EVENTS IN ANCHORAGE
UAA Bookstore
Monday, June 6 from 11:30am-1:30pm | 5 Authors, 5 Genres | at the UAA Campus Bookstore
Authors Bonnye Matthews, C.M. McCoy, Steven Levi, Sharon Emmerichs and Alyse Knorr share their work in various literary genres. Prehistoric fiction, mystery, fantasy, romance and poetry are on the agenda.
• Bonnye Matthews, Winds of Change Series: Ki'ti's Story, 75,000 BC, Manak-na's Story, 75,000 BC, Zamimolo's Story, 50,000 BC, Tuksook's Story, 35,000 BC, and The SealEaters, 20,000 BC. (Prehistoric Fiction)
• C.M. McCoy (Colleen Oefelein), Eerie (Alaskan Romance)
• Steven Levi, Deadmen Do Come Back (Alaska Gold Rush murder mystery)
• Sharon Emmerichs, The Penny Prophecy and Turning a Blind Eye. (SciFi/Fantasy)
Assistant Professor of Shakespeare at UAA English Department. --under pseudonym Emma Sharon Rich.
• Alyse Knorr, Super Mario Bros. 3, Copper Mother and Annotated Glass (Poetry)
UAA English Department.
Everyone is invited to come for readings, book signings and discussion. Free parking in the South Lot, Sports Complex NW Lot, West Campus Central Lot , Sports Campus West Lot. For more information contact Rachel Epstein at 786-4782 or repstein2@uaa.alaska.edu
Tuesday, June 7 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the UAA Campus Bookstore
Movie Making and Documentary, Alaska Style
What is changing in the Alaska movie scene? How are documentaries about Alaska and by Alaskans created, distributed and stored? Is there an Alaska style? Lael Morgan, Kim Rich, Francine Lastufka Taylor, Carolyn Robinson, and David Holthouse discuss the Alaska film world.
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Lael Morgan is an accomplished author, teacher, journalist and publisher. She co-established Epicenter Press and is the author of 16 books. In addition to her many accomplishments and awards is the title Alaska Historian of the Year.
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Kim Rich is a writer and teacher. Her highly acclaimed memoir Johnny’s Girl : A Daughter's Memoir of Growing Up In Alaska's Underworld was made into a television movie starring Treat Williams.
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Francine Lastufka Taylor created the Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association (AMIPA) in 1991. Today the collection, with over 17,000 items, serves as a public treasure chest of Alaska history and art. Francine’s numerous accomplishments include establishing the Alaska Native Arts Festival, 1966-1972 and being a recipient of the Alaska Press Women’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Carolyn Robinson is owner of Sprocket Heads, LLC., Alaska’s only high-end production, production services and post company in Alaska. Among her numerous documentary projects is the award-winning film, Aleut Story, for which she secured public broadcasting distribution, cash, and in-kind contributions. Carolyn also produced the documentary Alaska’s Bush Pilots: On Location with Jared Leto, a nationally syndicated and internationally distributed documentary
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David Holthouse is a notable Alaskan journalist and writer. He is working on a five-part documentary series on the Anchorage Police Department in the 1970’s and is a contributor to the Magnetic North: The Alaskan Character, a series of documentaries produced with the AHF that is due out in 2017.
Free parking in the South Lot, Sports Complex NW Lot, West Campus Central Lot, Sports Campus West Lot. For more information contact Rachel Epstein at 786-4782 or repstein2@uaa.alaska.edu.
June 3rd, 7 pm, at Anchorage Museum | Brendan Jones, author of The Alaskan Laundry, will talk about his book and sign copies. Free admission.
Wednesday, June 15 from 4:00pm-6:00pmat the UAA Campus Bookstore
Author Brendan Jones presents Alaskan Laundry | Brendan Jones works in commercial fishing and lives in Sitka, Alaska. A Stegner fellow at Stanford University, he also studied and boxed at Oxford University. His literary work has appeared in the New York Times, Ploughshares, and on NPR. Alaskan Laundryhas been described as a “gorgeous and powerful novel that succeeds both as a page-turning adventure story and an evocative exploration of the meaning of home." (Molly Antopol, author of The UnAmericans). At this event, writer and author Brendan Jones reads and discusses Alaskan Laundry where “a fierce, lost young woman finds herself through the hard work of fishing and the stubborn love of real friendship”. Free parking in the South Lot, Sports Complex NW Lot, West Campus Central Lot, Sports Campus West Lot. For more information contact Rachel Epstein at 786-4782 or repstein2@uaa.alaska.edu.
Bear Stories
Thursday, June 9, evening show, time TBA at Bear Tooth Theatrepub
Music by Todd Grebe & Cold Country | Tickets: $12, available May 24
Hosted by the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) with Arctic Entries volunteers and Bear Tooth. Proceeds benefit bear conservations.
EVENTS AROUND ALASKA
Readings & Book Signing
Author Brendan Jones will read from his new novel, The Alaskan Laundry, in several communities
June 02 Homer Public Library, 6 pm, Homer
June 03 The Anchorage Museum 7 pm, Anchorage
June 04 Juneau Public Library Mendenhall Valley, 6 pm Juneau
June 13 Fireside Books, 5 pm Palmer
June 15 University of Alaska Anchorage Bookstore, 4 pm Anchorage
HOMER
Thursday, June 9th, 7 pm, Island and Ocean Visitor Center
Novelist, Science writer and theoretical physicist Alan Lightman and UAA professor of astronomy and deep space photographer Dr. Travis Rector present What Do We Know (And What Do We Not Know) About the Universe?
FAIRBANKS
The Fairbanks Arts Association is the host of the oldest Literary Reading in the State. Every month, the public is treated to writers reading their own work and a community meet-up where people can connect with other lovers of literature. Readings are held on the day after First Friday, usually the first Saturday of the month at 7 pm. Most reading are held in the Bear Gallery in Pioneer Park, although occasionally in the summer (June, July, and August) the weather is beautiful reading are held outside to another spot in Pioneer Park.
Upcoming:
June 4: Community Writers Group and Alaska Writers Guild
July 9: Nicole Stellon O’Donnell
August 6: Paul Greci
September: UAF Faculty Reading
October: TBA
November: TBA
December: Rosemary McGuire
Additional readings and literary events may be held, but the First Saturday Literary Reading Series will always be at 7 pm the day after First Friday (Except February).
SOUTHCENTRAL, MAT-SU, KENAI PENINSULA
49 Writers is pleased to partner with the Machetanz Arts Festival at the Mat-Su College on June 4 and 5 to facilitate six writing workshops and two panel discussions. Register for individual workshops/panels, or bundle Day One, Day Two, or both days. Lunches by Turkey Red available for pre-purchase as well. Register today!
Full schedule:
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Session I (9:30 – 11:30 am)
Julie LeMay | Finding Yourself in a Poem
While focusing on poetic techniques like metaphor and repetition, this workshop will use writing exercises to create poems about the self. Whether you’re a beginning or experienced poet, you’ll find this workshop a playful approach to getting some poems on the page. Open to all levels.
Session II (12:30 – 2:30 pm)
Alyse Knorr | How Shall I Begin? Starting Your Piece with a Bang
How do writers keep readers reading? What’s the best way to begin your short story, novel, memoir, or poem to set the mood, establish themes, and introduce conflict? This workshop will explore the art of beginnings, introductions, and first words. We will look at some top-notch examples, work through craft exercises, and finish class with several new beginnings and approaches to beginnings!
Session III (2:45 – 4:45 pm)
Don Rearden | The Sphere of Writing
Learn how to advance your fiction and nonfiction to the next level by giving your writing a 360-degree transformation. In this workshop you'll be guided through a series of fun writing prompts that will help you understand and see the world your characters live in a new light. Learn how to craft complex and detailed environments and watch your characters come to life within their new realm of existence.
Panel Discussion (5 – 6:30 pm)
Panel: Julie LeMay, Alyse Knorr, Don Rearden | "You've Written Something, Now What?"
You’ve written your masterpiece, now what? This panel will explore the different ways to get feedback on your written work and how to decide where to submit your work for publication. We’ll discuss literary journals, agents, developmental editors, and all the behind-the-scenes work you need to accomplish between your first draft and getting your words in front of readers.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Session I (9:30 – 11:30 am)
Lynn Lovegreen | Playing With Description
Good writers use description to set the scene or reveal character. We’ve all read a great line or sentence that describes perfectly, or cringed when a writer does too much or not enough. But how do we do that effectively? This workshop will explore description through reading and discussing examples, playing around with writing exercises, and finding what works for the writer in a specific audience, genre, and style.
Session II (12:30 – 2:30 pm)
Martha Amore | Capturing Character: The Mechanics of Writing Great Characters in Fiction and Nonfiction
Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, crafting complex and emotionally moving characters is critical to a successful piece of writing. This workshop focuses on how to develop your characters while advancing your story.
Session III (2:45 – 4:45 pm)
Susanna Mishler | Walking the Line
What exactly is a poetic line made of? What difference does it make where the line "breaks"? In this workshop participants will examine lines by contemporary English-language poets that are used to achieve very different effects. We will also experiment with lineation strategies and types with in-class exercises. Our exercises and guided discussion will help illuminate what makes a strong poetic line, and how an understanding of poetic lines can enhance our own writing and reading. Suitable for poets and prose writers, as well as readers, who would like to broaden their knowledge of poetic craft.
Panel Discussion (5 – 6:30 pm)
Panel: Lynn Lovegreen, Susanna Mishler, Martha Amore | Writing About Alaska Without Moose
How do you write authentically about a place that has inspired so much clichéd literature? We’ll explore how to develop written work imbued with place that doesn’t descend into overly-familiar themes and images.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS
Literary, literacy award nominations due May 31
Nominations are being accepted for 2016 Contributions to Literacy in Alaska (CLIA) Awards. The program is a statewide effort to recognize people and agencies who support literature and literacy in the north. The awards, presented by Alaska Center for the Book annually since 1993, honor individuals and institutions who have made a significant contribution to literacy efforts, to the literary arts, or preservation of the written or spoken word in Alaska. Past winners include librarians, teachers, writers, tutors, learning programs, volunteers and others dedicated to making the world a better place through the gift of language. Last years’ winners were historian Dee Longenbaugh of Juneau: Barrow author Debby Dahl Edwardson; Dr. Edna McLean of Anchorage, author of an Inupiaq-English dictionary; and “Alaska Spirit of Reading,” a literacy program based in Sitka.
Although the initial deadline was in April, the deadline has been extended to May 31. Nomination forms are available on-line at Alaska Center for the Book’s web site, http://www.alaskacenterforthebook.org or by calling 907-786-4379.
Awards will be presented in July during the University of Alaska’s Northern Renaissance Arts and Sciences reading series, held in conjunction with UAA’s MFA program in Creative Writing.
Alaska Center for the Book is Alaska’s affiliate to the Library of Congress Center for the Book. The non-profit, all-volunteer board partners with literary, educational, arts and humanities organizations to host and sponsor events across the state, including Reading Rendezvous, Alaska Reads, Poems in Place, Letters About Literature and more.
Contact: Carol Sturgulewski (907) 764-1604
Seeking Storytellers | On the evening of Thursday, June 9, the International Association for Bear Research and Management is hosting a Bear Storytelling Night at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub. The format will be inspired by Arctic Entries. The theme for the show is bears: bear encounters, bear lessons, bear observations, bear obsessions, bear ANYTHING. Bear biologists, Alaskans of all ages, visitors, anyone who has a good bear tale – are welcome to tell us their best bear stories!
Arctic Entries volunteers will help with story selection and story coaching for the show. This event will feature seven storytellers who will be selected based on the range of stories submitted – from the funny to the scary, adorable to the bizarre, and everything in between. Once a story is submitted, they will follow up either in person, on the phone, or through email. Arctic Entries volunteers will work with you on developing the story, fleshing out the parts that elicit a range of reactions from the audience, and finding a storytelling technique that works for you.
We also provide assistance with stage fright. Please submit stories to submityourbearstory@gmail.com. Include your name, email address, and phone number along with your story pitch. Thank you!
Seeking Writers and Photographers for New Alaska Food Magazine
Edible Alaska, a new magazine focused on food culture and practices in Alaska, will hit the newsstands in June. Currently they are getting ready to launch their website with lots of new content. They seek writers, photographers, recipe writers, and local chefs (who want to be a resource to them).
Article pitches should fall (loosely) into the categories: eat, drink, and food for thought. Web articles will be between 250-400 words and will pay about $50 per piece and an additional $25 for an accompanying photograph. The rate is somewhat negotiable for more experienced writers/photographers and for longer pieces.
They seek original recipes that can include your standard recipe and a "how-to" video. They are not looking for another profile about a great microbrewery or reviews of well-known restaurants. They want to expand what people know and think about food (and food culture) in Alaska while creating an archive of food practices throughout the state (both urban and rural).
Please email your pitch to bree@edibleak.com with the subject line: Edible Article Pitch. Please include in your pitch sample writing clips, if you have any. The magazine is particularly interested in recruiting writers from outside of Anchorage and writers who live in rural/bush areas of the state. Don't let a lack of writing experience deter you from pitching a story, they are interested in cultivating new writers who have great stories to share.”
CONFERENCES, AWARDS, RETREATS & RESIDENCIES
The fifteenth Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference will be held on June 10-14 in Homer. This year's keynote is Pulitzer Prize winning, National Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey, who will be joined by Miriam Altshuler (agent), Dan Beachy-Quick, Richard Chiappone, Jennine Capó Crucet, Alison Hawthorne Deming, Forrest Gander, Lee Goodman, Richard Hoffman, Erin Coughlin Hollowell, Sarah Leavitt, Nancy Lord, Jane Rosenman (editor), Peggy Shumaker, Sherry Simpson, Frank Soos, and David Stevenson. For more information and to register go to the website
Register now for the 2016 Tutka Bay Writers Retreat, a 49 Writers program which will take place on September 9-11, 2016 at the fantastic Tutka Bay Lodge. Faculty instructor award-winning writer Debra Magpie Earling will lead fiction writers in an in-depth writing workshop. Emphasizing in-class writing supportiveness, collegiality, and constructive atmosphere, the engaged student will emerge with improved techniques for further work. Early registration fee is $600 for members and $650 for nonmembers. Learn more and register.
Wrangell Mountains Writing Workshop's Riversong float trip July 20-26, 2016in beautiful McCarthy, Alaska and the surrounding Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve.
This year's workshop features a dynamic staff including poet, essayist and singer/songwriter David Lynn Grimes; professional singer/songwriter Michelle McAfee; visual artist, writer, and songwriter Robin Child; and longstanding workshop director, poet, and essayist Nancy Cook. The workshop will include two nights and a full day of craft sessions at the Wrangell Mountains Center in McCarthy, followed by a four night educational float trip along the Kennicott, Nizina, Chitina, and Copper Rivers. $975 includes all meals, instruction, and guided river trip with McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters. Check out the smiles in last year's Riversong album, or paddle on over to the Wrangell Mountain Center's website to register. Workshop limited to eight student writers/songwriters. Register now!
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