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What’s Happening at Writers & Books?
January 2004 Programs & Events
The Bertrand Russell Society
- Thursday January 8, 7 pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free to W&B members, $3 general public
A common misconception is that the BRS is for only those who have special knowledge of or interest in Bertrand Russell. Actually society is much more focused on a large number of intellectual areas, great skill in writing of all sorts from the most esoteric technical material to the most commercial popular writing, and whole-hearted involvement in social and political activism.
Hosted by Dr. David White, this ongoing program promises to be an enlightening and enjoyable experience. Questions about the meetings or the group itself should be directed to
at the University of Rochester Press.
See also: W&B Welcomes the Bertrand Russell Society
 Literary Agent Speaks Out
- One Saturday, January 10, 9 am–Noon
- $36 W&B members / $40 general public
- Instructor: Pattie Steele-Perkins [ bio ]
Here’s your opportunity to talk with a literary agent and get her uncensored point of view about the publishing industry and how it works.
Pattie will discuss and answer questions on the current state of books and why an author needs an agent to sail through today’s turbulent literary waters. Other topics will include making the transition from writer to author, what’s hot and what’s not, the market versus the muse, does your agent have to live in NYC, and “My mother likes my book, why won’t anybody buy it?”
This informational course will benefit anyone looking for an agent, thinking about an agent, or those curious to know more about publishing.
 Creative Approaches to Teaching Peace Like a River
- Saturday January 10, 10 am–Noon
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free and open to the public
- Registration is required by Thursday January 8
- Call
at 585-473-2590 x104 to register
Join W&B’s Director of Youth Education and Outreach Wendy Low for a presentation and discussion of some approaches to teaching Leif Enger’s Peace Like a River, this year’s selection for “If All of Rochester Read the Same Book…”
Discussion will revolve around analyzing writer’s craft; character development; choices and change; social and family issues raised within the text; the use of creative writing assignments in the classroom, and other pertinent information.
This class is geared toward anyone interested in a deeper understanding of the book, especially teachers looking for insight and creative approaches to the learning process.
This is a free program but pre-registration is required. Genesee Reading Series
- Tuesday January 13, 7:30 pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- $3 W&B members, $6 general public
Hosted by M.J. Iuppa [ bio ] with Keven Berends [ bio ] & Jennifer Litt [ bio ]
 Rochester Poets Reading & Open Mike
- Wednesday January 14, 7 pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free and open to the public
Rochester Poets has been a thriving poetry organization in the community since 1922. Their membership includes poets of all ages, interests, and backgrounds. Come to W&B to hear a Rochester Poet read, followed by an open mike program. Hosted by Donna Marbach [ bio ]
LiTalk
- Thursday January 15, 7pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free to members; $3 general public
- No pre-registration required
Joe Flaherty, Executive Director of Writers & Books, addresses Peace Like a River
Book Discussion: Peace Like a River
- Thursday January 15, 7pm
- Ontario Public Library, 1850 Ridge Rd, Ontario [ map ]
- Free and open to the public
- No pre-registration required
- Call 315-524-8381 for more information
Valley Manor Book Club
- Friday January 16, 10–11:30 am
- at Valley Manor, 1570 East Ave [ map ]
- Free and open to the public
- January title to be announced
Join the seniors at Valley Manor for a book discussion led by W&B.
Does an Academic Press Want You?
- One Saturday, January 17, 10–1 pm
- $38 W&B members / $42 general public
- Instructors: Molly Cort [ bio ] & Tim Madigan [ bio ]
Academic presses, usually associated with universities or colleges, are often unexplored possibilities for writers who wish to be published.
In this workshop, the instructors will discuss the process involved in getting a manuscript published by an academic press, from proposal to readers evaluation and board approval, to the editing, typesetting and printing.
- What types of works are scholarly presses looking for?
- How do you prepare a proposal?
- How do you make the publication process go as smoothly as possible?
These and many other questions will be answered.
 2,000 Word Club Open Mike
- Tuesday January 20, 7 pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free and open to the public
This fiction and creative non-fiction open mike lets writers of all levels to read up to 2,000 words of prose in front of an encouraging and enthusiastic audience. Hosted by Len Messineo [ bio ]
See also: Our winter course, The 2,000 Word Club
Abundance Co-Op Book Discussion
- Wednesday January 21, 7 pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free and open to the public
Join us for a discussion of The Future in the Balance, by Walden Bello. Hosted by City Newspaper’s Jack Bradigan Spula.
Book Discussion: Peace Like a River
- Thursday January 22, 1:15-2:30pm
- Monroe Branch Library, 809 Monroe Ave [ map ]
- Free and open to the public
- No pre-registration required
- Call 428-8202 for more information
Thursday Thinkers
Joe Flaherty, Executive Director of Writers & Books, addresses Peace Like a River
 W&B’s Screenplay Salon
- Thursday January 22, 6–9 pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Admission $6 members, $8 non-members
- Contact at 473-2590 x107 for details
Join Democrat and Chronicle film critic Jack Garner for a discussion and screening of a critically acclaimed film. This month:
Throne of Blood
- 1957, Japan, 105 min., B&W
- Directed, edited and produced by Akira Kurosawa
- Screenplay adapted by Akira Kurosawa et. al. from William Shakespeare’s MacBeth
- All Movie Guide
One of the most successful Shakespeare adaptations for the screen, Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood strips away Macbeth’s minor characters and long soliloquies, turns the witch scenes into a strange supernatural encounter, and transforms the Scottish landscape into a misty visage of feudal Japan.
Encouraging Young Writers:
A Workshop for Parents & Educators of Children in K–6th Grade
- One Monday, January 26, 6:30–9 pm
- $17 W&B members / $19 general public
- Instructors: Wendy Low [ bio ] & Naomi Erdman [ bio ]
- Limit: 14
For parents and teachers who want to encourage their elementary school writer(s), this workshop promises to be fun and informative. Discussion will revolve around:
- motivating writers at various ages,
- internal and external obstacles children face to becoming writers,
- recognizing how encouragement differs from pushing,
- respecting the author’s ownership of his/her text,
- creating opportunities for end-product pride,
- recognizing stages in learning to write well,
- recognizing various purposes for writing,
- breaking down the task and setting up processes that ease a writer’s task,
- making sure your child masters “the basics” while not losing creativity, and
- providing opportunities for writers to gain support and experience.
Handouts and a bibliography will be supplied. Hands-on activities will give participants some perspective on what children experience while learning to write. Questions welcome!
Wide Open Mike with Norm Davis
- Tuesday January 27, 7:30 pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free and open to the public
W&B is proud to sponsor Rochester’s longest running open mike program, “Wide Open Mike,” hosted by Norm Davis, local poet and editor of HazMat Review.
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered Open Mike
- Wednesday January 28, 7 pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free and open to the public
The Wilde/Woolf Society presents an informal reading open to everyone. Material will focus on (but is not limited to) LGBT lifestyles and issues. Hosted by Dennis Rosenbaum and published author and W&B instructor Patricia Roth Schwartz [ bio ].
Dakotas on Film Series
Three films that cross genres exploring the landscape of the Dakotas
How the West Was Won (1962) directed by John Ford et al
- Thursday January 29, 7pm
- in the Verb Café at W&B
- Free and open to the public
- No pre-registration required
Writing for Trade Magazines
- One Saturday, January 31, 10 am–2 pm
- $36 W&B members / $40 general public
- Instructor: Mary Anne Donovan [ bio ]
Times are tough for freelancers these days, but the trade magazine market can provide interesting opportunities for enthusiastic, motivated, and tenacious writers.
- What opportunities are out there?
- How do you find them?
- How do you break into the market?
The instructor will focus on all of these things in this informational course, as well as writing an irresistible query letter, getting assignments, and developing strong, professional relationships with editors.
Plan for a brief lunch break. (My Thoughts Exactly also recommended.)
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