We’re entering the home stretch for this year’s 49
Writers Write-a-thon! With seven more days to go, we’re advancing toward our
$8,000 goal. So far, 23 participants have raised almost $2,000. We’re still a
long way from our goal though and we’d love your support.
Writers Write-a-thon! With seven more days to go, we’re advancing toward our
$8,000 goal. So far, 23 participants have raised almost $2,000. We’re still a
long way from our goal though and we’d love your support.
The main event is Friday, April 11, 5:30–10:30 p.m., at Snow City Cafe, but writers
are welcome to participate from anywhere. Registration is quick and easy: just
visit our FirstGiving page and click the register
button. Those at our Anchorage event will be fêted with a free food buffet,
entered into numerous prize drawings, and cheered on by fellow writers. The
Write-a-thon is our premier fundraising event. All donations are tax deductible
and help us continue to build a strong writing community in Alaska. The doors open at 5:30pm. Sign in, cozy up to your chosen writing
spot, load your plate with yummy munchies, grab a cup of joe, and let the
writing begin!
are welcome to participate from anywhere. Registration is quick and easy: just
visit our FirstGiving page and click the register
button. Those at our Anchorage event will be fêted with a free food buffet,
entered into numerous prize drawings, and cheered on by fellow writers. The
Write-a-thon is our premier fundraising event. All donations are tax deductible
and help us continue to build a strong writing community in Alaska. The doors open at 5:30pm. Sign in, cozy up to your chosen writing
spot, load your plate with yummy munchies, grab a cup of joe, and let the
writing begin!
There’s still space for this year’s
Tutka Bay Writers Retreat with Carolyn Forché, Sept. 5-7. Click here for more information and to register. See more of Carolyn in this video, in which she delivers the Blaney Lecture on the Poetry of
Witness at Poets Forum 2013.
Tutka Bay Writers Retreat with Carolyn Forché, Sept. 5-7. Click here for more information and to register. See more of Carolyn in this video, in which she delivers the Blaney Lecture on the Poetry of
Witness at Poets Forum 2013.
49 Writers author events coming up in
April and May
April and May
•
Monday, Apr. 7, 7pm, Wilda Marston Theatre, Loussac Library: Crosscurrents event
with Luis Alberto Urrea and Bryan Fierro, “Universal Border: From Tijuana
to the World.” Luis Urrea will be in Fairbanks and Homer the weekend prior
for a series of events: details below.
Monday, Apr. 7, 7pm, Wilda Marston Theatre, Loussac Library: Crosscurrents event
with Luis Alberto Urrea and Bryan Fierro, “Universal Border: From Tijuana
to the World.” Luis Urrea will be in Fairbanks and Homer the weekend prior
for a series of events: details below.
•
Thursday, Apr. 24, 7pm, Great Harvest Bread Co., Anchorage: Reading & Craft Talk
with Elise Patkotak, “The World of Self-Publishing and Why.”
Thursday, Apr. 24, 7pm, Great Harvest Bread Co., Anchorage: Reading & Craft Talk
with Elise Patkotak, “The World of Self-Publishing and Why.”
•
Saturday, Apr. 26,
9am-12pm, Anchorage:
Digital tools for the Creative Writer, a class with Lawrence Weiss.
Saturday, Apr. 26,
9am-12pm, Anchorage:
Digital tools for the Creative Writer, a class with Lawrence Weiss.
•
Tuesday, May 14 & Saturday,
May 17, Anchorage
Museum: “The Pressure is Off: Indpendent Publishing Options for Writers” with
Dana Stabenow and Deb Vanasse.
Tuesday, May 14 & Saturday,
May 17, Anchorage
Museum: “The Pressure is Off: Indpendent Publishing Options for Writers” with
Dana Stabenow and Deb Vanasse.
A big thanks goes out to everyone who contributed to 49 Writers through the Pick.Click.Give program. We’ll report how much money we raised as soon as we get the word.
Tonight,
First Friday, Apr. 4, 8pm, Anchorage Community
Works: Don’t miss the the Termination Dust book
release party, when local poet Susanna J. Mishler will give a reading from
her recently published collection. A book signing and screening of two video
poems will follow. Live music will be performed by Anna Lynch and new artworks
by Ruby Suzanna will be on display. Food and a cash bar will be provided. Come
meet the poet and get a signed copy of Termination Dust!
First Friday, Apr. 4, 8pm, Anchorage Community
Works: Don’t miss the the Termination Dust book
release party, when local poet Susanna J. Mishler will give a reading from
her recently published collection. A book signing and screening of two video
poems will follow. Live music will be performed by Anna Lynch and new artworks
by Ruby Suzanna will be on display. Food and a cash bar will be provided. Come
meet the poet and get a signed copy of Termination Dust!
Friday Apr. 4, 7pm, UAF Wood Center: Reading by Luis Albert Urrea. Anaward-winning writer, Urrea is a master of language and a gifted
storyteller who uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater
themes of love, loss and triumph. As a young man he served as a relief
worker among people living in the Tijuana garbage dumps prior to receiving a
teaching Fellowship to Harvard University. “The border” has defined
his life and colored much of his writing. Urrea once said, “the border is
simply a metaphor that makes it easier for me to write about the things that
separate people all over the world, even when they think there is no
fence.”
storyteller who uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater
themes of love, loss and triumph. As a young man he served as a relief
worker among people living in the Tijuana garbage dumps prior to receiving a
teaching Fellowship to Harvard University. “The border” has defined
his life and colored much of his writing. Urrea once said, “the border is
simply a metaphor that makes it easier for me to write about the things that
separate people all over the world, even when they think there is no
fence.”
Saturday, Apr. 5 & Sunday, Apr.
6, 2-5pm, KPC Kachemak Bay Campus: Don’t
miss a workshop with Luis Alberto Urrea, “The Theory and Practice of
Trust.” Registration fee $85. Registration deadline, March 30.
Call 235-7743 for more information or go to www.kpc.alaska.edu/kbc.
6, 2-5pm, KPC Kachemak Bay Campus: Don’t
miss a workshop with Luis Alberto Urrea, “The Theory and Practice of
Trust.” Registration fee $85. Registration deadline, March 30.
Call 235-7743 for more information or go to www.kpc.alaska.edu/kbc.
Saturday, Apr. 5, 7pm, KPC Kachemak Bay Campus: Luis Alberto Urrea will give a public
lecture on “The Writing Life.”
lecture on “The Writing Life.”
Sunday, Apr. 6, 5pm, KPC Kachemak Bay Campus: Luis Alberto Urrea will give a public
reading and talk entitled “Universal Border.”
reading and talk entitled “Universal Border.”
Sunday, Apr. 6, 7pm, Sitka Island
Institute presents a community reading to welcome the Institutes April resident
writers Carol Green and Tamie Harkins. Del Shirley room upstairs in Allen Hall.
Institute presents a community reading to welcome the Institutes April resident
writers Carol Green and Tamie Harkins. Del Shirley room upstairs in Allen Hall.
Saturday, Apr. 12, 7pm, Poetry Reading with the Winners of Annual Statewide Poetry Contest. Winners from three categories
(Adult, High School, and Middle & Elementary) will share their works at
this free event in the Bear Gallery.
(Adult, High School, and Middle & Elementary) will share their works at
this free event in the Bear Gallery.
Wednesday Apr. 16, 7pm, Poetry Parley
is featuring Alaskan poet Emily Kurn for the month of April. This free poetry
event takes place every third Wednesday of the month at the Hugi-Lewis Studio,
1008 W. Northern Lights Blvd. The marquee poet is Alison Hawthorne Deming.
is featuring Alaskan poet Emily Kurn for the month of April. This free poetry
event takes place every third Wednesday of the month at the Hugi-Lewis Studio,
1008 W. Northern Lights Blvd. The marquee poet is Alison Hawthorne Deming.
The UAA campus bookstore has several
literary events this month:
literary events this month:
· Wednesday Apr. 16, 5-7:00
pm, Researching Alaska with Ann Fienup-Riordan, Willie Igglagruk Hensley, and Kate Ringsmuth will share insights on how to connect,
research and uncover Alaska’s past.
pm, Researching Alaska with Ann Fienup-Riordan, Willie Igglagruk Hensley, and Kate Ringsmuth will share insights on how to connect,
research and uncover Alaska’s past.
· Thursday Apr. 17, 5-7:00 pm UAA Creative Writing students from the undergraduate English
department will read from their work. Everyone is invited to attend and explore
the voices of multiple genres.
department will read from their work. Everyone is invited to attend and explore
the voices of multiple genres.
· Monday Apr. 21, 5-7:00 pm poet John Morgan
and artist Kesler Woodward present River of Light. Morgan’s River of Light: A
Conversation with Kabir, from University of Alaska Press, is based on a trip
down the Copper River. Alongside the artwork by Alaskan artist Kesler Woodward,
River of Light folds words, sounds, and color into being.
and artist Kesler Woodward present River of Light. Morgan’s River of Light: A
Conversation with Kabir, from University of Alaska Press, is based on a trip
down the Copper River. Alongside the artwork by Alaskan artist Kesler Woodward,
River of Light folds words, sounds, and color into being.
Saturday Apr. 26, 7pm, UAF English
Department presents their annual public reading of Masters in Creative Writing
candidates, in the Fairbanks Art Association Bear Gallery, third floor of the
Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way.
Department presents their annual public reading of Masters in Creative Writing
candidates, in the Fairbanks Art Association Bear Gallery, third floor of the
Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way.
Creative nonfiction writers won’t
want to miss Writing Down the Wild, a three day workshop, April 25-27 at Prince William Sound Community College. This non-credit community workshop is taught by Alaskan nature and wilderness writer
Bill Sherwonit. This course will examine and practice the steps necessary to create powerful and effective nature writing and will include time outdoors in the
local landscape, along with readings and discussions. There’s a limit of 12
students, so don’t delay. Register at PWSCC.
want to miss Writing Down the Wild, a three day workshop, April 25-27 at Prince William Sound Community College. This non-credit community workshop is taught by Alaskan nature and wilderness writer
Bill Sherwonit. This course will examine and practice the steps necessary to create powerful and effective nature writing and will include time outdoors in the
local landscape, along with readings and discussions. There’s a limit of 12
students, so don’t delay. Register at PWSCC.
Celebrate the Bard’s birthday at
Shakespeare’s Sonnets, a reading celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday and of
Poetry Month, Saturday Apr. 26 2-4:00pm at
the Ann Stevens Room in the Loussac Library. There’s plenty of time for you to
practice your favorite sonnet, and perhaps don a costume?
Shakespeare’s Sonnets, a reading celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday and of
Poetry Month, Saturday Apr. 26 2-4:00pm at
the Ann Stevens Room in the Loussac Library. There’s plenty of time for you to
practice your favorite sonnet, and perhaps don a costume?
Poems in Place is
extending their open call for poetry until April 30. Poems in Place is a collaboration between Alaska Center for the Book,
Alaska State Parks, and a committee of poets, writers, and Alaska residents.
The project will place a poem by an
Alaskan writer in each of the seven regions of the Alaska State Park’s system
in the coming years. Both original work and nominated poems submitted by
appreciative readers will be considered for Independence Mine State Historical Park, near Palmer, and Lake Aleknagik State Recreation Site/ Wood
Tikchik State Park, near Dillingham. No submission fees. An honorarium will
be paid to the winning poets. See http://www.alaskacenterforthebook.org for more information, contest rules and entry form. To see examples of
current Poems in Place signs visit the Alaska State Parks website:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/poemplace.htm
extending their open call for poetry until April 30. Poems in Place is a collaboration between Alaska Center for the Book,
Alaska State Parks, and a committee of poets, writers, and Alaska residents.
The project will place a poem by an
Alaskan writer in each of the seven regions of the Alaska State Park’s system
in the coming years. Both original work and nominated poems submitted by
appreciative readers will be considered for Independence Mine State Historical Park, near Palmer, and Lake Aleknagik State Recreation Site/ Wood
Tikchik State Park, near Dillingham. No submission fees. An honorarium will
be paid to the winning poets. See http://www.alaskacenterforthebook.org for more information, contest rules and entry form. To see examples of
current Poems in Place signs visit the Alaska State Parks website:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/poemplace.htm
The Alaska State Council on the
Arts, in partnership with the Alaska Arts & Culture Foundation, is holding
its 2014 statewide arts conference, Latitude: 2014 Alaska
Arts Convergence on May 1-3 in Anchorage.
This conference will offer opportunities for artists and arts professionals
from throughout Alaska to network, learn valuable skills, participate in
artistic activities and think big about the future of the arts in Alaska. This
convergence is for arts professionals, artists, arts educators, volunteers,
board members, and cross-sector leaders interested in how the arts can support
Alaskans and Alaskan communities. $250 registration.
Arts, in partnership with the Alaska Arts & Culture Foundation, is holding
its 2014 statewide arts conference, Latitude: 2014 Alaska
Arts Convergence on May 1-3 in Anchorage.
This conference will offer opportunities for artists and arts professionals
from throughout Alaska to network, learn valuable skills, participate in
artistic activities and think big about the future of the arts in Alaska. This
convergence is for arts professionals, artists, arts educators, volunteers,
board members, and cross-sector leaders interested in how the arts can support
Alaskans and Alaskan communities. $250 registration.
Attention Alaskan writers! 360North’s new statewide
television series, “Writers’ Showcase,” is looking for fiction and creative
non-fiction for their June 5th live recording. Submission deadline is Friday May 2. Inspired by NPR’s
“Selected Shorts,” the show uses actors and celebrities as readers. They are
especially interested in fiction for this episode. The show’s summer-inspired
theme is “endurance,” and they want pieces that are set in summer or reflect
the theme of endurance, and are five to twelve minutes long when read aloud. Visit
360north.org
for more information. You can contact the shows producers with questions, or
submit directly to to arts@ktoo.org.
television series, “Writers’ Showcase,” is looking for fiction and creative
non-fiction for their June 5th live recording. Submission deadline is Friday May 2. Inspired by NPR’s
“Selected Shorts,” the show uses actors and celebrities as readers. They are
especially interested in fiction for this episode. The show’s summer-inspired
theme is “endurance,” and they want pieces that are set in summer or reflect
the theme of endurance, and are five to twelve minutes long when read aloud. Visit
360north.org
for more information. You can contact the shows producers with questions, or
submit directly to to arts@ktoo.org.
Don’t forget to register for Kachemak Bay Writers Conference, June 13-17. This year’s post-conference workshop at
Tutka Bay Lodge, Personal Stories and Great Realities, will be led by Scott
Russell Sanders, June 17-19.
Tutka Bay Lodge, Personal Stories and Great Realities, will be led by Scott
Russell Sanders, June 17-19.
The Northwoods Book Arts Guild of
Fairbanks is hosting a group exhibition, June
6-28, Books As Art: Structure, Image, Text, in the Bear Gallery of the
Fairbanks Arts Association. All Alaskan artists are invited to join the
exhibition. The Guild is a community of artists learning about and creating
artist books. They promote all aspects of book arts through education, exhibitions,
and community outreach.
Fairbanks is hosting a group exhibition, June
6-28, Books As Art: Structure, Image, Text, in the Bear Gallery of the
Fairbanks Arts Association. All Alaskan artists are invited to join the
exhibition. The Guild is a community of artists learning about and creating
artist books. They promote all aspects of book arts through education, exhibitions,
and community outreach.
Writer’s
Retreat: The Pen & The Bell presents Mindful Writing in a Busy World, with
Holly Hughes, June 26-29 at
Stillpoint Lodge in Halibut Cove. How do we create space for
writing in a world crowded with so many distractions? Learn mindfulness
practices to provide support for writing and other forms of creativity. Holly
co-authored the book The Pen and The Bell: Mindful Writing in a Busy World. Her
collection of poems Sailing by Ravens is forthcoming from the University
of Alaska Press’s Literary Series in 2014.
Retreat: The Pen & The Bell presents Mindful Writing in a Busy World, with
Holly Hughes, June 26-29 at
Stillpoint Lodge in Halibut Cove. How do we create space for
writing in a world crowded with so many distractions? Learn mindfulness
practices to provide support for writing and other forms of creativity. Holly
co-authored the book The Pen and The Bell: Mindful Writing in a Busy World. Her
collection of poems Sailing by Ravens is forthcoming from the University
of Alaska Press’s Literary Series in 2014.
It’s not too early to plan for
summer writing fun in the mountains. The Wrangell Mountain Writing Workshop
presents: True Story, July 22-28,
with Tom Kizzia, Frank Soos, and Nancy Cook. Living in Alaska is a constant
reminder that truth is often stranger than fiction. During
this five day workshop, writers will explore the craft of creative nonfiction:
drafting compelling narratives that tell true stories. How can writers craft a
meaningful, readable page-turner while working in the confines of the
frequently controversial truth of “what actually happened.” Visit the
Wrangell Mountain Center website for more details.
summer writing fun in the mountains. The Wrangell Mountain Writing Workshop
presents: True Story, July 22-28,
with Tom Kizzia, Frank Soos, and Nancy Cook. Living in Alaska is a constant
reminder that truth is often stranger than fiction. During
this five day workshop, writers will explore the craft of creative nonfiction:
drafting compelling narratives that tell true stories. How can writers craft a
meaningful, readable page-turner while working in the confines of the
frequently controversial truth of “what actually happened.” Visit the
Wrangell Mountain Center website for more details.
If you fancy traveling a little
farther afield, at this year’s Minnesota Northwoods
Conference, June 22-28, poet Camille
Dungy, who recently visited Alaska, will be leading a five-day workshop. For a
schedule and descriptions of the workshops to be taught by the
distinguished faculty, please visit www.northwoodswriters.org. The deadline for applying for the conference is May 1.
Scholarships are available, but the scholarship deadline is Monday, Apr. 7,
so apply today.
farther afield, at this year’s Minnesota Northwoods
Conference, June 22-28, poet Camille
Dungy, who recently visited Alaska, will be leading a five-day workshop. For a
schedule and descriptions of the workshops to be taught by the
distinguished faculty, please visit www.northwoodswriters.org. The deadline for applying for the conference is May 1.
Scholarships are available, but the scholarship deadline is Monday, Apr. 7,
so apply today.