WASHINGTON, DC – Ipatia (Patty) Apostolides, founder and director of the Hellenic Writers' Group of Washington, DC (HWGW), spoke with The National Herald about Glimpses of Our World, a recently published collection of poetry in Greek and English by the members of the HWGW.

Apostolides holds an MFA in Creative Writing and is currently pursuing her PhD. She has published several novels and a poetry book.

Apostolides told TNH that “the Greek poetry group is part of the HWGW under the auspices of the cultural nonprofit organization the Hellenic Society Prometheas. The HWGW group has met monthly since 2014 at the Hellenic Center in Bethesda, MD.”

About three years ago, Apostolides approached the poetry group about making a poetry book anthology. “This opportunity would give the Greek and Greek-American poets a medium to showcase their poetry,” she told TNH, adding that “they agreed with enthusiasm.”

Since then, Apostolides collected up to 15 poems, written in Greek and English, from each of the 13 poets, and also contributed some of her own. She then organized and edited the poems.

“The HWGW was very fortunate to have Dr. Polyvia Parara of the Modern Greek Studies program at the University of Maryland to help in editing the Greek poems,” Apostolides told TNH, noting that “Dr. Parara also wrote a preface to the 166-page poetry anthology.”

She continued, “The title ‘Glimpses of Our World’ was chosen along with a book cover depicting flowers in a field to represent the poets. Each poem is a snapshot, or glimpse of each poet's world. The topics that run through the book include nature, philosophy, love, loss, Greek mythology, and family, among others. Proceeds from the sales will help to offset the overhead costs of the group.”

“In addition to the poetry group, HWGW also has a writers' group, where they work on craft of writing, critique, and publishing novels, short stories, and memoirs,” Apostolides told TNH.

When asked about upcoming projects, she noted that one project she “is considering for the future is to publish a collection of short stories from members of the HWGW with a Greek theme. This is a work in progress.”

Apostolides pointed out that all her efforts are done on a volunteer basis. She said that “in addition, several writers are working on manuscripts that are in different stages of becoming published. The HWGW also invites speakers on a regular basis.”

More information about the HWGW can be found online: www.hellenicwritersgroupwashingtondc.blogspot.com.

Glimpses of Our World: A Bilingual Anthology of Greek American Poetry is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Glimpses-Our-World-Bilingual-Anthology/dp/195198529X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=glimpses+of+our+world&qid=1592864265&sr=8-1.

Apostolides’ own works are also available on Amazon. Among her novels are Lipsi’s Daughter, Helena’s Choice, The Greek Maiden and the English Lord, and The Lion and the Nurse. Her poetry collection is titled Candlelit Journey: Poetry from the Heart, and is divided into four sections: Spiritual Reflection; Reflections of Love; Journey through the Seasons of Life and Beyond; and Greek Reflections, My Roots.