literary analysis of the sermon, tracing its roots back into the earliest parts of the Bible, and a careful analysis of literary patterns within the text. The result is a deep appreciation for the wise words of Jesus, which lead us into healthy spiritual lives.
About the author:
Mark J Anderson is the president of the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild. He has previously published two children’s books and a collection of stories and poetry. He moved to Chattanooga from Utah in 2016 and has found this city to be a fountain of creativity where he has thrived among fellow writers, musicians, and creative spirits.
Book launch: The Wisdom of Jesus: A Close Look at the Sermon on the Mount,
by Mark J Anderson
The Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus, is one of the most influential passages in the history of religious literature. However, it has been used as a source of fanaticism as well as a source of deeply beautiful spirituality. The author takes us on a literary analysis of the sermon, tracing its roots back into the earliest parts of the Bible, and a careful analysis of literary patterns within the text. The result is a deep appreciation for the wise words of Jesus, which lead us into healthy spiritual lives.
View on Amazon HERE
M J Anderson Creative Arts 