 |
REDBIRD STUDIO -- A WRITERS' PLACE
August 15, 2007
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 BIRD'S NEST Judy Bridges
It's a nice hazy day, the kind that reminds me of all the late
days of summer when the leaves dry up and I make plans for September. September
is a big deal for me. It means we start school again -- me with a million
memories of yet another school in yet another town. I'm nervous, but determined
-- this year, finally, I will keep up with my homework. It won't matter that I
don't know the other kids; I'll be able to raise my hand at last. I will know
the answers.
The truth is, I never got good at that homework thing; at least
not until I was in college and I was all grown up by then. I did make friends,
though, in every school in every place, and when we moved on I hated to leave
them. I know some to this day, from as far back as 6th grade, which is pretty
good for a movable child.
This year it's the friends who moved on. Felicity Libre and Kirk
Farber to new places. Sister Bertram to a new horizon. She died a few weeks
ago, at 101. In her full life she taught in schools from here to Colorado and
worked full time as the Marian Center receptionist until she was 96-years-old and decided to cut back to part-time. I
got to say a few words at her funeral, which sounds dreary but actually makes
me proud.
This was our 14th summer of young author camps. Kids who were here
in years past keep coming back. One young author chose to return here rather
than go to Harry Potter camp! Some who have grown up come back to help teach,
and others keep touch to let us know where they are and what they're doing. (In
Paris; getting published!) I managed the first camps by myself. This year, I
looked out from the nest and saw six amazing teachers working with a group of
amazing kids. I was a little jealous for a minute -- sad to be outside the
crowd. Also happy -- how fine it is to start something that can do so well
without you.
Maybe this is the year I'll keep up with my homework.
Notes:
My Favorite Quote from the summer camp evaluation forms: Question: How could the
week have been even better for you? Answer: "It couldn't have been. I'll
come for eternity and eternity."
Young Author Summer Camp Slide Shows will be up on the Y.A. website by
the end of this week. See "Gallery" at www.redbirdstudio.com/YoungAuthors
NEW WRITERS' HANDBOOK may contain your words. This new anthology -- edited by Philip
Martin and published by Scarletta Press, (Preface by Erica Jong) -- includes
our famous list of ÒSnappy IntroductionsÓ (heard in actual Redbird workshops)
in the chapter on craft.
A few studio spaces will become available for sublet to writers and artists as of
Sept 1st.
Fiction critiques are available through Redbird. See the website for submission
details.
2. NEW! AT REDBIRD THIS FALL
(Details and registration info: www.redbirdstudio.com or www.redbirdstudio.com/YoungAuthors or call 414-481-3195)
BOOKFEST EVENTS: This is the second year that the Wisconsin Book Festival -- a
Wisconsin Humanities Council event held in Madison -- is being extended to
Milwaukee. We are proud to sponsor two events in the Book Festival this year,
one for adults and one for young authors. These events will take place on the
main floor of the Marian Center (follow the Redbird signs) and are FREE. See details
for all events on the Redbird Studio site.
For adults: "PANEL
AND A PARTY: SIX WISCONSIN AUTHORS TALK ABOUT THE WRITING LIFE" Saturday, Oct 6, 4-7pm. Authors: Sharon Hart Addy (childrenÕs); Liam Callanan (literary fiction); Kurt Chandler, (nonfiction); Stacey Kannenberg (parenting/self publishing); Sandra Kring (novelist); Paul Salsini (historical fiction).
For young authors: ÒTHE BOOK YOU PUBLISH TOMORROW BEGINS TODAYÓ A workshop on Sunday. Oct 7,
1-4pm. Young authors will see
books written by other young writers and get a start on their own. Facilitated
by Kim Suhr, Director of Young Author Programs, and other Redbird
writer/teachers. Perfect for grades 4-12.
POETRY CRITIQUE GROUP with MARILYN TAYLOR We got lucky this year. Award winning poet Marilyn
Taylor will lead a new Òtwice a monthÓ poetry critique group in the studio this
fall. This is the perfect opportunity for poets to present works in progress
for discussion and feedback in a supportive atmosphere. Wednesdays: Sept 12,
26, Oct 10, 24, Nov 7, 28. 6:30-8:30pm. $145. Marilyn's work has appeared in a
number of journals and anthologies, including The American Scholar, Poetry,
Iris, The Formalist, and Poetry magazine's 90th Anniversary Anthology. Winner
of the 2003 Dogwood Prize, she also took first place in recent competitions
sponsored by Passager, The Ledge, GSU Review, and Anamnesis Press. Her second
full-length collection, Subject to Change (David Robert Books), was nominated
for the Poets Prize in 2005. she is also a contributing editor for THE WRITER
magazine, where her columns on craft appear six times a year.
YOUNG AUTHOR ROUNDTABLE with KIM SUHR has been expanded to two Sunday
afternoons per month. Sep 9, 23, Oct 14, 21, Nov 4, 18, Dec 2, 16. 1-3 pm.
$130 For grades 7-12.
NOVELS 'GRAD-STYLE' CRITIQUE GROUP will meet three Wednesday evenings
per month. Wednesdays, Sept 11, 18, 25, Oct. 9, 16, 23. 6:30-8:30pm. $105
ONLINE FICTION WORKSHOP is in the works. We will let you know the details
when it's up and running.
GROUND FLOOR WRITING WORKSHOP with JO MC REYNOLDS-BLOCHOWIAK meets in room 103 two Thurs
afternoons per month. Sept 13, 20, Oct 11, 25. 12:30-2:30pm. $85
ROUNDTABLE CRITIQUE GROUPS with ROBERT VAUGHAN (two) #1: Meets one Thursday evening per month. Sept 20, Oct
25, Nov 15, Dec 20. 6:30-9 pm. $85
#2: Meets two Friday mornings per
month. Sept 7, 21, Oct 12, 26. 9:30am-12noon. $85
ROUNDTABLE CRITIQUE GROUPS with JUDY BRIDGES (two) #1: Meets two Tuesday afternoons per
month. Sept 18, 25, Oct 9, 23. 12-2:30pm. $85 #2: Meets two Wednesday evenings per
month. Sept 5, 19, Oct 3, 17. 6:30-9pm. $85
SHUT UP AND WRITE! SEMINAR with JUDY BRIDGES meets six Monday evenings. Oct 15,
22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19. 6-9pm. $345
This is the last session of the year.
3. REDBIRD WRITERS AND FRIENDS
Connie AndersonÕs article ÒGetting Away,Ó about vacation destination Door County,
was published in the July edition of the Scottsdale Airpark News.
Shannon Jackson Arnold, author of EVERYBODY LOVES ICE CREAM, has been interviewed on
several TV stations talking about ice cream. You can view her appearance on Good Morning Arizona at http://media.vmsnews.com/MonitoringReports/071707/762290/F001106748/
WHAT THE BODY REMEMBERS, by Shauna Singh Baldwin, has entered its ninth printing. Her new collection of short
stories, WE ARE NOT IN PAKISTAN, can be ordered from Goose Lane Editions by
calling 888-926-8377. www.ShaunaSinghBaldwin.com
Ken Brosky's novel, GRENDEL, is near publication. (Shauna caught the Grendel
reference instantly. I didn't. I was busy being in love with Ken's book of
short stories, LEAVING DODGE COUNTY, which I totally admire.)
Peggy Brown's new book/activity kit series will be launched by Random House
on August 28th. The first two of four (so far) titles are
"Wacktivity," and "A Friendship Scraptacular." Peggy says,
"They're looking awesome, the wet ink smells oh-so-good, and I hope you'll
enjoy them as much as I've enjoyed making them..." www.collectopiabooks.com There are reruns of Peggy's appearances
on the Rachel Ray Show. And she will appear on The Morning Blend, a local
Milwaukee TV show, on September 6th. It airs at 10am on Channel 4.
Cary Taylor-Carlson's Venture West trips for fall of 2007 include The Towering
Tetons, Scotland's West Highland Way, Secret Slot Canyons in Utah, and
Nepal-Ghorka to Pokhara. See: venturewestinc.com
Susan ElbeÕs handsome book of poetry, EDEN IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR, is now
available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. To read a sample of her poetry, visit www.susanelbe.com
Margaret Fenelon says she has boldly entered the digital age. You can see her blog
at http://geocities.com/fenelonclan@sbcglobal.net
Sister Josephe Marie FlynnÕs article, ÒImmigration System Must Cease Jailing Those
Seeking Asylum,Ó appeared in the July 1, 2007 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Sister Josephe was instrumental in helping Regina Bakala of
Hales Corners, WI avoid deportation to her native Congo.
WHEN SHADOWS FALL, a spooky mystery by Jill Geinke, has been released by Swimming
Kangaroo books. Look for it under
Jill's pen name, Kate Fellowes.
Jean HarlanÕs book, SCIENCE EXPERIENCES FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD YEARS, is in
its ninth edition. SheÕs also
nearing completion of a book for 8 Ð 10 year olds involving an 18th Century
Geologist.
Deb Karpek is opening Peaceful World Healing Center in Hales Corners. In addition to writing, Deb practices
Reiki. Her center will focus on
the healing arts, incorporating massage and other natural healing therapies.
Doug JacobsenÕs book, NIGHT OF FLAMES, will be released by McBook's Press in
October. This tale of the Belgian
resistance during World War II was inspired by the experiences of Doug's
relatives during that time. He
brought an advance copy of the book to the Tuesday afternoon roundtable, where
we all staked claim to his success.
Amy Jenkins' short story, "Close to Home," appears in the current
issue of Rosebud
Magazine. She also
had a feature article, ÒThe Land Ethic in the 21's Century,Ó in Earth Island Journal. Amy invites you to
check out her website: www.AnthologiesOnline.com.
Sheila Julson's article about KozÕs Mini Bowl was published in The Bay View Compass.
Stacy Kannenberg, author of LETÕS GET READY FOR KINDERGARTEN and LETÕS GET READY
FOR FIRST GRADE was interviewed on TMJ4Õs Morning Blend on July 5. And you can read the Milwaukee Journal SentinelÕs article about her at http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=610471
Russell King is seeking submissions for a book he's editing -- a collection of
letters to fathers. Go to http://letterstoourfathers.20m.com for complete
information.
Thea Kovac and Nancy Lee Davis will have a studio open house and
sale of their watercolors and oils Aug 17th, 2Ð7pm, and Aug 18th, 12-5pm. Titled "Painted Lady and Lady
Painters," the showing is at 2588 S. Delaware Ave, Milwaukee. Phone
414-294-3881 or 414-379-7100
Barbara MalcomÕs short-short story, "Octopus," was a finalist in the
University of MaineÕs Ultra-Short Competition. We are hoping to see it on their
website; stay tuned!
Karen McQuestionÕs Blog, McQuestionable Musings, was given a thumbs-up by Sid
Leavitt on his blog Readers and Writers.
Read the piece at http://readersandwritersblog.com/2007/05/24/unmcquestionably-good/
Wayne Mutza's military history about a Special Operations Unit was released
this summer. It is his nineteenth
book! (I'm sorry; sometimes exclamation points are in order!)
An entry on
Marjorie PagelÕs
Blog, Meet Me at
the Corner, was
chosen as Blog of the Week. Scroll
down to ÒShake a Stick at All Those SticksÓ on her blog archive at www.myhalescornersnow.com
Anna Passante presented a lecture and slide show on the life and work of
Milwaukee architect Peter Brust at the Beulah Brinton House. Her book, A GOD GIVEN TALENT: PETER
BRUST, HIS LIFE AND LEGACY 1906 Ð 2006 was available for purchase at the
lecture. For more information call
Mark Nitka at 414-483-8881.
Edie Ramer and her writer friends Allison Brennan, Michelle Diener, Amy
Knupp, Liz Kreger, Theresa Monsey, LaDonna Paulette and Karin Tabke, put
together a motivational website for writers. Visit http://www.writeattitude.net
Maria Rivera has written a play that her nephew is turning into a movie. Her piece, ÒIn the name of Patient
SatisfactionÓ appeared in the medical magazine Advance. Her Blog, My Imagination and God Ð a Personal Journey, is at www.catholicwritersguild.org
Rosalie Robinson has compiled and edited a booklet from UWMÕs WriterÕs Forum
group, the Guild for Lifelong Learning.
Her short-short story, The KingÕs Quest, appears in the booklet along with a poem, It Should Have Been Spring.
Chris RoerdenÕs book, DONÕT MURDER YOUR MYSTERY, was awarded the Agatha Award for
Best Nonfiction Book at the 19th Malice Domestic mystery convention in
Washington DC. Chris is currently
at work on the next book in her series for writers, DONÕT SABOTAGE YOUR
SUBMISSIONS: AN EDITOR TELLS WRITERS HOW TO AVOID INSTANT REJECTION.
Tess Romeis and the Stone Kettle Poets released the summer issue of their
publication ECHOES. This issue features Haiku written by the poets.
Roi Solberg held a showing of 48 original artworks created for her new book,
SPIRIT OF ARCHETYPES, which is set for publication early next year. See: www.spiritelan.net
Jeri Smith was a finalist in Glimmer Train's Short-Story Award For New Writers - Spring 2007! "Even
Then" tells the story of a man suffering from depression following the
death of his son. Despite his own resistance, he finds the faint beginnings of
hope when a grandson is born.
Kimberly Stezala just signed a book deal with AmaCom publishing of New York for her
book, STREET GUIDE TO SCHOLARSHIPS: WHAT EVERY FAMILY SHOULD KNOW. The
book release date is still pending, but you can read her scholarship blog at www.scholarshipstreet.com
Kim Suhr is assisting with a Literacy Event at Mayfair, Sept 8th, between
11 and 12:30pm. Some of our young authors will read from their work at the
event.
Marilyn Taylor's poem, "Cover Letter," was posted online at Ars
Poetica http://www.logolalia.com/arspoetica She also, kindly, gave us permission to
post it on the Redbird site, near the information about her new critique group.
See: www.redbirdstudio.com
Rick Whaley is participating in the Sacred Sites Run. The run is a traveling event that
visits places sacred to the Native Americans. Through July and August the runners visited many sites in
Wisconsin. To learn more, visit http://www.nativeearthkeepers.com
Mary Wimmer's novel, REACHING SHORE, is available at Irish Fest. Published by
Goblin Fern Press, the story weaves contemporary characters with Irish-American
history.
Carol Wobig took first place with her essay, ÒLove,Ó in the Florence
Lindemann Humor Contest. The award
was presented at the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association Spring Conference.
4. OTHER PLACES, OTHER FACES
Broad Vocabulary
2241 S. Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee 53207
Offers workshops and special programs in the bookstore
www.broadvocabulary.com
414-744-8384
Cool Plums
Interactive webzine with monthly themes, contests and book
excerpts.
Council for Wisconsin Writers
Recognizing Literary Excellence Since 1964
The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI (Door County)
Presents a full catalog of opportunities, including
WomenÕs' Writing Retreat with Judy Bridges, Sept 9-15
Goblin Fern Press
Offering online teleseminars and other workshops.
http://www.goblinfernpress.com/
Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops
Many author readings. Active supporter of Wisconsin authors.
Soulstice Theatre
Intimate theater in The Marian Center, Bay View
August 15 Ð 18: ÒEuphony: A Celebration of Song and DanceÓ
featuring local talent and children from STArS summer program.
Phone: 414-431-3187. http://www.soulsticetheatre.org/
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Writing courses offered through School of Continuing Education
Contact Anne O'Meara, aomeara@uwm.edu
or 414-227-3311.
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP)
Triad Contest 2007 June 1 to August 1
Entry forms and rules at website www.wfop.org
Publishes Wisconsin Poets Calendar
Consult their website for a complete listing of poetry readings
and open mike events.
Wisconsin Regional Writers Assn. (WRWA)
Announces their 59th Annual Fall Conference, September 28-30
at the Voyageur Inn and Conference Center, Reedsburg, WI.
Contact publicity@wrwa.net or visit the website at www.wrwa.net
Contests, conferences, writers groups, excellent newsletter
Woodland Pattern Book Center, Milwaukee
Outstanding poetry resource, plus readings and workshops
www.mpl.org
or 414-286-3091
WriterÕs Ink
Fellowship group meets in Cudahy. Network, critique, and get to know other writers. Share information and resources.
VanVeghelL@msn.com or Gtoe@aol.com
5. HOW
TO HELP, CONTACT US, REPORT NEWS or GET OFF THE LIST
TO HELP:
Distribute flyers.
Tell people about Redbird.
Contribute to the Young Author Scholarship Fund.
May we suggest:
-- A gift to the Young Author Scholarship Fund in your name, or as
a tribute to someone special.
-- 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.
-- Purchase a "Redbird Writers" tee shirt for your
writer-friend. $15 includes postage.