Lit Cleveland caps off Cleveland Inkubator Week with daylong literary conference at CPL
This year’s Cleveland Inkubator literary arts fest culminated in a free day-long conference at Cleveland Public Library’s Main Branch downtown. The conference drew nearly 300 readers and writers from Northeast Ohio and offered an array of writing workshops, craft talks, and a Resource Fair featuring local literary arts organizations. Over the course of the week, events attracted nearly 500 participants. Go to our blog for a recap of the event and check out more photos here.
Gordon Square Review Announces Call for Submissions
Lit Cleveland is pleased to introduce Gordon Square Review, an online literary magazine published biannually to showcase emerging writers nationwide, award editing mentorships, and provide a venue to spotlight Northeast Ohio writers. Submissions for GSR’s first issue are open now through October 15th, 2017. Submissions are free, and accepted contributors will be paid a modest honorarium. Click here to learn more about the submission process, and here for an overview of the magazine’s mission and team.
New! Lit Cleveland Podcast with D.M. Pulley, author of The Dead Key
Award-winning author D.M. Pulley recently sat down with Lit Cleveland Director Lee Chilcote to discuss her favorite places to write, the changing face of publishing, strategies for overcoming writer’s block, and her conversation with Dan Chaon at last weekend’s Cleveland Inkubator conference at Cleveland Public Library. Click here to listen to the podcast, and be sure to follow us on Soundcloud for more podcasts spotlighting local literary stars.
New! Thrity Umrigar, author of Everybody’s Son,to read at the Happy Dog
Between the Lines w/Thrity Umrigar (Free!)
Wednesday, August 16th from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern, 11625 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
August’s edition of Between the Lines features celebrated author Thrity Umrigar! Join us at Happy Dog Euclid to see Umrigar read from her newly published novel Everybody’s Son — a work containing “assured prose and deep insight into the human heart” (Celeste Ng, author of Everything I Never Told You) — before discussing her approach to writing and taking questions from the audience.
August Workshops
Exploring Haiku w/Joshua Gage (Free!)
Saturday, August 5th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Harriet Keeler Memorial Picnic Area, Brecksville Metroparks Reservation, Chippewa Creek Dr, Brecksville
For many, the term “haiku” is understood to be a seventeen-syllable nature poem; however, over twenty-five years of scholarship and writing has challenged and expanded that understanding to create a rich literary tradition in English poetry. This workshop will teach participants the current understanding of haiku in English then walk them through a series of exercises to help them create their own haiku. We will then workshop our creations and discuss possible avenues to publish and share our haiku.
I’m Too Sexy for This Scene: Writing Better Sex w/Laura Maylene Walter ($15 /$12 for members)
Wednesday, August 9th from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Hts.
In this workshop, participants will read laughably bad sex scenes, consider what makes a sex scene successful, complete sex-tacular writing prompts, and share sex scenes for feedback. A final in-class meeting will bring all that knowledge to a satisfied literary conclusion. Both fiction and nonfiction writers are welcome, as is writing that depicts a diverse range of sexualities and perspectives.
Writing for Solo Performance w/Dale Heinen ($65/$50 for members)
NEW START DATE! Thursday, August 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere, Shaker Hts.
Have you always wanted to write and perform your own work? Here’s an opportunity to develop your one-person play, story, or comic monologue, and see it performed in a low pressure setting by you or an actor. Writers of all levels and backgrounds welcome. Over three sessions, develop a concept you already have, or germinate a new idea. The fourth and final session of the workshop will consist of an informal performance for participants and their invited guests at a local bar or restaurant.
Public Poetry Workshop w Ray McNiece (Free!)
Saturday, August 12th from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., CPL Main Branch 2nd Floor Lit. Dept, 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland
In this workshop, participants will get hands-on poetry writing experience and will discuss ways to strengthen their craft. Open to writers of all ages, levels, and backgrounds. Led by poet Ray McNiece. Please bring 10-15 copies of a poem.
Freelance Writing: Crafting the Perfect Pitch w/Annie Zaleski ($30/$25 for members)
Tuesday, August 15th & 29th from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Gordon Square Arcade Conference Room, 6516 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of how to identify compelling story ideas, develop them into saleable pitches, research markets, and submit ideas to editors. Over two sessions, you will develop your own pitch and get feedback on it. If you’re interested in breaking into magazines or online publications, this is for you.
Community Partnership for Arts and Culture Survey
If you play a part in Cleveland’s literary scene, please volunteer a few moments of your time to take this survey and share it with your peers. Community Partnership for Arts & Culture is currently working with Cleveland State University to research local arts industries. As you likely know, the literary industry can be difficult to define using strictly industry and employment data. This survey will help them understand more clearly how literature influences Cleveland’s economy.
Lit Cleveland & Cleveland Composers Guild call for poetry, prose, and lyrics submissions!
Lit Cleveland and the Cleveland Composers Guild are excited to announce a partnership for CCG’s 2017-2018 season! As a result of this partnership, we’re calling for poetry, prose, and lyrics submissions. Deadline is August 15th. For more information and submissions guidelines, go to our website. Please email info@litcleveland.org with any questions and/or submissions.
Lit Events Around Town
Poetry in the Park ($250/$225 for CVNP members)
Friday, August 25th at 3:00 p.m. – Saturday, August 26th at 4:00 p.m., Stanford House and Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center
Immerse yourself in the writings of celebrated poet Mary Oliver and in the natural beauty of your national park. David Hassler, director of the Wick Poetry Center, will guide you as you explore your own relationship with nature through your writing, and park educators will walk with you along the river in search of inspiration. Stay overnight at the historic Stanford House and wake up in your national park.
