Nita Sweeney

    •  

    Sign up to receive Write Now Newsletter via email.


    WRITE NOW NEWSLETTER - JULY 2010

    If you would like to DONATE to Write (Now) Newsletter, Click Here.

     
    SUMMARY OF EVENTS

    1. Antioch Writers’ Workshop - July 10 to 16
    2. Sacred Stories, Sacred Lives: Writing A Spiritual Memoir with Donna Jarrell - begins July 10 or Aug. 1
    3. Imagination Conference - July 13 to 17
    4. New Voices: A Literary Picnic - July 14
    5. Tony Perona Discussion & Signing - July 14
    6. Writers’ Bloc: Travel Writing with Shawnie Kelley - July 15
    7. Touching the Earth: An Earth Memoir with Marcia Barnhart - July 17
    8. The Joy of Bookmaking: Sewing & Collecting - July 18
    9. Gallery in the Garden for Visual Artists & Writers - July 25
    10. Literary Picnic with Craig McDonald - July 28
    11. The Joy of Bookmaking: Creating & Expressing - July 31
    12. Writing from the Inside Out with Nita Sweeney - August 7
    13. Literary Picnic with Sharon Davies - August 11
    14. Discussion & Signing with Amanda Flowers & Avery Aames - August 11


    EVENTS
     
    1. ANTIOCH WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

    Saturday, July 10 through Friday, July 16
    Antioch University McGregor
    (Yellow Springs)

    We welcome writers of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and memoir. Whether you’re a beginning, intermediate, or advanced writer, we offer inspiration, instruction, and professional connections. We encourage creative writers at all levels through inspiring, unique, and inclusive opportunities for developing writing craft, personal growth, and professional connections. AWW embraces diversity, provides high professional and artistic excellence in all programs, and seeks to cultivate a true community of writers. Through open-to-the-public evening readings by top-notch faculty and students, AWW also brings unique opportunities to hear a diverse range of writers to the Southwest Ohio region. These high standards ensure that AWW remains at the forefront of writing communities nationwide.

    For details go to: http://www.antiochwritersworkshop.com/
     
     
    2. SACRED STORIES, SACRED LIVES: WRITING A SPIRITUAL MEMOIR with DONNA JARRELL

    Class Offered Twice:
    Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11 from 1 to 5PM
    OR
    Sundays, August 1 and 8 from 1 to 5PM
    Sanctuary for The Arts
    8641 Porter Central Rd. – Sunbury
    $95 ($90 before June 28 or July 20)

    Seeking the Sacred ~ Exploring the Divine ~ Investigating the Great Mystery ~ when writing about our past, these intentions can transform our gathering of memories from a recollection of life events into a meaningful quest for individual spiritual truth. Sacred Stories, Sacred Lives is the study and practice of spiritual memoir. Participants draw from their personal history to explore the mystery and meaning of life, the inter-connected web of being, death, and immortality.

    Examples of spiritual memoir will be discussed and strategies examined for developing the spiritual in our writing. Time will be allowed for writing practice as well as sharing writings if desired. Unlike literary memoir, a well-crafted work is a secondary purpose. The purpose of writing spiritual memoir is to turn experience into revelation through the writing process.

    For details and registration, go to http://www.Sanctuary-for-The-Arts.com
     
     
    3. IMAGINATION CONFERENCE

    Tuesday, July 13 – Sunday, July 17
    Cleveland State University
    2121 Euclid Avenue - Cleveland, 44115-2214
    Application deadline is June 15

    Imagination offers a range of rigorous workshops, individual manuscript conferences, craft talks, readings by workshop and guest faculty, receptions and social gatherings. You will be provided with wonderful opportunities to receive feedback on your work, exchange ideas with faculty and fellow conference participants, make connections, and take your work to the next level.

    2010 Workshop Faculty: Fiction: Sam Lipsyte, ZZ Packer, Salvatore Scibona, Jess Walter; Poetry: Sandra Beasley, Olena Kalytiak Davis; Creative Nonfiction: Rebecca Skloot; Writing for Stage & Screen: Mickey Birnbaum.

    For more information go to: http://www.csuohio.edu/class/imagination/ or call 216.687.2000.
     
     
    4. NEW VOICES - THURBER HOUSE LITERARY PICNIC

    Wednesday, July 14, picnic begins at 6:15PM; Reading at 7PM
    Thurber House
    77 Jefferson Ave.
    Rain Location: State Auto Insurance - 518 E. Broad Street.
    Tickets for reading and picnic $20; reading only $10.

    Back by popular demand, Thurber House presents a Summer Picnic highlighting emerging authors of fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. All three authors have been published, and all three are Ohio connected. Fiction - Carla Buckley will read from her debut novel, The Things That Keep Us Here. With Columbus as a backdrop, it is a chilling and intimate look at one family’s struggle as they try and survive a virulent pandemic that has paralyzed the world. Poetry - Sarah Gridley is the author of two books of poetry, and has appeared in many print and online journals including Kenyon Review online and New American Poetry. She will share selected poems from her latest collection, Green is the Orator. Non-Fiction - Paula McLain will read from her memoir, Like Family: Growing Up in Other People’s Houses, a searing portrait of three young sisters who are raised as wards of the Fresno County court system. She has also written two books of poetry and the acclaimed novel A Ticket to Ride.

    Starting at 5:20, the Thurber House Young Docents will offer specially guided tours of Thurber House. Picnicking will begin at 6:15 p.m.— guests can order a festive catered dinner from Thurber House or pack their own. The reading will begin at 7:15 p.m.

    All dinner reservations must be made by 4PM the Monday before the reading. Reading-only tickets are sold in advance and at the door. After 6PM, parking is free at the meters along Jefferson Avenue.

    For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 614/464-1032 or visit http://www.thurberhouse.org/events/picnics.html
     
     
    5. TONY PERONA DISCUSSION and SIGNING

    Wednesday, July 14 at 7PM
    Foul Play Mystery Bookshop
    27 E. College Ave. (Westerville)

    Join mystery writer Tony Perona for a discussion of his Nick Bertetto series books, Second Advent, Angels Whisper, and Saintly Remains as well as a collection of stories Racing Can Be Murder he co-edited with Brenda Robertson Stewart.

    For more information contact the bookstore at foulplaybk@aol.com or 614 818-CLUE.
     
     
    6. WRITERS’ BLOCK: SHAWNIE KELLEY on THE ART of TRAVEL WRITING

    Thursday, July 15 - 6:30PM gathering; 7PM program
    Thurber Center
    77 Jefferson Avenue
    Free to members; $5 non-members; $1 for students

    Join Insiders’ Guide writer Shawnie Kelley for “The Art of Travel Writing” where she will discuss researching and writing travel guides and travel/history articles. Kelley’s books include Insiders’ Guide to Columbus, Ohio and It Happened on Cape Cod. She is currently finishing the Insiders’ Guide to Cleveland and It Happened in Ohio, due to be released early next year.

    Writer’s Bloc is a congenial group of creative dedicated writers, editors, poets, and other wordsmiths — published and unpublished — who gather six times a year for professional development, to share resources, to socialize, and to network. Our presentations and workshops bring the best authors, poets, publishers, and editors to us bi-monthly. We’d love you to join us, learn with us, and share your writings.

    Annual dues are $15 and include admission to all programs. Admission for guests and non-members to individual events is $5 with the exception of the November Potluck and Open Mic, which is free to all. Thurber House does not run Writers Bloc but sponsors us by providing space and info about it to writers. For more information, call 614-861-3394.
     
     
    7. TOUCHING THE EARTH: AN EARTH MEMOIR with MARCIA BARNHART

    Saturday, July 17 from 9:30AM to 12:30PM
    Sanctuary for The Arts
    8641 Porter Central Rd, Sunbury
    Fee: $45

    The earth forms a part of our story yet often we move about our daily lives unaware of this connection. Marcia Barnhart, writer and soon-to-be-certified in ecopsychology, gently guides to a revelation of your own earth story, into a memoir of those times when you were influenced by sky, tree, water. You may not realize what shape this took, or even that it was taking shape. By touching the earth we come in closer contact with our senses. Smells, sounds, sight and touch awaken and enliven our perceptions. Awareness that has been dulled in an urban world is heightened through a deeper relationship with the wildness of nature. The creative self, the free self awakens in nature.

    Marcia will teach the process of deeply connecting with nature as pioneered by Dr. Michael Cohen, ecopsychologist and author of Reconnecting With Nature. She will share about the field of ecopsychology, its current research and its value for individuals. Then she will guide participants in a merging of the spirit of nature with their instinctual selves, in discovering through memoir, poetry and imagery, and encourage individuals to open to the natural world and to the landscapes of their inner world.

    The process for developing this individual, personal connection and sustenance through the earth can be taken back to the office, the classroom, the kitchen or the board room, imbuing creativity, imagination, and well-being into daily, urban life. It can provide new energy for creative expression. It can transform.

    For details and registration, go to http://www.Sanctuary-for-The-Arts.com
     
     
    8. THE JOY OF BOOKMAKING: SEWING & COLLECTING

    July 18, Sunday from 12:30PM to 5:00PM
    Sanctuary for The Arts
    8641 Porter Central Rd (Sunbury)
    Fee: $55 plus materials fee of $5.00

    This class continues the series Encounters in Holistic Literacy: The Joy of Bookmaking. Adding poems, prose, jottings to a handmade book connects the book artist to the reader and enhances the joy of bookmaking for both artist and reader. The remaining two of three distinct bookmaking workshops are open for registration. The workshops cater to various interest levels but are not cumulative and no prior experience is necessary.

    In The Joy of Bookmaking: Sewing and Collecting, you will learn complex and non-traditional folded structures as well as simply-sewn, softbound Japanese book structures and incorporate written and collected content. The content for the pages will be created and collected in the natural space of the beautiful woods of the Sanctuary. Through this intermediate level workshop participants will learn how to integrate their innate visual and literary creativity into a graceful handmade book which intimately connects the book artist and the reader in an experience known as holistic literacy.

    For registration details go to www.Sanctuary-for-The-Arts.com.
     
     
    9. GALLERY IN THE GARDEN FOR VISUAL ARTISTS AND WRITERS

    Sunday, July 25, 12:30-6PM
    Sanctuary for The Arts
    8641 Porter Central Rd, Sunbury
    Submission deadline (postmark date) May 21, 2010

    The Gallery in the Garden is a juried art exhibit for both literary artists of all genre and visual artists of all media. Readings of original literary works are held on the porch throughout the afternoon and artwork is exhibited throughout the surrounding woods and garden. Awards will be presented in late afternoon. The casual setting is conducive to experiencing art in a relaxed, natural environment and for getting acquainted with other artists and guests. There is no commission on sales; display space is available for sale of books by the authors.

    For details and registration, go to http://www.Sanctuary-for-The-Arts.com
     
     
    10. CRAIG McDONALD - THURBER HOUSE LITERARY PICNIC

    Wednesday, July 28, picnic begins at 6:15PM; Reading at 7PM
    Thurber House
    77 Jefferson Ave.
    Rain Location: State Auto Insurance - 518 E. Broad Street.
    Tickets for reading and picnic $20; reading only $10.

    Award-winning journalist and crime writer, Craig McDonald is the author of the Edgar nominated Hector Lassiter series that includes Head Games and Toros & Torsos. He will read from the latest in the series, Print the Legend, a literary thriller about the death of Ernest Hemingway and the patina that perceived suicide lends the author’s legend.

    Starting at 5:20, the Thurber House Young Docents will offer specially guided tours of Thurber House. Picnicking will begin at 6:15 p.m.— guests can order a festive catered dinner from Thurber House or pack their own. The reading will begin at 7:15 p.m.

    All dinner reservations must be made by 4PM the Monday before the reading. Reading-only tickets are sold in advance and at the door. After 6PM, parking is free at the meters along Jefferson Avenue.

    For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 614/464-1032 or visit http://www.thurberhouse.org/events/picnics.html
     
     
    11. THE JOY OF BOOKMAKING: CREATING AND EXPRESSING

    Saturday, July 31 from 10:00PM to 4:00PM
    Sanctuary for The Arts
    8641 Porter Central Rd (Sunbury)
    Fee: $95 ($90 (before July 19)

    This class continues the series Encounters in Holistic Literacy: The Joy of Bookmaking. Adding poems, prose, jottings to a handmade book connects the book artist to the reader and enhances the joy of bookmaking for both artist and reader. The remaining two of three distinct bookmaking workshops are open for registration. The workshops cater to various interest levels but are not cumulative and no prior experience is necessary.

    Learn how to create a sewn hardbound book in the European tradition (nearly 2,000 years old) while exploring expressive methods for incorporating your unique content. Discovering ways to enable the book artist to subtly and quietly connect with the reader will be the joyful encounter in this holistic literacy workshop.

    Please bring existing content of your own creation (a poem or small piece of prose) to integrate into your book or use thematically. Your finished handmade book may be suitable as an heirloom journal and album. These techniques can be adapted as well to create displayable book art.

    There is no prerequisite for this advanced level workshop although previous fabric sewing and knife cutting skills are helpful.

    For registration details go to www.Sanctuary-for-The-Arts.com.
     
     
    12. WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT with NITA SWEENEY

    Saturday, August 7 from 9AM to 3PM
    UA Senior Center
    1945 Ridgeview Road
    $45.00 for UA residents; $50.00 for non-residents

    Does that nasty inner critic keep you from writing? If so, spend a day doing writing practice with Nita Sweeney, freelance writer and long-time student of Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones, Wild Mind). “Writing practice,” reduces stress around writing, increases productivity, and tames the inner critic. In-class writing practice, optional reading with no critique and short periods of meditation help students access their wild writing minds. No previous writing or meditation experience is necessary. Course content varies to accommodate returning students. Bring a pen, a notebook, and an open mind for a day filled with creative fun! Class schedule includes a one-hour lunch break.

    Register one of three ways:

    1. Call 614-583-5333 between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM weekdays to register using your VISA or MasterCard.
    2. Online using MasterCard or VISA. Call 614-583-5333 first to get a username and password
    3. Print and fill out a registration form and mail or drop it off (with a check or money order) at Lifelong Learning & Leisure, 3600 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43221

     
     
    13. SHARON DAVIES - THURBER HOUSE LITERARY PICNIC

    Wednesday, August 11, picnic begins at 6:15PM; Reading at 7PM
    Thurber House
    77 Jefferson Ave.
    Rain Location: State Auto Insurance - 518 E. Broad Street.
    Tickets for reading and picnic $20; reading only $10.

    The John C. Elem/Vorys Sater Designated Professor of Law at OSU’s Moritz College of Law, Sharon Davies will read from her new book Rising Road: A True Tale of Love, Race, and Religion in America. It is a harrowing look at the all but forgotten murder of Father Coyle in 1912 Alabama, and the trial that followed.

    Starting at 5:20, the Thurber House Young Docents will offer specially guided tours of Thurber House. Picnicking will begin at 6:15 p.m.— guests can order a festive catered dinner from Thurber House or pack their own. The reading will begin at 7:15 p.m.

    All dinner reservations must be made by 4PM the Monday before the reading. Reading-only tickets are sold in advance and at the door. After 6PM, parking is free at the meters along Jefferson Avenue.

    For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 614/464-1032 or visit http://www.thurberhouse.org/events/picnics.html
     
     
    14. AMANDA FLOWERS and AVERY AAMES DISCUSSION and SIGNING

    Wednesday, August 11 at 7PM
    Foul Play Mystery Bookshop
    27 E. College Ave. (Westerville)

    Join mystery authors Amanda Flowers (Maid of Murder) and Avery Aames (The Long Quiche Goodbye) for a discussion and book signing.

    For more information contact the bookstore at foulplaybk@aol.com or 614 818-CLUE.
     
     

    Last modified: June 27, 2010 @ 6:10 pm