November 1st, 2011
"I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil."
—Truman Capote
Welcome to the latest installment of the Grub Street Rag, a newsletter of the Boston literary scene brought to you every Monday (except when we're cashing in comp time) from the trick-or-treating savants at Grub Street's world headquarters. As always, if you are receiving this email in horror, please advance to the bottom of the page to unsubscribe yourself.
An Evening With Grub Street took place last Tuesday, and if you were one of the ninety guests that attended the intimate event, we hope you agree that it was a fun and inspiring night. Featured authors Tayari Jones, Anita Shreve, and Gregory Maguire shared some great stories and readings with us that reminded us all why we like to write (and why we don't write alone). The drinks and conversation were flowing, and we were so excited to see our wonderful Director's Circle members mingling with friends old and new. The evening wouldn't have been possible without the insight, support, vision, and hard work of our Board of Directors, our Development Committee, our incredible volunteers and our staff — thanks to everyone involved. (Pictures and other updates coming soon!)
We are very pleased to announce that Wendy Call of Seattle, WA has won our 2011 National Book Prize in Non-Fiction for her collection, No Word for Welcome: The Mexican Village Faces the Global Economy published by The University of Nebraska Press. Ms. Call will receive $1,000 and will give a public reading and a craft class the weekend of May 5-6, 2012 as part of her guest author role at the Muse and the Marketplace literary conference. Of No Word for Welcome, head juror Michelle Seaton wrote: “[This book] cuts through the rhetoric of globalization to show what happens to a community when the government, abetted by international industrial interests, threatens build a superhighway through farmland and to turn ancient fishing waters into shrimp farms, ostensibly for the good of all. In beautiful prose, Wendy Call profiles a teacher, a fisherman and several activists in the region in order to show how even the threat of change can divide a community. Through her travels in the region, she documents its history, as well as the economic and cultural differences among its peoples.” Click here for the full citation, as well as information on our new National Book Prize. Grub Street also warmly congratulates two finalists: Don’t Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life, by Sandra Beasley (Crown Publishing) and The Riots by Daniele Cadena Deulen (University of Georgia Press). All of these books are available to be borrowed from the Grub Street library. We remain ever grateful to the anonymous donor who makes the Grub Street Book Prize possible. Cheers,
Whitney, Sonya, Eve, Chris, Rowan and Sean
The P.S. Our friends over at Ploughshares have just announced program-only tickets for its awesome upcoming event with Denis Leary, Alice Hoffman, Sue Miller and other fabulous writers and celebrities. We encourage all Grubbies to check it out and support the journal at its 40th Anniversary celebration. See the “Spreading the Love” section for details!
In addition to our ongoing workshops, Grub Street offers numerous writing-related events around town. See our website for a long-term view of all we do.
FREE EVENT: Saturday, November 5th, 10:30am-12:30pm, How to Promote Yourself
Join media educator Jon Ebinger to hear tips and suggestions for how to grow interest in your book and literary projects. Jon will discuss how to present yourself in multi-media formats, how to advocate on your own behalf, and how to more fully utilize your existing media toolbox. This program is open to all, and should appeal most to first time authors, writers about to self-publish, as well as those looking to gain additional insight on the tools employed to enhance your potential. Jon will offer a series of short presentations with time for Q&A.
Instructor: Jon Ebinger
FREE, Grub Street HQ.
LUNCHTIME WRITING: Wednesday, November 9th, 12:30-1:15pm, Brown Bag Lunch Series
Do you work downtown and want to fit some writing into your day? Or do you have a schedule that gives you free afternoons instead of evenings? Bring your lunch and come on over to Grub Street for a Brown Bag Writing Workshop – a series recently profiled in the Boston Globe. For 45 minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some cool writing exercises. Led by one of our award-winning instructors or ambassadors. Best of all, you’ll leave lunch with some new ideas to ponder for the rest of your day...and beyond. No need to RSVP-- just come!
Instructor: Tom Meek
FREE, Grub Street HQ.
FREE LECTURE: Thursday, November 10th, 6:30-8:30pm, An Evening With Barry Eisler
Barry Eisler recently shocked the publishing world when he turned down a half-million-dollar advance from a traditional publisher in order to self-publish his next two novels. Since then, he has been outspoken and optimistic about the unprecedented choices writers have in the new world of publishing: legacy, indie, and hybrid. A strong advocate of writers taking advantage of their new opportunities and determining their own fate, Mr. Eisler will talk for roughly 30-45 minutes and then take questions. A book-signing will follow. Part of Grub Street’s "Publish It Forward: Writers and Industry Pioneers Leading Change" 2011-2012 Lecture Series, sponsored by the NEA.
Instructor: Barry Eisler
*SOLD OUT*
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Saturday-Sunday, November 12-13th, 10:00am-5:00pm, The Murky Middle
"Writing the middle of a novel can feel, for many writers, like being lost in the forest with neither a breadcrumb trail nor a compass. You know where you want to end up, but are not sure how to get there. If you’ve written at least 50 pages and feel lost in the murky middle of your novel, this class will help you forge a path toward the story’s climax. Through intensive in-class exercises and brainstorming as well as an overnight assignment, you will leave on Sunday afternoon with a new mid-novel scene, and a possible path out of the forest.
Please come to class with 12 copies of both the first paragraph of your novel and a plot outline of what you’ve written so far, broken down chapter by chapter. We will be working with these outlines in class. "
Instructor: Lisa Borders
$220/$195.00 members, Grub Street HQ.
*4 SPOTS LEFT*
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Saturday, November 12th, 10:00am-5:00pm, Query Clinic: Section 1
A one-day intensive session on query letters. For the first half of the class, agent Sorche Fairbank of Fairbank Literary will take the class through the shelf-life of a query, dissect its four most important components, diagram the essential elements of a query’s synopsis, identify the five most common mistakes authors make in their queries, give insight and tips on how to stand out in the slushpile, and provide a review of a laundry list of query Dos and Don’ts. After covering all the basics, the instructor will hand back students’ queries, with notes on recommended changes. Students will have time to rework their query in class, by hand or by laptop, and then the instructor will lead a group critique of each reworked query with the class. Amazing changes are expected. By the close of the class, students should expect to have a strong query letter that gets an agent’s attention, and will have take home notes and class handouts. Open to all levels, all genres.
Important: Please prepare and email to rowan@grubstreet.org no later than noon on Monday, November 7th, a query letter of no more than 400 words for the instructor, who will provide comments and edits on the query for use in class, and as a take-home reference.
For Class: Bring two copies of your query, and means to work on revisions (pen and paper, or laptop).
Instructor: Sorche Fairbank
$115/$95.00 members, Grub Street HQ.
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Saturday, November 12th, 10:00am-5:00pm, From Poems to Book: Shaping the Poetry Manuscript
Do you have a pile of poems you’re trying to shape into a collection? Have you ordered and reordered your poems but still failed to find your way to a structured book or chapbook manuscript you feel ready to submit to contests and/or publishers? Come join a group of poets who are at the same stage as you as we develop strategies for envisioning and creating your book manuscript. In this hands-on class we’ll read articles, examine published books, and engage in exercises and workshop activities that let you begin to think of your manuscript as a whole. We’ll also discuss the book contest system versus directly submitting to publishers. Students working on chapbooks or full length manuscripts are welcome, but all students must have at least 20 pages of poems to work with for the workshop.
Instructor: Rebecca Morgan Frank
$115/$95.00 members, Grub Street HQ.
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Saturday, November 12th, 10:00am-5:00pm, Think Small, Think Smart: How to Publish Beyond the Big Houses
For many reasons, new and established writers are moving their publications to smaller presses. Join an industry professional for an intensive discussion on alternatives to larger presses. General topics will include how to make yourself appealing to small presses, how to approach them, handle contract issues, market/promote, handle your book tour in line with your book distribution, and make your readings successful. Specifically, we will address manuscripts that have been completed by students and are near to ready for submission to a press.
To do this, send a one-page synopsis of your book, with any history of earlier submissions, to rowan@grubstreet.org no later than 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 9th (note: earlier submissions will allow for a better review). Time will be allotted to discuss each manuscript, where it may be submitted, and if any adjustments need to be made in order to increase the chance of acceptance.
Guest speaker Michael Schiavone, author of the recent novel Call Me When You Land, will be appearing to discuss his experiences with publishing with a small press. Though helpful, it's not necessary to have a finished manuscript to take advantage of this class's information.
Instructor: Tara L. Masih
$115/$95.00 members, Grub Street HQ.
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Saturday, November 12th, 10:00am-5:00pm, The Time of Your Life
One of the keys to success in writing is using your time properly. That can be tough when you have a job, family, home or other major commitments – and when occupational hazards like procrastination and writer’s block rear their ugly heads. The good news is that all of these issues can be addressed once you’ve figured out the root causes of your time “issues” and applied some practical strategies to address them. (Hint: it’s not that you’re lazy or uncommitted—so stop blaming yourself! Another hint: it is not so difficult to create and stick to a time “budget” and schedule that will help you achieve your goals.) Author Hillary Rettig (The Lifelong Activist) will help you achieve these goals with two three-hour seminars offered on the same day: “Time Management” first, then a lunch break, then “Stop Procrastinating!” The best news of all is that once a writer actually starts solving his or her procrastination problems or blocks and starts managing his/her time better, change can happen amazingly fast!
Instructor: Hillary Rettig
$115/$95.00 members, Grub Street HQ.
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Sunday, November 13th, 10:00am-5:00pm, Historical Fiction (Without All the Extra Buttons)
Historical novels, at their worst, can feel like veritable textbooks, laden with obscure details about fashion trends, hinges, and salted cod. So what’s a writer to do with all the ‘information’ she’s worked so hard to gather? We’ll look at examples of great literary historical fiction, discuss how and why it works, and practice our own hand at flushing out the excess and focusing on what’s really important: the story.
Instructor: Anna Solomon
*Sorry, this class is sold out. Please click here to be put on a waiting list.*
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Sunday, November 13th, 10:00am-5:00pm, Query Clinic: Section 2
See description of Section 1, above.
Instructor: Sorche Fairbank
$115/$95.00 members, Grub Street HQ.
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: Sunday, November 13th, 10:00am-5:00pm, Haiku Intensive
Often misrepresented or only partially understood, the heart of Haiku contains many lessons for poets in its compacted form: image, metaphor, enjambment, attention, word choice, and silence. This intensive will survey the history and core principles while reading ancient and contemporary examples. By the end of the day you will be equipped to incorporate the powerful discipline of haiku into your life, using it to hone your poetic practice and increase your daily awareness.
Instructor: Janaka Stucky
$115/$95.00 members, Grub Street HQ.
Be sure to check out our website for a comprehensive view of upcoming events.
Grub Street wants to promote YOU! Please send events for consideration to whitney@grubstreet.org. Bonus points and undying gratitude for submitting your event info in the same format as the events below. Our apologies in advance if we cannot fit you in. Please note that we do the best we can to evaluate requests, and do privilege requests from members, but cannot be held responsible for the quality of these events and programs or the legitimacy of contests. We expect that readers will do their own due diligence before sending their work or their money to any individual or organization
--READING AND PARTY: Saturday, November 5th, 2PM, Small Press Saturday
Join us for a celebration of small press and indie publishing with the editors and readings by select contributors from McSweeney's/826, Last Light Studio, Melville House, Hanging Loose Press, Muumuu House, and Madras Press. Readings by Christopher Boucher, Mark Pawlak, and (Grub Instructor) Jane Roper. Hosted by Sumanth Prabhaker, founder of Madras Press.
FREE, Newtonville Books, 296 Walnut St., Newtonville, MA
--READING: Monday, November 7th, 2011, 6:30 p.m., The Short Story: What I Do for Love with Edith Pearlman, hosted by the National Writers Union
Pearlman has just been announced as one of the finalists for this year’s National Book Award in fiction for her fourth collection, Binocular Vision: New and Selected Short Stories. She will share her approaches to writing engaging short fiction, and will share “the five promises I make to my readers.” Her first three story collections won impressive awards: Vaquita (Drue Heinz Prize for Literature), Love Among the Greats (Spokane Annual Fiction Prize), How to Fall (Mary McCarthy Prize).
The presentation begins at 7:00; come at 6:30 for networking and to help us celebrate the National Writers Union’s thirtieth anniversary.
FREE, Longfellow House, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge
(a few blocks from Harvard Square)
--BOOK RELEASE : Wednesday, Nov 9th, 8pm, Conversations with Jonathan Lethem
Come celebrate the release of CONVERSATIONS WITH JONATHAN LETHEM, edited by Jaime Clarke. Jonathan will be on hand and there'll be limited free copies of the book.
FREE, Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St., Cambridge
--TALK: Thursday, November 10th, 7pm, Want to get published in literary magazines? Editor Becky Tuch will tell you how
The landscape of literary magazines can be overwhelming. With over 1,000 journals on the market, how does any writer know where to submit work? Which journals are prestigious and which ones are sure to become obsolete? In which magazines do literary agents look for new talent? What are the advantages of publishing online? What goes in a cover letter? On Thursday, November 10th, Becky Tuch, founding editor of The Review Review, will talk about lit mag publishing, offering tips, answering questions, and providing a framework for publishing success. Event sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council.
FREE, Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143.
--PARTY: Monday, November 14th, 2011, 5:30 – 7:30pm, Denis Leary Hosts Ploughshares 40th Anniversary Celebration
Don’t miss this chance to mingle with Boston’s literary luminaries and exciting celebrity guests and celebrate one of the most important magazines in the country. You will hear short readings and tributes from Alice Hoffman, Sue Miller, Wally Lamb, Andre Dubus III, Dennis Lehane, Pamela Painter, Joan Parker (for Robert B. Parker), Ming Tsai, Cam Neely and many others. Before the readings, enjoy an intimate cocktail reception with the presenters. All proceeds will benefit Boston-based Ploughshares. Hosted by the inimitable Denis Leary!
$50 program tickets/$250 VIP tickets, Paramount Theatre, Boston. More details and tickets here: https://www.pshares.org/subscriptions/40yearsevent.cfm#reserve
--CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Zip-Code Stories project run by The Drum Literary Magazine
The Drum Literary Magazine and WBUR's Radio Boston want your 500-word story (fiction or not) from these four zip codes: Somerville's 02144, Lowell's 01851, Framingham's 01702, and Salem's 01970. Send your story by November 10th, and they'll feature the best one or two on an upcoming Radio Boston show. You can submit stories in audio form through the Broadcastr app (which also lets you map the audio to the spot within the zip code), The Drum's submission manager, or in hard copy to WBUR's Radio Boston. For more info, click here.
Welcome to the end of the e-mail, where like eating raisins in the twilight, we offer you the chance to win a prize. This novelist and short story writer also considered being a professional baseball player and was famous for being able to catch baseballs barehanded. Email your answer to whitney@grubstreet.org. The first correct respondent wins a Starbucks gift card for a coffee treat.
Last week's trivia: Bob Kane, who created Batman, was born on October 24th, 1916, and was encouraged by his father to be a cartoonist. Winner: Jessica Albrecht.
