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REDBIRD STUDIO -- A WRITERÕS PLACE
October, 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 BIRDÕS NEST Judy
Bridges
Hatching Plans ...
Was anyone out there waiting for me to slow
down? Well, forgetaboutit. Redbird has never been stronger and I have never
been more excited about the studio or my life. Now I'm hatching plans to
have my cake and eat it too -- to keep Redbird thriving and also allow me a
chunk of time to Shut Up & Write.
For the next couple months I'm going to hide
out at my aunt's and burn up the keyboard until the book looks right. That's
good news. The other good news is that all of the roundtables will continue so
you can come in, read your work and get good feedback and encouragement. My
shoes will be ably filled by writers you know and love, Jeannee Sacken and
Laurel Landis. They are supporting my wild eyed passion by taking over
leadership of the roundtables starting in November. I hope you will miss me,
(don't tell me if you don't!) at the same time you enjoy the fresh air these
two bring to the groups.
Robert Vaughan will continue leading his two
groups. (We will not let him get away!) And lucky for Milwaukee's poets,
Marilyn Taylor will lead the Nov-Dec Tuesday evening poetry critique. See
schedules below.
Comments are welcome. I hope they're all
gleeful.
The Smell of Wet Wool ...
My mother was born in 1911. She was nine
years old when women voted for the first time -- old enough to know what was
happening and care deeply about it. In her 87 years, she never missed a chance
to cast her ballot, even after her hands were too crippled to form a proper X.
My first memory of her voting was when I was barely up to her butt, standing in
a long line of adults, inching forward a baby step at a time. I can still hear
the sleet on the windows and smell the wet wool.
My step-dad was born in Croatia. He came
here when he was three and his big memory of the voyage was of watching his
brother hang over the railing, throwing up. Dad voted, too. Every time. Even
when he had Alzheimer's, some part of his brain realized it was time. He
remembered the way to the poll, but not the way home.
You want trouble? -- get between me and a voting
booth. I've had some powerful teachers.
2. WHAT'S UP AT REDBIRD
For more information or to register: www.redbirdstudio.com or
414-481-3195
POETRY CRITIQUE with MARILYN
TAYLOR
Tuesday
evenings, 6:30-8:30 pm. $85 per session
Nov
18, Dec 2, 16 (Nov 4 meeting postponed for elections. New date tba)
Poets -- This could be your last chance!
We've been lucky to have Marilyn Taylor with
us all year, but no matter how hard we try, we know we can't keep her forever.
If you've been thinking about joining the poetry critique, you'd better do it
now.
An award winning writer known for her warmth
and generosity, Marilyn shares her skills with participants in this unique
group. She encourages you to share your works-in-progress and leads the
discussion so you get plenty of honest, helpful feedback. This is the ideal
opportunity to do some serious work in a friendly, supportive atmosphere, with
a nationally-known poet and a group of people who love poetry as much as you
do. How good can it get?
Marilyn Taylor, Ph.D., teaches for the Honors College at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee and at many other venues throughout the region and beyond.
Her work has appeared in a number of journals and anthologies, including The
American Scholar, Poetry, Iris, The Formalist, and Poetry magazine's 90th
Anniversary Anthology. Winner of the 2003 Dogwood Prize, she also took first
place in recent competitions sponsored by Passager, The Ledge, GSU Review, and
Anamnesis Press. Her second full-length collection, Subject to Change (David
Robert Books), was nominated for the Poets Prize in 2005. Marilyn is a
contributing editor for THE WRITER magazine, where her columns on craft appear
six times a year. website: www.mlt-poet.com
REDBIRD WRITERS' ROUNDTABLE
CRITIQUE GROUPS
Roundtables 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. See "How To Get
The Most Out Of Roundtables" on the Redbird website.
Tuesday Afternoon Roundtable with
JEANNEE SACKEN
12 noon to
2:30 pm, $85/session
Late
Fall: Nov 4, 18, Dec 2 and tba
JeannŽe Sacken, Ph.D., was a professor of writing and literature for twenty
years at the University of North Carolina and Rochester Institute of
Technology, where she also directed the writing program. She published A Certain Slant of Light:
Aesthetics of First Person Narration (Garland) and numerous articles on womenÕs and post-colonial
literature. In 2000, she decided to return full-time to her first
lovesÐcreative writing and photography. She now travels the world photographing
women and is working on a YA novel set in Zimbabwe.
Wednesday Evening Roundtable with
LAUREL LANDIS
6:30-9
pm, $85/session
Late
Fall: Nov 5, 19, Dec 3, 17
Laurel Landis has been a prolific member of Redbird Studio for over five years.
She is a gifted writer with an interest in many genres and an ability to step
outside herself to guide others with humor and helpful suggestions. As one
writer said of her: "Laurel is full of energy and is able to
encourage and guide other writers with good humor and helpful
suggestions. Many times, she's helped me to just keep going, not give
up." Laurel's energy and discipline are infectious and a boone to the
Studio.
Thursday Evening Roundtable with
ROBERT VAUGHAN
6:30-9 pm,
$85/session (okay to prorate)
Fall (meets once per month) Sept 18, Oct 23, Nov 20, Dec 11
Robert Vaughan has 25 years experience teaching and writing plays, poetry and
fiction. His plays were produced in New York, Los Angeles and San Franciso. His
poetry was included in an anthology of Best Poems and Poets of 2004. Robert
also writes fiction, and has been leading adult and young author groups at
Redbird for several years. He is a keen motivator, respected by writers of all
ages.
Friday Morning Roundtable with
ROBERT VAUGHAN
9:30 am to
12 noon, $85
Late Fall: Nov 7, 21, Dec 12, 26
SHUT UP & WRITE! SEMINAR with
JUDY BRIDGES
A practical approach to craft, plus coaching
and an exciting introduction to Redbird. Great for new and experienced writers
of fiction and nonfiction. Small groups. Register early; there is often a
waiting list.
NEW -- Afternoon Session
Six
Mondays Jan 12, 19, 26 Feb
9, 16, 23
12-2:30 Fee: $345 (deposit:
$100)
Judy Bridges is the founder of Redbird Studio. Before founding the studio, she
earned her living writing short stories, articles, plays and corporate
communications. She holds a bachelor's degree in writing and a master's degree
in adult education. Judy brings her own writing experience to workshops, plus
the experiences of the many writers she has helped in private sessions and in
workshops at Redbird Studio, The Clearing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee,
Northeastern Illinois University and Alverno College.
NEW -- THE
HAIRSHIRT: Redbird Women's Writing Retreat
Thursday-Monday,
March 5-9, 2009, Fee: $450 (deposit: $200)
A small group of lucky women will enjoy a
winter weekend in the perfect atmosphere to write without interruption or
apology. The Hairshirt is held at the Sinsinawa Mound Center in the southwest
corner of Wisconsin, near Dubuque. This is where retreat leader Judy Bridges
graduated from high school in 1957, when the Sinsinawa Dominican Motherhouse
was home to 500 nuns and 97 obedient girls. Judy loves the place and so will
you. Your fee includes private room, meals, roundtables and a private
consultation. The Hairshirt Award will be presented on Monday, March 9th.
RED OAK YOUNG WRITERS
SUNDAY WRITERS' CIRCLES Young writers bring
photocopies of works in progress to receive feedback, share ideas and learn
from each other in a supportive environment. Meets with Kim Suhr or Kris Jaeger
in Redbird Studio, Room 429 at The Marian Center. Info and registration: www.redoakyoungwriters.com
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 Shauna Singh
Baldwin served alongside fellow novelists Jane Urquhardt and Greg Hollinghead
as a juror for the 2008 Governor General of Canada fiction awards. One hundred
and sixty nine novels were submitted this year. The 'GG' for fiction, is a
$25,000 prize. Read about the five finalists here: www.canadacouncil.ca/news/releases/2008/ji128689896750577220.htm The winner will be announced on the
same site on Nov 18, 2008. For more information: www.ShaunaSinghBaldwin.com
Elaine Bergstrom leads a novelistsÕ
critique group at Roberts on Howell, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7 pm. For
information contact ebergstrom2@wi.rr.com.
Dave Blank created a video
about Barbara Manger's printmaking class at The Clearing in Ellison Bay. See it
at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inu42kCbqjg
Michael Bowen read from his new
novel, Shoot the Lawyer Twice, at Schwartz Bookshop on Downer Avenue.
Mike said he writes for fun and wouldn't write if it wasn't fun. This is the
fourth in the Rep and Melissa Pennyworth series.
Judy Bridges led an essay
writing seminar for Joan Boyce's Whitman Middle School writing class. Topic:
Saving Seminary Woods. Jeff Poniewaz and Eric Hansen contributed samples
of written material for the class. My favorite response culled from the kids'
thank you notes: "I learned that not all essays make you sleepy and
bored."
Peggy Brown was on The Morning
Blend show to talk about her new book, the Collectopia All-Year-Yearbook. The last time I
checked Amazon there was only four left in stock! www.peggybrown.net
Christi Clancy and fellow winners
of Council for Wisconsin Writers Awards, Jean Feraca, Benjamin Percy and Paul
Salsini, read at a Milwaukee Book Festival presentation of CWW winners at
Schwartz Bookshop on Downer Avenue. Christi did a nice "shout out" to
Redbird, remembering when she first came to Redbird and I told her, "I'll see you reading
as a CWW winner one day." She was also nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Mary Lee Croatt and the Echo Poets
read their works on the theme "Family" at Peoples Bookstore.
Kirk Farber's novel, Postcards
from a Dead Girl is inching toward acceptance by a New York publisher. We will
insist on champagne when he makes it.
Bill Gagliani did some Halloween
lurk-outs signing books at Barnes and Noble and Book World. He signed copies of
Wolf's
Trap, Dark Passions: Hot Blood 13 and On Writing Horror. He also turned in the manuscript for Wolf's
Gambit to his publisher, Leisure Books.
Geoff Gilpin, a fellow Council
of Wisconsin Writers board member, has organized an Essay Award
for Young Writers. The contest is sponsored by CWW. See: www.wisconsinwriters.org
Eric Hansen presented a slide
tour of the U.P.Õs fabled natural areas Ð sparkling waterfalls, notable vistas
and quiet shorelines Ð for the Nordic Ski Club of Milwaukee. The
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel featured his op-ed essay ÒHeadwaters No Place for Toxic
New MiningÓ at the top of the front page of their Sunday opinion section. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=776441.
He was also interviewed by Larry Meiller for WPR about "Best Hikes and
Outings for Fall Colors and Notable Migrations."
Mark Hummel sent the
Hummel-Johnejack Tales from the family's new home in Wrangell, Alaska. He and
son Rudy (both Redbird grads) still enjoy writing together. But my favorite
excerpt from this edition of the Tales concerns daughter Heidi. "...The
next morning, Heidi recruited Rudy and cousin-David to help make fairy houses
on a forested knob behind the cabin. For years fairies were listed as
endangered in Southeast Alaska, mainly from lack of imagination. Heidi made
houses for them wherever we went, from pine needles and moss, from spruce cones
and clam shells, in tide pools and in holes under trees. Sometimes the fairies
showed their appreciation by leaving berries, and once, a tiny garland of moss.
The first time Heidi actually saw one was just after finishing a house under
the roots of a tree. The setting sun lit up the tiny space like a lantern in a
cavern. She spotted the fairy from the corner of her eye, just for a moment,
which is quite common with fairies because they really are quite shy."
Imagine Heidi reading that when she grows up.
Stacey Kannenberg of Cedar Valley
Publishing was interviewed by Dean Andrade for his Milwaukee AuthorÕs Show
on Public Access Cable.
Ellen Kozak wrote a two-page
cover spread in the Entree/food section of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Laurel Landis' release on the
Bearstock event at Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort in White Lake appeared in
the Antigo Daily Journal.
Katie Lance, who attended young
author and adults programs at Redbird and now teaches in the Red Oak Young
Writers summer camp, got one of those professor notes you want to frame. The
course: Religion 378: The Holocaust, 1933-1945. The paper focused on the
evolution of dehumanizing images of Jews over the years, how this can define
the difference between Anti-Judaism and Anti-semitism, and analyzed the
reversal of these images portrayed in a story by S.Y. Agnon, "The Lady and
the Pedlar." The professor wrote on the last page -- in big fat red ink:
"A" underlined. "You are a superior writer. I look forward to
your next effort." (Kate says: Ha! Of course I had to let my writer aunt
know about that one.)
John Lehman is posting a
healthy list of contests on his site: http://coolplums.wordpress.com
Mark Lucius' story,
"Joining the Club," appears in the 2008 anthology of The Best
American Sports Writing. The story about golfer Patty Berg originally appeared
in The Great River Review. Mark also won a Jade Ring in the Wisconsin
Regional Writers Association essay contest for an article about how he
stopped smoking, "No Accounting for Taste." Mark workshopped both
stories in the Wednesday evening roundtable.
Julie Nelson is singing at
Bobu's Steakhouse & Lounge. (And you thought all we did was write.)
Philip Martin publishes an
email newsletter, "Writing Tips from Great Lakes Literary." www.greatlakeslit.com
Marjorie Pagel wrote about Redbird
novelist Stephen Boehrer in her Milwaukee Journal Sentinel blog,
Meet Me At The Corner. http://blogs.myhalescornersnow.com/meet_me_at_the_corner/archive/2008/10/14/stephen-boehrer-hales-corners-novelist.aspx
The Milwaukee Book Festival took place October
5-14, 2008. Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Richard Russo and Junot D’az,
award-winning Wisconsin authors and Milwaukee's own Poet Laureates were
featured, as well as two events for young writers sponsored by Red Oak. Watch
for another Milwaukee Book Festival to take place next spring. Presenting
partners include:UWM School of Continuing Education, Harry W. Schwartz
Bookshops, UWM Creative Writing Program, Marquette University English
Department, Carroll College English and Writing Program, UWM Union Programming,
Redbird Writing Studio, Red Oak Young Writers, Milwaukee Public Library, UWM
Peck School of the Arts, UWM Institute of Visual Arts, Woodland Pattern Book
Center and the UWM Center for Celtic Studies.
Mel Miskimen's "Baby Boomer
at the Polls on Election Day" is on www.boomercafe.com.
You can also hear her latest contribution to Public Radio on www.wuwm.com, Lake Effect -- Oct. 10.
Kay Pliszka has another story
accepted for publication in Chicken Soup, this time for the golfer's soul. It's
due out in April of 2009.
Paul Salsini's new novel Sparrow's
Revenge: A Novel of Postwar Tuscany was just released. It is a sequel to The Cielo: A
Novel of Wartime Tuscany. Paul was also honored by the Milwaukee Press Club's
Past Presidents Council. "Paul Salsini, longtime state editor for The
Milwaukee Journal, writing coach to scores of young journalists, and
author" was inducted into the Milwaukee Media Hall of Fame.
Jean Scherwenka has two articles in
the October issue of Fetch magazine. One is breed profile of Rottweilers. The
other features holistic treatment for canine anxiety attacks.
Ethan R. Suhr is the editor of
"The Weevel Times," a weekly email publication "to tell fun
facts, breeds, new weevils and much much more." Ethan attends the Red Oak
Young Writers programs.
Jason Waltz, author and
publisher of Rogues Blade Entertainment, attended Dragon*Con, the "largest
spec fic con" in the world, in Atlanta, where he sold out all the copies
of the anthology he took with him.
http://www.roguebladesentertainment.com
The Red Oak Young Writers summer camp
anthology, Oak Leaves, has been published and distributed to young writers
who attended the camp. Hats off to the kids, teachers and generous supporters
of the program.
Richard Yeager had a poem accepted
by "Highlights for Children." It will be published in the November,
2008 issue. Richard attends the young writer summer camps and Sunday writing
circles.
4. OTHER PLACES, OTHER FACES
Alverno Telesis
A variety of writing classes including The
Great Lakes Writers Workshop
For info email nancy.krase@alverno.edu Phone
414-382-6176
Broad Vocabulary
Feminist Bookstore in Bay View
Books, workshops and special programs
www.broadvocabulary.com
414-744-8384
Cool Plums
Interactive webzine for writers (John
Lehman)
Council for Wisconsin Writers
Recognizing Literary Excellence Since 1964
Sponsors annual contests for Wisconsin
Writers
http://www.wisconsinwriters.org/contests.htm
The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI (Door
County)
Folk School offers a variety of programs,
including:
ÒWomenÕs' Writing RetreatÓ with Judy
Bridges, September, 2009
Green Lake Christian Writers'
Conference, Green Lake WI
Contact janwhite@glcc.org; 920-294-7327;
visit www.glcc.org.
Milwaukee Book Festival
Celebrates literary arts of all genres with
readings, workshops, talks and panels
Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops
Independent bookstore. Active supporter of
Wisconsin authors.
Society of Children's Book Writers
& Illustrators, Wisconsin SCBWI-WI
Excellent professional organization for
writers and ilustrators
Workshops, networking, resources.
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
The Inspired Writer
Writing, craft and creativity workshops
The Marian Center, Bay View
Home of Redbird and dozens of dedicated
nonprofits
See Activities List: http://www.mariancenter.net
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 Ed
Many writing classes, including Annual
Spring Writers Festival (March 6-8, 2009)
Contact Anne O'Meara, aomeara@uwm.edu or 414-227-3311
University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Div. of Continuing Studies
Many writing classes, including Write by the
Lake, Writers' Institute and Rhinelander SOA
Phone 608-262-7942, www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing
Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts
& Letters
Publishes Wisconsin People & Ideas
Sponsors Short Story and Poetry Contests
(Deadline Dec. 1)
Wisconsin Book Festival
Book Festival in Madison and other locations
each October
http://www.wisconsinbookfestival.com/
Wisconsin Fellowship of
Poets (WFOP)
Statewide network for poets.
Contests and information.
Publishes Muse Letter and annual
Poet's Calendar
Fall Conference, October
31ÐNovember 1, 2008
Wisconsin Regional Writers Assn.
(WRWA)
Contests, conferences, writers groups,
excellent newsletter
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.
WriterÕs Ink, Cudahy
Writers' group meets first and third
Mondays, 7:00 p.m.
in the lower-level meeting room of Chase
Bank in Cudahy. New members welcome.
Lawrence Van Veghel: vanveghella@att.net
414-769-6846,
http://www.writersinc.writernetwork.com/index.html
5. HOW TO HELP, CONTACT US, REPORT
NEWS or GET OFF THE LIST
How to help:
Redbird Studio is a small outfit run by
people who could make more money elsewhere. We could probably do pretty well if
we sought funding, but I'd rather work with writers than write proposals. We
operate with a simple business philosophy -- we don't spend any more than we
earn. If I stay awake worrying, it's not about the money.
All the same, it would be nice to have a few
extra bucks. Our income comes from course fees, rent on studios sublet to
writers and artists, consulting fees and, hallelujah, gifts from friends.
If you would like to be one of those friends, we will use your gift to do
something wonderful -- like send a kid to camp.
To contact us, report news or get
off the list:
Judy Bridges
Redbird Studio
3195 S. Superior St. #429
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-481-3195