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REDBIRD STUDIO -- A WRITERÕS PLACE
April,
2009
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
Watching the kid
grow...
When I was little I
knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up -- a mom. I flirted with the
idea of being a nurse, cowboy, ballerina, nun, gun moll and stunt flyer, but
always went back to "mom." When that didn't work out, I slid
through dozens of jobs in business and came to rest as a writer.
Then I got an idea for
a writer's place called Redbird and became sort of a mom after all. I fed
it, stayed up all night, guarded it from bullies, paid the phone bill
and kept the faith. Now it's all grown up and wonderful. I may not deserve the
credit, but I'm taking it.
And now it's time for
a change, time for me to devote more attention to other birds in the
nest. I'm working on the 2nd- or 3rd-to-last draft of Shut Up & Write! and getting very excited about it. The best
thing is being in exactly the right place to get the help I need to make the
book shine. Soon, there will be book sales -- lots of them, I hope -- plus
more private consults and workshops on the road as well as some at
Redbird. Also, Aunt Claire left her country house to us, so David and I want to
spend more time in mid-Wisconsin turning Uncle Marvin's wood shop into a cozy
writer's studio. Who knows what will become of that.
Kim Suhr and I are
working on arrangements to pass the baton so Redbird as you know it will
continue to thrive. She will run the place; I will meddle now and then. If
people ask, and I hope they do, please tell them that Redbird will be as
wonderful as ever. All the roundtables will continue: Robert's, Jeannee's,
Laurel's. I'll teach two intensive sessions of Shut Up & Write, Aug
13-14-15 and Oct. 8-9-10 and more next year. Kim is planning a new writing
exercise workshop (no push ups) to begin this fall.
We haven't decided on
a name for the place as yet -- probably some combination of mine, Redbird
Studio, and Kim's, Red Oak Young Writers. We have until the end of June, when
the actual transition takes place, to work on that.
I may get twitchy now
and then, but I know for sure this is the right thing to do and the right time
to do it. The time to move on is when everything is strong, there are capable
people in charge, and I have lots to do. I'll always be the one who founded the
place. And I'll always be in the wings, smiling.
It's My Party!
This Thursday evening
we are celebrating everything at our 16th Annual Writers' Showcase. For the
first time, the Redbird group leaders and I will read along with some of our
star writers. Details are below but here are a few added notes:
-- Guests,
including children, are welcome, but be aware that we do not censor the
writing.
-- The social
room is on the main floor, so you won't have a million stairs to climb.
-- The room will
be as fragrance free as we can get it. Please do your best to honor this.
-- Light
refreshments will be served before and after the program, which begins at 6:30
and is free.
Thursdays at
Redbird
The
"Thursdays" series of "Smart Friends and Deep Passion" was
a major success. We started off with a full house for Roi Solberg's program,
"Start Your New Year Right" and maintained that level of excitement
for Anne Landre's discussion of "The Mothers Day Project" and Shauna
Singh Baldwin's "How to Find the Story in You." The Writers' Showcase
is the last Thursday event in the spring series. If Kim plans a fall series,
I'll make sure I'm in town because I wouldn't want to miss a-one of these.
The Hairshirt
Report...
In March, 14 of us got
together at the Sinsinawa Mound Center for our first women's writing retreat.
The weather, the accommodations, the writing, the camaraderie -- all
perfect. Judy Douglas won the Hairshirt Award. (We do not divulge the
criteria.)
I will lead The
Hairshirt again next year, but in the meantime, I want to draw your attention
to the results of one night's conversation, "What are your favorite
books?" Look at www.redbirdstudio.com for "The
Hairshirt Writers Recommend..." edited by Rae Spencer. This is not your
grandpa's booklist.
And, because I can't
resist, I share with you the note Carol Wobig sent after our return home.
Hi All,
On
the ride home, I decided that I had made a mistake and would re-enter the
convent. I called and set up an interview with the tall nun walking around in
full regalia, the one whose demeanor screamed school principal. Her name
was Sister Mary Prunerio.
But on Tuesday, much to my dismay, I had a message. I was not one of her
people. Her spy, Sister Busybody, had overheard me reading my piece
on Monday AM and reported me. Who did I think I was, and who were those hooligans
riding up and down the hallway the night before? A sacrilege, just a
sacrilege. She suggested that we were all on our way to hell.
My message to her? Fine -- not what I was thinking, of course -- you know what
I was thinking. I'll just stay here and write and look forward to having a
great time next year with my people.
Thanks
to all of you. Most fun I've had in years. Carol
2. WHAT'S UP AT REDBIRD
Register
now! Details and registration form on the website:
www.redbirdstudio.com or
414-481-3195
You're
invited!
16th
ANNUAL SHOWCASE CELEBRATION: "IT'S MY PARTY"
A Milwaukee Book
Festival Event www4.uwm.edu/sce/program_area_long.cfm?id=3181
Thursday, April 30,
2009 6:30 p.m.
Main Floor Social
Room - Marian Center
3195 S. Superior
Street, Bay View (Milwaukee) WI
Free. Light
refreshments served before and after program.
Featuring the
following readers:
Judy Bridges, "Oh,Yes You Can" from Shut Up & Write!
Kim Suhr, from short story, "Holy
Redeemer"
Robert Vaughan, "I Was Don Ho's Ho"
Jeannee Sacken, from Young Adult novel, Talking Bones
Laurel Landis, from short story, "Scherzo"
Tom Biel, from short
story, "Naked"
Marjorie Pagel, "Here's What's Brewing: Mp's Mps"
(Marjorie Pagel's Morning Pages)
Carol Wobig, from short story, "Gone
Fishing"
David Howard, from Young Adult Novel, Griffin Peake
Jeri Smith, "Absolution" from short story
cycle, Retirement Blues
Mike O'Keefe, "Victim Statement"
Other authors signing
books include:
Stephen Boehrer, The
Purple Culture
Cari Taylor Carlson, Food
Lover's Guide to Milwaukee
Roi Solberg, Spirit
of Archetypes: Cards for Spiritual Guidance
Judith Zukerman, Amsterdam
Day
SHUP
UP & WRITE! with Redbird
Founder JUDY BRIDGES
A nationally
recognized craft and motivational workshop appropriate for beginners and
pros.
Develop your
skills. Build confidence. Become the writer you want to be.
New Three Day Intensive Sessions, limited
enrollment. $345 (deposit $100)
#1: Aug 13-14-15, 2009
#2: Oct. 8-9-10, 2009
Class meets Thursday
and Friday evenings, 6:30 to 9pm, and Saturday, 9:30 am to 3pm.
REDBIRD'S
FAMOUS ROUNDTABLE GROUPS
All-genre critique
groups. Healthy feedback. Good friends.
Prior attendance at
"Shut Up & Write!" recommended.
Four meetings per
session, $85 Register in advance.
No meetings July and
August. Fall schedule tba.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON
ROUNDTABLE with JEANNEE SACKEN.
Four Tuesdays
12noon to 2:30 pm $85
May 5, 19, June 2, 16
WEDNESDAY EVENING
ROUNDTABLE with LAUREL LANDIS
Four Wednesdays
6:30 to 9 pm $85
May 6, 20, June
3, 17
THURSDAY EVENING
ROUNDTABLE with ROBERT VAUGHAN
(one meeting per
month) 6:30 to 9 pm
Two Thursdays
May 14, Jun 18 (Half Session) $45
FRIDAY MORNING
ROUNDTABLE with ROBERT VAUGHAN
Four Fridays
9:30 am to 12 noon $85
May 15, 29, Jun 12, 19
RED
OAK YOUNG WRITERS SUMMER CAMPS
Grades 4-12 July
and Aug Mon Ð Fri 9am-2:30pm $325
Register: www.redoakyoungwriters.com
Grades
4-6, July 13-17, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center, Brookfield
Grades
4-6, July 27-31, Redbird Studio, Bay View
Grades
7-8, July 27-31, Redbird Studio, Bay View
Grades
7-12, July 20-24, Ten Chimneys, Genesee Depot
Grades
9-12, Aug 3-7, Redbird Studio, Bay View
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.
Tom Biel's winning story "Fossil Fields" was
published in the Dec. issue of Wisconsin Academy's, Wisconsin People and Ideas. Also, his blog has a tribute to Redbird
that everyone should see. www.tombiel.wordpress.com
Dave Blank has a new website that will please people in the
arts. ArtDoozle is a new FREE
events list for area artists, galleries, performers, writers, musicians, poets,
dancers, educators and others interested in the arts. See www.redbirdstudio.com/artdoozle
or search Google for "ArtDoozle"
Judy Bridges is leading a week long "Open Writing
Retreat" at The Clearing, June 7-13. This one is open to men and women,
all levels of experience. On Friday, July 17th, she'll lead a Clearing
workshop, "Writing from The Inside," On Saturday, August 1st, she'll
be at Fox Valley Technical College in Neenah for a class on "Women's
Stories." From Sept. 13-19, she'll be back at The Clearing for the annual
"Women's Writing Retreat."
Steve Boehrer will be signing copies of his new novel, The Purple Culture, at Barnes and Noble in Brookfield Square on
Thursday, May 7th, at 7 pm.
Council for
Wisconsin Writers. See the CWW
award winners' list at end of "Other Places, Other Faces." Also note
the banquet details. Everyone is welcome to attend, but you must register and
pay the luncheon fee. It's worth it!
Richard Dawley is coming to the April 30th Showcase, bringing a
copy of his fifth book, Amish
and Mennonite Snowbirds.
James Boone Dryden is director of WriteCamp, a
participant-driven, free conference for writers Saturday, June 6 at The Hide
House in Milwaukee. www.writecampmilwaukee.com
Susan Elbe's and Ron Czerwien's collaborative poem was published at qarrtsiluni,
an online journal that does some very interesting things. She says, "We
responded to their query called 'Mutating the Signature.' We had a lot of fun
trying this out." http://qarrtsiluni.com/2009/02/28/why-no-one-saw-it-coming/
Diane Goff's book, Riding the Elephant, will be released soon. An excerpt from the
book she wrote about her mother and Alzhieimer's will be published in an
anthology, Beyond
Forgetting, edited by Holly
Hughes. Diane's excerpt, "Missing Pieces," has also been chosen to be
in the Alzheimer's Foundation newsletter. She also did a reading at Furman
College in Greenville, South Carolina. You can check out the anthology at
http://upress.kent.edu/books/Hughes_H.htm
Sheila Julson's excellent article featuring Redbird and
Redbird writers just hit the streets in the May issue of the Bay View Compass. http://bayviewcompass.com/archives/871
Sister Josephe
Flynn is flying high after
finalizing her contract with agent Sheree Bykofsky. Her book is now tentatively
titled Save Regina:
Struggling for Asylum in America.
Eric Hansen writes that he is "celebrating the
culmination of a multi-year citizens' campaign: Congress' passage of a
historic wilderness bill, the Omnibus Public Lands Act, on March 26. This
sweeping legislation adds federal wilderness protection to an additional 2
million acres nationwide, including one of the U.P.'s sweet
spots, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's Beaver Basin."
Judy Illes. Dog lover's alert! See her blog: www.dogshavewings.blogspot.com
Stacey Kannenberg's Let's
get Ready for Kindergarten is
being released in Spanish. www.cedarvalleypublishing.com
Deb Karpek's article, "Reiki Eases Pain of Loss,"
was published in the spring issue of Reiki
News Magazine. Deb's new website
is also up and running. www.debkarpek.com
Mark Krieger's first short story "The Song of the
Needle" is being published by Knock, a literary journal, in May 2009, issue 11,
(Rock the Boat). He has a second story entitled
"Vitamins" that will be published in the autumn
2009 issue of THEMA (In
Kay's Kitchen). He is currently
working on additional short stories as well as starting a
novel.
Vanessa L., a regular participant in Redbird/RedOak
Young Writers programs, will be attending Boston University's Tanglewood
Institute this summer. Vanessa plans a career in opera, so this is a truly
exciting opportunity for her.
Felicity Librie is coming back to Wisconsin and Redbird this
summer. I'm writing this here so the news is too public for her to make any
last minute changes and stay in London.
Mel Miskimen's essay about her foray into stand up comedy
was aired on WUWM's Lake Effect 89.7 fm. It is archived on the station's
website: www.wuwm.com/lakeeffect
Jill Morin is in the home stretch with her book, Get Real: Creating Organizational
Authenticity in an Increasingly Fake World. The final manuscript is due June 1st.
Laurel P., who attended Redbird/RedOak Summer Camp
throughout her high school years, has been accepted to study Creative Writing
and psychology at Purdue University.
Jeannee Sacken's Young Adult novel, Talking Bones, has generated a lot of interest. She recently signed an offer of
representation with an agent, and is looking forward to what happens
next.
Bela Sandor discussed his novel, Tut's Queen, and his inspirations from ancient art and
literature at Mt. Horeb Public Library.
Roi Solberg is leading a workshop based on her book, Spirit of Archetypes: Cards for
Spiritual Guidance, on
Saturday, May 2, 1-5 pm at Solcare, 305 W. Silver Spring Dr, Glendale, WI.
"Learn how to use this innovative approach to self-discovery. By
recognizing your archetypal patterns and discerning which ones empower you, you
can make choices that change your life. Writers also use the Spirit of
Archetype cards as a tool for developing their characters and finding hidden
aspects of their personas." roisolberg@sbcglobal.net
Kim Suhr sends "Branching Out" eNewsletter to
Red Oak writers and friends. The newsletter contains hints, prompts and
opportunities for young writers.
Jason Waltz has news: "I successfully delivered
three sessions entitled "The Write Side of the Road" at the Port
Washington Library. During one session - 'On Writing', 'On Plot', and 'On
Scenes & Characters' - per month, I presented my thoughts on writing and
cars to an average attendance of 10 guests. I've been invited back for another
three-peat to be scheduled later in the year. I will be attending OddCon in
Madison the end of April, and sitting on a few panels there as well. My
publishing house, Rogue Blades Entertainment, will be releasing several titles
this year: June 1st, Rage
of the Behemoth: An Anthology of Heroic Adventure; August 15th, Demons: A Clash of Steel Anthology; by September, a wonderful collection of tales
involving a fantastical serial character; and by November, a collection of
heroic verse."
Doreen Zeller's letter to the editor concerning the proposed
sale of county land in Wauwatosa appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
April 6th.
4. OTHER PLACES, OTHER FACES
Alverno Telesis
A variety of writing
classes including The Great Lakes Writers Workshop
A Broader
Vocabulary Cooperative
New Feminist Bookstore
organizing in Bay View
abroadervocabulary.blogspot.com
Avol's Bookstore
Independent used
bookstore carries academic, scholarly, and general used books, and promotes the
local poetry scene.
315 W. Gorham, Madison
608-255-4730
Boswell Books
(formerly Schwartz on Downer)
Cool Plums
Interactive webzine
for writers (John Lehman)
Council for
Wisconsin Writers ***SEE NEW CWW AWARDS LIST BELOW
Recognizing Literary
Excellence Since 1964
Sponsors annual
contests for Wisconsin Writers
Awards Banquet, May 9,
Wisconsin Club, 900 W. Wisconsin Avenue, 11am. $25.
Contact Carolyn
Kott Washburne at 414-961-1995 or ckw44@wi.rr.com.
http://www.wisconsinwriters.org/contests.htm
The Clearing,
Ellison Bay, WI (Door County)
Register now for a
variety of folk school programs, including programs with Judy Bridges,
"Open Writing
Retreat" in June, "Writing from the Inside" in July and
ÒWomenÕs' Writing RetreatÓ in September
Fox Cities Book
Festival
http://www.focol.org/bookfest/index.asp
Fox Valley
Technical College
Variety of writing
programs including:
"Women Writing
About Their Lives" with Judy Bridges, Sat, Aug 1st, 9:30-2:30
Green Lake
Christian Writers' Conference, Green Lake WI
2009 Conference dates:
August 23-28
Marshall Cook John
Lehman, Patti Lacy, Elsie Mae Cofer, Mary Pierce, Cassandra Williams, Rebecca
Irwin-Diehl, Carol Pierskalla, Cindi Umstadt, Sheila Hansen, Beth Ziarnik.
Contact janwhite@glcc.org;
920-294-7327; visit www.glcc.org.
Interlochen College
of Creative Arts, Interlochen, MI
Screenwriting, Poetry,
Prose & Paint, Retreats
Kristin Celeste
Hills, www.interlochenorg/college
Milwaukee Book
Festival
Celebrates literary
arts of all genres with readings, workshops, talks and panels
Watch for news of Fall
2009 events.
Milwaukee Public
Library
Email newsletter
alerts you to great selection of current readings and events.
Society of
Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Wisconsin SCBWI-WI
Excellent professional
organization for writers and illustrators
Workshops, networking,
resources.
Soulstice Theatre
Intimate theater in
The Marian Center, Bay View
general_info@soulsticetheatre.org
Still Waters
Collective
High energy creative
writing and spoken word programs
The Inspired Writer
Creativity coaching
and workshops
The Marian Center,
Bay View
Home of Redbird Studio
and dozens of dedicated nonprofits
See Activities
List: http://www.mariancenter.net
TYMEOUT Youth
Center
Summer Creative
Writing Camp for Middle School Students, June 21-26
Ben Brzeski, www.tymeout.org
262-966-1800
University of
Wisconsin, Milwaukee, School of Continuing Ed
Spring Writers
Festival
http://www4.uwm.edu/SCE/course.cfm?id=13682
University of
Wisconsin, Madison, Div. of
Continuing Studies
Writing classes
include Write by the Lake Writers' Institute and Rhinelander School of the Arts
summer program
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
Wisconsin Book
Festival
Book Festival in
Madison and other locations each October
2009 dates:
October 7th through 11th. The theme for the 2009 Festival is ÒCOURAGEÓ
http://www.wisconsinbookfestival.com/
Wisconsin
Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Statewide network for
poets. Contests and information.
Publishes Muse Letter
and annual Poet's Calendar
Wisconsin Regional
Writers Association (WRWA)
Contests, conferences,
writers' groups, excellent newsletter
Spring Conference in
Siren-Frederic-Grantsburg area, May 1st and 2nd.
Northwest Regional
Writers sponsored writing contest for grades 7-12 from Northwest Wisc.
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
welcomes all levels, all styles, all genres. Meets first and third Mondays,
7pm,
in the lower-level
meeting room of Chase Bank in Cudahy. Dues $3 per year.
Contact Gail
Torpe: gtoe@aol.com or 414-744-9664
http://www.writersinc.writernetwork.com/index.html
***CWW
AWARDS
Kevin Henkes of
Madison has won the Major Achievement Award from the Council for Wisconsin
Writers for his work as childrenÕs author of more than 25 childrenÕs picture
books and novels, including the bestselling LillyÕs Purple Plastic Purse and
OliveÕs Ocean, Newbery Honor book. The CWW award carries with it $1000 and a
monthÕs residency at Edenfred, the Artists Retreat established by the Terry
Foundation in Madison.
Seven other Wisconsin
writers have been named as award winners for work published in 2008. The awards
carry $500 each and a weekÕs residency at Edenfred. Out-of-state judges made
the selections.
Richard Quinney
of Madison won the Kingery-Derleth Book-Length Nonfiction Award for his book
Things Once Seen. Jerianne Hayslett of South Milwaukee received an honorable
mention for her book, Anatomy of a Trial: Lessons Learned from the People vs.
O.J. Simpson. Rebecca OÕConnor of California judged.
Anthony Bukoski
of Madison won the Anne Powers Book-Length Fiction award for North of the Port.
Tied for honorable mention were David McGlynn of Appleton, for The End of the
Straight and Narrow, and Rae Meadows of Madison for No One Tells
Everything. Madeleine Mysko of Maryland judged.
Ronald Wallace of
Madison won the Posner Poetry Book Award for For a Limited Time Only. Erin
Hanusa of Madison received an honorable mention for her collection The House of
Marriage: Poems. Debra Bruce of Illinois judged.
David McGlynn of
Appleton won the Kay W. Levin Short Nonfiction award for his article
ÒHydrophobiaÓ in the Missouri Review. Kurt Chandler of Wauwatosa received
an honorable mention for ÒThe JokerÓ in Milwaukee Magazine. Jennifer Manion of
Minnesota judged.
Ingrid Kallick of
Madison won the Larry and Eleanor Sternig Short Fiction Award for her story
ÒSoniaÓ in Wisconsin People and Ideas. Jeff Esterholm of Verona received an
honorable mention for ÒThe Return of the NorsemanÓ from The Dirty Napkin online
journal. Tatyana Mishel of Washington judged.
Susan Firer of
Milwaukee won the Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award for ÒPumpkin SeedsÓ and other
selected poems. Cathryn Coffell received an honorable mention. Bruce Bennett of
New York judged.
Pat Schmatz of
Amherst Junction won the Tofte/Wright ChildrenÕs Literature award for her book
Mousetraps. JoAnn Early Macken received an honorable mention for Flip, Flop,
Fly: Seeds on the Move. Amy Friedman of California judged.
Jerry Apps,
Madison, won the Ellis-Henderson Outdoor Writing Award for his book Old Farm: A
History. Robert C. Willging of Rhinelander received an honorable mention
for On the Hunt: The History of Deer Hunting in Wisconsin. Stephen Bodio of New
Mexico judged.
In a new student
contest sponsored by CWW, Jennifer Heup of Shawano received the $150 Essay
Award for Young Writers for her essay ÒObservations of an Amateur Astronomer.Ó
Elley Bley of Delafield received honorable mention for her essay ÒBoth.Ó
Awards will be
presented to the winners May 9 at CWWÕs annual banquet at the Wisconsin Club,
900 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, with a reception at 11:00 a.m. and luncheon
and program following. Tickets are $25 and may be reserved at www.wisconsinwriters.org or by
contacting Carolyn Kott Washburne at 414-961-1995 or ckw44@wi.rr.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 support and encourage diligent writers.
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