From the Bird's Nest . . .

Hallelujah! It's a Book!

I am now officially thrilled. Shut Up & Write! is coming off the press and it's time to plan the parties. This is a big event for me, for the other writers whose stories appear in the book, and for all those who taught me what I needed to know to write it.

When my husband read the stories in the book, he said, "I keep wanting to read more of what these people wrote." I think others will feel the same, so I've invited a few of the writers to read with me at each event. I won't let them read too long, however. I'm not that nice.

We have three events planned, each with a special flavor. The first is at Redbird, the second two at favorite independent bookshops. I hope you can join the celebration at any or all of them. Please mark your calendar. All events are free and open to the public.

See the new website for maps and purchasing information: www.redbirdstudio.com

1. Thursday, November 11th, 7 p.m.
RedBird-RedOak and Redbird Studio, "Redbird Rocks"
Marian Center, Main floor Social Room
3195 S. Superior St., Milwaukee, WI 53207
Featuring Judy Bridges, with Annie Chase, Carol Wobig, Bert Kelly, Felicity Librie and Pam Parker.
Books on sale for $20 (includes tax)

2. Thursday, November 18th, 7 p.m.
Boswell Book Shop. "NaNoWriMo"
2559 N. Downer Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Featuring Judy Bridges, with novelists Shauna Singh Baldwin, Doug Jacobson, Karen McQuestion and Jeannee Sacken.

3. Wednesday, December 1, 7 p.m.
Next Chapter Book Store. "Rising Stars"
10976 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI 53092
Featuring Judy Bridges, with Robert Vaughan, Laurel Landis, Sara Rattan and Sheila Hanrahan.

A sneak peek...

The writing mentor speaks her mind,
makes you laugh, and lights your fire.

http://www.redbirdstudio.com/RB_Images/sucover-3.png

Encouraging, humorous, straight-talking. Shut Up & Write! is one of the best books I've read on writing. Judy Bridges' no-nonsense voice becomes your portable mentor. Own it, read it, mark it up, laugh with it, and reread it throughout your writing career.
         Shauna Singh Baldwin, author of English Lessons, What the Body
         Remembers, The Tiger Claw, and We Are Not in Pakistan

Shut Up & Write! is filled with such practical information and sincere understanding that it's about to become every writer's best friend. The author's narrative style is itself a model for all writers.
         Chris Roerden, author of Don't Murder Your Mystery and Don't
         Sabotage Your Submission

Judy Bridges is a driving force behind the many writers she has helped. I wondered if a book could capture that, but I need not have worried. If you want to write, do yourself a favor--buy this book and follow her advice. You will not only write, you will succeed.
         John Lehman, founder of Rosebud Magazine and literary editor of
         Wisconsin People & Ideas

Shut Up &Write! is one of those rare volumes that truly does it all. In addition to being a practical "how-to"guide, the book provides priceless advice on the care and feeding of the Inner Writer. Laced with wit and a clear, why-didn't-I-realize-this-before brand of commonsense, Judy Bridges serves as her own best example of what excellent writing can be.
         Marilyn Taylor, Poet Laureate, State of Wisconsin

Shut Up & Write! is both instructive and encouraging. Judy Bridges doesn't grandstand, she doesn't intimidate. She's a teacher in the truest sense of the word.
         Kurt Chandler, Senior Editor, Milwaukee Magazine

The reason I hit the 75,000 mark in self-published book sales--Judy Bridges! She is brilliant. I am so glad that through Shut Up & Write! writers everywhere can now have a piece of Judy reflected in their work.
         Stacey Kannenberg, author of Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten and
         Let's Get Ready for First Grade