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REDBIRD STUDIO -- A WRITERÕS PLACE
April-May, 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
15 years ago...
When I picture myself standing in the tiny corner studio I had 15
years ago, staring out the window at Lake Michigan, thinking how I'd like
things to be in 15 years, I realize I couldn't have planned any better.
I make "alligator" outlines all the time. Most of you
know these are the mind-maps-with-a-sense-of-direction I created when I wrote
for a living. They're perfect for planning writings or projects or even life.
The thing is, when you use them for life, you need to be careful what you
write. Once, when I was too thin, I wrote "gain 5 lb/yr." You can see
the flaw in that. On the other hand, "find nice guy" worked out
pretty well.
Someday I'll find the gator I outlined in that corner studio. One
leg will be noted, clear as ink, "writing workshop." It didn't
occur to me (at least I don't think it did) to look at the whole place as a
workshop Ð as a place where writers come to work and learn more about the
craft. Now we run 3-5 "workshops" per week. More than 6,000 adults
and kids think of Redbird as their writing home, and those who move away to
other parts of the world write back to say, "We need a Redbird here!"
On May 1st, we celebrate our 15 years. We are immensely proud that
this event is part of the Wisconsin Book Festival, Milwaukee Spring
Celebration. (www.redbirdstudio.com/wibookfest-milw.html)
For me, this is like having our little one room school house become part of the
University. Please join us. The event will be as warm and comfortable as
you expect of Redbird, with good readers, good food and good people.
On May 2nd, teens from Red Oak Young Writers (formerly Redbird)
are sponsoring a Teen Coffee House and Open Mic. This is also part of the
Book Festival and the Redbird celebration. Coffeehouse starts at 7 p.m. in the
Marian Center Social Room (same place as the event on May 1st).
See: www.redoakyoungwriters.com
You're Invited!
RedbirdÕs 15th Anniversary
Celebration
A Wisconsin Book Festival Ñ
Milwaukee Event
OPEN HOUSE & SHOWCASE READING
Thursday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.
Main floor Social Room (only 15 stairs to this level)
Marian Center, 3195 S. Superior St. Bay View
Redbird celebrates its 15th anniversary with an open house and
showcase reading featuring six of the studio's star writers. The reading will
be followed by an author "talkback," book signings and time to hang
out with others who love writers and writing. Free refreshments and parking.
(Please do not wear scented products.)
6:30-7:00
Doors open. Refreshments available. Time to visit and get books signed.
7:00-8:00
Showcase reading emceed by Robert Vaughan. Featured authors will read.
8:00-8:30
Author talk-back moderated by Judy Bridges. Bring questions.
8:30-
Hang out, meet authors, get books signed.
SHOWCASE AUTHORS: Full bios at www.redbirdstudio.com
Shauna Singh Baldwin is the author of five books including WHAT THE BODY
REMEMBERS, THE TIGER CLAW, ENGLISH LESSONS and WE ARE NOT IN PAKISTAN.
Kirk Farber returns to us from his new home in Colorado Springs. Kirk
was a semi-finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award contest. His short
stories have appeared in Wisconsin People and Ideas and Hobart Literary Journal.
Doug Jacobson's debut novel is NIGHT OF FLAMES, a story of the courage of
common people during WWII.
Alison Polivka is a sophomore at Pius XI High School. She represents the
talented students in the Redbird Ð now Red Oak Ð young writers' programs.
Carol Wobig won awards in the Writer's Digest Annual Short Story Competition, the Florence Lindemann Humor
Contest (sponsored by WRWA) and the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition.
Judith Zukerman's poetry graces her book, AMSTERDAM DAYS, The Deronda
Review, Calliope, Free Verse, Peninsula Pulse, Cobblestone, New Millennium and
Discovery Nation.
OTHER STAR AUTHORS SIGNING BOOKS:
Sharon Hart Addy, LUCKY JAKE, WHEN WISHES WERE HORSES, RIGHT HERE
ON THIS SPOT; Elaine
Bergstrom, MINA,
NOCTURNE, BLOOD TO BLOOD; Stephen Boehrer, DEAD MEN'S BONES, CALLED TO FREEDOM; Ken Brosky, GRENDEL; Richard Carter, CABIN FEVER; Cynthia Dennis, THE SUNFLOWER SINNER: W.D. (Bill) Gagliani, WOLF'S TRAP; Philip Martin, THE NEW WRITERS
HANDBOOK 2007; Doris Pehowski, OSF, BY GOD'S PROVIDENCE; Jason Waltz, THE RETURN OF THE SWORD: AN ANTHOLOGY
OF HEROIC ADVENTURE.
Also part of the Book Festival and Redbird Celebration:
TEEN COFFEE HOUSE AND OPEN MIC
With Red Oak Young Writers (formerly Redbird)
Friday, May 2, 2008, 7 pm
Main floor Social Room (#210)
Marian Center, 3195 S. Superior St.
Bay View
Teens invited to share favorite pieces with an audience of other
teens who enjoy writing and reading. See www.redoakyoungwriters.com for details.
SALUTE TO STATE WINNERS
Council For Wisconsin Writers Awards www.wisconsinwriters.com
Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters Short Story
Award www.wisconsinacademy.org
Wisconsin Regional Writers Association. www.wrwa.net
Within the last month, three Redbird writers won awards in major
state competitions. Christi Clancy and Amy Jenkins won awards in Council for Wisconsin Writers contest for work published in 2007. Tom Biel won a Wisconsin Academy of
Sciences, Arts and Letters short story award.
As a member of the board of CWW, I get to see some of the entries
(the judging is done out of state) and I can tell you this is no small win for
these people. The competition in this state is just plain stunning. The CWW
awards are presented at a May 10th banquet at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee.
(Reservation forms on web site) Winners will be invited to read at a Book
Festival event at Schwartz Bookstore in October. Wisconsin Academy winners will
be invited to read at a Book Festival event at Avol Bookstore in Madison in
October. WRWA runs several competitions each year and announces winners at
Spring and Fall conferences.
2. WRITE
AT REDBIRD...
It's no wonder we have a 14 ft. shelf full of books by
Redbird Writers!
www.redbirdstudio.com or
414-481-3195
POETRY CRITIQUE GROUP with MARILYN
TAYLOR
ÒQuality, thoughtful critiques in a stimulating environment.Ó
Marilyn is an award winning poet known for her warmth and leadership. Poets
present works in progress for discussion and feedback. Perfect for intermediate
level and above.
Meets Wednesday
evenings, 6:30-8:30 pm.
Spring: Apr 2, 16, 30, May 14 $85
Summer: Jun 25, July
30, Aug 27 $65
SHUT UP & WRITE! SEMINAR with
JUDY BRIDGES
ÒI learned more in this class in one night than I have in all my
other classes put together.Ó Shut Up & Write is a mix of lessons, serious
writing, coaching and introduction to the Redbird culture. Great for new and
experienced writers of fiction and nonfiction. Small groups. Register early;
there is often a waiting list.
Meets six Monday
evenings. 6:30-9:00 pm. Fee: $375
Summer: Jun 23, 30,
July 7, 14, 21, 28
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. Pre-requisite: Shut Up and Write!
ROUNDTABLES
WITH ROBERT VAUGHAN
(For
all levels, fiction and nonfiction)
MONDAY MORNINGS 9:30 am
to 12 noon, $85
Summer:
May 19, Jun 16, July 14, Aug 18
THURSDAY EVENINGS 6:30
to 9 pm, $85
Summer:
May 22, Jun 12, Jul 17, Aug 21
ROUNDTABLES
WITH JUDY BRIDGES
(For intermediate and above, fiction
and nonficton)
TUESDAY AFTERNOONS 12
noon to 2:30 pm, $85
Summer:
May 13, Jun 17, Jul 8, Aug 12 (waiting list)
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 6:30
to 9:00 pm, $85
Summer:
May 7, Jun 11, Jul 16, Aug 6 (waiting list)
RED OAK YOUNG WRITERS
Registration Now Open for Creative Writing Day Camp
Red
Oak at Ten Chimneys
Students
Entering:
Grades
7 - 12: June 23 - 27
Red Oak at
Redbird
Students
Entering:
Grades
7 - 8: July 21 - 25
Grades
4 - 6: July 28 - Aug 1
Grades
9 - 12: Aug 4 - 8
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.
Sharon Hart Addy is leading a seminar on ÒWriting Fiction for ChildrenÓ at the
Green Lake Christian Writers Conference starting August 17th.
Shauna Singh Baldwin will be reading from WE ARE NOT IN PAKISTAN: STORIES on
Thursday, April 24th, at the Toronto Reference Library in the Beeton
Auditorium. She will sign copies of A STRANGER AMONG US at the Printer's Row
Book Fair in Chicago Sunday, June 8th, 2 p.m. The signing session will be held
at the Other Voices/OV Books table. Shauna's story, A View form the
Mountain is
included in this anthology. A View from the Mountain was first published in WE ARE NOT IN PAKISTAN:
STORIES (Goose Lane Editions 2007) www.ShaunaSinghBaldwin.com
Elaine Bergstrom leads a novelistsÕ critique group at Roberts on Howell, 2nd
and 4th Wednesday evenings. For information contact ebergstrom2@wi.rr.com.
Tom Biel won third prize in the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts
and Letters short story contest for his story, ÒFossil Fields.Ó
Stephen Boehrer's third novel, THE PURPLE CULTURE, is scheduled for
publication by Oceanview Publishing, Ipswich, MA, in May, 2009.
Ken BroskyÕs blog on BayViewNOW.com was named "Best Of" for a
piece titled ÒIs the surge really working in Iraq?Ó Ken is the author of
GRENDEL, which he is happy to say is entirely sold out at the moment. He also
has a publisher for his collection of short stories.
Peggy Brown, toy inventor, author, artist, is Chair Person for the Bay View
Arts Guild, which welcomes writers. The Guild also presents the South Shore
Frolics Festival of Arts on Sunday, July 13th.
Liam Callanan is a collaborator on ÒPoetry Everywhere,Ó a poetry and
animation project by UWM and the Poetry Foundation. You can see a sneak preview
at ÒAn Upper on Downer: The Poetry Everywhere Project Milwaukee PremiereÓ at
Schwartz on Downer, Tuesday, April 29, 7 p.m. This is a Wisconsin Book Festival
Ð Milwaukee Event.
Robin Chapman's book of poetry, SMOKE AND STRONG WHISKEY, was recently
released by WordTech Editions. (Can't beat that title! jb)
Christi Clancy won the Council for Wisconsin Writers Larry and Eleanor Sternig
Short Fiction Award for her story ÒLittle Frozen Universes,Ó which appeared
in Hobart
Journal.
Linda Conroy authored Chapter 6 of WOMEN OF WISDOM: EMPOWERING THE DREAMS
AND SPIRIT OF WOMEN. The chapter is titled ÒThe Power of Stories: Rituals of
Connections.Ó
Susan Elbe won an Honorable Mention in the Council for Wisconsin
Writers Posner Book-length Poetry Award for her book, EDEN IN THE REARVIEW
MIRROR. Her poem, ÒScheherazade,Ó was featured on Verse Daily on Saturday, April 12.
Kirk Farber has an agent for his novel, POSTCARDS FROM A DEAD GIRL. This
is one of the four Redbird novels that reached the semi-finals in Amazon/Penguin
Breakthrough Novel Awards. Kirk also won awards in Colorado for his work on
this book.
Marty Hintz and Pam
PercyÕs book,
WISCONSIN CHEESE: A COOKBOOK AND GUIDE TO THE CHEESE OF WISCONSIN was recently
released by The Globe Pequot Press. (I want to eat my way through this one! jb)
Doug Jacobson has been interviewed about his WWII novel, NIGHT OF FLAMES,
on The Morning Blend, as well as in several Belgian publications. His interview
on Lake Effect has also been re-broadcast.
Amy Jenkins won an Honorable Mention in the Council for Wisconsin
Writers Ellis/Henderson Outdoor Writing Award category for ÒShepherded FlightsÓ
which appeared in The Florida Review. AmyÕs essay, Ò125 Miles,Ó 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.
Sheila Julson's articles and news briefs appear regularly in the The Bay View Compass newspaper.
Al Krueger recently appeared in a segment of Morning Blend. He's proud
of the success of his company, Comet Branding, but clearly prouder of Justin
Thomas Krueger, born to Al and his wife Jennifer on April 8th.
Koshin published
a book of poetry titled CHASING WIND MILLS. WHY NOT.
Chris Krajniak (Hanuman Art Studio) is
one of the featured artists at the Art Nouveau Gallery during Gallery Night
events. His work will also be on display at the Flower Lady shop during this
year's "Westside Artwalk" in the Village of Wauwatosa, WI April
25-26.
John Lehman has a free online writing workshop: http://coolplums.wordpress.com.
Mark LuciusÕs memoir, ÒJoining the Club,Ó will appear later in 2008 in a
compilation of best American Sports writing. It was originally published in
the Great
River Review.
Stephanie McCready and her new business, Muscari Flowers and Gifts, were
featured in an article in mkeonline.com.
Elizabeth NearyÕs article, ÒIn the Best Interest of Children: When Foster
Parents May Keep Placement,Ó appeared in Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine. Elizabeth received a
certificate of commendation for writing excellence for the article.
John Ptacek has an agent for his debut novel, MR. MAN IN THE MOON.
Sara RattanÕs poem, ÒMarch of the Garlic Mustard,Ó was accepted for
publication by Free Verse. It will be published this summer.
Donald Schambow of Waukesha Writers is alerting writers to many of the
events in Wisconsin, including readings for National Poetry Month and the WRWA
Spring Conference in LaCrosse, May 3.
Jean ScherwenkaÕs articles and news briefs appear regularly in the RiverWest newspaper.
Kim Suhr is releasing ÒBranching Out,Ó an e-Newsletter for and from
Red Oak Young Writers.
Marilyn Taylor read with ÒLetters to the WorldÓ anthology: a poetry reading
at AvolÕs Bookstore in Madison. Other plans include a panel discussion, ÒThe
Art of Doggerel,Ó at West Chester University Poetry Conference, West Chester,
PA on June 6, and ÒGetting a Word in Edgewise: a Workshop in DictionÓ at
Bjorklunden Seminar Center, Baileys Harbor, WI in September.
Jack TorridianÕs novel, THE TRAINER, was recently released by Humdrumming
Ltd.
Jason Waltz edited THE RETURN OF THE SWORD: AN ANTHOLOGY OF HEROIC
ADVENTURE recently released by Flashing Swords Press.
Judith Zukerman read her poetry at the Aldo Leopold Day event at the
Arboretum in Madison.
4. OTHER PLACES, OTHER FACES
Alverno Telesis
A variety of writing classes, plus:
The Great Lakes Writers Workshop, June 28
Great workshops, including a lunchtime panel on publishing emceed
by Judy Bridges
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
AWARDS BANQUET AT WISCONSIN CLUB, MAY 10TH, Public welcome
Banquet reservation forms, contest and winner information:
http://www.wisconsinwriters.org/contests.htm
The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI (Door County)
Folk School offers a variety of programs, including:
ÒWriting From The Inside OutÓ with Judy Bridges, July 12th
ÒWomenÕs' Writing RetreatÓ with Judy Bridges, Sept 7-13
Green Lake Christian Writers' Conference, Green Lake WI
60th annual conference & celebration Aug. 17-22, 2008
Presenters include Sharon Hart Addy, John Lehman, Sharon Korbeck
Verbeten
Contact janwhite@glcc.org;
920-294-7327; visit www.glcc.org.
Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops
Independent bookstore. Active supporter of Wisconsin authors.
Also see Book Clubs for Kids, http://schwartzbooks.com/bookclubs.php
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 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
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 Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Statewide network for poets. Contests and information.
Publishes Muse Letter and annual Poet's Calendar
Wisconsin Regional Writers Assn. (WRWA)
Contests, conferences, writers groups, excellent newsletter
Spring Conference Dates: May 4-5, 2008, in La Crosse
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 fellowship group meets twice per month.
VanVeghelL@msn.com or Gtoe@aol.com
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