Hudson Valley Writers Guild Newsletter, December 15
In This Issue
Guild Announcements: Poet Laureate Project
Member Announcements: Bernie Bourdeau, K.A. Laity
Area Announcements: Events at East Line Books, Ed Rinaldi to read at Social Justice Center, Writers Group meets in Johnston, Sunday Four Reading and Open Mic in Voorheesville, Winter Poetry Sunday in Schenectady, Call for Entries for Saltonstall Residencies
Guild announcements
Poet Laureate Project
The Poet Laureate Project was discussed during the Guild’s annual meeting by Bill Poppino, who is looking for one or more persons living in Saratoga, Rensselaer and Albany County to lead the effort to establish a Poet Laureate in each of these counties. This has been done in Schenectady County with Bill leading the way, thus he is willing to provide advice and personal involvement to a willing leader resident in each of the other Capital Region counties. The job entails contacting a county legislator who can sponsor a resolution for vote by the County Legislature. The county library often has such a legislator on its board. If interested, please contact Bill at poppino3@juno.com or by phone at (518) 374-5410.
Member announcements
Bernie Bourdeau, a long-time HVWG member who formerly served on the HVWG board and as treasurer, announces the publication of his debut novel Caused & Effect, a mystery set in the capital district. The book is the first in a series featuring NY State Trooper Linda Baldwin. As a rookie trooper, Linda Baldwin is on a personal mission of justice for sex predators, and it threatens to end her career. The gravest danger she faces is not the man who stalks her with rape and murder in his heart but the rage that simmers in her own. Caused & Effect is a fast-paced tale of the insatiable quest for vengeance, the illusion of what we witness and the elusive path to forgiveness. A limited number of autographed copies is available at the author’s website (berniebourdeau.com/buy.html), which also has more biographical information and links to the online retailers selling both print and digital versions of the book.
K. A. Laity’s comic gothic novel The Mangrove Legacy will be published December 15 by Tease Publishing under her romance pseudonym Kit Marlowe. The Mangrove Legacy began life as a weekly serial and tells the tale of two English girls, pirates, kidnappers, orphans, disguises, a ghost, interesting facts about insects, cheese, the King of Naples and at least one improving book. This ain’t your mama’s Gothic! For more information, visit these websites: teasepublishingllc.com, kit-marlowe.com or kalaity.com.
Area announcements
Events at East Line Books
The following events take place at East Line Books:
- Fiction Writing: A 4-Day Class for Teens
December 28-31, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
For ages 13-18
Instructor: Lily Ringler
Cost: $85
For All Levels of Writers. In this class, we will have fun using our imaginations while covering the craft elements of fiction including character, plot, point of view, description, dialogue, setting, pacing, voice, and theme. Our goal will be to write fiction, learning invaluable skills and strategies along the way. This is an introductory class which can accommodate both those who are new to writing and those who have already written fiction. You will also learn how and where to market your work.
- How to Get Started Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy: A 4-Day Class for Ages 10-15
December 28-31
2 to 4 p.m.
For ages 10-15
Instructor: Lily Ringler
Cost: $85
In this class you will learn the art and craft of writing science fiction and fantasy. The course will include the construction of stories about people, worlds and events that stretch the boundaries of the possible and the magical. You will learn how to build, populate and dramatize a credible world your readers will be delighted to explore. This is an invaluable course for the beginner, intermediate, or advanced writer.
East Line Books is located at 1714 Route 9, Clifton Park. For more information, contact Robyn Ringler at (518) 371-4151, RLDSR12@aol.com or eastlinebooks.vpweb.com.
December 16, 7 p.m. sign-up, 7:30 p.m. readings
Ed Rinaldi to read at the Social Justice Center
The Third Thursday Poetry Night, with feature Ed Rinaldi and an open mic, will take place on Thursday, December 16, at the Albany Social Justice Center, 33 Central Avenue. 7 p.m. sign-up. 7:30 p.m. start. Dan Wilcox, host.
The last Tuesday each month, 7 p.m.
Writers Group Meets in Johnston
The Mohawk Valley Writers Group, consisting of writers in all genres in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, meets monthly at Union Hall in Johnstown. For more information, contact Lena Andersson at (832) 474-5984 or lena.andersson@fmcc.suny.edu or katsson@yahoo,com.
December 26, 3 p.m.
Sunday Four Reading and Open Mic
Stephentown’s own Howard Kogan will be the featured poet at the Sunday Four Poetry Open Mic on December 26 at 3 p.m. at the Old Songs Community Arts Center, 37 S. Main Street, Voorheesville. Howard writes fascinating self- and other-reflective poems that you will find intriguing. His narrative about God, for example, is instructive but pure poetry. It will bring a smile to your mind. Bring some good holiday poems yourself to read. We do encourage folks to read three shorter poems or two medium-sized or one long poem—but not like Paterson!!
December 26, 10:30 a.m.
Annual Winter Poetry Sunday
Each year on the first Sunday after Christmas, poets and poetry lovers gather at the First Unitarian Church of Schenectady to read favorites and celebrate the art. Each reader is limited to three minutes. All are welcome to this ecumenical service. If you would like to participate, please contact Melinda at melindaperrin@msn.com with your name, contact information, and selection titles before December 4. The Church is located at 1221 Wendell Avenue in Schenectady.
Call for Entries at the Saltonstall Arts Colony
Artists who are awarded a month-long residency at the Saltonstall Arts Colony are given time, space, and support for their own creative research. In 2011 there will be four month-long sessions, beginning in May and running through September. Artists are chosen by a panel of jurors for each discipline, and scheduled for one of the four sessions.
The categories for 2011 are as follows: Painting/Sculpture/Visual Art, Photography, Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction. All visual and literary artists are invited to apply for the month-long Summer Residencies at the Saltonstall Arts Colony, located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York State. For each of the four sessions, five artists are chosen to be in residence; one photographer, two visual artists, and two literary artists. Each artist has a private apartment and bath with ample work space. There are two large, well-lit studios for the visual artists and a black/white darkroom for the photographer.
The postmark deadline for application is January 15, 2011. Please visit saltonstall.org for detailed information about the Saltonstall Foundation, the Summer Residency Program and Saltonstall Arts Colony.
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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. Two notes from the newsletter editors:
* Within each section, announcements/events are arranged, when possible, by relevant dates.
* We are always curious to know if the formatting “works” (appears neat and tidy) in your email or if it causes issues (is difficult to read). Send feedback and suggestions regarding any formatting issues to hvwginfo@gmail.com. News items should go to Bob Sharkey at riverrun@nycap.rr.com. Please use Times New Roman size 12 font whenever possible. Thank you!
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Carolee Sherwood
Newsletter Co-Editor
Robert Sharkey
Newsletter Co-Editor
Visit our website: hvwg.org
