Sticky Notes Blog

A blog of writing news, tips, and inspiration from Fat Plum

Gist Street Reading Series, and new Gist Street Writing Workshop

The fabulous, fun, and unpretentious Gist Street Reading Series is held every month, the evening of the first Friday of the month. The events sell out every time -- you've got to get there early, but it's so worth it because it's great fun and very inspiring for a writer.

Also, they've introduced a new event: Writing workshops the morning after a reading, led by one of the readers from the evening before. These writers are accomplished and talented people, so it's a rare treat.

Here's the scoop on May's reading, as sent by series founder Sherrie Flick to the Gist Street mailing list:

Dear Gist Street. The radio is threatening frost, but we're into our spring schedule whether the birdbath water is frozen or not. Our May reading is just around the corner: Pamela Painter is flying in from Boston with her fiction and Gary Copeland Lilley is coming in from Chicago with his poetry. I had the pleasure of hearing both of these fine writers read in 2005, and I can tell you: this is going to be GOOD.

When? Friday, May 5th. James Simon's Sculpture Studio, 305 Gist Street, Uptown. It's $3 to get in and that will get you a chance in the raffle and a chair of some sort to sit in (but not keep).

There will be books for sale, and I'm breaking out the lemon tart recipe. What kind of zesty snack are you going to bring? Remember: BYOB. (You know, you all have been doing an excellent job with the red wine lately.)

New idea: The doors will not open until 7:15. So yes. 7:15 we'll unlock the doors. 7:30 socializing begins. 8pm: readings!

Another new idea: On SATURDAY, MAY 6th, Pamela Painter (who teaches at
Emerson) is offering our first-ever morning workshop. It'll be in the studio and run from 9:30 - 12:30. That's three hours! It's called: What If? A Workshop for Fiction Writers and will use exercises to stretch your imagination. Pam says participants will begin stories, learn how to develop theme, and also learn how to complete EVERY STORY THEY START. Beginning as well as published writers are welcome. Pam is an amazing teacher; I once sat in on her summarized dialogue session at a conference and haven't been the same since.

I'm making some coffee cakes and a bunch of coffee (sorry, no decaf) to go with them. The workshop is $20/person. Reservations are required. You can reserve a space by emailing: sdflick@hotmail.com.

For directions and bios and newly posted gossip: www.giststreet.org. 412-434-5629 if you're lost.

Posted by Cindy on April 29, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: Coming attractions

Joint book signing May 6th — great gifts for mom!

Need a gift idea for Mother's Day? Join Judith Burnett Schneider, Julie Long and Lisa Curry for a multiple booksigning at Barnes & Noble in Cranberry Township, PA on Saturday May 6th from 2 - 4 p.m. They'll speak briefly about their publishing experiences and you can pick up custom-signed copies of their books:

The Frantic Woman's Guide to Life (co-authored by Judith)
BABY: An Owner's Manual (co-authored by Julie)
Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler's Soul (with Lisa's story "Food for Thought")
Chicken Soup for the Working Woman's Soul (with Lisa's story "The Scooby Doo Band-Aid")
Chicken Soup for the Fisherman's Soul (with Lisa's story "The Native" and Julie's story "The Worm")

Okay, so that last one might not be a great gift for Mom, but remember Father's Day is June 18th!

Posted by Julie on April 28, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: What's up with us

Writers with new websites

We're always thrilled to see writers with websites promoting their work. It is Marketing & Promotion 101 for any writer who is serious about establishing an audience and getting published. So, we're pleased to point you to the websites of two friends of Fat Plum:

K.J. Bryant's site (designed by our own Cindy Closkey!) promotes her upcoming book Journeys: 50,000 Miles of Wise Women. Go on and sign up for her free monthly e-newsletter. Better yet, join her Buzz Team and help convince publishers that there's an audience for her wonderful book about women who transformed their lives.

Val Brkich's website promotes his children's and YA books, his various writing services and a selection of topics he can speak on. You can also link to his very funny blog, Pure Nonsense. Val has pure marketing sense in our book!

Do you have a new website? Let us know and we'll get the word out! Need a website? Contact Cindy Closkey at Big Big Design: Website design to turn every visitor into a customer.

Posted by Julie on April 28, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: Marketing and promotion

Carnegie Museum of Art Writer's Workshop, and more

A friend and fellow writer will be leading a summar writing workshop at Carnegie Museum of Art, in conjunction with their exhibition Fierce Friends. Here's the full scoop:

Fierce Words: A Writer's Workshop
Sat., Jun. 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jul. 1, 8, 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Meet in the Fierce Friends exhibition galleries.
Free, registration requested

Novice and experienced writers are invited to work on individual writing projects inspired by Fierce Friends. The literary reading (described below) initiates a series of Saturday morning writing and discussion sessions led by Sherrie Flick, writer and director of the Gist Street Writing Series. Selected works will be included in a public reading on Jul. 22 (at 1pm).

As the Crow Flies: Storytelling for Adults
Sat., Jun. 24, 6:00-7:00 p.m., galleries open until 8:30 p.m.
Fierce Friends exhibition galleries

Actor and director John Carosella reads excerpts from some literary classics inspired by animals. Imagine adventures from Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, Alfred Lord Tennyson's The Kraken and more. Pick up a reading list of animal stories for adults. This event kicks off the writer's workshop.

Visit the official web page.

Posted by Cindy on April 28, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: Coming attractions

"My Dog Has a Biochemist"

It's a little embarrassing, but true. Lucy, my English bulldog, currently receives better healthcare than I do. You can read all about it in the Life Support column I wrote for the PIttsburgh Post-Gazette. Or download a PDF of the piece on my website julie long writes.

Posted by Julie on April 28, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: What's up with us

Spotlight on Jennifer Angelo

Our friend and humor writer Jennifer Angelo is quite prolific in the "published" category these days. Check out her hilarious column "A Pressing Need for a Plumber" in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (March 19, 2006). You'll find her story "I Want a Cookie" in the book Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes. And her story "Flying Through Thin Air" will run in the May edition of Diabetes Forecast. (You can read a reprint of the piece on her website's Clips & Samples page.) Congratulations Jennifer!

Posted by Julie on April 28, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: Literary genres

The latest Nancy Martin mystery

Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too (NAL, March 2006) is the 5th book in The Blackbird Sisters Mysteries by Nancy Martin. If you haven't caught on to the Blackbird Sisters yet, you are behind the times — in fact a TV series is in the works! Nancy Martin is very active in the PIttsburgh writing community, having been a founding member of PennWriters and currently the president of the local chapter of the Sisters in Crime. She doesn't need a bit of our luck but wish her all the best!

Posted by Julie on April 28, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: Literary genres

Have a story about a new mom or woman golfer? Submit it!

Chicken Soup for the Soul is requesting submissions for two upcoming titles: The New Mom's Soul (deadline: May 1) and the Women Golfer's Soul (deadline: June 1). Submit your stories at Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Continue reading "Have a story about a new mom or woman golfer? Submit it!"

Posted by Julie on April 28, 2006
This entry was posted in the following categories: Calls for submissions