Fresh out of her MFA at the School of the Art Institute, StoryStudio freelance magazine writing instructor Erin O’Neil has two readings coming up next week.

Come see Erin at the Quickies Chicago reading series on Tuesday, May 13, at the Innertown Pub (1935 W. Thomas).  And then, for more O’Neil action, check her out at the Powell’s North readings series on Thursday, May 15, where she’ll be reading with poet Dan Beachy-Quick. 

Congrats on receiving your MFA, Erin, and good luck at the readings!

We love when Zelda comes to town because she always makes time to come by StoryStudio and share some of her wisdom. In fact, she’ll be here teaching a 1-night class called “Write It & Get It Published.” in March.

We’re clapping our hands today because she was just announced as a special pick with the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Read the details:

LaVenson Press
P.O. Box 1432
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 819-4910


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) has announced the winners of the 2008 BCALA Literary Awards. The fiction Honor Book winner is “Cold Running Creek” by Zelda Lockhart (LaVenson Press). This powerful and haunting work explores the lives of three generations of women with African American and Native American mixed heritage. Themes of abandonment, isolation, freedom and redemption are interwoven into a gripping account of America’s shameful past during the Pre- and Post-Civil War era. Facing slavery, lynching, rape and murder, Lilly, a half-Black, half-Choctaw woman wrestles with vestiges of her past as she confronts the stark realities of her future.

Lockhart is also author of the award winning novel “Fifth Born,” a Barnes & Noble Discover Award selection, and winner of a Zora Neale Hurston Richard Wright Legacy Foundation Finalist Award for Debut Fiction.

CONGRATULATIONS ZELDA!

We’ve been having our Writing Cafes for a while now and some months it’s pretty busy. But most months, it’s quiet with writers coming in and out throughout the day working with their headphones on.

Since a little shake up is always a good thing, we’re revamping the Cafes and introducing the StoryStudio Write-a-thons!

We did it for Nanowrimo writers and we can do it for you. So stay tuned for more details and get ready to block out four important days in your calendar. And if you want a little preview of some good writin’ mojo, take a look:

Margaret writing on the cozy green sofa.

Instructor Paige tapping away in one of the classrooms

We all know there’s just way too much great writing each year than will fit in a book. That’s why Best American Essays always includes a “notable” list in the back for all the essays that were also fantastic that year.

Well our very own Ranjit Souri, who teaches our Personal Essay class, has made the list! His essay, “Fireworks and Beethoven”, made the list of notable essays in ”The Best American Essays 2007” (edited by David Foster Wallace and Robert Atwan).

If you want to read the essay, here’s a link to the original, which appeared in India Currents magazine:
http://www.indiacurrents.com/

Ranjit was also invited to read the essay on Chicago Public Radio so you can listen to the audio version which is underscored by excerpts
from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony: http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=11791

And here’s a link to the book in case you want to check it out:
Best American Essays 2007

CONGRATULATIONS RANJIT!!

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