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December, 2006
REDBIRD STUDIO -- A WRITERS' PLACE
December 11, 2006
1. THE MORNING AFTER
2. New - OPEN HOUSE ON THE GROUND FLOOR
3. YOUNG AUTHORS - New Dates
4. ADULT PROGRAMS - New Schedule
5. GIFT CERTIFICATES
6. NEWS OF REDBIRD WRITERS AND FRIENDS
7. OTHER PLACES/FACES
8. HOW TO HELP, ETC.
1. THE MORNING AFTER (The Redbird Studio Open House)
I love the morning after an event, when being lazy feels so deserved, I am brilliant with afterthoughts, and my email box fills with nice messages. Here's one of many we received the morning after our recent Open House.
"...thank you for providing yet another great event. I assumed I would just stop in and say hello and have a cup of coffee, and it turns out I got to speak to Shauna about fellowships, Felicity about agent queries, and Karen even told me I could send her agent stuff and mention her name! Plus I got to speak to your husband at length and hear more about the evolution of Redbird. Quite a night. I went home buzzing, and not from the coffee. Thanks for graciously connecting me with some new folks. You are a natural." KF
At one point during the evening, I noticed that everyone in the room -- young to older, beginner to pro, old friend to new -- was busy in conversation. That's one of the joys of being around writers. They know how to listen. They are truly interested in people, and it shows. What I do "naturally" is provide a venue.
To those who asked about the wonderful food, the answer is Felicity Librie.
We also owe thanks to co-hosts Robert Vaughan and Carol Wobig, and to Marjorie Pagel, Kim Suhr, Jean Scherwenka, Jenny Najoom, Ellen & Tom Hanratty, John Rondy, Karen McQuestion, Steve Boehrer, Pat Weisberg, Pam Parker, Ruth Silver, Allyn Travis, Sara Rattan, Judy Beehler, Doreen Zeller, Shauna Singh Baldwin, Mary Lou Bell, Katie Lance and the nice man who "does" our web site, David Blank.
2. New - OPEN HOUSE THE GROUND FLOOR
Thursday, December 14
12:30 - 2:30 pm
Room 103 (Use back entrance. Look for Redbird signs.)
Jo McReynolds Blochowiak and her Ground Floor Writers invite you to an afternoon open house in their digs on the first floor of the Marian Center. This is a good opportunity to visit with Jo and members of the group and hear them read short selections from their work. Light refreshments. Please phone or e-mail to let us know if you are planning to drop in. ( jb@redbirdstudio.com or 414-481-3195)
3. YOUNG AUTHORS
See www.redbirdstudio.com/YoungAuthors for details and registration forms
What's Up?
-- The Redbird Review, Young Author Edition was well (and proudly) received. We have a few extra copes, in case you need one for Grandma or your favorite teacher or aunt. Send $15 along with the address and we'll mail a copy asap. (fee includes book and postage)
-- The very first Young Author Short Story Contestwill be announced soon. Stay tuned for details and submission guidelines.
-- You can register now for The Sunday Roundtable session staring in January. (see below)
-- See new dates for 2007 Summer Program. Registration opens January 1st. (see below)
SUNDAY AFTERNOON ROUNDTABLE -- Register now!
Young authors grades 7-12 meet in the 4th floor studio to share writing, receive supportive feeback and develop the craft.
Group is led by Kim Suhr, Director of Young Author Programs
Sunday afternoons, Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 1, 1-3 pm, $65 includes all 4 meetings in session
SUMMER PROGRAM -- New dates for 2007 -- Registration opens January 1st
Full week of activites, Mon-Fri 9am-2:30pm $325 ($100 deposit)
Students entering:
Grades 7-8, July 16-20
Grades 4-5, July 23-27
Grades 6, July 3-Aug 3
Grades 9-12, Aug 6-10
4. ADULT PROGRAMS
See www.redbirdstudio.com for details and registration forms
SHUT UP AND WRITE! with Judy Bridges
Start reaching your goals in our premier craft/motivational seminar. Led by studio founder. Fills quickly.
Eight Mondays 6:30-8:30pm $345 ($100 deposit)
#1: Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26
#2: Mar 12, 19, 26, Apr 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
THE GROUND FLOOR WRITERS, with Jo McReynolds Blochowiak
Writers of all interests, all levels are welcome in this 1st floor critique group.W/C accessible. No pre-requisite.
Thursday afternoons 12:30-2:30 $85 Rm 103, Marian Center (Use rear entrance to lower floor)
#1: Jan 11, 25, Feb 8 22
#2: Mar 8, 22, Apr 12, 26
POETRY ROUNDTABLE, with John Lehman
Well-known poet and publisher facilitates feedback and shares his love of the craft in this supportive critique group.
Four Thursdays (one per month) 6:30-8:30pm, $85 includes all four Thursdays
Jan-Apr Session: Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5
GET PUBLISHED IN THE TEEN & YOUNGS READER MARKET, with Debbie Lynn Jacobs
Author takes a break from book signing to help you get your work published. Includes manuscript critique.
Join others who like to write for teens and young readers for a great day at Redbird.
Saturday, Feb 17, 9:30am-3pm $85
ROUNDTABLE CRITIQUE GROUPS with Judy Bridges and Robert Vaughan
Dedicated writers read their work, get supportive feedback and build a network of writing friends.
Pre-req: Shut Up and Write! or equivalent. Note: There is generally a waiting list for these groups.
If you'd like to get on the list, send your registration (include group preference) and we will contact
you the minute space becomes available. Returnees get first dibs.
Tuesday Afternoons with Judy Bridges 12-2:30 $85
#1: Jan 16, 30, Feb 13, 27
#2: Mar 13, 27, Apr 10, 24
Wednesday Evenings (Inkslingers) with Judy Bridges 6:30-9 $85
#1: Jan 10, 24, Feb 7, 21
#2: Mar 7, 21, Apr 4, 18
Thursday Evenings with Robert Vaughan 6:30-9 $85 (Includes all four Thursdays)
#1: Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 22, Apr 19
Friday Mornings with Robert Vaughan 9:30-12 $85
#1: Jan 5, 19, Feb 9, 23
#2: Mar 9, 23, Apr 6, 20
5. GIFT CERTIFICATES
Looking for a good idea for a gift for your favorite writer, or to ask someone special to give to you?
Suggest a gift certificate for (or toward) a class at Redbird. Just call or email with the details and we'll
send it out as soon as your check is received.
6. 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 was featured in profile articles in the Korean Tempo and the Jakarta Post. The Jakarta Post article is in English:. See http://shaunasinghbaldwin.com/JakartaPostArticle11-06.html. Shauna gave a public reading at York University as part of the Canadian Writers in Person Reading Series. Prosoretz Publications purchased Bulgarian Rights for WHAT THE BODY REMEMBERS, bringing the number of translations of the novel to 14. Shauna's latest novel, THE TIGER CLAW, went into 4th printing. More information at: www.ShaunaSinghBaldwin.com
Peggy Brown is appearing frequently on The Rachael Ray show on CBS. The show airs at 9 am in Milwaukee. In the Thursday, November 30th segment, she taught Rachael to knit with soda straws, among other fun indoor wintertime activities for kids. You can check the schedule at http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/?q=tvschedule
Christi Clancy's story, "The Comfort of Foam" is in the current (Winter 2007) issue of Glimmer Train. She writes: "It's really fun to see something in print after all the rejection. I had an agent (a good one, to boot) contact the editor of Glimmer Train for my contact information, so who knows... maybe this story will lead to other opportunities." (Ed.note: Congratulations! And thanks to Christi for mentioning Redbird in her bio.)
Kirk Farber writes: "My short story "Forever Girl" (about the guy who ends up spinning around in the black hole carnival ride) was accepted for publication in the February 2007 online issue of Hobart. http://www.hobartpulp.com/website/index.html It's my first published story! Very very excited about it. Thanks to you and the Inkslingers for giving me the motivation to send it out. I'll bring treats next session."
Anne Landre's essay "Pink Opium" was recognized as one of the top ten liberal blog posts of the year in the Carnival of the Liberal awards. "Pink Opium" first appeared in www.threadingwater.wordpress.com
Pat Lorenz is collecting stories, choosing and editing for two new Chicken Soup books, CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHOCOLATE LOVERS SOUL and CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE TEA LOVERS SOUL. She is also the sole author of a new Chicken Soup book called CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE DIETER'S SOUL DAILY INSPIRATIONS. She also led two women's retreats in Door County, one for a Lutheran church and one for a Catholic church. patricialorenz@juno.com
Patty Marchant's poem, "Releasing," was published in "Free Your Voice" at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. It was printed side-by-side with a poem written by her daughter, Angela Marchant.
Marilyn McKnight once again has her byline in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Her article, "Open hearts: Two women forge special links between sisterhood and parenthood," appeared on the front page of the Crossroads section, Sunday, Dec. 3rd.
Karen McQuestion recently signed with an agent, Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. Her novel, EASILY AMUSED is currently out on submission.
Annie Parcels read her poetry at a benefit at Martha Merrell's Books in downtown Waukesha. The reading was a fund raiser for Waukesha Food Pantry.
Anna Passante's book, A GOD-GIVEN TALENT: THE WORK AND LEGACY OF PETER BRUST, ARCHITECT, 1906-2006, was published by ElexDay Publications.
Sara Jane Rattan's story "Ikea and Me" was published in the Fall, 2006 issue of Heartlands, A Magazine of Midwest Life & Art. In the credits, it says Sara "holds a BA from Lawrence University and a JD from Marquette University Law School, but says that her real education has taken place in the writing workshops at Redbird Studios. (Thank you, Sara!)
Tess Romeis has a poem, "Conjure Autumn," in the fall issue of Turning Echoes, a quarterly sheet published by The Stone Kettle Poets. Echoes@centurytel.net
Jean Scherwenka's article featuring Reiki Master Diane Herold, "Rescuing Dogs With Reiki," appears in the December issue of Fetch Magazine. Her article on the redevelopment on Oakland Avenue, "Out With The Old and In With The New -- Walgreen's, That is," appears in the December Riverwest Currents.
Dave Thome's articles, "Office of the future," and "Meeting of the minds," will run in the next two issues of On Balance, a magazine for CPAs in Wisconsin. He's also had the fun of seeing his work appear in unexpected places. He writes: "A few weeks ago, my son told me that in his high school math class that day a buddy yelled, "Hey, Gus, check out who wrote the article on page 128." Gus flipped open his book to show me...an article I'd written as a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal in 1993. In my opinion, it wasn't a particulary memorable piece, but the authors of "Contemporary Math in Context" (McGraw-Hill, 2003) thought it was a good enough example of the use of statistics for their chapter on surveys and samples. It wasn't the first article I'd written that found its way into a textbook. In 2004, my wife, Mary Jo (another Redbird Writer), Googled my name and discovered a feature I wrote for a now-defunct magazine in 1991 appeared in "The College Writer: A Guide to Thinking, Writing and Researching." About a woman who ran a limousine service, it was an example of how to write what the editors called "an interview report." This book, published by Houghton Mifflin in 2004, includes glowing margin notes pointing out my inclusion of "precise, interesting details" and use of transitions to "smoothly link parts of the report." Better still, following my article were five study questions--some of which I don't think I could answer."
Larry Van Veghel had an article on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Outdoors page November 26th.
Judith Zuckerman read from AMSTERDAM DAYS and new work at a reading featuring Judith and Kimberly Blanchette at A Room of One's Own, in Madison, Sunday, December 3rd.
7. OTHER PLACES-OTHER FACES
Alverno Telesis Program
Various writing programs, including The Great Lakes Writers Workshop, June 29-30, 2007
For info on writing programs email nancy.krase@alverno.edu Phone 414-382-6176
Broad Vocabulary, 2241 S. Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee 53207
Offers workshops and special programs in the bookstore
www.broadvocabulary.com 414-744-8384
Council for Wisconsin Writers
Promotes Wisconsin writing through awards and media recognition.
Now accepting entries for the Council for Wisconsin Writers' awards
for writing published in 2006.
www.WisconsinWriters.org
The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI (Door County)
Full catalog of opportunities
www.theclearing.org
Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton/Neenah
www.fvtc.edu or call Lisa Bell at 1-877-555-5151
Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops
Many author readings. Active supporter of Wisconsin authors.
www.schwartzbooks.com
Soulstice Theatre
Intimate theater in The Marian Center, Bay View
www.soulsticetheatre.org or 414-431-3187
University of Wisconsin, Madison
also, School of the Arts at Rhinelander
Contact Christine DeSmet, cdesmet@cds.wisc.edu
Or, www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Writing programs at main campus and School of Continuing Ed
Spring Writers Festival moves to March in 2007
www sce.uwm.edu,
Anne O'Meara: aomeara@uwm.edu or 414-227-3311.
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Publishes Wisconsin Poets Calendar
Opportunities for poets include a Spring Conference and Museletter
Call for submissions for the next Wisconsin Poets' Calendar!
www.wfop.org
Wisconsin Regional Writers Assn. (WRWA)
Contests, conferences, writers groups
www.wrwa.net
Woodland Pattern Book Center, Milwaukee
Outstanding poetry resource, plus readings and workshops
Marathon Poetry Reading in January!
www.woodlandpattern.org
WriterÕs Ink
Fellowship group meets in Cudahy
414-744-9664 or gtoe@aol.com
8. HOW TO HELP, CONTACT US
TO HELP:
Distribute flyers.
Tell people about Redbird.
Contribute to the Young Author Scholarship Fund.
May we suggest:
-- A gift to the 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.
-- Purchase a "Redbird Writers" tee shirt for your writer-friend. $15 includes postage.
Judy Bridges
Redbird Studio
3195 S. Superior St. #429
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-481-3195