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REDBIRD STUDIO -- A WRITERS' PLACE
January 19, 2008
1. THE BIRD'S NEST
2. WHAT'S UP AT REDBIRD
3. NEWS OF REDBIRD WRITERS AND
FRIENDS
4. OTHER PLACES/FACES
5. HOW TO HELP, ETC.
1. THE BIRD'S NEST Judy
Bridges
Four
Redbird Writers Reach Semi-Finals in Amazon/Penguin Breakthrough Novel Award
The sponsors of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest
(ABNA), Amazon.com and Penguin Group, have announced the semi-finalists in
their search to identify the "next great novel." Of nearly 5,000
novels accepted, the judges selected 836 titles to move into the final rounds.
Four were written by Redbird Writers. And all four were work-shopped in Redbird
roundtables.
POSTCARDS FROM A DEAD GIRL, by Kirk Farber, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00122GTR8
THE GHOST MOTHER, by Felicity Librie, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00122GTTQ
EASILY AMUSED, by Karen McQuestion, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001200C4Q
THE PETOSKEY STONE, by Jon Olson, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001200C0K
My favorite thought about this news, in addition to glee for the
winners, is what it shows about the community of Redbird writers. Two of the
authors, Kirk and Felicity, live far away from us now, (in Colorado and
London,) and yet, they knew about each others' win before I did. They stay in
touch, as do so many who are not here at this moment but are still a part of
us.
The next step in the judging includes reader participation.
Excerpts are posted on Amazon (web addresses above) where you can read them and
post your review, which will be taken into account in judging the Top Ten. This
is a good chance to support your fellow writers. Reviews must by posted by
March 2nd.
Have fun reading, and reviewing, and working on your own contest
entry.
Reading
at Woodland Pattern's Poetry Marathon
My heart's a-flutter. Who, me, read in a poetry marathon? I'm not
a poet. True, Edgar Allen Poe was my first love. And there was that 6th grade
affair with Joyce Kilmer, and later, the one night stand with the war poet who
wrote about the falling smile. Since then, I've had exactly one poem published
-- by a friend.
But Julie Strand said I can read something else... this is a fund
raiser... an hour dedicated to Women of Milwaukee... I was asked because I am
"influential in the Milwaukee Writing Community." Sold. I'm a sucker
for an ego punch.
So, among the wonderful poets who read that day, including several
Redbird friends, this Woman of Milwaukee will stand to read five minutes of
non-poetry. I'll be nervous and if I'm lucky, a few of you will be there to
help me smile. That's half the fun.
Saturday, Jan 26, 10 AM - 1AM.
Women of Milwaukee Hour from 10PM-11PM
If you can spare a few bucks, consider making a pledge to Woodland
to sponsor me or any of the other readers. See www.woodlandpattern.org
for names and timing. Familiar names include: Jackie Reid Dettloff, Frank
Dettloff, Mary Lux, Annie Parcels, Marilyn Taylor, Mary Wehner, Judith
Zukerman, Susan Maciolek, Helen Padway, Thea Kovac, Jeff Poniewaz, Antler, Ron
Czerwien, C.J. Hribal, Susan Firer, Jim Hazard, Jennifer Morales, Dasha Kelly,
Julie Strand, and, and, and...
Registration
Open for Red Oak Young Writers
January marks the opening of registrations for Creative
Writing Camps for young people, grades 4 - 12, who like to write. The camps
were created based upon "I wish I'd have had..." conversations with
adult writers at Redbird Studio. Now being offered at two locations: "Red
Oak at Redbird" (July 21- Aug 8) and "Red Oak at Ten Chimneys"
(June 23-27). Please visit http://www.redoakyoungwriters.com
to learn more and share this great opportunity with the young writers in your
life.
Mark
Your Calendar! -- 15th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND WRITERS SHOWCASE
Come celebrate Redbird! This is our 15th anniversary celebration
and showcase reading: Thursday, May 1, 6:30 pm. in the Social room on the main
floor of the Marian Center.
Save the Woods
Remember the cemetery in Seminary Woods? The trillium that blooms
there in the spring? If you are among the many who have found inspiration or
solace in the woods, go to www.mkeconservancy.org and
do what you can to help save it.
Book Return
If you have books from the Redbird shelves, please return them.
I'm especially in need of my signed copy of THE NEW WRITERS HANDBOOK, by Philip Martin. The book has a chapter of comments
by Redbird writers that I'd like to show in a workshop.
2. WRITE
NOW AT REDBIRD...
"There's a reason why we have a 14 ft. long shelf full
of books authored by Redbird Writers!"
Details and registration info: www.redbirdstudio.com or
call 414-481-3195
POETRY CRITIQUE GROUP with MARILYN TAYLOR
An exciting opportunity to workshop your poetry with an
outstanding poet and teacher. Marilyn's award list runs to pages (see www.mlt-poet.com).
Her book, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, was nominated for the nationally recognized Poets'
Prize. She served as Milwaukee's Poet Laureate (2004-2005). Present your
works-in-progress for discussion and feedback. Small groups. Intermediate
level.
Meets
4 Wednesday nights per session, 6:30-8:30 pm. Fee: $85
Winter
2008: Jan 23, Feb 6, 20, Mar 5
Spring
2008: Apr 2, 16, 30, May 14
SHUT UP & WRITE! SEMINAR with JUDY BRIDGES
Our flagship course introduces you to Redbird and leads the way to
better writing, whatever your current level. Writers of fiction and nonfiction
appreciate the individualized attention. Includes instruction, coaching,
writing, participation. SU&W is a prerequisite for participation in the
roundtable critique groups.
Meets
six Monday evenings. 6:30-9:00 pm. Fee: $375
Winter
2008: Jan 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Spring 2008:
Mar 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28
Summer 2008:
Jun 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28
REDBIRD WRITERS ROUNDTABLE CRITIQUE GROUPS
Roundtable critique groups are the heart of Redbird. Led by
experienced writer/teachers, they combine the best of college workshops and
living room groups to give you structure, support, healthy feedback and the
opportunity to build a network of writing friends. Pre-requisite: Shut Up &
Write!
Roundtables with ROBERT VAUGHAN
(Note
change in schedule from Friday to Monday mornings)
MONDAY
MORNINGS (4 meetings in 2 months) 9:30 am to 12 noon, $85
Winter,
2008: Jan 21, 28, Feb 11, 25
Spring,
2008: Mar 10, 24, Apr 7, 21
Summer,
2008: May 5, 19, Jun 2, 16
THURSDAY
EVENINGS (4 meetings in 4 months) 6:30 to 9 pm, $85
Winter/Spring,
2008: Jan 24, Feb 14, Mar 20, Apr 17
Half-Session:
May 22, Jun 12 (Fee: $45)
Roundtables with JUDY BRIDGES
TUESDAY
AFTERNOONS (4 meetings in 2 months) 12 noon to 2:30 pm, $85
Winter,
2008: Jan 8, 22, Feb 5, 19 (waiting list)
Spring,
2008: Mar 4, 18, Apr 1, 15 (waiting list)
Summer,
2008: May 6, 20, Jun 10, 24
WEDNESDAY
EVENINGS (4 meetings in 2 months) 6:30 to 9:00 pm. $85
Winter,
2008: Jan 16, 30, Feb 13, 27 (waiting list)
Spring,
2008: Mar 12, 26, Apr 9, 23
Summer,
2008: May 7, 21, Jun 11, 25
YOUNG AUTHOR PROGRAMS with KIM SUHR
New name: Red Oak Young Writers
Details and registration info: www.redoakyoungwriters.com
Sunday
Afternoon Writing Circles, at Redbird Studio (continuing)
Homeschool
Workshop, at Redbird
(March, April)
Creative Writing Day Camp, at
Redbird Studio and Ten Chimneys (June, July, August)
3. NEWS ABOUT REDBIRD WRITERS AND
FRIENDS
Note: "R.W. and Friends" either attended Redbird
workshops, or taught them, or support the studio in some special way. If you
sent information and it did not appear, please forgive and send it again. Web
sites are listed but not necessarily linked.
Shauna Singh Baldwin's latest collection of short stories, WE ARE NOT IN PAKISTAN was
reviewed in the Toronto Star.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/291299
Shauna was interviewed on CBC regarding the political situation in Pakistan. http://www.cbc.ca/radionoonmontreal/
(Hour Two - What do you think will happen in Pakistan with guest Doug McArthur
Part One) Quill and Quire selected WE ARE NOT IN PAKISTAN as a
Book of the Year 2007. See the Quill and Quire review at:
http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=5764
Shauna gave a reading at the University of South Carolina. Her
interview re: WHAT THE BODY REMEMBERS and THE TIGER CLAW can be viewed at:
Caught in the Creative Act
Sally Blommer and husband Peter send travel news from their bike trips in Asia
and Central America.
Liam Callanan, commentator and writer, teaches creative writing at UW-Milwaukee.
Hear his Lake Effect interviews on www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/contributors.php
Kurt Chandler, senior editor of Milwaukee Magazine, author of two books and winner of numerous awards for articles
in newspapers and magazines, shares his insights about Milwaukee on WUWM Lake
Effect show: www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/contributors.php
Kirk Farber reached the semi-finals in the Amazon/Penguin Breakthrough Novel
Award for his novel, POSTCARDS
FROM A DEAD GIRL. See Four Redbird Writers
above.
Gerlinde Gelina used her writing skills to create her new web site for Life
Strategy Consulting. www.systemic-formations.com
Sandy Goodkind is the artist who is responsible for starting Redbird. We were
studio-neighbors when, fifteen years ago, she said "let's do a
workshop." I haven't seen a lot of her since then, but recently I ran into
her at Beans and Barley and lo and behold, her daughter, Erica, is writing and
editing a website for writers. www.underhwy99.com
Eric Hansen, author of HIKING WISCONSIN and HIKING MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA, shares his
thoughts about the "great outdoors" in interviews with WUWM Lake
Effect. www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/contributors.php
Marty Hintz and his wife, Pam, have THE WISCONSIN CHEESE BOOK (Globe Pequot)
coming out in January. It contains 100-plus recipes and lots of information on
our state's favorite product. He says this is a far cry from his book, GOT
MURDER? THE SHOCKING STORY OF WISCONSIN'S NOTORIOUS KILLERS, (Trails
Publishing) which came out right before Halloween.
Doug Jacobson, author of NIGHT OF FLAMES, visited Belgium recently and met two
women who were members of the Comet Line, which he featured in his book about
WWII. The women, now in their 80s, were covert agents during the war. Both were
arrested by the Gestapo and survived two years in German concentration camps.
They said they "just needed to do something, and helping these young
aviators was the right thing to do." (Makes me wonder if I'd be as brave.)
Amy Jenkins' essay "125 Miles," which was conceived and edited
at a Redbird Roundtable, has been accepted for publication in the Seal Press Anthology, The
Maternal is Political.
It will be out in Fall of '08. Amy is also teaching writing at
Carroll College in Waukesha this term.
Sheila Julson's articles and news briefs appear regularly in the The Bay View Compass newspaper.
Stacey Kannenberg, author of LET'S GET READY FOR KINDERGARTEN and LET'S GET READY
FOR FIRST GRADE, writes that she was "on The Morning Blend again and they
have turned it into a Better Wisconsin segment."
Ellen Kozak's article, "Writer Beware: Spotting the Publishing Scam"
is posted on the State Bar of Wisconsin website:
Chris Krajniak's artwork will be on display at the Hanuman Art Studio,
Friday, January 25, from 5 to 7:30 pm. Hanuman Art Studio is located at
3211 South Lake Drive, 5th Floor, (Note: This is the south building of the
Marian Center, the one with the elevator.)
Katie Lance, a Redbird writer since her first workshop here in second grade,
is living in Austria this semester, working as a translator.
Felicity Libre reached the semi-finals in the Amazon/Penguin Breakthrough Novel
Award for her novel, THE
GHOST MOTHER. See Four Redbird Writers
above.
Philip Martin, editor of THE NEW WRITERS HANDBOOK, is producing a site of
writing tips at www.greatlakeslit.com.
Stephanie McCready opened her own flower and gift shop, Muscari, at 3475 N. Oakland.
414-332-2009 www.mymuscari.com
Karen McQuestion reached the semi-finals in the Amazon/Penguin Breakthrough Novel
Award for her novel, EASILY
AMUSED. See Four Redbird Writers above.
Mel Miskimen, author of COP'S KID, has a new Catholic comedy website featuring
pages for "Purgatory," "Limbo," "Appearances" and
the "Holy Card of the Week."
http://web.mac.com/melmiskimen/Catholicomedy
Jon Olson reached the semi-finals in the Amazon/Penguin Breakthrough Novel
Award for his novel, THE
PETOSKY STONE. See Four Redbird Writers
above.
Annie Parcels had two poems published in the Fall 2007 vole of Wisconsin People and Ideas. She writes that one, "Skiing
With My Father Who is 73" was basically written at Redbird in a weekend
writing seminar with John
Lehman. The second,
longer, poem "One Day Off Each Summer" was written for a contest on
rural life.
Nancy Quinn, marketing director for Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, offered
suggestions for holiday reading and gifts on WUWM's Lake Effect program. www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/view_le.php?articleid=344
John Rondy has an extensive article about South Milwaukee in the South Shore NOW. Titled "Down On The Avenue," the article is being
published as a two part series.
Colleen Rogan, our favorite Savvy shopper, tells you what's new and what's
in season in Milwaukee
Magazine. You can
sign up for her weekly shopping updates at milwaukeemagazine.com
Marilyn Taylor's column in the February issue of The Writer magazine is an absolute must read. It's a Poet to Poet
piece on ekphrastic poetry titled "Play up art with a poetic
approach" that could serve as a model for columns about writing.
Larry Van Veghel, has articles on the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing
OrganizationŐs site and in the September issue of MidWest Outdoors.
4. OTHER PLACES, OTHER FACES
Broad Vocabulary
Feminist Bookstore in Bay View
Books, workshops and special programs
www.broadvocabulary.com
414-744-8384
Cool Plums
Interactive webzine for writers
Council for Wisconsin Writers
Recognizing Literary Excellence Since 1964
CONTEST SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JAN 31, 2008 (For works by WI writers
published in 2007)
http://www.wisconsinwriters.org/contests.htm
The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI (Door County)
Folk School offers a variety of programs, including:
WomenŐs' Writing Retreat with Judy Bridges, Sept, 2008
Green Lake Christian Writers' Conference, Green Lake WI
60th annual conference & celebration Aug. 17-22, 2008
Contact janwhite@glcc.org; 920-294-7327;
visit www.glcc.org.
Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops
Independent bookstore. Active supporter of Wisconsin authors.
Still Waters Collective
Community creative writing and spoken word programs
Soulstice Theatre
Intimate theater in The Marian Center, Bay View
Phone: 414-431-3187. www.soulsticetheater.com
University of Wisconsin, Guild for Learning in Retirement
Writer's Forum. Members published WORD GAZING
Phone: 414-227-3222
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, School of Continuing Educ.
2008 Annual Spring Writers Festival scheduled for March 7-9.
Contact Anne O'Meara, aomeara@uwm.edu or
414-227-3311
University of Wisconsin -- Madison, Div. of Continuing Studies
2008 Writers'
Institute scheduled
for March 28-30
Registration 608-262-7942, www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Muse Poetry Contest deadline: February 1.
Submission deadline for 2009 Wisconsin Poets' Calendar: Feb 1
Wisconsin Regional Writers Assn. (WRWA)
Contests, conferences, writers groups, excellent newsletter
Spring Conference Dates: May 4-5, 2008
Woodland Pattern Book Center, Milwaukee
Outstanding poetry resource, plus readings and workshops
Working Writers
Association of full time professional independent writers based in
S.E. WI.
Members serve business clients, non-profit organizations,
publishers and authors.
WriterŐs Ink
Writers critique and fellowship group meets in Cudahy.
VanVeghelL@msn.com or Gtoe@aol.com
5. HOW TO HELP, CONTACT US, REPORT
NEWS or GET OFF THE LIST
TO HELP:
Distribute flyers.
Tell people about Redbird.
Contribute to the Scholarship Fund.
Contribute to Redbird!
May we suggest:
-- A Contribution to Redbird
-- A gift to the Redbird Young Author Scholarship Fund in your
name, or as a tribute to someone special.
-- A Redbird gift certificate for your favorite writer (for full
or partial registration.)
-- Books by Redbird Writers and Friends. See the list on our
website.
-- Books, period. First choice is to purchase from your local
Independent bookstore.
Judy Bridges
Redbird Studio
3195 S. Superior St. #429
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-481-3195