Alice Osborn is engaged in many activities geared for community, which include judging a countywide teen poetry contest for grades 6 - 12, hosting poetry stammers at City Market's Art Space and facilitating the Wonderland Book Club at Cameron Village Library.

Her most recent ‘gigs' include hosting the open mic poetry sessions at several Wake County libraries where she introduces the topic of poetry to the audience, reads one or two of her own pieces and proceeds to allow audience participants to read their work.

Free and open to the public, Osborn will be conducting these upcoming events:

Thursday August 21, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. -  All About Email Etiquette at Raleigh Jaycees Office and Coffee & Contacts, Power Networking for Women, The Flagship building, 4332 Bland Street, Raleigh

Monday September 29, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. - Write with Confidence - How to Consciously Communicate with Clarity, Cameron Village Library, 1930 Clark Avenue, Raleigh, 919-856-6710

Tuesday October 14, at 7:00 p.m. - Open Mic - North Regional Library

Aside from winning a high school poetry contest, Osborn, 35, held the idea of writing in abeyance, safely tucked away on a back burner until 1997. 

An opportunity seemed to float her way.  She was hired to write profile articles about sailors.  From there she easily merged her degree in finance along with her masters degree in English (obtained at NC State), using her knowledge and experience to full advantage as a full-time free lance writer.

She now writes in genres that embrace poetry, creative fiction and non-fiction as well as technical writing.

Thematically she has written on the loss in family relationships.  Her book of poetry "Right Lane Ends," debuted in 2006.

In addition to that publication her poetry has appeared in Main Street Rag, Kakalak Poetry and the Iodine Poetry Journal.  Often she is invited to comment in the News and Observer's Critique Mania.

"Octavia Butler has been a great influence on me.  She has a matter-of-fact prose style and is not afraid to bring political and social issues to the page," said Osborn, and continued, "Butler makes you believe in yourself because her characters believe in themselves-they are strong women figures who Butler challenges.  We see how she forces tough choices on her characters."

Osborn's is presently working on a novel tentatively titled, "Her Crying Sea."

With regard to books in print and books online, Osborn offered, "You pick up a book, you can smell it, it has weight.  You can easily flip back to reread something about a particular character again.  Visually, you can enjoy the layout of each page and the cover illustration.  Books are so tactile-you can't take that feeling off the internet.  Also, books don't hurt my eyes the way the screen does.  In the end, you have to print a hard copy if you want to hold on to what you've just read."

Visit: www.aliceosborn.com