June 2004

Greetings from Inkberry!

Riddle me this, readers: why is it that as the days are getting longer, I seem to have less time? I start every morning with the best of intentions, but before I know it, the day has gotten away from me, and I spend the next eight to ten hours trying to catch up. Forget the problem of there never being enough time to do the things I want to do, some days it feels as though I’m barely breaking even with the things I need to do. I’m sure I’m not the only one wrestling with this dilemma. Where is all that extra daylight going?

Here at Inkberry, we’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Rachel’s been doing her usual heroic job of keeping our literary ship on an even keel. I’ve been devoting my time to writing a grant application that just came due. Sandy has been nigh superhuman in her efforts to get Inklings - our first publication - edited, laid out and sent to the printer in time for our upcoming launch party (see below). Throughout all of this, we’ve also been doing our part to be energetic, enthusiastic and effective ambassadors for Inkberry.

Speaking of which, and as Rachel mentioned last month, we recently introduced “Inkbuddies,” a partner program for those of you outside our immediate geographic area. Inkbuddies help us promote Inkberry — especially our online workshops, and the members-only programming available through http://www.inkberry.org — to a wider audience. Because here’s the thing: as proud as we are about Inkberry, and as much as we shout about that pride from the rooftops, North Adams is in a valley, and our voices only carry so far. We can’t grow without help from people willing to help spread our message, and that’s where Inkbuddies come in. If you’re interested in helping us out, or in learning about the kickbacks, er, incentives, we offer Inkbuddies, please contact Elissa Shevinsky (elissa@inkberry.org).

Right now, we’re small and scrappy, but we think there’s an untapped audience for what we offer. We want these potential students to discover what current and former students already know: that Inkberry makes good on our twin commitments to strengthen the connections between writing and life, and to create a place where everyone can discover their voice.

Want proof? Join us at our 63 Main Street location on Saturday, June 5, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. for the release party and reading for Inklings, our first anthology of student work. Inkberry students and Inklings contributors Gail Burns, Jane Culnane, Amy Johns, Ron Rabidou, and Linda White will be reading selections from the book. The night also serves as a birthday party for Inkberry, an anniversary celebration for our reading series, all of which means there will be cake. What’s more, while it’s a birthday party, you don’t even need to bring a gift. Inklings is our gift to our audience, our students and to ourselves. We hope you’ll join us in this celebration.

If cake and camaraderie aren’t enough, we have workshops as well. Our Wednesday Night Writers program is ongoing. Beginning June 7, we’re offering “What Makes Theatre Tick?” Where does theatrical writing come from? How does it differ from the prose, poetry, screenplay or even previous drama that inspired it? In this class we will read and discuss source material, see a production of the play or musical it inspired, write about our experiences, and then gather again to discuss the entire creative arc (for more details, visit www.inkberry.org/workshops/atinkberry/#tick). Online, we’re offering “Innovation and Blurring Boundaries” beginning June 1. This course will investigate poetry that blurs genre boundaries, engages a documentary/cultural studies aesthetic and/or merges cinematic writing with memoir techniques by employing innovative or hybrid forms. (Learn more at www.inkberry.org/workshops/online/#innovation) You can opt in to either of these by replying to this email, by calling us at 413.664.0775, or visiting our online store at http://www.inkberry.org/store/.

Looking ahead to July, we’ll be offering “Pulling it all Together: Preparing Your Poetry Manuscript for Publication” and a short fiction workshop in our 63 Main Street Space, and “Introduction to Food Writing” (taught by yours truly) online.

Also online, we’ve added two new reviews of the University of Arkansas MFA in Writing program to our ever-expanding roster of program reviews. If you’re interested in finding out about programs throughout the country, we’re building a comprehensive library of student perspectives to help you identify the program that’s right for you. We’re also continuing our interactive writing exercises. These exercises are a great way to practice writing, and to get feedback from other members. Reviews and exercises are available to Inkberry members; if you’ve not yet a member, you can join online at inkberry.org/inkonline/store.cgi.

For all that I complained about there not being enough hours in the day, I’m still managing to make a dent in my reading list. Highlights of my May reading include Deathbird Stories by Harlan Ellison, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, which I reread in anticipation of the upcoming film version.

And that’s where I’m at this month. And that’s where Inkberry’s at. The days are getting longer. Hopefully, you’ll find that summer’s arrival is affording you more time. If so, I hope you’ll spend some of it with us.

—Tom