Jim Brosnan
July 3, 2008
Plans are being finalized for the 68th Writers Conference at Ocean Park (Aug 11-15. Among our presenters are Betsy Sholl, Mike Kimball, Bruce Pratt, Diane LesBecquets, Moira Linehan and Aine Greaney. Conference fee $195
Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance: Member News!
Robert James Shand
July 2, 2008
Hi,everyone. I just wanted to brag a little. The Short Story Library just published my short story, Hadley's Cafe. This is the first of many(I hope)publications. Please go to www.shortstory.us.com July edition and check it, and all of the other stories, out.
Peter Bollen
July 1, 2008
Writers with a published book, or interesting ideas, are invited to be a potential speaker at the Bridgton Brown Bag Lunch series. They're held at noon on Wednesdays. I'm looking forward to hearing about your book/idea. Thank you.
Martin Steingesser
June 28, 2008
The North Star Café and Port Veritas present “The North Star Goes East & Other Compass Points: A Poetry & Music Road Show,” on Tuesday evening, July 22 at 8:30 pm, featuring poets Martin Steingesser and Judy Tierney; Rick Cormier, percussion; Judy Cormier, flute and percussion; Keith Crook, guitar; Rudy Gabrielson, blues harmonica, mountain dulcimer and percussion; Jobani Cohen, percussion, with members of the Different Drummers Joyful Hearts Club Band performing a unique and engaging collaboration of living poetry and live music.
Shonna
June 17, 2008
Hi all,
MWPA has been receiving a bunch of nasty (or gibberish) postings on this page, so I've turned on a moderating feature. You can still post your news...and please DO...but it won't appear immediately.
(And please, I don't want to think our members are posting such nasty links, but if you are, stop. It spoils the experience and discourages the community.)
Thanks!
Shonna
Patricia Gott
June 11, 2008
Hi all:
I am signing and selling my books at "Books 'n Things" on Main Street, Norway, on FRIDAY, June 27, 11 to 1.
I'll be signing my recently released "Cowgirl Days" along with my four other books.
Would love to see and chat with you.
Pat
www.prgottbooks.net
Calvin E Dube
June 10, 2008
I am new at writing poetry since retiring last year. I have always enjoyed writing. My life work required that I write well with concise words and definitions. I actually write poetry not common to most poets. I express my lifes work with the mentally ill who are homeless, prison, depression, poverty and social justice issues. During the past years I have compiled about 300 first draft poems on the above topics. I would very much like to become connected with state wide mentor's who I could share my work with other poets. I believe that I could write something about the heavens above. If you have any ideas who might be the best contacts for an aspiring new poet, please let me know. Thanks for your help and good luck with your new program. I will email you with regards to attending the below program on August 1, 2008.
Calvin E Dube
25 Pine St Apt 25
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Edward Gleason, Southworth Planetarium Manager
June 3, 2008
I am looking for poets.
I am the manager of the Southworth Planetarium at the University of Southern Maine. We are starting a brand new type of program. "Lammas Celestial Poetry Evening" on August 1, 2008. I would like to have local poets recite their poetry (preferably about the sky, Universe, stars, mythology) in the star dome theatre.
The idea is to have the audience listen to poetry under the starfield. If the poet prefers, we can have other images on the dome during their recitation.
If you are interested, PLEASE contact me by or before July 4 at
egleason@usm.maine.edu
or call me at
207-780-4249
We hope to offer this Lammas Celestial Poetry Evening each year and this is our first.
We are not able to pay a fee, I'm afraid, but we can give you a unique type of venue.
The works of local poets and others will be featured.
The event is
August 1, 2008
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
As it is a harvest holiday, Big Sky Bread and perhaps other food vendors will be present.
Please join us.
Cheers
Edward
Robert Rand
May 29, 2008
I am new to the Alliance community. I am looking for a serious novel writing group. The kind people who write everyday and have first draft books to work on. I am on the second draft of a 650 page double spaced mystery novel.
I can be contacted at twohullbob@yahoo.com or telephone number 623-1693.
Amy Peters Wood
May 29, 2008
Hi all-
Here is the official announcement for our book written here in sunny, dry Georgetown, Maine. (The latter in reference to the weather, not status of alcoholic beverages.)
amy
World Voyagers 2008 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Award Winner.
May 29, 2008
World Voyagers the True Story of a Veterinarian, a Renaissance Man, and Stewart the Cat, by Shelton and Wood, was selected as a bronze winner in the travel category. The print version previously won a gold medal from the Next Generation Indie book awards and the e-book is a finalist for the nonfiction e-book of the year.
This year's IPPY award contest attracted 3,175 total entries, with over 2,500 entries in the national categories and over 600 entries in the regional competition. Books came from 49 U.S. states, D.C., and U.S. Virgin Islands; 9 Canadian provinces, and 16 countries around the world: Trinidad to Thailand, Croatia to Czech Republic, and France to Finland.
Winners will be formally recognized at the 12th Annual IPPY Awards event on
Friday, June 6th, in Los Angeles in conjunction with Book Expo America.
The Independent Publisher Book Awards were conceived as a broad-based,
unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing
industry. The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to the
thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published titles
produced each year, and reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and
creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing. Visit
www.independentpublisher.com for more information. For more information on Book Orchard Press visit www.bookorchard.com.
World Voyagers By Shelton and Wood, Book Orchard Press 2007. ISBN 9781934117002
Got a life's goal? Lie in bed dreaming at night what would it be like to build a boat and sail off to a deserted tropical isle? Discover one couples adventures building a boat and circumnavigating with their cat, limited finances, and a forty four thousand pound suitcase.
With dialogue rich prose and plentiful photos, the beautifully bound hardcover edition of "World Voyagers" describes all the realities of entering countries from the back door in an intimate, humorous, and riveting fashion.
Frank Wihbey
May 29, 2008
I'd like to try out a "blog exchange": swapping URLs with other Maine writers who keep a blog, and allowing comments on my blog postings from those who allow the same for theirs.
To avoid the risks that come with opening up to the whole world I adjusted my blog's settings so that it is not indexed by Internet search engines. This helps me avoid malicious traffic and spam. The disadvantage is that it is hard to start a conversation with others. This "blog exchange" idea may be a good solution. Any takers? Please email me frankw[at]umit.maine.edu. (Please substitute the @ symbol for the word "at.)
Thank you,
Frank
Lisa Moore
May 28, 2008
The Mountain Poets Society holds its monthly meetings on the last Thursday of each month at 7pm at the Fare Share Commons, 447 Main Street, Norway. We read poetry, talk about it, and share copies of drafts if possible. A $1 donation to the Commons is appreciated. All ages and flavors are welcome. This month's is May 29: that's tomorrow.
Patraicia Gott
May 28, 2008
Don't forget...I'll be signing my--just released--"Cowgirl Days" along with my other four books at the Paris Public Library, Main St, So. Paris on Saturday, May 31st 11am to 1pm.
Hope to see you there and share information. Patricia
Bob Shand
May 23, 2008
Hello, to everyone. I am a new member and wanted to introduce myself. A native of Brewer, I have been "away" for 35 years. I now live in Mexico with my wife, Carolyn, also from Brewer. I write full time. Mostly I write articles for customers on Elance.com. But I also write for pleasure. I have one short story coming out in the fall in a collection of short stories published in Great Britain. I also have a spec script "out there" hopefully being looked at as the next Big Screen epic. I post some of my work on my web site www.tamaulipasteacher.com Take a look if you're interested. Write to me, I miss the Maine accent!
Kathy Scott
May 23, 2008
Young Writers Conference
An experiment that worked: with aspiring writers at the middle school level and no existing forum for celebrating them, three of us tried organizing a day long experience to encourage their writing and expand their horizons.
Each writing teacher selected six students with proven ability and performance while we three divided up the tasks for the day. One of us handled the bureaucratic paperwork, including lunch (pizza), permissions, and the bus request. The second collected a piece of writing from each student chosen, and compiled them into a book, making a copy for each participant. My job was to design the program.
We moved the students to the high school library media center and welcomed them. Then Dawn Potter, our guest, led us in a total group session, followed by student chosen breakout sessions with Dawn, Dan McCarthy (Opening Lines Which Knock Their Socks Off), or Dave Patterson (Writing a Pablo Neruda Ode). After lunch, we boarded the bus to Thorndike Press in Waterville for a tour and learning stations approach to applying writing.
When we de-briefed, the only criticism was that the students wanted more. Since i patterned the day after MWPA workshops I had attended, and I felt the same way then, I wasn't surprised.
Next year, we will do more!
Feel free to contact me if you'd like more details, kscott@msad49.org
Kat
Lindsay Knapp
May 23, 2008
Hello, all --
I'm a new member looking to join or to establish a writing group in Portland. I had a great writing partner through the winter, but lost her to a schedule that became so full I'm amazed she's still standing. I don't know if it was the collective energy or just the idea of shared suffering, but I think I wrote better, and certainly wrote more reliably, sitting across a table from another writer. I'd like that again. Anyone else? Email lindsay@designtosite, or call 775.0777.
Thanks, Lindsay
Randy Randall
May 22, 2008
Dear friends,
Now that I've learned how to post to this forum, I have yet another problem perhaps you can help me with. As you learned from my first entry yesterday, I am very much an amateur at this writing game, therefore I could benefit from greatly from other people's experiences. I'd appreciate hearing from folks who sell and market their own books. What I'm really concerned about at the legal and tax issues which go along with selling a product in the State of Maine. If anyone else has cracked this nut and would like to share what they have learned, I would love to hear from them.
How do you keep track of your sales? How do you keep track and report sales tax? Do you estimate taxes quarterly or annually? Can you recommend a good place, other then the state website, where a person might learn all there is to know about selling your own stuff? I suspect painters, sculptors and other individual artists would all face the same issues. Thanks for your help. Please reach me at winkumpaw@gmail.com.
God Bless.
Randy
Sandy Seeley Walling
May 21, 2008
Royal River Books Open House & Children's Book Release Party
We invite you to browse Yarmouth's new neighborhood bookstore, Royal River Books, and attend the launch of a new children's book, Helga, the Hippopotamouse. The author, Elaine Shimberg and the illustrator, Sandy Walling will be available to talk with guests and sign books from 11am to 4pm. Elaine will be doing readings at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. Refreshments will be offered.
Elaine Fantle Shimberg is the award-winning author of more than 20 books. Her articles have appeared in Highlights for Children, Lady Bug, Reader's Digest, Men's Health, Consumer Digest, Essence, and Glamour.
This is the fourth children's book that Sandy Walling has illustrated. Sandy wrote and illustrated her first two books, A Day at the Beach and ABC's at the Zoo!. Her third book, Herman the Hermit Crab was written by Elaine Shimberg. Sandy lives in Yarmouth.
Royal River Books opened in mid-May and is an independent bookstore carrying a variety of books in many categories including bestsellers, children's books, and local authors. Royal River Books is located at 355 Main Street in Yarmouth, ME.
Stella Ekholm
May 21, 2008
I am a senior at University of Maine and will receive my diploma in December. I am working on up grading my web site. When it is ready I will submit that to you. I have painted for many people and written children stories that I would like to publish and illustrate.
Randy Randall
May 21, 2008
"Sandbox Camp Tales from a Maine Storyteller" is now available for sale. My personal dream has always been to write and publish a book and now that dream has come true. Bringing this book to life has been a wonderful and fun-filled experience for me. Now we're moving into the marketing and publicity phase with so many more things to learn and experience. The book is published by and can be purchased from Just Write Books at jstwrite.com. It's also available from Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com and for the trade from Ingram.
This is my first book so I'm a rank amature at this publishing game, but I'd be honored to share any of the things I've learned during he past year with other aspiring writers. Please just drop me a line at winkumpaw@gmail.com. You can see what my dream looks like at http://www.shop.jstwrite.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=23
Thanks and God Bless,
Randy
Lisa Martin
May 20, 2008
More Maine books make it to Mexico! First Grade teacher Marie Smith of Dike Newell School in Bath helped deliver and catalog over 500 new Spanish and bi-lingual reading books for the Netza School library program for impoverished and native children in Zihuatanejo, Mexico (see MWPA feature "From Maine to Mexico: Books from Maine Authors & Students Bring New Hope to Aztec Street Children," Winter 2007.) Marie's school, church, and the Bath Sunrise Rotary Club helped raise over $1,200 to buy hundreds of titles that move between classrooms in a "mobile library" of plastic bins for over 500 Mexico students, ages 3 to 12. Marie and her husband Craig spent two weeks volunteering for Rotary & for The Netza Project, the US 501-c3 non-profit founded my MAWP member Lisa Martin to help advance "education for all". For more info see www.netzaproject.org or email info@netzaproject.org
(submitted by Lisa Martin)
Patricia Gott
May 20, 2008
On: signing and selling books
Paris Public Library
South Paris, ME
Saturday May 31st 11am to 1pm
I'll be signing my--just released--"Cowgirl Days" along with my other four books. Hope to see you there and share information. Patricia
Dawn Potter
May 17, 2008
Frost Place Conference on Poetry & Teaching
June 30-July 4, 2008
A unique opportunity for teachers to work closely with their peers and a team of poets with special expertise in sharing poetry with young people.
Featuring conference director Baron Wormser and resident poet/teacher Dawn Potter, along with guest poets Alice Fogel, Mekeel McBride, Shara McCallum, and J. D. Scrimgeour.
Graduate credits available.
For more information go to frostplace.org.
Valerie Lawson
May 15, 2008
After 13 years of successful publication, the poetry journal Off the Coast
has found a new home in Downeast Maine. Valerie Lawson and Michael Brown,
the new editors and publishers, are accepting submissions and
subscriptions for the next issue until June 15th with publication
scheduled for August 1st.
Send 1-3 quality poems, any subject or style. We prefer cut-and-paste in
the body of an e-mail. Postal submissions please include an SASE.
Off the Coast will continue to include graphics and photographs in black
and white and in color for the cover. Send images in jpg format, 75-100
dpi. If accepted, higher resolution images will
be requested.
Send a single copy of a newly published poetry book for possible review.
Contributors whose work is accepted will receive one free copy and
additional copies of the issue in which their work appears for half price.
Subscriptions for the remaining two issues in 2008 and the anticipated
four issues in 2009 are $50.
Forward all inquiries, submissions, and subscriptions to
or
Off the Coast,
P.O. Box 14,
Robbinston, ME 04671
207-454-8026
Patricia Gott
May 14, 2008
I am doing a book signing for my latest book "Cowgirl Days", along with my four other books, at the Paris Public Library on Saturday, May 31, 11am to 1pm. Everyone is welcome. See you there. Pat
Cynthia L. Thibodeau
May 14, 2008
My book, 'Menagerie In Sync'Vol.1, a collection of poetic art, went live this week, and my first book signing is on Saturday, June 21, 2008 @ Books N Things, Main Street, in Norway, Maine! See my website http://www.freespirited-expressions.com.
Stop by and sign my guest book!
Peter Clenott
May 14, 2008
I will be doing a book signing at the Borders in Brunswick on Sunday May 18 from noon to 2 PM.
Maine Reads
May 13, 2008
Maine Festival of the Book
May 15-17, 2008
Monument Square, Downtown Portland
Free!
More than 50 readings, panel discussions, writing workshops,signings, parties, talks with slides, and performances -- designed for all ages and interests!
Time: Friday,May 16 from noon to 5 pm and Saturday, May 17 from 9:30 am to 10pm.
(Benefit kick-off party Thursday evening May 15.)
Featured authors include David Baldacci, Elizabeth Strout, Brian Wood, Crystal Zevon, Ellen Cooney, Ron Currie,Jr., Amy Sutherland, Henry Braun, Lee Sharkey, Phil Hoose, Lynn Plourde, James Nelson, Earle Shettleworth, Annie Finch, Michael Maglaras, Aurelia C. Scott, Rev. Peter Panagore, Robin Merrow McCready, and many, many others.
Enjoy free writing workshops on maritime, mystery and young adult fiction writing. Children's activities too under the big tent on the Square throughout the day Saturday.
Programs are approximately one-hour long and run concurrently giving you a range of choices as to how you wish to spend your time at the festival. For a schedule and more information, go to www.mainereads.org or call 207 871-9100. (PS We are full to capacity for participating authors this year, but look for an author application on the Web site in the fall for Festival 2009.) The Maine Festival of the Book is resented by Maine Reads in conjunction with organizations statewide.
Paula Hersom
May 10, 2008
I have organized and promoted a singer/songwriter festival at Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick on June 1st 2:00 - 9:00 PM. Tix on sale at all Bull Moose locations..$12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the gate, 12 & under are free. Some of the performers are Christian Cuff, Rachel Griffin, Marie Moreshead, Putnam Smith and other local artists. FMI email pbhersom@gmail.com . The Maine Songwriter Association will be there (they are MC'ing the event for me) as well as the Maine Academy of Country Music. Come on down, bring a chair or a blanket and listen to some of Maine's finest young musicians. It is meant for the whole family.
Frank Wihbey
May 8, 2008
. For some time I've tried to find a quiet and inexpensive location for occasional short-term rental, to “retreat” from distractions and to write. A minimally equipped cabin would be fine. Proximity to a stream or water body would be an inspirational plus.
. Commercial rentals provide amenities I don’t really need, offer little privacy, and require fees that are not affordable. Perhaps such a rental is more likely to be discovered through a network of peers, as other writers would know exactly what I mean. Please email if you have suggestions.
Thank you,
Frank
Maryea Curtis
May 7, 2008
Hello, I am a new member and am currently writing my first novel. I am interested in joining or starting a writing group in or near Auburn. Bath/Brunswick or Windham would also be locations that would work for me. Please email me if you are intrested at maryea@roadrunner.com.
Helen Roussseau
May 6, 2008
Kripalu, in Lenox MA, is hosting a fabulous workshop by Jami Sieber and Kim Rosen entitled: "Beyond Words: Poetry and Music as Passion, Prayer and Practice." I'm looking to share a ride if anyone is going or going out to Western MA Memorial Day Weekend.
Lewis Turco
May 6, 2008
Lewis Turco will receive the Robert Fitzgerald Prosody Award at the West Chester University Poetry Conference, “Exploring Form and Narrative,” 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2008. Following the presentation of the award Tom Cable will interview Mr. Turco during the panel time set aside for the Fitzgerald celebration.
Rob Rosenthal
May 5, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WMPG-FM, in partnership with the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, announces a brand new radio documentary on poetry, Words from the Frontier: Poetry in Maine. This one-hour program airs on WMPG Thursday, May 15th at 8:30am. The program and extras will be archived at PoetryInMaine.org.
Words from the Frontier: Poetry in Maine presents over a dozen contemporary Maine poets reading their work and representing a range of writing styles and subject matter. Included in the show are Kate Barnes, Christian Barter, Ted Enslin, Annie Finch, Gary Lawless, Candice Stover, Jeffrey Thomson, and several others. Charlotte Albright, a long-time public radio personality in Maine, is the program’s host.
To celebrate the broadcast, WMPG is sponsoring a live poetry reading as part of the “Maine Festival of the Book.” Several poets featured in the radio program will read live at the Eastland Hotel, May 17th, from 5-7pm. Maine’s Poet Laureate Betsy Sholl will host the event. Music will be provided by The Highball Jazz Trio. This event is co-sponsored by Port Veritas and Maine Reads.
Words from the Frontier: Poetry in Maine was produced by freelance radio producer Rob Rosenthal and Maine’s Poet Laureate Betsy Sholl. “This radio program and the website are an excellent way to bring Maine poetry to a general audience,” says Sholl. “As Kate Barnes says in the program, ‘poetry makes life incandescent.’ We hope the program brightens people’s lives.”
Support for production of Words from the Frontier: Poetry in Maine was provided by the Maine Arts Commission, a state agency. Additional funding was provided by the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and the Fisher Charitable Trust.
WMPG is the non-profit, community radio station at the University of Southern Maine. On the air for thirty-five years, WMPG provides a distinctly, non-commercial program service to Greater Portland. The station can be heard at 90.9FM, 104.1FM, and on the web at www.wmpg.org.
For further information, please contact Rob Rosenthal at 767-1702.
##
Judy Gormely
May 2, 2008
New member. I have self published 2 books. One for a woman I was taking care of 1996 "Jock Dunham's Life"; the other in 2004 for a class my grandson was in ... Brewer, "Trees Decorate The World" and was recognized for it by the town. I need something to do. I need some sort of work.
Rebecca Welsh
April 30, 2008
I'll be driving to Haystack from Rumford. If anyone wants to ride-share from this direction, let me know. E
mail me at rlbwelsh@gmail.com or call me at 364-7612.
Julie Russell
April 28, 2008
I have registered for the upcoming Spring Writing Retreat on Deer Isle and am looking for a ride (from Portland) to the event. I am willing to share in expenses and interesting conversation. Please contact me at jpruss@maine.rr.com or call 207-772-7003.
Sharon Lee
April 23, 2008
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller have sold three novels to Baen Books (www.baen.com): An untitled sequel to their 2001 Prism award winner, _Scout's Progress_, and web serials _Fledgling_ and _Saltation_.
Lee and Miller also sold electronic book rights to their novel _The Tomorrow Log_, and recent chapbook _Dragon Tide_ to Baen Webscriptions.
Sibyl Masquelier
April 23, 2008
I have taken leave from my normal Maine life and am living for the foreseeable future in Kansas City. I am caregiving my younger sister who has final stage multiple myeloma. The blog is http://stephaniemasquelier.blogspot.com
I miss everyone but I will see you at the Garden Party at the McLean's in July.
wendy ulmer
April 22, 2008
My second children's book, A Isn't for Fox, was released in January by Sleeping Bear Press. You can follow its progress at aisntforfox.blogspot.com.
Julie Russell
April 22, 2008
I have registered for the upcoming Spring Retreat on Deer Isle and would like very much to car pool for this event. I am willing to share in expenses and interesting conversation.
Lisa Moore
April 22, 2008
The Mountain Poets Society meets on the last Thursday of every month at Fare Share Commons, 445 Main Street, Norway, ME. Poets of all ages, shapes, and sizes share poetry read aloud. If possible, bring copies to share. A $1 donation to the Commons is appreciated. FMI: 743-9808.
MPS will host our sixth annual Poets on the Porch at the Norway Arts Festival on July 12 from 1 to 3. To sign up for 5-minute slot, call Lisa 743-9808. Check out www.norwayartsfestival.org or www.poetsontheporch.com.
Nick B. Mills
April 22, 2008
I'm a new member, and look forward to meeting my fellow members at one or more of the various MWPA events. My book, "KARZAI -- The Failing American Intervention and the Struggle for Afghanistan" (Wiley & Sons), based on several months in Kabul meeting with President Hamid Karzai, came out last fall and I'm now starting work on a new book based a bit closer to home. I also write a blog for MaineToday.com called The Virtual Angler.
Jim Baumer/RiverVision Press
April 21, 2008
I am busy at work on my follow-up to the award-winning "When Towns Had Teams." This time, the subject is Moxie (as well as memoir and a dose of local history).
"Moxietown" will be released during the Moxie Festival, in Lisbon Falls, July 12th. This will be a limited run special pressing, commemorating the town's silver anniversary of celebrating all things Moxie, during their annual summer festival.
In September, the full-length, "Moxie Matters: Life's Beginnings in a Small Maine Town" will come out, building on the Moxie material and capturing life in small town Maine.
You can keep up on some of the process-related matters at Words Matter (http://findingwords.blogspot.com).
Lorine Kritzer Pergament
April 16, 2008
My story, "Coming of Age," is in the spring '08 issue of Bridges journal. It's a fictionalized version of my grandmother's experiences as a survivor of the Triangle Waist Factory fire in 1911.
You can get a copy at http://inscribe.iupress.org/loi/bri
Cynthia L. Thibodeau
April 16, 2008
I am new to this endeavor and wish to share my news regarding my first book release called 'Menagerie In SyncVol.1
The 100 page book ( 8.5x11 ) contains poetic interpretive photography that has been compiled over many years. These pieces of literary art are original and are edited and produced by myself as the author / artist.
Please visit my website, and enjoy the stories. Thanks! Cyndi
http://www.
freespirited-expressions.com/index.html
Carolyn Gage
April 16, 2008
Longfellow Books Hosts Local Playwright at Book-Signing
On Thursday, April 24, Longfellow Books will host Portland playwright Carolyn Gage, who will be joined by local actors to read scenes from her latest collection Nine Short Plays.
Gage is an award-winning, feminist playwright, who is the author of six books and more than fifty-five plays. Her work is widely produced and she tours nationally and internationally, offering performances and lectures on lesbian culture and history.
Several of the works included in Nine Short Plays have been produced in Maine. Entr’acte, a play about a traumatic event in the life of actress Eva Le Gallienne, was presented at the Space Gallery in Portland, as was Bite My Thumb, a swashbuckling gender-bender about two rival Shakespeare theatre companies. Battered on Broadway, a fantasy about aging female characters from well-known musicals, toured to Auburn for the Maine Association of Community Theatres, and Gage’s anti-war piece, Rules of the Playground was mounted in Rockland and Portland last year.
Gage moved to Maine during the ice storm ten years ago, teaching as a guest lecturer at Bates College for a year. She has also taught at USM and produced women’s theatre in Portland with her company Cauldron & Labrys. “Maine has been a wonderful place to live and write,” says Gage, “because of the tremendous appreciation for the arts that is here, as well as the tradition of respecting free-thinkers.”
Gage’s play Ugly Ducklings was produced by Hardy Girls Healthy Women of Waterville, and a documentary about harassment of GBLT youth was made, based on the production. Last year, Gage produced two evenings of anti-war plays, including her signature piece, The Second Coming of Joan of Arc.
The reading and book-signing will be at 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 24, at Longfellow Books, One Monument Way, in Portland. Wine and cookies will be served. For more information, call 207-772-4045.
Rena Tobey
April 16, 2008
Maine Women Writers Collection
2008 Spring Author Series
Jenny Siler April 17, 2008, 7-9 p.m.
Author of The Prince of Bagram Prison, under the pseudonym Alex Carr
An edge-of-the-seat story set in the murky world of post-9/11 espionage, this political thriller joins Jenny Siler’s Flashback, Iced, and Easy Money, and as Alex Carr, An Accidental American.
Martha Tod Dudman May 1, 2008, 7-9 p.m.
The Female Conundrum: With or Without a Man: a talk, reading, and discussion. The author of Augusta, Gone: A True Story, Martha Tod Dudman explores women’s choices in relationship to men, with a reading from her newest novel Black Olives.
All events are free and open to the public. RSVPs welcome.
Unless otherwise announced, the series will take place in the Sarton Room of the Maine Women Writers Collection, in the Abplanalp Library at the Westbrook College Campus of the University of New England, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, Maine.
For more information or to RSVP, contact the Collection at 207-221-4324 or cgurley@une.edu and visit www.une.edu/mwwc
Stephanie Doyon
April 16, 2008
I've started a new blog about fiction writing, the creative process,and my experiences working at a literary agency. Please feel free to stop by at:
www.stephdoyon.blogspot.com
Happy Spring!
vicki hendrickson
April 16, 2008
THE NEWBURYPORT LITERARY FESTIVAL
APRIL 25- 26.
60 authors/poets
2www.newburyportliteraryfestival.org
Dinner with the Authors Friday night.
sharon ultsch
April 11, 2008
Do you want a place to write that is affordable and convenient?
I have a writing studio ( two small rooms) on congress street in a great old building. I am looking for someone who might want a part- time space to write. It would be best if this person worked in the afternoons or evenings - or both during the week. The cost per month is $100. Please write to sharon ultsch -sultsch@oobschools.org
Nancy Grace Rosen, M.C.
April 8, 2008
Portland West Promenade Writers Saturday
April 19 noon to 6 pm. (monthly)
Nancy Grace Rosen,M.C.
207-775-7888 $80 or donation
Come and enjoy three concentrated writing time and reading aloud. Only feedback is how work touched us or left us wondering about.
Meditation, Music and a beautiful walk along the Promenade included with healthy snacks and tea
Shonna
April 8, 2008
Welcome Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance members! Until we figure out a better way, this is YOUR space to share news and events with other members!
Please feel free to post event dates, book information, interesting writing advice, etc...anything you'd like to share with our writing community!
(But nothing X-rated or offensive, okay? That stuff will get taken down.)