Poet, author, and teacher Susan Oringel will share poems from her new book, My Coney Island (Finishing Line Press), at Create Community Studios, Schenectady, on Wednesday, October 9. Along with Susan’s reading, several other writers will present poems on related themes of assimilation, belonging, and nostalgia. As always, everyone is invited to read at the open mic.
Susan Oringel earned her M.F.A. from the Warren Wilson program, has published in various literary journals, and has also served as co-translator of a collection of Latin American poetry: Messengers of Rain, published by Groundwoods Press (2002, 2011). Her chapbook manuscripts How The Body and My Coney Island were finalists in the Slapering Hol’ Press contest, 1997 and 2017 competitions. Fellowships and awards include Individual Artist award from the Albany-Schenectady League of Arts, a fellowship from the Vermont Studio Center, and an SOS award sponsored by the New York State Council of the Arts. She taught creative writing at Hudson Valley Community College for fourteen years and previously taught writing at Empire State College and Schenectady Community College. She’s a psychologist in private practice in the NY Capital District.
C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios is a cheerful, accessible space located at 137 State Street, directly across from the new Frog Alley craft brewery. There’s a bus stop out front and plentiful parking along State Street and Liberty Street, plus a free parking lot behind the building on South Ferry. Admission is free; coffee and tea are available for a donation.
Readings begin at 7:30. If you arrive early, stop in for a snack at Moon & River Cafe, 115 South Ferry St. You may find several poets gathered at the back near the food counter.
