Weekly Round Up of Alaska Writing News and Events

The heat has finally settled. It is safe to come out of your homes, Alaskans. I, for one, was hiding in a room with all shades drawn, a box fan blowing faster than the propellers on a bush plane, and my feet in a mini fridge. With the cooler temperatures, let’s explore this week’s events.

On July 23 at 7 pm, we’ll be hosting a special Crosscurrents event at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson to celebrate the launch of the Anchorage Remembers anthology, featuring forty authors. This project was made possible by a Community Centennial Grant from the Alaska Humanities Forum, Rasmuson Foundation, and Anchorage Centennial Celebration.

If you’re a 49 Writers member, watch for an e-vite to a special members-only event on July 14 with literary agent Jeff Kleinman. In Juneau, our next member event is on August 6 from 7-9 pm; again, members should watch for details via email. (Not a member? Head over to our website to join.)

We have only a few spots left at our popular Tutka Bay Writers Retreat. Registration closes July 1. We’d love to have you join us for a special weekend of inspiration and instruction at one of the world’s top-rated wilderness lodges.

Last but not least, we’re looking for authors to get involved with Alaska Book Week Oct. 3 -11. Visit www.alaskabookweek.com and click the 2015 logo to participate. This year, you can also get involved with a video interview.

49 Writers Volunteer J.T. Torres

EVENTS IN ANCHORAGE

Events at the UAA Bookstore

On July 23 at 7 pm, 49 Writers hosts a special Crosscurrents event at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson to celebrate the launch of the Anchorage Remembers anthology, featuring by forty authors. This project was made possible by a Community Centennial Grant from the Alaska Humanities Forum, Rasmuson Foundation, and Anchorage Centennial Celebration.

2015 Sledgehammer 36-Hour Writing Contest, July 25–26. The contest begins with an online scavenger hunt that participants can complete from anywhere. Along the way, they’ll collect four writing prompts, all of which must be incorporated into their story, which is due by midnight on Sunday. Writers can compete individually or as teams, and the contest is open to all ages. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best short stories of the weekend in the following categories:

· Individual

· Team

· Readers’ Choice

· Judge’s Choice

· Youth (two prizes: elementary/middle school, high school)

Winners will also receive entry to writing-related events and the coveted golden sledgehammers.

Registration is just $25 for adults and $10/$5 for youth. Visit www.sledgehammercontest.com to learn more and register.

Local Library Events

Book Signings

EVENTS AROUND ALASKA

SOUTHCENTRAL, MAT-SU, KENAI PENINSULA

Fireside Books in Palmer will host several authors this weekend. Bill Richardson will be here June 26 at 1:00 PM, with his Corky series. And keep your eyes and ears open for our July events, such as the July 14 dinner with Sherri Simpson and Frank Soos, featuring music by Tom Begich. Robin McLean will be in July as well. The former Alaskan has been getting lots of critical acclaim for her collection of short stories, Reptile House.

SOUTHEAST

INTERIOR

The Art of the Essay, June 26-28, with Frank Soos, is a three-day intense class in reading and writing personal essays. The essay as practiced from the beginning of the form up to the present day is the most open to experimentation and innovation of all the commonly practiced forms. They will explore that range by discussing a variety of essay forms to consider how an essay can be made. Details and registration info at Northern Susitna Institute, Talkeetna AK.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS

CONFERENCES, RETREATS & RESIDENCIES

The Tutka Bay Writers Retreat: What better way to jumpstart your writing? Don’t miss out on a fantastic retreat featuring two outstanding guest instructors, Ann Eriksson and Gary Geddes! September 11-13 at the fabulous Tutka Bay Lodge. Sign up today!

Wrangell Mountains Writing Workshop presents RiverSong with Frank Soos, Michelle McAfee, Robin Child, and Nancy Cook, July 22-27, McCarthy to Chitina. The Wrangell Mountains Writing Workshop is pleased to partner with McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters to host a six-day, five-night adventure in the fabulous Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This year’s workshop will feature poet and essayist, Frank Soos, who is currently serving as Alaska’s Writer Laureate, joined by accomplished singer-songwriter Michelle McAfee, backcountry banjo-diva Robin Child, and workshop director Nancy Cook. Together they will explore the ways wilderness can help inspire songs, stories, poems, and essays. Activities include an opening reading/performance and craft sessions in the comfort of the Wrangell Mountains Center’s facility in McCarthy, followed by three nights and four days of creative inquiry along the Kennicott, Nizina, Chitina, and Copper Rivers. Space is limited to eight student writers/ songwriters.

Alaska Writers Guild & SCBWI Annual Writer’s Conference, September 19-20, Anchorage. Early registration starts May 2015. www.AlaskaWritersGuild.com

Alaska Women Speak is looking for a responsible maven fluent with InDesign (CS6) layout and website savvy to join the all-volunteer crew as Layout Editor. Here’s your chance to create for a 23rd year in the running, statewide, quarterly publication! This is not a site-specific volunteer opportunity, but sound Internet connection is required. Occasional Skype sessions apply. If interested, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at alaskawomenspeak@yahoo.com

13 Chairs Literary Journal, a new literary journal publishing short stories and poetry from new and emerging authors, seeks submissions and volunteers. They are currently composing their flagship issue, straight out of JBER, AK. To learn more, and to submit, email info@13chairs.com or visit 13chairs.com.

From July 1 to August 15 the Rasmuson Foundation Artist Residency Program will be accepting applications from Alaska artists and writers interested in a fully-funded two-month residency in the Lower 48. The eligibility requirements have changed—Alaska-based artists who have not received a Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award are now also eligible to apply. A free information session detailing the program, eligibility requirements, and application process will be held June 26, at 6 p.m. in the Anchorage Museum’s Reynolds Classroom. Potential applicants are invited to attend in-person or by teleconference. More information can be found at rasmuson.org. If you have questions about the program, contact Jayson Smart at jsmart@rasmuson.org or call 907-297-2882.

GOOD NEWS!

Soon, we will all be able to hear the beautiful words in Lynne Curry’s upcoming book, Beating the Workplace Bully. Brilliance Audio recently purchased the audio rights!

The Poems in Place steering committee recently selected four winning entries from poems written by Alaskans. Come September, Alaska will have a poem or two in each of the state park’s seven regions.

Leslie Leyland Field’s poem, “Tideline” and Fred Stager’s poem, “The Compass Rose,” will be placed in Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park in Kodiak. Aleria Jensen’s poem, “A Soldier’s Station,” and Justine Pechuzal’s poem, “Pilgrims,” will be installed at Caines Head State Recreational Area, Seward. Local creative writing workshops will accompany sign dedications to be held in Kodiak and Seward this fall. For dates and details please stay tuned: http://www.alaskacenterforthebook.org/

Have news or events you’d like to see listed here? Email details to 49roundup (at) gmail.com. Your message must be received by noon on the Thursday before the roundup is scheduled to run. Unless your event falls in the “Opportunities” category, it should occur no more than 30 days from when we receive your email.