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REDBIRD STUDIO -- A WRITERS' PLACE
March, 2007
1. WHAT'S UP AT REDBIRD
Two Aunt Lillians
My mother was one of ten children, giving me
a "village" of aunts and almost-aunts, of whom only two are left -- my
two Aunt Lillians. One gave me a set of crystal champagne glasses for my first
wedding. The other slipped me boxes of rice and cans of tuna when she saw that
things weren't working out too well. Last week at the Midwest Center, when I
was honored as one of 28 Women Who Put Their Stamp on Metro Milwaukee, both
Aunt Lillians were in the audience. The emotions ran deeper than anyone could
see.
If you would like to see a cut from the
video the Postal Service produced for the ceremony, go to the Redbird web site:
www.redbirdstudio.com -- Upper left
corner: "Media -- Award ceremony." At the end of the clip, you will
see the names of the other women who were honored. I am proud to be in their
company. Thanks to Sr. Josephe Flynn for nominating me, to Felicity Librie for
organizing the Redbird contingent, and to the 50-plus people who cheered in all
the right places.
In The News
Within the next few weeks, two
Redbird-related articles should be appearing in the Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel. Watch the Book section for a piece by Geeta Sharma
Jensen. And check the
Cue/Lifestyle section on Mother's Day for Denice Martin's article about the
three moms, Lynn Mehring, Wendy Walters and Karen Kelroy, who lost young
sons and found the courage to write about it.
Mark your Calendar for THE REDBIRD WRITERS' SHOWCASE
Tuesday, April 17, 6:30 pm in the Social
Room (easy access on the first floor of the Marian Center).
Family and friends are welcome. The event is
free, though we will pass the hat to help pay for the mike and cookies.
Readings by Redbird Writers: Tom Biel,
Kirk Farber, Laurel Landis, Felicity Librie, Susan Maciolek, Aline Mohr, Bill
Mueller, Pam Parker, Robert Vaughan and Judith Zukerman.
"Star" authors available to visit
and sign books: Shauna Singh Baldwin, Elaine Bergstrom, Lauren Fox and John
Lehman.
New: A Grad-Style Workshop For Novelists!
See "Adult Programs" below.
2. ADULT PROGRAMS
See www.redbirdstudio.com
for details and registration forms
Brand NEW !
GRAD-STYLE NOVEL WORKSHOP with Ken Brosky
Six Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 $105
May 8, 15, 22, Jun 5, 12, 19
Share your novel in an intimate critique
setting and take your time. This class is specifically designed for writers who
have already committed to their novels, and are interested in feedback in a
group setting before making their final changes and seeking publication. The
course is set up in a graduate-style format, with two critiques per week and
one hour dedicated to each writer. Writers will have the opportunity to present
one full chapter of their novel for critique, and include a synopsis of their novel
as well in order to receive as much feedback as possible.
In order to maintain fairness to every
writer involved and ensure everyone receives a fair critique, attendance is
expected for every class. Chapters will be selected and handed out one
week in advance to allow everyone an opportunity to contribute as much as
possible to each critique.
Prerequisite: This class is for
writers who have already finished their novel or are in the process of
finishing it. A sample chapter should be submitted along with your
registration. All writers interested in the group must meet specific writing
skills criteria in order to ensure that everyone in the workshop is at the
appropriate skill level. Upon acceptance, students will email their chapter for
critique to Ken, who will then distribute the chapters on a weekly basis via
email to be printed out and taken to class. Chapters for the following class
should be read ahead of time with feedback and suggestions for revision printed
and brought to the workshop.
Ken Brosky received his
bachelor's degree in creative writing from UW-Eau Claire and studied with James
McPherson at the Iowa Writer's workshop. In addition to over a dozen short
story publications in magazines including Skyline and World Audience, he also
works as a freelance editor for aspiring authors. See: www.grendelguy.com www.kenbrosky.com
SHUT UP AND WRITE! with Judy Bridges
Our premier seminar with the studio founder.
Craft techniques. A friendly nudge. Fills quickly. $345 ($100
deposit)
#2: (8 Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm) Mar 12, 19, 26, Apr 2, 9, 16, 23,
30 (filled)
#3: (6 Mondays, 6:00-9:00pm) July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 13
(space available)
#4: (8 Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm) Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12,
19 (dates to be confirmed)
POETS CORNER, with John Lehman
A home-port for poets. Reading and feedback.
No pre-requisite.
Four Thursdays (one per
month) 6:30-8:30pm, $85 includes all four Thursdays. New members may
prorate.
#1: Jan-Apr Session: Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 8,
Apr 5
#2: May-Aug Session: May 3, Jun 7, Jul 5,
Aug 2
THE GROUND FLOOR WRITERS, with Jo McReynolds Blochowiak
A supportive workshop and 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)
#2: Mar 8, 22, Apr 12, 26
#3: May 10, 24, Jun 14, 28
#4: Jul 12, 26, Aug 9, 23
ROUNDTABLE CRITIQUE GROUPS with Judy Bridges and Robert
Vaughan
Get supportive feedback and build a network
of writing friends. Pre-requisite: Shut Up and Write! or equivalent.
Groups continue year 'round and there is
often a waiting list. Returnees and graduates of "Shut Up &
Write" get first dibs.
Tuesday Afternoons with Judy Bridges 12-2:30
$85
#2: Mar 13, 27, Apr 10, 24
#3: May 8, 22, Jun 12, 26
#4: Jul 10, 24, Aug 7, 21
Wednesday Evenings (Inkslingers) with Judy Bridges
6:30-9 $85
#2: Mar 7, 21, Apr 4, 18
#3: May 2, 23, Jun 6, 20
#4: Jul 18, Aug 1, 15, 29
Thursday Evenings with Robert Vaughan 6:30-9
$85
(Includes all four Thursdays. New members
may prorate.)
#1: Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 22, Apr 19
#2: May 17, Jun 14, Jul 12, Aug 24
Friday Mornings with Robert Vaughan 9:30-12
$85
#2: Mar 9, 23, Apr 6, 20
#3: May 11, 25, Jun 1, 15
#4: Jul 13, (Second July date tba) Aug
3(2-4:30pm), Aug 24(regular morning schedule)
3. YOUNG AUTHOR PROGRAMS
See www.redbirdstudio.com/YoungAuthors for
details and registration forms
Note: CHECK OUT THE YOUNG AUTHOR VIDEO. It's on the website.
YOUNG AUTHORS' SUNDAY AFTERNOON ROUNDTABLE
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. New
members may prorate.
YOUNG AUTHORS' SUMMER PROGRAM -- The
registrations are rolling in! Young Authors are excited and so are the
teachers. This years coaches include Kim Suhr, Joan Boyce, Pam Parker, Robert
Vaughan, Katie Lance, Kris Jaeger, Ken Brosky, Judy Bridges and others.
Full week of activities, Mon-Fri
9am-2:30pm $325 ($100 deposit)
Students entering:
Grades 4-5, July 23-27 (Lead teacher: Kim Suhr)
Grades 6, July 3-Aug 3 (Lead teacher:
Kim Suhr)
Grades 7-8, July 16-20 (Lead teacher:
Joan Boyce)
Grades 9-12, Aug 6-10 (Lead teacher: Kim
Suhr)
4. 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.
SAD LOSSES:
Norrie (Norman S.) Cox died Wednesday,
March 7th. Norrie was a member of Jo McReynolds Blochowiak's "Ground Floor
Writers." Members of the group are continuing to edit his writing,
"because it's too good to be lost."
Ellen Klawuhn died this week. She
acted in many local theater group presentations and was a member of Judy
Bridges' class at LaFarge Institute of Lifelong Learning.
GOOD NEWS:
Shauna Singh Baldwin recorded her essay
"I Believe Men have the Power to be Feminine" for broadcast on CBC
Radio's This I Believe program later this month. She will be
teaching a fiction class "Chapter One of the Novel" at the Banff
Centre for the Arts April 23-28, 2007. More information at The Banff Centre's website and at www.ShaunaSinghBaldwin.com
Redbird artist Phil Belair has a painting
accepted in the Wisconsin Artists Biennial. The exhibit will be at the Haggerty Museum at Marquette
University from April 22 to July 15.
See more of PhilÕs work at www.philbelair.com
First published in 2000, Elaine
Bergstrom's novel MINA will be re-released this spring by Penguin Books with
smashing new cover art! MINA is
the edge-of-your-seat continuation of the DRACULA story, beginning where the
original Stoker novel ends.
Sally Blommer writes from
Indonesia that she and husband Peter sampled curries in Penang, Malaysia,
bicycled through tea plantations and took the ferry to Sumatra. From there,
they hopped a flight to the Phillipines, from whence she reports that the
cities are bigger but the culture has not changed much in the ten years since
she was last there.
Stephen Boehrer, who was chancellor
of the Diocese of La Crosse before he left the priesthood, will talk on
"Catholic Bishops' Failed Leadership: Causes, Effects and Necessary
Reforms" at a Voice of the Faithful meeting that is open to the public at
9:30 a.m. March 31 in Calvary Lutheran Church's hall, 1750 N. Calhoun Road,
Brookfield.
Judy Bridges will present
"Showing vs. Telling: The Art of Lively Writing," at The Third Annual
Power of the Pen Writer's Conference at Fox Valley Technical College in Neenah,
Saturday, April 21. Contact Lisa Bell, belll@fvtc.edu
Kurt Chandler, Milwaukee
Magazine, was named "Magazine Journalist of the Year" by the
Milwaukee Press Club, for articles such as: Hot Shot; Four Brothers; Blood
Simple; The Lost River; & Ties That Bind. He also won Best Public
Service/Public Education Feature Story for "The Lost
River."
Christi Clancy's short story
"Frozen Little Universes" will be published in an upcoming issue of
the literary journal Hobart.
Kirk Farber took second place
in the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and LettersÕ annual short story
contest for ÒSalting the Walks.Ó
His story will be printed in the academyÕs magazine during the coming
year.
From the New York Times to the Ladies'
Home Journal, Redbird friend Lauren Fox has been getting enthusiastic
reviews for her new book STILL LIFE WITH HUSBAND. Lauren has had interviews recently in the Shepherd-Express and The Onion. Read a review of her book at http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/stilllifewithhusband.html
Gerlinde H. Gelina will be
facilitating Life Strategy Consulting and Systemic Constellation Work at the
Blissful Abundance Retreat in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota April 19-22. The
retreat focuses on experiencing and integrating the "Law of
Attraction" into everyday life. For more information go to http://www.opengatesnetwork.org or http://www.systemic-formations.com
Naturalist Eric Hansen won an Excellence in Craft Award from the Outdoor Writers
Association of America for his Op-Ed story, ÒIt was a trout. A big trout. A good, big, trout.Ó originally published in the Chicago
Tribune.
Amy Jenkins won an
Ellis/Henderson Outdoor Writing Award honorable mention for her story,
"Going In," which appeared in Flint Hills Review, Issue 11 (2006),
Emporia State University. The award is presented annually by the Council
for Wisconsin Writers. (see presentation date below)
Stacey Kannenberg has been awarded Learning
MagazineÕs 2007 TeacherÕs Choice Award for the Family for her book LET'S
GET READY FOR FIRST GRADE!
Look for a review of Stacey's first book LET'S GET READY FOR KINDERGARTEN
to appear soon in the Boston Globe. Stacey's company, Cedar Valley Publishing,
won the Adding Wisdom Award from the Parent To Parent website in 2005 and 2007.
www.parenttoparent.com
Marty KleiberÕs article
"Catholics Go Green" has been published in the national Catholic
periodical, St. AnthonyÕs Messenger.
John Lehman's Zelda Wilde
Publishing announces a new book by Madison poet Shoshauna Shy titled, WHAT THE
POSTCARD DIDN'T SAY. (64 poems, 104 pages). It will be available in bookstores
in early May or may be ordered direct from the publisher at www.WisconsinPoet.com. Cup of Poems has been replaced by
a new publication. Cool Plums (www.CoolPlums.com)
is an interactive web-zine with monthly themes, literary contests and writerly
book excerpts. The best submissions will be carried nationally in a special
section of Rosebud also called "Cool Plums."
Barbara Malcolm has been asked to
produce a script for a welcome presentation video for The
Clearing in Ellison Bay, WI. The Clearing offers classes in
such diverse subjects as writing and poetry, music, philosophy, birding,
quilting, nature study and many other arts. (See "Other Places, Other
Faces," below)
Kristen West McGuire explores Catholic
women's spirituality on her website, www.mysecretismine.com/ Kristen's book, THE
GLORY TO BE REVEALED IN YOU: A SPIRITUAL COMPANION TO PREGNANCY, can be
purchased from the website. Find
out more about Kristen at www.kristenwestmcguire.com
Jenny Najoom's play, "Coat
Check Girl," is being produced as part of the 22nd Annual Wisconsin
Playwrights' Original One-Act Festival presented by the Village Playhouse of
Wauwatosa at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. Remaining show dates:
March 30, 8pm, March 31, 2:30pm and 8pm.
Box office: 262-781-9520.
Anna Passante has published A
GOD-GIVEN TALENT: PETER J. BRUST, ARCHITECT, HIS WORK AND LEGACY, 1906-2006, a
book about the life and work of the Milwaukee architect and his profound impact
on our city, from the Parks system to structural codes to many of the buildings
familiar to us today. Read a
review of her book at www.bayviewnow.com
Eva Rumpf is teaching
"The Craft of Feature Writing" at UWM School of Continuing Education,
April 5 - May 10. www.uwm.edu/sce
Judith Steininger won first place in
The Milwaukee Press Club's 2006 Excellence in Journalism Awards category,
"Best Single Feature Story or Series 750 Words or More," for her M
Magazine story, "Hot Stuff."
Cari Taylor-Carlson writes regularly
for M Northshore Magazine. Her piece on Paramount Restaurant was
recently published.
David ThomeÔs article "The
Office of the Future Could Be Everywhere and Anywhere" was published in On
Balance Magazine, a journal for Wisconsin CPAÕs.
Lynn, Dennis and Kurt Mehring were featured in a
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article about the All Academies Military Ball they
helped organize. Their son Kurt graduates from the Air Force Academy this year.
Robert Vaughan will present two
workshops at the Fox Valley Power of the Pen Conference in Neenah, April 21:
"Building Characters in Fiction and Plays" and "Writing
Dialogue." Contact Lisa Bell, belll@fvtc.edu
Rick WhaleyÕs book, HOW GREEN IS
THE GREEN PARTY? STORIES FROM THE MARGINS has been published by Beech River
Books. Learn more at www.beechriverbooks.com Rick is also involved in the Jamaica
Reads Book Project, and edited GHOST RAIN; HURRICANE IVAN STORIES, a book
written and illustrated by the children of Huntley Primary School in Manchester,
Jamaica.
Joan WilliamsÕ book THREE SAINTS:
WOMEN WHO CHANGED HISTORY was published by ACTA Publications and was their
featured book of the month. Her book focuses on St. Genevieve of Paris, St.
Catharine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila. Learn more at www.actapublications.com
5. OTHER PLACES-OTHER FACES
Alverno Telesis Program
presents various writing programs, including
The Great Lakes Writers Workshop, June 29-30, 2007
For info 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
Award presentation is held at the Wisconsin Club, Saturday, May
19
Membership and registration information at www.WisconsinWriters.org
The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI (Door County)
Presents a full catalog of opportunities, including
Womens' Writing Retreat with Judy Bridges, Sept 9-15
Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton/Neenah
The Third Annual Power of the Pen Writer's Conference, April
21, 2007
Workshops presented by Judy Bridges, Joanne Flemming, Ellen
Kort, John Lehman and Robert Vaughan.
www.fvtc.edu or call Lisa Bell at
1-877-555-5151
Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops
Many author readings. Active supporter of Wisconsin authors.
Soulstice Theatre
Intimate theater in The Marian Center, Bay View
Presenting "Wit," by Margaret Edson, April 5th
through the 21st
http://www.soulsticetheatre.org/ or call 414-431-3187 for ticket
information.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
The WritersÕ Institute 2007 conference, April 27-29, 2007
also, School of the Arts at Rhinelander
Contact Christine DeSmet, cdesmet@cds.wisc.edu
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
School of Continuing Education
Contact Anne O'Meara, aomeara@uwm.edu or
414-227-3311.
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Publishes Wisconsin Poets Calendar
Spring Conference April 27th & 28th in Appleton
Wisconsin Regional Writers Assn. (WRWA)
Contests, conferences, writers groups, excellent newsletter
Spring Conference, Manitowoc, May 4-5
Woodland Pattern Book Center, Milwaukee
Outstanding poetry resource, plus readings and workshops
WriterÕs Ink
Fellowship group meets in Cudahy
VanVeghelL@msn.com or Gtoe@aol.com
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Revised 2005 by Redbird Studio
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Redbird Studio - A Writer's
Place
3195 S. Superior Street - Milwaukee, WI
53207 414/481-3195
http://www.redbirdstudio.com