August, 2005

 

1. Young Authors: In their own words

2. Fall Classes: Time to register

3. Other Places/ Other Faces

4. News about Redbird Writers

5. How to: help/contact/report/get off the list

 

1. Young Authors: In Their Own Words

 

This summer, 85 young authors attended Redbird writing camps. We could blabber all day about how much fun it was to have them here, how much the teachers enjoyed them, what they learned, their talent and commitment to writing, their support of one another -- and our exhaustion when the five weeks of camp were over. But it's better to hear their own words. We'll post more student quotes and photos and sample writings on the Redbird Young Author website soon. For now, here's a sampling of their comments.

 

      "This isn't just some boring summer camp, you get expert advice, not lectures. There's free time to write; and the places there are! Imagine eating lunch in a graveyard, or under the shade of the many beautiful trees."

 

      "I enjoyed the conferences a lot, because everyone would listen. No one would say anything is bad, only what could make it better."

 

      "Very happy to meet others who shared interests and loved writing as much as I did."

 

      "They give you a bunch of writing time and give you different ways of breaking writer's block."

 

      "The staff truly cares about your goals and bends over backwards to help you achieve them -- whatever they may be. The unique scenery and exercises provide the perfect backdrop for inspiration."

 

      "Think you're not good enough at poetry? Well, a half an hour of finding your 'poetic eye' and 2 hrs at the beach is a fine remedy."

 

      "These great teachers also know how to cure writer's block! Yay!!!"

 

      "Redbird has brought my writing level higher and richer than I ever thought it could go."

 

      "If you are a write-aholic, this is the place for you to go."

 

      "You guys should sooooo do it next summer."

 

 

On behalf of all of our young authors: THANKS to our wonderful teachers: Kim Suhr, Joan Boyce, Pam Parker, Robert Vaughan, Judy Beehler, Beth Ridley, Katie Lance, Anne Landre and Shannon Jackson Arnold.

 

THANKS also to the contributors and supporters who helped us in many ways and sponsored nine young authors. Jan Armato, Shannon Jackson Arnold, Marilyn and Charles Auer (to honor James Auer), Kris Babe, Mary Lou Bell, Rita and Steve Boehrer, Anne Bingham, Rebecca Blemberg, Butler Middle School, Jack Byrne, Council for Wisconsin Writers, Margaret Ferris, Grant Elementary School, Sheila Julson, Amy Lynn Kraemer, Anne Landre, Marilyn McKnight, The Marian Center, Katie Miller, Montessori Institute of Milwaukee, Linda Mrochinski, Majorie Pagel (to honor James Auer), Stephanie Sandy (to honor Naomi Sandy), Pat Schlick, Connie Squire, Patricia Weisberg, Janese and Tom Wills (to honor Dorine Campbell and Marge Bakic).

 

 

 

2. Register Now for Fall Classes

To register, use the form from our website, or just send a note along with your check -- we'll figure it out.  Be sure to list the class, starting date, participant's name, address, phone numbers and email address. Driving directions, cancellation policy and special instructions are also on the web. We thank you for not wearing scented products into the studio.

 

Science Fiction/Fantasy:Introduction

Aaron Schutz (Freelance Writer)

4 Wed   6:30-8:30pm    $115

Sept 28, Oct 12, 26, Nov 9

 

Shut Up and Write!

Judy Bridges  (Studio Founder)

6 Mon   6:30-9pm    $295 ($100 deposit)

Oct 10, 17, 24, Nov 7, 14, 21

 

Self-Publishing: The ABCs

Kira Henschel (Goblin Fern Press)

2 Tues   Oct 11, 18   6:30-8:30pm   $55

 

Query Letters for Magazines

Kristine Hansen (Freelance Writer)

3 Thurs   Oct 20, 27, Nov 3  6:30-8:30pm   $85

 

Writing for the Web

Anne Landre (Web Wizard)

2 Tues   Oct 25, Nov 1    6:30-8:30pm   $55

 

Playwriting

Robert Vaughan (Playwright/Poet)

1 Sat  Nov 12   9am-4pm   $105

 

Roundtable Critique Groups 

Judy Bridges (Studio Founder)

4 meetings per session  $75  (check availability)

 

Tuesday afternoons   12-2:30pm

#5  Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 11, 25 (waiting list)

#6  Nov 8, 22, Dec 6, 20

 

Wednesday evenings   6:30-9:00pm

#5  Sept 7, 21, Oct 5, 19

#6  Nov 2, 16, 30, Dec 14

 

 

 

3. Other Places/Other Faces

 

This fall, Judy Bridges will also be presenting the following workshops:

 

"Writer's Wellspring" at The Clearing, Ellison Bay, Door County, WI. Sun-Sat, Sept 11-17. (Residential)

The perfect writers' retreat: Mornings to write, afternoons to discuss your writing, evenings free to hang out with the others or write some more. Small group. Private consults. To register, call 920-854-4088 or (toll free) 877-854-3225 or see www.theclearing.org

 

"Finding Your Voice: A Writer's Gift" at The Clearing, Ellison Bay, Door County, WI. Sat. Nov 5, 9am-4pm.

A hands-on workshop designed to help you reach into your imagination and find a voice that's natural to you and perfect for the writing. All levels welcome. To register, call 920-854-4088 or (toll free) 877-854-3225 or see www.theclearing.org

 

"Writing Life Stories" at Fox Valley Technical College, Neenah, WI, Sat. Oct 15, 9:30-2:30.

You don't have to be a pro to write about your life. Use your memories and the skills you have to write your stories. All levels welcome. To register, call Lisa Bell, 920-720-6820 or (toll-free) 877-515-5151

 

 

 

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.

 

Shauna Singh Baldwin is traveling to Amsterdam for the release of the Dutch translation of The Tiger Claw by Uitgeverij De Geus. In September, she will head to Germany to give readings at the Berlin Literary Festival.

 

Anne Bingham's poem, "Cloister, Recycled," appears in the current issue of the literary magazine Ancient Paths. Anne is proud to say, "Got paid for it, too."

 

Ludmilla Bollow will read from her new novel, Dr. Zastros Sanitarium, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 7pm, at Schwartz in Mequon.

 

Claudia Burns is traveling from her home in sunny Florida to participate in the writers' retreat (see Writer's Wellspring under Other Places) in cool Ellison Bay, Door County.

 

Christi Clancy was nominated for Best New American Voices. She is also teaching "The Craft of Fiction" this fall at UWM School of Continuing Education. The six-week class begins October 5.

 

Roderick Clark (ROSEBUD Magazine) and John Smelcer, (Rosebud's Alaskan poetry editor) read at the Elliott Bay bookstore in Seattle, Washington on August 13th. John read poetry. Roderick read from his "Voice Over" columns.

 

Marshall Cook, Professor of Creative Writing at UW-Madison and author of 24 published books, will give a talk on writing at the Brookfield Public Library meeting room on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7pm. This is arranged by the Milwaukee chapter of Romance Writers of America, but non-members are welcome. Contact Edie Ramer, 262-628-0393, edie@netwurx.net,

 

Alexander Friend, an Americorps/YMCA member working at the John C. Cudahy YMCA branch on Milwaukee's north-west side, is looking for a local writer who would be interested in giving a reading and possibly a workshop as part of their Writer's Voice Initiative. (Contact: afriend@ymcamke.org)

 

Bill Gagliani's Bram Stoker Award-nominated novel, Wolf's Trap, will be reissued next year by Leisure Books (Dorchester Publishing).

 

Eric Hansen, author of the U.P.'s first hiking guide, will present a slide show and book talk Wednesday, September 21, 7pm at Schwartz on Downer, Milwaukee. Title: Hiking Michigan's Upper Peninsula: A Guide to the Greatest Hiking Adventures in the U.P. Eric's essay, "It was a big trout. A good trout. A good, big trout." was published in a recent issue of the Sunday Chicago Tribune. He writes, "I couldn't have asked for a larger regional platform, microphone for this theme. Having this in the Tribune means there are nearly three quarters of a million copies floating around the region. Thanks to all of you for your help." http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/

 

Kira Henschel (Goblin Fern Press) was featured in an article in The Capital Times, Business section, August 11, 2005. See: http://www.madison.com/tct/business/index.php?ntid=50181&ntpid=0

 

Shannon Jackson Arnold was quoted in an article on ice cream, "Taste of Power," written by Kathy Mangold for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Shannon was also a visiting author at Redbird's Young Author camp, where she showed teen writers what it takes to get a book published. She is teaching "Writing from Your Life: How to Capture Your Memories and Life Experiences on Paper" at Martha Merrell's on Mondays from September 26 through November .

 

Stacey Kannenberg and Linda Desminowich (Cedar Valley Publishing) have been all over the news lately with their book, Let's Get Ready For Kindergarten! The book was selected by Orca Communications (Phoenix, AZ) as one of the top 15 new products for kids.  It was featured as their top pick in their Media's Best Guide for kids that goes to over 7,000 media outlets. They were also featured on WSAW-7 (CBS), in the Arizona Tribune (110,000 circulation, on WTMJ-4 Milwaukee (NBC), and WMTV Madison (NBC). Their publication, Daddy, Where are You? by Jessie Garcia, was featured on TMJ-4. Another book, Let's Get Ready for First Grade is in the works.

 

Bonnie Lewis will have an essay published in Boomer Women, in a section titled "Discovering Midlife Passions" in the upcoming website section of Our Voices.

 

Barbara Malcolm has had four of her poems accepted by Penwomanship. "Purification" is slated to be in the October print issue. Barbara willl also be a featured writer in an issue of the magazine.

 

Mel Miskimen's play, "Single, Married, Widowed, Divorced" will have a staged reading at the Stiemke Theater November 4 at 11 p.m. Mel wrote this with two other writers - Carolyn Alvin and Kit Behling. Milwaukee's John McGivern has committed to produce it for a four day run in 2006.

 

Karen McQuestion's essay "Yes, I love you - no matter how I became your mother," was published in The Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0316/p12s01-lifp.html

 

Wayne Mutza's new book, Milwaukee Fire Department, was featured in OnMilwaukee.com. Wayne also wrote Life Lines: Stories from the Firehouse.

 

Mara Ptacek's work was shown at the Appleton Art gallery this summer, in a show titled, "Compositions."

 

Pat Pollworth will present her guide for kids (and adults) to discovering and appreciating our urban environment: Milwaukee County Street Names Street Games. Thursday, Aug. 25, 7pm at Schwartz in Shorewood.

 

Sara Rattan won third place for a poem and two honorable mentions for prose (first page only) at the Writers' Institute in Madison.

 

Mike Reynolds is signing copies of his first novel, Lake of Dragons, which was published by AuthorHouse in Bloomington, Indiana.

 

Carol Wobig's essay about  dealing with a sister's illness was accepted by for publication by Penwomanship. This is a first for Carol.

 

Mark Zirbel's short story "Bags" will be appearing in DeathGrip: Exit Laughing, which is scheduled to be published by Hellbound Books in late 2005/early 2006.

 

 

 

5. How to help/contact us/get off the list

 

TO HELP: Distribute flyers. Tell people about Redbird. Contribute to the Scholarship Fund.

May we suggest:

-- A gift to the Scholarship Fund in your name, or to honor your favorite writer.

-- 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.

-- If you are purchasing books from Amazon, you can help Redbird by ordering through our site.

-- Purchase "Redbird Writers" tee shirts for your writer-friends. $12