Ela: 49 Writers Weekly Round-up

Where would we be without our fabulous 49 Writers volunteers? No graphic design, no hassle-free registration, no blog interviews, no great events like Synergies and Crosscurrents – not even this round-up you’re reading! We can’t say thanks enough to the volunteers who do so much to help our little non-profit do big things, but we like to say it as often as we can – thanks so much!!

If you’re not yet involved, or if you’re volunteering but would like to do something different (or more!), or if you’d just like to come visit with us, you’re invited to our Volunteer Meet, Greet, Decide gathering on Tuesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at the 49 Alaska Writing Center, 645 W. 3rd Ave. in Anchorage. Come just for fun, come to meet and greet fellow writers, or come with the idea of deciding on what new ways you can help. We’ll have free copies of the current issue of the Writer’s Chronicles and of course, we’ll have snacks – perhaps even some MGD in keeping with our theme! RSVP to 49writers@gmail.com.

Missed our April 1 Crosscurrents onstage conversation with Susan Orlean and Julia O’Malley? Thanks to Mark Weber of the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson and Kristen Spack of KSKA, you can catch the recording on Addressing Alaskans next week – Thurs. May 12 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm on FM 91.1. Following the first broadcast, KSKA will post the audio on http://www.kska.org/ under Addressing Alaskans for download.

Summer’s rolling in (any day now!), but we’re gearing up for a fall term of great writing instruction. In Anchorage, we’ve still got slots available for a couple of 12 or 15 hour genre-based workshops as well as a special topics course or two, so if you’d like to teach for us, be sure to submit your course proposal on our quick, easy form by June 1. And if you can’t wait till fall, we’ve got super summer courses in humor and memoir writing plus youth writing workshops.

Did you know Alaska has a new Writer’s Directory? Brainchild of Peggy Shumaker, State Writer Laureate, the directory provides a way for writers in our vast state to find one another while also making it easy for event hosts, literary organizers, arts administrators, librarians, booksellers, and readers to get in touch with writers. This helpful site is designed by Liz Bradfield and updated by Erin Hollowell. Listings are free – make sure to get yours today!

Today, Friday, May 6 at 7pm, The Alaska Quarterly Review presents “Songwriter Showcase” at Jitters in Eagle River, featuring Marian Call, Melanie Trost and Mike Robbins. Admission Is Free. Summer’s rolling in (any day now!), but we’re gearing up for a fall term of great writing instruction. In Anchorage, we’ve still got slots available for a couple of 12 or 15 hour genre-based workshops as well as a special topics course or two, so if you’d like to teach for us, be sure to submit your course proposal on our quick, easy form by June 1. And if you can’t wait till fall, we’ve got super summer courses in humor and memoir writing plus youth writing workshops.

Don’t forget tonight’s (May 6) First Friday book signing at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art at 427 D St. in Anchorage. We’re featuring the great folks from Cirque plus Randol Bruns and Mike Burwell signing Chulitna: A Conversation in Poems. Enjoy the fine art at IGCA and pick up your own autographed copies of Cirque and Chulitna.

Anchorage Public Library has once again teamed up with local comic store Bosco’s for Free Comic Book Day. Come to any APL locations on Saturday, May 7th and get a free comic book. Supplies are limited so come early. One comic per person. Bring your parents and friends.

Also on Saturday, May 7th at 2.30pm, there will be a special storytime at the Mountain View Neighborhood Library, Community Room, to celebrate Children’s Book Week. Great books, songs, book-related craft and more! All children who attend will receive a free book.

On Tuesday, May 10, 12.30-1.30pm, there will be a Science in the Library event at the Eagle River-Chugiak Library with a theme of “Animals that Eat Insects.”

On Thursday, May 12^th, at 6pm, Barnes and Noble, Anchorage, don’t miss the opportunity to meet author Dave Atcheson, whose new book, Hidden Alaska, is published by National geographic and reputed to be amazing.

Reading Rendezvous at Loussac Library starts next Friday, May 13 at 10pm. The theme is “Many Stories, One World.” There will be literary-themed activities on the grounds on Saturday, May 14, noon-4pm.

On Wednesday, May 25^th, please come to Beluga Point, Turnagain Arm, at 2 PM to celebrate the dedication of Kim Cornwall’s poem ‘What Wales and Infants Know,’ and the first installation of ‘Poetry in Place’ in Alaska.

On Saturday May 28th, 9am-6pm, there will be a workshop titled Exploring the Sacred – Creative Work as Spiritual Practice at Yoga in the Valley, mile 3.5, Palmer Fishhook Rd. Presented by Julie LeMay, Tammy Moser, Ruth Simpson. This day-long retreat will focus on a ‘mindfulness’ approach to creative writing, along with yoga-dance and fiber arts(making a sun-dyed silk scarf). Cost is $75. See their website for details.