From The Bird's Nest
 A New Nest
A few years ago, I inherited my Aunt Claire's home in mid-Wisconsin. It's a cedar-sided country ranch built into the side of a hill, surrounded by trees, corn fields, bluebirds, and my favorite downy woodpeckers. Claire's vegetable gardens are grown-over, but we still have asparagus and grapes and fat Wolf River apples. And we have Uncle Marvin's workshop sitting on the edge of the woods, the little Ben Franklin stove idle in the corner, waiting for someone to build a fire.
David and I have been torn between wanting to live in the country house and loving the city; between thinking we should sell the place and being too attached to let go of it. For a little while we thought it might be fun to get some chickens and goats, but that quit being a good idea when we thought about having to go out and milk the goats in winter.
I also had a re-occurring dream of creating a writer's hideaway.
The decision: We'll have both! - Redbird Studio and our apartment in the city, AND The Bird's Nest writer's hideaway in the country.
We are now remodeling the lower walk-out level of the house into a cozy hideaway with a private bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchenette. There's a fireplace made from bricks my uncle salvaged from a courthouse in northern Wisconsin, and a desk he made from bird's eye maple. The key to Marvin's workshop hangs on a hook near the door.
It won't be long before we start welcoming guests. And someday, when I'm old and gray, I'm going to sit in a rocker and instead of spitting tobacco and telling lies, I'm going to read everything that was written in The Bird's Nest.
SHUT UP & WRITE! - The Class
Redbird Studio - Milwaukee
April 9-10, Saturday-Sunday, 9:30-3:30
Enjoy the company of a small group of people from all backgrounds, all ages, all levels of education and experience. People come from all over the country to take part in this workshop. Beginners use it to learn the brass tacks. Pros use it as a tune-up or to polish skills in added areas of writing.
SU&W includes material covered in the book, but individualizes it for the members of the class. I ask what you want to accomplish in the way of writing, and then do everything I can to help you find your voice, to write what you want to write, the way you want to write it.
You'll learn practical tips and techniques you can use to write fiction or nonfiction – how to organize your thoughts, engage readers, make characters (real or imagined) come alive on the page, select a workable point of view, show and tell, keep the "drive" in narrative drive, and get published.
Be inspired. Get focused. Write!
Registration is required. Details at http://www.redbirdstudio.com
Redbird Studio
3195 S. Superior Street, #205
Milwaukee, WI 53207
jb@redbirdstudio.com 414-481-3195
AVOL'S BOOKSTORE - Madison
"Rising Stars"
April 3, Sunday, 2pm
Join me for an afternoon in the coolest used book store in Madison. I'll read from my book and share the stage with rising stars, Laurel Landis, whose short stories have appeared in Rosebud and Wisconsin People and Ideas; Roi Solberg, author of Spirit of Archetypes; Judith Zukerman, author of Amsterdam Days; and Robert Vaughan, who topped 100 publications in 2010 and co-hosts WUWM's "Flash Fiction Fridays."
NORMAN GILL LECTURE - Glendale
"Woman as Creator: Finding a Vision, Finding a Theme"
April 14, Thursday, 6:30-8:30 pm
I am honored to be invited to moderate a panel of august writers in this presentation of the Gill Lecture Series. Panelists include: Marilyn Taylor - Former Milwaukee Poet Laureate, Anne Stratton, author of Buried Heart; Catherine Underhill Fitzpatrick, author of A Matter of Happenstance, and Susan Kern, screenwriter, and Director of Gal Friday Films.
The event is sponsored by North Shore Library and Friends of North Shore Library, and hosted by Nicolet High School and Next Chapter Bookstore.
Gill Lecture, Nicolet High School
6701 North Jean Nicolet Road
Glendale, WI
Martin Hintz, 414-352-1868
THE HAIRSHIRT RETREAT– Sinsinawa, WI
Sponsored by Redbird Studio at St. Clara Convent
Apr 28 - May 1, Thurs-Sun
When I went to high school at St. Clara Academy there were 500 nuns and 97 girls – a ratio that made my father very happy. Now, I salute the sisters who taught me when I lead this women's writing retreat at the Sinsinawa Convent. This is the perfect setting for quiet reflection and work. You'll find nooks and crannies in which to sit, wooded trails to walk, two labyrinths (indoor and outdoor), and your own private (but not lavish) room in which to give voice to your latest idea.
A few spaces available. Registration required. Details at http://www.redbirdstudio.com
Sinsinawa is located in the southwestern corner of Wisconsin, eight miles east of Dubuque.
BOSWELL BOOK COMPANY - Milwaukee
May 8, Sunday, 3pm
Co-sponsoring a visit by Dalya Massachi, author of Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact
Watch for further details.
Boswell Book Company
2559 N Downer Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53211
414-332-1181
www.boswell.indiebound.com
WOODLAND PATTERN BOOK CENTER - Milwaukee
"Rising Stars"
May 11, Wednesday, 7pm
When I moved to Milwaukee from San Francisco, the first place I fell in love with was this bookstore. Now, I'm honored to appear in the new Woodland Pattern Prose Series, reading from my book and sharing the stage with fellow writers: Sara Rattan, winner of a Wisconsin Academy Review award for short fiction; short story writer, Maura Fitzgerald, and Amy Lou Jenkins, author of Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting.This will be a grand evening.
THE CLEARING FOLK SCHOOL - Ellison Bay (Door County)
"Writers' Wellspring"
June 5-11, Sunday-Saturday
-and-
"Women's Writing Retreat
September 11-17, Sunday-Saturday
This year, I'm leading two week-long classes at the famous Clearing Folk School – one in June for writers who want a balance of instruction and writing time, and one in September for those who have specific projects in mind and just want to get to work. In both classes, I offer all the support I can so that you can realize your dreams.
Look at the website photos of The Clearing. You'll love the setting, the people, the food -- everything that goes on there.
The Clearing
12171 Garrett Bay Road
Ellison Bay, WI 54210
920-854-4088 or toll free 877-854-3225
http://theclearing.org
REDBIRD-REDOAK CLASSES
See details at www.redbirdredoak.com
Register with Kim Suhr, kim@redbirdredoak.com
Roundtable Groups
Monday Mornings with Kim Suhr
Monday Afternoons with Kim Suhr (Oconomowoc)
Tuesday Afternoons with Jeannee Sacken
Tuesday Evenings with Kim Suhr
Thursday Evenings with Robert Vaughan
Friday Mornings with Robert Vaughan
"Write 'til You're Blue in the Face" with Kim Suhr
RedBird-RedOak "On The Road" Showcase Readings
Creative Writing Camps and Writing Circles for Young Writers
Open Studio Writing
Other Special Programs
Flash in the Pan: A Flash Fiction Writing Workshop
with Robert Vaughan
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 10am-2pm
Young Writers
Register now for Summer Creative Writing Camps
NEWS ABOUT REDBIRD WRITERS AND OTHERS WE ADMIRE
Shannon Jackson Arnold, author of Flowering Wisdom - Inspiring Thoughts on Life, Love & Blooming Big read from her book at the Shut Up & Write! event at Books & Company, Oconomowoc.
Shauna Singh Baldwin An adaptation of her play, We Are So Different Now, was performed in New York. You can enjoy the original at www.ShaunaSinghBaldwin.com.
Bruce Dethlefsen, Wisconsin Poet Laureate, has appearances scheduled throughout the year. You can keep up on these and other poetry events at the WFOP web site – address listed under "Other Places."
Peggy Brown's new book, The Golden Book of Family Fun, is being published by Golden Books. It is due for September, 2011 release.
Robin Chapman. I had to coax this information out of her, but Robin finally fessed up to the following good news for 2010. She: co-edited Love Over 60: an anthology of women's poems, with Jeri McCormick, out from Mayapple Press in April 2010 to good reviews in Verse Wisconsin and readings at Associated Writers Program in Denver and Madison; received the 2010 Helen Howe Poetry Prize from Appalachia; attended the Banff International Research Station's workshop in creative writing and science in May; taught a week's Poetry Camp workshop at The Clearing at the end of May and another half-day
workshop for Highland Park Poetry group in Illinois in October; was guest reader at the Unity Temple's Third Saturday Coffee House in Oak Park, IL.; performed with the Prairie Fire Poetry quartet at the Chippewa Valley Book Festival in October; had a poem nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Calyx; and her manuscript of science and nature poems was accepted for publication by Tebot Bach in California in December--The Eelgrass Meadow. She said she's feeling happy about it all!
Christi Clancy's story, "Revenge of the Friend" appeared in the Modern Love column of the New York Times. Christi wrote this story for a reading at the Shut Up & Write! event at Books & Company in Oconomowoc, submitted it the the New York Times and it was published within the month. Bravo!
Bill Gagliani announced that the audio version of his novel Wolf's Gambit will be available soon from Audio Realms – it can be pre-ordered from the Audio Realms website. Also on tap, a mini e-book collection of short stories co-written with David Benton, Mysteries & Mayhem, and a Det. Nick Lupo novella, Wolf's Deal, in e-formats. Watch for e-book bundles and specials of his three previous Wolf novels, too.
Jerrianne Hayslett's essay, "Revolution Then and Now" aired on WUWM's Lake Effect show and is available for listening online.
Karla Huston and David Scheler to celebrate Poetry Month with Original Voice at the Coloma Hotel in Coloma, April 7th at 7pm.
Doug Jacobson wrote the following note to members of his critique group at RedBird-RedOak. I asked him if I could post it in the news because it says what many of us would like to say, which is thanks to all who help us succeed:
"I want to extend a genuine thank you to all of you for the support and congratulations you extended for the reviews on The Katyn Order (especially the champagne and baked goods!!). I meant what I said that this is really a feather in the Redbird cap. Had I never met Judy and gotten involved with Redbird, none of this would have happened. The honest
critique we give each other during roundtable is, in my view, the most important feedback we get as writers. It has been the single most important thing that has happened to me since I decided eight years ago to see if a blockhead engineer could actually write something.
So, my thanks to all of you. I hope to see you at the book launch event in May. Stay tuned for time and date. Regards, Doug"
Sheila Julson's novel, Thorn, made to the next level at the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.
Deb Karpek's article, "The Evolving Reiki Teacher," appeared in the Spring Issue of Reiki News Magazine. Deb is a regular contributor to the magazine.
Ellen Kozak's new book, The Everything U.S. Constitution Book, will be released by Adams Publishing in early June. Ellen won The Council for Wisconsin Writers Derleth Prize for best nonfiction for an earlier book, From Pen To Print: The Secrets of Getting Published Successfully.
Laurel Landis will read excerpts from her award winning short fiction at the Shut Up & Write! event at Avol's bookstore in Madison on April 3rd.
Felicity Librie's interview with Tracy Chevalier appeared in Fiction Writers Review.
Joanne Nelson read her essay "Skiing Towards Enlightenment" at the Shut Up & Write! reading at Books & Company, Oconomowoc.
Julie Pandl has been appearing in bookstores reading from her book, Memoir of the Sunday Brunch. If you ever wondered what it was like behind the scenes at George Pandl's restaurant, this is the girl who can tell you.
Pam Parker was accepted into the Advanced Master Class at the New York State Summer Writers Institute in July. She has also been blogging tips and prompts for writers on her blogspot.
Tom Potisk says: "My new book, Whole Health Healing: The Budget Friendly Natural Wellness Bible for All Ages, has been getting tremendous press. I've been interviewed on dozens of radio stations across the country including The Mancow Mueller Show, and have contributed to many publications including AOL Health and MSNBC. I remember getting my start by attending a workshop at Redbird several years ago about writing press releases."
Roi Solberg will read excerpts from her book, Spirit of Archetypes: Cards of Spiritual Guidance at the Shut Up & Write! reading at Avol's bookstore in Madison, Sunday, April 3rd, 2pm.
Kim Suhr read excerpts from her short fiction at the Shut Up & Write! reading at Books & Company in Oconomowoc. She has also been keeping all the birds in the air at RedBird-RedOak writing center. Most recently, registrations have opened for the summer creative writing program for young writers that takes place at RedBird-RedOak and other locations.
Marilyn Taylor's poem "Home Again, Home Again" was the featured poem on Ted Kooser's "American Life in Poetry" column in the New York Times, Monday, February 28th.
Dave Thome's essay, "Just and Old-Fashioned Love Song?" was featured on WUWM's Lake Effect show. You can listen to it on the station's podcast.
Robert Vaughan keeps topping his "100 Publications" goal, this time with the acceptance by Elimae of his flash fiction piece, "10,000 Dollar Pyramid." He is teaching "Flash in the Pan," a flash fiction writing workshop at RedBird-RedOak, Saturday, May 14th, and reading at the Shut Up & Write! event at Avol's on April 3rd.
Judith Zukerman will read from of her collected works of poetry at the Shut Up & Write event at Avol's bookstore in Madison on April 3rd.
OTHER PLACES, OTHER FACES
More links to organizations of interest to writers are listed on the Redbird website.
Alverno Telesis
A variety of writing classes including The Great Lakes Writers Workshop
telesis.alverno.edu
Arts Wisconsin
Arts Advocacy group
artswisconsin.org
Avol's Bookstore
Independent used bookstore. Active supporter of WI poets.
315 W. Gorham, Madison 608-255-4730
avolsbookstore.com
Bay View Arts Guild
Integrates art into lives of those in Bay View and beyond
bayviewarts.org
Books & Company
Independent book store in Oconomowoc, WI
booksco.com
Boswell Book Shop
Independent book store (formerly Schwartz Books)
2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee
boswellbooks.com
Council for Wisconsin Writers
Annual contests for published work of Wisconsin Writers
wisconsinwriters.org
Banquet honoring contest winners: May 14, 2011
The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI (Door County)
Folk school in a natural setting in Door County
theclearing.org
Fox Cities Book Festival
foxcitiesbookfestival.org
2011 Festival dates: April 11-17
The Foot of the Lake Poetry Collective in partnership with the Windhover Center for the Arts holds literary events on the second Tuesday of the Month, September through May at 7 p.m. at the Windhover Center for the Arts 51 Sheboygan Street, Fond du Lac, WI. The readings are free and refreshments are available. An open mic follows the featured reader. For more info contact Windhover Center for the Arts 920-921-5410.
Green Lake Christian Writers Conference, Green Lake WI
Jan White, Co-Director and Registrar, 920-294-7327 or 920-229-2418
Interlochen College of Creative Arts, Interlochen, MI
Screenwriting, Poetry, Prose & Paint, Retreats
interlochen.org
Little Read Book Inc
Independent book store, Wauwatosa
littlereadbook.com
Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN)
Network for artists.
marnonline.com
Milwaukee Public Library
Email newsletter alerts you to great selection of current readings and events.
mpl.org.
Next Chapter Book Shop
Independent bookstore in Mequon. (formerly Schwartz Books)
nextchapterbookshop.com/
Raconteurs Writers Group
Meets quarterly in room G150 (lower level) Mayfair Mall, Wauwatosa.
President Marilyn Auer, 414-257-0376, marilynauer@juno.com.
Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Mineral Point, WI
shakeragalley.com
Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Wisconsin SCBWI-WI
Professional organization for writers and illustrators
scbwi-wi.com/
Soulstice Theatre
The Marian Center, Bay View
soulsticetheatre.org
Still Waters Collective
Resource network for language artists and enthusiasts
stillwaterscollective.com
The Marian Center, Bay View
Home of The Redbirds and dozens of dedicated nonprofits
mariancenter.net
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, School of Continuing Ed
Spring Writers Festival
Anne O'Meara, Program Director, aomeara@uwm.edu" target="offsite">
Alverno Telesis
A variety of writing classes including The Great Lakes Writers Workshop
telesis.alverno.edu
Arts Wisconsin
Arts Advocacy group
artswisconsin.org
Avol's Bookstore
Independent used bookstore. Active supporter of WI poets.
315 W. Gorham, Madison 608-255-4730
avolsbookstore.com
Bay View Arts Guild
Integrates art into lives of those in Bay View and beyond
bayviewarts.org
Books & Company
Independent book store in Oconomowoc, WI
booksco.com
Boswell Book Shop
Independent book store (formerly Schwartz Books)
2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee
boswellbooks.com
Council for Wisconsin Writers
Annual contests for published work of Wisconsin Writers
wisconsinwriters.org
Banquet honoring contest winners: May 14, 2011
The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI (Door County)
Folk school in a natural setting in Door County
theclearing.org
Fox Cities Book Festival
foxcitiesbookfestival.org
2011 Festival dates: April 11-17
The Foot of the Lake Poetry Collective in partnership with the Windhover Center for the Arts holds literary events on the second Tuesday of the Month, September through May at 7 p.m. at the Windhover Center for the Arts 51 Sheboygan Street, Fond du Lac, WI. The readings are free and refreshments are available. An open mic follows the featured reader. For more info contact Windhover Center for the Arts 920-921-5410.
Green Lake Christian Writers Conference, Green Lake WI
Jan White, Co-Director and Registrar, 920-294-7327 or 920-229-2418
Interlochen College of Creative Arts, Interlochen, MI
Screenwriting, Poetry, Prose & Paint, Retreats
interlochen.org
Little Read Book Inc
Independent book store, Wauwatosa
littlereadbook.com
Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN)
Network for artists.
marnonline.com
Milwaukee Public Library
Email newsletter alerts you to great selection of current readings and events.
mpl.org.
Next Chapter Book Shop
Independent bookstore in Mequon. (formerly Schwartz Books)
nextchapterbookshop.com/
Raconteurs Writers Group
Meets quarterly in room G150 (lower level) Mayfair Mall, Wauwatosa.
President Marilyn Auer, 414-257-0376, marilynauer@juno.com.
Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Mineral Point, WI
shakeragalley.com
Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Wisconsin SCBWI-WI
Professional organization for writers and illustrators
scbwi-wi.com/
Soulstice Theatre
The Marian Center, Bay View
soulsticetheatre.org
Still Waters Collective
Resource network for language artists and enthusiasts
stillwaterscollective.com
The Marian Center, Bay View
Home of The Redbirds and dozens of dedicated nonprofits
mariancenter.net
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, School of Continuing Ed
Spring Writers Festival
Anne O'Meara, Program Director, aomeara@uwm.edu or 414-227-3311.
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Div. of Continuing Studies
Write by the Lake Writers' Institute
Rhinelander School of the Arts summer program
Phone 608-262-7942,
dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing
Waupaca Community Arts Center
200 North Main Street, Waupaca
waupacaarts.org
Waukesha Writer's Workshop
Sponsors Bo Carter Memorial Contest
donaldschambow@aol.com
Web Design by David
Custom sites for writers, artists and small businesses
redbirdstudio.com/yourwebsite
Windhover Center for the Arts
Fond du Lac, WI
windhovercenter.org
Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters
Publishes Wisconsin People & Ideas
Sponsors Short Story and Poetry Contests
wisconsinacademy.org
Wisconsin Book Festival
Book Festival in Madison and other locations
wisconsinbookfestival.org
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Statewide network for poets. Contests and information.
Publishes Museletter and annual Poet's Calendar
wfop.org
Note: The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets' Spring Conference will be held May 13th and 14th at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point.
Wisconsin Regional Writers Association (WRWA)
Contests, conferences, writers' groups, excellent newsletter
wrwa.net/
Spring Conference, May 6-7, Fond du Lac, WI
Fall Conference, Sept 23-25, Stevens Point, WI
Wisconsin Romance Writers
www.WisRWA.org
Woodland Pattern Book Center, Milwaukee
Outstanding poetry resource, plus readings and workshops
woodlandpattern.org
Join the fun at the 5th Annual Edible Book Show Sunday, April 3, 2011, 1-4pm. Participation is free. The audience judges on the basis of creativity, delectability and difficulty.
Working Writers
Association of full time professional independent writers based in S.E. WI.
workingwriters.org
Writer’s 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.
Contact Gail Torpe: gtoe@aol.com or 414-744-9664
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