Hudson Valley Writers Guild

IN THIS ISSUE

Guild Announcements:

• Approximately 50 attend Schenectady Community of Writers event
• Annual Members Meeting held November 26

Member Announcements:

• Signings for new book by Anne Samson December 6 & 14
• Barbara Traynor featured in CNN Money article
• M.E. Kemp spoke at Adirondack Community College
• Linda Mary Wagner to publish memoir
• Short memoir by Carol Derfner in new anthology
• Carolee Bennett (Sherwood) participating in Tupelo Press’ 30/30 Project

Area Announcements:

• “A Door Ajar” Series Concludes at EMPAC December 5
• Third Thursday to feature poet Tim Verhaegen (& “Sanity Clause”) December 19

GUILD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Approximately 50 attend Schenectady Community of Writers event
The Community of Writers event, sponsored by Hudson Valley Writers Guild, the Schenectady County Public Library and NYS Council of the Arts, was held on November 24, the traditional Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving at Schenectady County Public Library, McChesney Room. This year’s featured writers once again represented and read from a mix of genres:

• poetry from Alan Casline, Carol Graser, Mary Cufee Perez and Jan Marin Tramontano;
• excerpts from novels from Phyllis Kulmatiski and Donna Lagone; and
• memoir from Carl Strock.

The audience of approximately 50 people was filled with appreciative listeners, very responsive to the humor in several readers’ pieces and attentively quiet during moving segments. All authors brought books and broadsheets and were available for conversation, book-signings and sales before and after the readings. Light refreshments were provided by Friends of the Library. Honorary gift certificates to Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady were given to each author through funds engendered by Hudson Valley Writers Guild members and events.

We look forward to the 12th annual event in November 2014!

Annual Members Meeting held November 26
The Annual Members Meeting of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild was held on November 26 at the William K. Stafford Colonie Town Library. The agenda included reports by treasurer Bob Sharkey and membership chair David Wolcott which indicated the financial health of the organization due to on-going membership renewals. In addition, Bob Sharkey reported on the Guild’s grants this year to the Pine Hollow Arboretum reading series and to support the literary journal Up the River produced by AlbanyPoets.com.

Dan Wilcox summarized this year’s programs, and Alan Catlin reported on the recent Community of Writers reading at the Schenectady Public Library (as detailed above). Mimi Moriarty reported on this year’s successful short fiction contest, while Jan Tramontano, who has taken over as the contest chair, gave a preview of the non-fiction contest to be held in 2014.After some discussion the following members were elected to the guild board:

• Julie Lomoe and Marilyn Rothstein, both for second 3-year terms;
• Dan Wilcox, for his first 3-year term after a year of not being on the board, as required by the by-Laws; and
• new board members for 3-year terms Andrea Portnick and Barbara Traynor.

Congratulations to raffle winners Elaine Doremus and David Wolcott who each won $50 and to Andrea Portnick, Faith Green and Jan Tramontano who won books by local authors.

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Signings for new book by Anne Samson December 6 & 14
Local author and HVWG member Anne Samson recently published a book called Abba House & Me: Prayer Changes Everything. The book is a tribute to the love and care of two women who operated Abba House of Prayer on Western Avenue in Albany for 30 years, Sister Libby Hoye and Sister Mary Gen Smyth. The book is part history of the Abba House ministry and part spiritual memoir of a challenging time in Anne’s family, when prayer and Abba House were lifelines. The book is available locally from the Book House and Market Block Books in Troy; it is also available from the publisher (Xulon Press), Amazon and as an e-book (Kindle, Nook, Apple).

Anne is having two book signings:

• Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m. at the Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza and
• Saturday, December 14, at her church, Christ our Light Catholic Church in Loudonville, after the 4 p.m. mass. A portion of the proceeds from book sales at that event will be donated to the church food pantry.

Barbara Traynor featured in CNN Money article
Barbara M. Traynor was interviewed in an on-line unique retirement lifestyle post for CNN MONEY. Melanie Hicken, personal finance reporter for CNN MONEY, posted the in-depth interview with Barbara (and other volunteer friends) who share her passion for volunteering at organizations that offer free room and board for their services. Her book — Second Career Volunteer, a passionate pennywise approach to a unique lifestyle — is available from her website (www.secondcareervolunteer.com) and on Amazon or AuthorHouse.

M.E. Kemp spoke at Adirondack Community College
M.E.Kemp spoke at Adirondack Community College on Saturday, November 16, on what it’s like to be a mystery writer. Look for M.E.Kemp’s course on mystery writing to be held in April at the Troy Arts Center.  Kemp will go through the five elements that make up a mystery from detective to villain.

Linda Mary Wagner to publish memoir
Linda Mary Wagner is about to self-publish Unearthing the Ghosts: A Mystery Memoir, a coming-of age story interwoven with social history about mental illness and health. She is working with The Troy Book Makers (TBM) to print the book in softcover form and prepare it for e-book publication. Linda says, “I have a full-time job and have had to complete my manuscript and related publication and marketing efforts after my regular work hours. I’ve invested more than $5,000 of my own money this year to reach this point.” She launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to pay the balance of TBM’s bill for the printing of 500 copies. To learn more about my story and the project, please visit the project’s page at the Kickstarter site. Watch for details about book sales in a future edition of this newsletter.

Short memoir by Carol Derfner in new anthology
HVWG member Carol Derfner of Kinderhook announces that She Writes Press (out of Berkeley) has published one of her short memoirs in a new anthology, Times They Were A’ Changing: Women Remember the ‘60s & ‘70s. The anthology is the result of a national contest sponsored in 2012 by She Writes Press commemorating the 50th anniversary of so many socio-political milestones of the 1960s and 70s in America and chronicling the women’s legacy of that time. Derfner’s work is included along with that of 47 other authors from around the country. The 338-page soft cover book retails for $16.95 and can be purchased and downloaded through Amazon.com and shewritespress.com or for $12 plus standard shipping from Derfner at carolderfner@berk.com.

The third place winner of HVWG’s fiction contest in 2010, Derfner is an active participant in The Memoir Project at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, the Edna St. Vincent Millay Society in Austerlitz and the Mavens of Mayhem, the local chapter of Sisters in Crime. Derfner will be curating an evening of memoir by local writers, The Times They Were A’ Changing: Memories from the Sixties Generation, on March 3, 2014, as one of the Arts Center’s annual BookMarks series. Submissions are due February; guidelines can be found at artscenteronline.org.

Carolee Bennett (Sherwood) participating in Tupelo Press’ 30/30 Project
Starting today, Carolee will be writing a poem each day as one of the December poets for the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project. In addition to being a creative exercise, the project is a fundraiser for the literary press. For Carolee, it’s the perfect combination: working on her favorite writing challenge (daily poems!) and helping her favorite press. You can keep up with Carolee’s writing this month at the project’s website here. Tupelo volunteers add new poems to the site a couple times a day, so check in often to follow along.

There are a number of ways you can cheer Carolee on and support a terrific press:

• subscribe to the annual series (put “Carolee” in the ‘comments’ field; Carolee has set a goal of 3 subscribers for Tupelo… to include her own subscription and 2 others — it’s an amazing holiday gift!)
• donate to the press via credit card (scroll down to form, put “Carolee” in the ‘honor’ field) or PayPal (click the button, put “Carolee” in the ‘message’ field).

No donation is too small — whether you can contribute $5 or $10 or $25 or whether you have someone special on your list (including yourself!) who would enjoy the subscription (9 books for $99). Writing in community has always been a part of Carolee’s process, as has writing — and publishing — daily. She says, “The press keeps us updated about all contributions — I’d love to feel everyone behind me as the month progresses!”

Carolee blogs at gooduniversenextdoor.com and will be posting about the project there. She lives in Albany with three not-so-little boys and their pug, works as a writer for local marketing agency Media Logic and pursues her MFA in creative writing through Ashland University in Ohio.

AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS

“A Door Ajar” Screening Series Continues at EMPAC December 5
“A Door Ajar” film series launched in October and continues this month. A film series about endings, “A Door Ajar” presents enigmatic films that refuse clichéd cinematic endings. Instead, these films revel in openness, leaving the door ajar for interpretation after the film ends. The series looks at perception and the desire to create meaning.

The final film will be viewed on Thursday, December 5: David Lynch’s Mullholland Drive. David Lynch’s last work on real celluloid film, 2001’s Mulholland Drive is a surrealist neo-noir thriller that scrutinizes the collective dream that is Los Angeles through a famously disjointed narrative.

For the full calendar of events and directions, visit empac.rpi.edu. Tickets are available online or by calling EMPAC’s box office at (518) 276.3921.

Third Thursday to feature poet Tim Verhaegen (& “Sanity Clause”) December 19
Local poet Tim Verhaegen will read from his work at the Social Justice Center, 33 Central Avenue, Albany, on Thursday, December 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tim Verhaegen is a poet and writer of family memoir who has been writing, reading and workshopping his poems in area venues for many years.  Uniquely personal and often humorous, his readings are always engaging and entertaining. The evening will also include the annual holiday visit from “Sanity Clause,” with a gift of poetry for all who read in the open mic.

A reading by a local or regional poet is held each Third Thursday at the Social Justice Center. The event includes an open mic for audience members to read. Sign-up starts at 7 p.m., with the reading beginning at 7:30. The host of the readings is Albany poet and photographer Dan Wilcox. The suggested donation is $3, which helps support this and other poetry programs of the Poetry Motel Foundation, as well as the work of the Social Justice Center.  For more information about this event contact Dan Wilcox, 518-482-0262; e-mail: dwlcx@earthlink.net.

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Editor’s Note
I enjoy putting together this newsletter for the HVWG. As a member of the Guild and a working writer in our community, I recognize its incredible value and hope it is a terrific resource for you, as well. Please let me know if there’s anything we can do to improve it.

Here are some housekeeping notes:

• Want your news item published in a future newsletter? Submit it to me at hvwgnews@gmail.com. The deadline each month is the 25th, and the newsletter publishes on (or around) the 1st. Please note: All announcements are subject to editing.
• Got issues with the newsletter formatting? other feedback? Please email that same address: hvwgnews@gmail.com.
• The Hudson Valley Writers Guild offers space in its newsletter for submission and program opportunities but does not endorse any programs or publications that are not offered through the Guild.

~Carolee

IN THIS ISSUE

Guild Announcements:

• Uncle Sam (er, “Auntie Guild”) Needs You
• Schenectady Community of Writers November 24
• HVWG Annual Membership Meeting November 26 (featuring elections & prizes, including cash – yes!)
• Errata (August newsletter)

Member Announcements:

• Misfit Magazine submissions open
• Howard Kogan reads with Trina Porte in New Lebanon November 8
• Pre-sale for Catherine Norr’s new chapbook ends November 13
• Julie Lomoe participates in NaNoWriMo
• M.E. Kemp at Boucheron
• Winifred Elze publishes new work of fiction

Area Announcements:

• Bookmarks theme (“Eat the Past”) Deadline November 6
• Third Thursday to feature poet Alex Sherman-Cross November 21
• “A Door Ajar” Screening Series at EMPAC November 21 & December 5

GUILD ANNOUNCEMENTS

“Uncle Sam Needs You” (A Note from HVWG President Dan Wilcox)
Well, not quite — but, actually, “Auntie Guild” could use some help.

I frequently hear folks say things like, “The Guild should do this; the Guild should do that.”  I like to respond that there is no “Guild,” just members who take on projects and tasks that benefit all our members. That’s why we need you — to make things happen.

And perhaps the best way to “make things happen” is by being a member of the executive board of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild.

The Guild by-laws stipulate that its board of directors shall consist of “no fewer than seven (7) nor more than eighteen (18) members” who may serve up to 2 consecutive terms of 3 years each.”  The board also elects from its members the officers, i.e., president, vice presidents, secretary and treasurer.  Most importantly, the board is responsible for the ongoing operations of the Guild. Members of the executive board vote on funding for projects, as well as serve as key figures in planning and coordinating Guild events.

So if you have some good ideas, strong opinions or compelling concepts about how the Guild should be run, why not join the board?  The election for board members is conducted at the annual membership meeting, to be held this year on Tuesday, November 26, at the Colonie Town Library, 6-8 p.m.  (See the notice below in the newsletter for additional details.) Come to the meeting and nominate yourself for the board.

Auntie Guild Needs You.

– Dan Wilcox

Schenectady Community of Writers 11th Annual Reading November 24
The Schenectady Community of Writers 11th annual reading will be Sunday, November 24, at the Schenectady Public Library, from 2-4 p.m. Among those presenting will be Carl Strock, former columnist for the Daily Gazette; Mary Cuffe Perez; Jan Tramontano and Alan Casline.  Carol Graser will serve as moderator.  Light refreshments will be served following the reading. The event is free and open to the public.

HVWG Annual Membership Meeting November 26
If you attend the Guild’s annual membership meeting, you could go home with money in your pocket! The meeting will be on Tuesday, November 26, 6-8 p.m. at the William K. Sanford Town Library, 629 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville. Refreshments will be served, and there will be door-prizes, including two $50 prizes and books from local authors.  And (of course!) an opportunity to mingle and meet other local writers.

The meeting agenda will include a summary of the year’s activities/events and the election of new members to the board of directors.  The terms for some current board members are expiring, and we need Guild members to step up to help run the organization. Nominations (including self-nominations) will be accepted that night.  The board will elect the new officers at the first board meeting to be held in January.

Please join us: you may go home a little richer (in more ways than one).

ERRATA
The August newsletter contained an article – “HVWG Membership Back on Track” – that described the activities and accomplishments of the membership work group. It inadvertently omitted reference to a fourth work group member. Dan Wilcox perceived the need, recruited the other members and then led the effort to its successful outcome.

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Call for submissions: Misfit Magazine
The online poetry publication misfitmagazine.net (edited by HVWG member Alan Catlin) will be reading for open issues as of November 1. Please submit 4-6 relatively short poems (no epics, please!) to editor@misfitmagazine.net. Misfit Magazine is open to all kinds of poetry, but please no overtly gratuitous sex, violence or polemical politics.  Please check out recent issues at the site to see what Misfit is all about. Note: In addition, Misfit is always open to considering books for brief reviews.

Howard Kogan reads with Trina Porte in New Lebanon November 8
Post-Election Day Reading and People’s Open Mic. Featured Poets Howard Kogan and Trina Porte. Friday, November 8, at 7 p.m., New Lebanon Library, 550 State Route 20, New Lebanon, NY. Free. Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments, too!

Pre-sale for Catherine Norr’s new chapbook ends November 13
Catherine Norr is happy to announce publication of her chapbook Return to Ground by Finishing Line Press, presently in pre-sale period: September 30-November 13.  The release date is January 11, 2014. You can place an order as follows: go to www.finishinglinepress.com, click on “forthcoming titles” and type “Catherine Norr” in the search box. If you prefer, you can contact the author to place an order — Catherine Norr, (518) 852-5608 or catherinenorr@msn.com.

Julie Lomoe to participate in National Novel Writing Month
Julie Lomoe plans to participate in this year’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and encourages other HVWG members to join her. She’s done it for the past two years, and it’s a great way to motivate yourself to complete an unfinished novel or start a new one. Thousands of people throughout the world share the goal of writing 50,000 words during the month of November, tracking their word count at an online site and earning a jazzy downloadable certificate if the site verifies their word count. No one ever reads or judges what you write: the site only the word count.There’s a local Albany group, and many real-life writing get-togethers are scheduled at local coffee houses and libraries. To learn more, visit www.nanowrimo.org. And please let Julie know if you plan to participate by emailing her at julielomoe@nycap.rr.com or commenting on her blog at www.julielomoe.wordpress.com.

M.E. Kemp at Boucheron, Albany
M. E. Kemp took part on a panel at the recent Bouchercon convention in Albany. Bouchercon is the largest mystery fan conference in the nation. Kemp spoke on writing historical mysteries. She also gave a recent talk on the Salem Witch Trials at the library in Tewksbury, MA. Look for her mystery writing workshop at the Troy Arts Center in the near future.

Winifred Elze publishes new work of fiction
Winifred Elze has published a new work of fiction, Ghosts of Proctor’s Theatre. Rooted in the history of Proctor’s Theatre, it features ghosts who have reportedly been seen there. It is available for purchase at Proctors Gift Center in Schenectady.

AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bookmarks reading series: “Eat the Past” deadline November 6
The Memoir Project, a program of The Arts Center of the Capital Region, invites submissions for Bookmarks, a series of group readings featuring writing that is grounded in personal experience. Running annually from October through May, Bookmarks is a thematically differentiated group reading. Each event is curated by a different individual, hand-selected from our region’s richly diverse community to host. Each individual reading category has a separate submission date, approximately three weeks prior to the event. Works will be evaluated on literary excellence and relevance to the broader Memoir Project theme (i.e. does the work mine the personal to express the universal?), as well as the individual themes set by each curator.

Upcoming theme/opportunity: “Eat the Past” curated by Steve Barnes of Table Hopping. “Taste and smell are rooted in some of the most primitive parts of our brain, and so food-related moments provide some of our most powerful memories. Let’s share stories about meals we remember and, perhaps, the perils of trying to recreate them.” Submission Deadline: Wednesday, November 6, by 5 p.m. Reading: Monday, January 6, 7 p.m. Please visit the Bookmarks page on the Arts Center website for specific guidelines for this theme and upcoming themes.

Third Thursday to feature poet Alex Sherman-Cross November 21
Poet Alex Sherman-Cross will read from her work at the Social Justice Center, 33 Central Avenue, Albany, on Thursday, November 21, at 7:30 p.m.  Alex Sherman-Cross is a student at the College of Saint Rose, where she is studying English Adolescent Education and Religious Studies. She has been writing poetry for as long as she can remember and has been slamming poetry for two years.

A reading by a local or regional poet is held each Third Thursday at the Social Justice Center.  The event includes an open mic for audience members to read.  Sign-up starts at 7 p.m., with the reading beginning at 7:30.  The host of the readings is Albany poet and photographer Dan Wilcox.  The suggested donation is $3, which helps support this and other poetry programs of the Poetry Motel Foundation and the work of the Social Justice Center.  For more information about this event, contact Dan Wilcox, (518) 482-0262; e-mail: dwlcx@earthlink.net.

“A Door Ajar” Screening Series Continues at EMPAC November 21 & December 5
“A Door Ajar” film series launched in October and continues this month. A film series about endings, “A Door Ajar” presents enigmatic films that refuse clichéd cinematic endings. Instead, these films revel in openness, leaving the door ajar for interpretation after the film ends. The series looks at perception and the desire to create meaning.

The series continues with Wong Kar-wai’s hauntingly beautiful film, In the Mood for Love (2000) on Thursday, November 21. In the Mood for Love tells a story of unfulfilled relationships, the fallibility of memory and endings without resolution. Starring Tony Leung (Mr. Chow) and Maggie Cheung (Mrs. Chen), In the Mood for Love is the story of two couples that move into adjoining apartments on the same day.

Finally on Thursday, December 5, David Lynch’s Mullholland Drive will be screened as part of “A Door Ajar.” David Lynch’s last work on real celluloid film, 2001’s Mulholland Drive is a surrealist neo-noir thriller that scrutinizes the collective dream that is Los Angeles through a famously disjointed narrative.

For the full calendar of events and directions, visit empac.rpi.edu. Tickets are available online or by calling EMPAC’s box office at (518) 276.3921.

* * *

Editor’s Note
I enjoy putting together this newsletter for the HVWG. As a member of the Guild and a working writer in our community, I recognize its incredible value and hope it is a terrific resource for you, as well. Please let me know if there’s anything we can do to improve it.

Here are some housekeeping notes:

• Want your news item published in a future newsletter? Submit it to me at hvwgnews@gmail.com. The deadline each month is the 25th, and the newsletter publishes on (or around) the 1st. Please note: All announcements are subject to editing.
• Got issues with the newsletter formatting? other feedback? Please email that same address: hvwgnews@gmail.com.
• The Hudson Valley Writers Guild offers space in its newsletter for submission and program opportunities but does not endorse any programs or publications that are not offered through the Guild.

~Carolee

IN THIS ISSUE

Guild Announcements: Short fiction writing contest winners (including a note from our winner), October newsletter changes, New chair for annual writing contest, Schenectady Community of Writers November 24, HVWG annual meeting November 26

Member Announcements: Marni Gillard’s fall storytelling classes, Misfit Magazine open for submissions November 1

Area Announcements: Albany Writers and Poets Showcase, October readings for Yes! series, Story Sunday Dinner October 6, “Family at the Holidays” deadline October 9, Third Thursday to feature Andy Clausen October 17, Derrick Brown at Proctors October 17, Workshops celebrating women writers March 7-9

GUILD ANNOUNCEMENTS
HVWG celebrates writing contest winners with awards ceremony

On September 15, the Hudson Valley Writers Guild held an awards ceremony at the Bethlehem Public Library for the three winners and two honorable mentions in its short fiction competition run earlier this year.  (For a photo of the event, see the online version of the newsletter.) This competition is for all writers living in the state of New York and not affiliated with the HVWG Board of Directors. The judges for this competition were David Sylvester, Cohoes; Pam Clements, Albany; and Nancy Klepsch, Troy.  Mimi Moriarty, Voorheesville, was the coordinator of the competition.The winners read their stories, or in one case, a designated a reader presented the work. Both honorable mentions were unable to attend, and two of the judges filled in for them. There were 45 people in attendance. Refreshments were provided by Faith Green and Sharon Stenson.The winners were:

• First Place - Colleen Geraghty, New Paltz, for “The Beer House,” a stunning, heartbreaking account of neglected children who rise above it all with their imaginations.
• Second Place – Rene Houtrides, Brooklyn, for “Joan of Arc,” a lyric, almost poetic first-person retelling of a familiar legend.
• Third Place – Mary Ann Ronconi, Berne, for “A Job of National Importance,” a humorous story set in Cuba with a delightful surprise at the end.  (This story was read by Ronconi’s daughter, Amanda.)
• Honorable Mention – Laurence Carr, Highland, for “Consigned,” a story that asks the questions:  What do I do with mother?  What do I do with mother’s things?  Read by judge David Sylvester.
• Honorable Mention - Iris Lit, Woodstock, for “Pissed Off,” a story featuring bears and male bonding.  Read by judge Pam Clements.

We also want to share with you a note from one of the winners…
Dear Mimi, HVWG Board Members and Short Fiction Contest Judges:  I was overjoyed and humbled to receive the HVWG Short Fiction Contest Award. The award has given me an opportunity to step back and look at the journey traveled and to contemplate my writing goals for 2014. The reward renews my enthusiasm for writing and allows me to look forward to the future. I feel honored to be among the other recipients, and I congratulate them on their awards. I want to thank the judges for generously donating their time, and I thank the HVWG for its support.  Warmest regards, Colleen Geraghty.

October newsletter changes
With this issue of the HVWG newsletter, we welcome back Carolee Bennett (Sherwood) as editor. Carolee has worked on the newsletter in the past with Bob Sharkey. In recent months, Carol Graser served as newsletter editor, with the support of Robyn Ringler of East Line Books in Clifton Park. When Carol left for full-time work, Carolee once again agreed to take on this important task. Hitting the ground running, so to speak, she has already made changes: to establish a special email address for submission of news items (HVWGnews@gmail.com) and to institute a deadline for submissions (the 25th of the month prior to the newsletter). So please send her your announcements of readings, books published and other items of interest to the literary community. All other Guild-related inquiries – including updates to your email address – may continue to be sent to the Guild’s main address: HVWGinfo@gmail.com.

So, thank you Carol Graser and Robyn Ringler for your work on and support of the Guild Newsletter, and welcome back, Carolee!

New volunteer at the helm of HVWG’s annual writing contest
Another recent change relates to the annual HVWG Writing Contest. (Please note the story on this year’s short fiction contest and the names of the winners listed above.) After five years of coordinating the annual writing contest, Mimi Moriarty is stepping down to free up more of her time to spend with a growing brood of grandchildren. However, long-time Guild member and former member of the executive board Jan Tramontano has agreed to take on the task of running the contest. Next year’s genre will be non-fiction. Welcome, Jan, and thank you, Mimi, for a great job! Watch for more information early in 2014 on the contest.

Schenectady Community of Writers 11th Annual Reading November 24
The Schenectady Community of Writers 11th annual reading will be Sunday, November 24, at the Schenectady Public Library, from 2-4 p.m. Among those presenting will be Carl Strock, former columnist for the Daily Gazette; Mary Cuffe Perez; Jan Tramontano and Alan Casline.  Carol Graser will serve as moderator.  Light refreshments will be served following the reading. The event is free and open to the public.

HVWG’s annual meeting to be held November 26
It’s not too early to put the date for the HVWG annual membership meeting on your calendar: it will be on Tuesday, November 26, at 6 p.m. at the Colonie Town Library.  At the annual meeting, we elect members to the Guild’s executive board. The term for a number of the current board members will be expiring, and we need Guild members to step up to help run the organization. Please start thinking about it now. We will provide more information in the next newsletter, but if you have any questions in the meantime, please send them to Dan Wilcox at the Guild email address: hvwginfo@gmail.com.

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Marni Gillard offers two storytelling classes this fall

The Practical Art of Storytelling
Thursdays, September 26, October 10 and October 14, 7-9 p.m. Rensselaer Education Center, 35 Colleen Rd. Troy, NY. Cost: $15 per session or $40 for series (attend one or all three). Information: pmertz@questar.org or (518) 479-6869. Description: Humans tell stories naturally. Through memory-telling participants discover skills and techniques already.We’ll imagine scenes and characters, naturally create dialogue and find the confidence to “tell” to anyone. Come to develop new skills and ways to use storytelling effectively in the workplace.

Storytelling Moments of Our Faith Lives
For seekers from or curious about any faith tradition. Mondays, October 21 and 28, November 4 and 18 (skip Veterans’ Day), 7-9 p.m. Offered by Consultation Center, held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 40 N. Main Ave., Albany, NY (well-lit parking to left of bldg. handicapped accessible). Series is $40 if paid by 10/12; $45 after 10/12. Reservations required. See flyer for details. Description: By speaking as story the moments when faith has awakened or challenged us, we learn how faith works wonders. In this 4-session class we develop community, share one-to-one and practice deep, uninterrupted listening. Register by 10/12 and come when you can, if you can’t make all the classes.

Call for submissions: Misfit Magazine
The online poetry publication misfitmagazine.net (edited by HVWG member Alan Catlin) will be reading for open issues as of November 1. Please submit 4-6 relatively short poems (no epics, please!) to editor@misfitmagazine.net.  Misfit Magazine is open to all kinds of poetry, but please no overtly gratuitous sex, violence or polemical politics.  Please check out recent issues at the site to see what Misfit is all about. Note: In addition, Misfit is always open to considering books for brief reviews.

AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS

Albany Writers and Poets Showcase looking for new guests
“Albany Writers and Poets Showcase” is a half-hour weekly program that features the best contemporary prose and poetry from Capital District residents in Albany and beyond. The sheer diversity of the writers and poets here in the Capital District allows us to feature up-and-coming, as well as experienced writers and poets who cut across the artistic spectrum of slam poetry, spoken word, literary poetry and all prose, such as novels, short-stories and flash fiction. We also interview each of our guests so that the viewer has a more complete picture of our guests’ motivations and passions for their art. The program airs several times a week and can be seen on Channel 18, Public Access Television, in Albany.  The show is hosted by Shelly Sosa and is produced by Shelly Sosa and Harvey Havel. Interested poets and writers should email harveyhavel@hotmail.com to schedule their appearance.

Yes! Reading Series to host two readings in October
On October 2 at 8 p.m., the Yes! Reading Series features nine poets: Martine Bellen, Deborah Poe, Magus Magnus, Ryan Eckes, Joshua Ware, Iris Cushing, Alicia Puglionesi, Jesse Nissim and Alyse Knorr.  And on October 25, also at 8 p.m., it will feature Kate Greenstreet, Paige Ackerson-Kelly and DJ Dolack. All Yes! events are being held at a new location this season: Albany Center Gallery, 39 Columbia Street, Albany. For “up to the minute” event details, find Yes! on Facebook.

Story Sunday Dinner October 6
Marni Gillard and Christie Keegan will perform “Heroines and Tricksters: Tales of Bold, Loving, and Persuasive Characters” on Sunday, October 6, from 5-8 p.m. at the Glen Sanders Mansion, 1 Glen Avenue, Scotia, NY. Entree choices: Chicken Picatta, Sliced Bistro Sirloin or Eggplant Picatta. Cost: $33/ person (3 sets of stories, 3 course dinner/ coffee/tea, tax and tip). Save $3 if you are new or you bring someone new (one discount per person). Reservations: Kate@KateDudding.com. Story Circle website here.

Bookmarks reading series: “Family at the Holidays” deadline October 9
The Memoir Project, a program of The Arts Center of the Capital Region, invites submissions for Bookmarks, a series of group readings featuring writing that is grounded in personal experience. Running annually from October through May, Bookmarks is a thematically differentiated group reading. Each event is curated by a different individual, hand selected from our region’s richly diverse community to host. Each individual reading category has a separate submission date, approximately three weeks prior to the event. Works will be evaluated on literary excellence and relevance to the broader Memoir Project theme (i.e. does the work mine the personal to express the universal?), as well as the individual themes set by each curator.

Upcoming theme/opportunity: “Family at the Holidays” curated by author Marion Roach Smith. “Family and the holidays. An exquisite combination of provocative forces, isn’t it? Perfect for a memoir. Got a story? Come share it with us, and let’s kick off the holiday season in style.” Submission Deadline: Wednesday, October 9, by 5 p.m. Reading: Monday, November 4, 7 p.m. Please visit the Bookmarks page on the Arts Center website for specific guidelines for this theme and upcoming themes.

Poet Andy Clausen will read at the Social Justice Center, Thursday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
Woodstock poet Andy Clausen will read from his work at the Social Justice Center, 33 Central Avenue, Albany, on Thursday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. Andy Clausen’s verse has been called “Beat,” “Futurist,” “Whitmanic” and “Blues-based.”  He is the author of Home of the Blues, 40th Century Man, Ginsberg Corso & Me, The Iron Curtain of Love and many others.

A reading by a local or regional poet is held each Third Thursday at the Social Justice Center.  The event includes an open mic for audience members. Sign-up starts at 7 p.m., with the reading beginning at 7:30. The host of the readings is Albany poet and photographer Dan Wilcox.  The suggested donation is $3, which helps support this and other poetry programs of the Poetry Motel Foundation and the work of the Social Justice Center.  For more information about this event, contact Dan Wilcox, (518) 482-0262; e-mail: dwlcx@earthlink.net.

Performing poet Derrick Brown at Proctors October 17
On October 17 at 7:30 p.m., poet Derrick Brown will perform at Proctors. Tickets are $20. Be mesmerized by the strange comedy and dark romance of spoken word with one of America’s most beloved and well-traveled performing poets. Brown has performed his poetry on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as well as for the Best American Contemporary Poetry Concert Series, The Drums Inside Your Chest. Last year, he curated the wildly successful literature festival Word x Word in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. For more information about the show, please visit http://www.proctors.org/events/derrick-brown.

SAVE THE DATE, March 7-9, 2014 – Workshops celebrating women writers
“A Celebration of Women’s Voices: Women Writers Past and Present.” Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY, 12561. Registration for writing workshops opens January 1, 2014. To register for memoir, short story, poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, getting published workshops and more, visit www.huguenotstreet.org. While you’re at the website, add your email address to the e-news list to receive information about conference.