Writers-helping-writers Salon meets the third Monday of each month from 7 to 9 PM at HQ Gallery, 333 First Street in Benicia
To attend please RSVP to lois@requist.com
Since September, writers have been meeting, talking about their needs, and reading pieces they’ve written for comments and critique. While some of this writing has been in response to prompts, others have brought something they are currently working on.
Publishing is such a large issue! We’re attacking it in bits and pieces. Three people with considerable experience have shared what has happened to them in the process of being published. One woman who had her book published through a company she paid to publish it, brought the book and advised us not to use that company. The group will likely close once we have 6-8 regular members. Another group may start. The cost is $10 per session for nonmembers, or with a $40 annual membership, the sessions are free.
The Memoir Writing Group has been meeting for over a year.
The group reads and offers suggestions and criticisms of each other’s work. Meets the first and third Fridays of each month from 10 am to noon. Membership is limited. To inquire about attending please write to to lois@requist.com
Benicia First Tuesday Poets' Group
Where: Benicia Public Library 150 East L. St. The meeting is held in the Dona Benicia Room.
When: The first Tuesday of every month, except there is no meeting in July.
Time: 6:45-8:45 pm. The meeting is facilitated by the current poet laureate (Johanna Ely). People are invited to share their poetry, or just come and listen. This is free, and open to the public.
First Sunday Poetry Series at Rosanna's European Delights
Where: 305 First St. Benicia
When: The first Sunday of every month, unless the Sunday falls on a holiday.
Time: 2-4pm
This series is hosted by Johanna Ely. Every month, there is a featured poet, followed by an open mic.
Busy Spring Into Summer With Publishing and Events for
Benicia Literary Arts
Publishing of three books this year and hosting many events for writers, Benicia Literary Arts has a full schedule. We encourage anyone interested in writing to join for learning and support.
Working with Poet Laureate, Johanna Ely, and the First Tuesday Poets, the literary group has published Light and Shadow, an anthology of poetry which includes the work of 37 poets, including posthumous entries by three poets who were very active with poetry—Joel Fallon and Robert Shelby, both past poet laureates, and Frances Jackson.
The next publication, later in May, will be Lois Requist’s novel, Late Harvest Green…an Idaho Farm Family Through the 20th Century. The novel has received a rave review from Editor-in-Chief, Mary Eichbauer, who compares it to Thorton Wilder’s Our Town, as it “recreates a unique time and place. The unchanging mountains, the taste of a ripe peach, the scent and heft of the soil—all act as talismans to draw you deep into a vanished world whose riches are fleeting, and very real.” Joel Fallon also reviewed the book and said, “This tale of a family’s relationship with the land and the interaction of family members is destined to become an American classic.”
An early June reading and book signing is expected with details to follow soon.
On the event side of things, the Writers-Helping-Writers Salons continue at HQ Gallery on the third Monday of each month. Other writing groups meet regularly. And the addition of Jim White, who has numerous publications including Chassy. Borders in Paradise is expected out this fall.
For pictures from the recent Light and Shadow book release event go to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/BeniciaLiteraryArts.
