FAIRFIELD — When Pat Steele heard the news a few weeks ago, she couldn't believe it.

        The editor of Krater Quarterly, a literary magazine published in Michigan, had nominated her for the Pushcart Prize, a national award.

        “It's an honor just to be nominated,” she said.

        Ms. Steele is the local writer who specialize in poetry, short stories and creative nonfiction essays — and find an audience.

        It's not so easy. Of all the creative arts, writing is probably the least profitable. And poetry may offer the least monetary reward.

        But Ms. Steele, 42, an English teacher at Fairfield High School, isn't fazed. She's been writing since she was 8, and it's something she feels compelled to do.

        “There's a big resurgence and interest in poetry, especially in the underground,” she said. “There are places to publish, if you go at it. But unfortunately, there's no money in it. That's why it was so cool to be paid $150 for my work.”

        She describes that piece, “The Life and Times of Dagmar Gray,” as prose poetry.

        “I'm going to call it micro fiction, but it's got elements of poetry. Some people call it prose poetry,” she said.

        She has been booked to appear at a January poetry reading at Hamilton's Fitton Center for Creative Arts, where she is on the board of the Riverbank Poetry Project Committee.

        “I'll give a reading of about 20 minutes,” she said. “I'll read some Hamilton things and my Dagmar piece. Usually people hang around to talk.”

        Ms. Steele said some students are discovering poetry.

        “Lots of them have their little secret notebooks,” she said. “They need somebody to say, "Good job, keep it up.' One student told me that she didn't like me at first, but later she did. When I asked her why, she said, "You said something nice about my writing.'”

        Ms. Steele said the Fitton has made an impact — especially with young people — in its poetry gatherings.

        “Without it there would be a hole,” she said. “We need to get the kids out to see that poetry is a way to live.”

        WAYNESVILLE — Patrick Henry Irelan is a writer of a different sort.

        Just in time for the election comes his periodic newsletter, Wayne Township Alert, filled with humor and a dose of skepticism toward politicians.

        A shocking-pink envelope features a farm drawing and the words: “Enclosed — the 2000 Manure Spreaders.”

        He published 1,500 copies and mailed them first-class to individuals and organizations in Warren County.

        Mr. Irelan publishes the newsletter when he's not helping children cross the street at the Waynesville school complex, where he's a crossing guard.

        About politics in general, he writes: “We all must take the time to uncover the truth when we hear these coffee house blarney spinners.”

        MADISON TWP. — The Chrisholm Historic Farmstead, 2070 Woodsdale Road, will hold its annual Fall Harvest Fest 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Sunday.

        The event will feature a flea market, tractor games, crafts, cider pressing, vintage trucks and food.

        Admission, $2 for people 12 and older. It's sponsored by the Butler County Antique Machinery Club and MetroParks of Butler County.

       Randy McNutt's column appears Saturday. Contact him at The Cincinnati Enquirer, 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

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