September News
"That's why we write. It isn't just for the product of the story or the novel, but it's actually for the experience of that bliss that you sometimes do have when you write, as you're somehow transported or elevated. So that's what keeps you going back. It comes to you free, at first, and then you have to work for it."
--Tobias Wolff
Did we mention this yet? Little more than a week remains before the arrival of the big bad Wolff (Tobias, that is), who will grace Denver with three events:
Inside the Writer's Studio at the Ricketson Theater in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Saturday, September 15, 4-6 PM (doors open at 3:30 PM). Wolff's onstage reading and interview with our own Eli Gottlieb will bring you inside the writer's life, giving you access to the man who has been described as "an eerie talent" by Ann Beattie and "a captivating, brilliant writer, one of the best we've got," by Annie Dillard. Tickets are $20/Lighthouse members, students, and seniors; $25/general public. Order now.
A Gourmet Dinner with Tobias Wolff from 7:30-10:00 PM (after the Writer's Studio): Join us at the lovely Tamayo, where we'll take over the rooftop terrace and raise a glass to literature. This annual fundraising dinner will feature a talk from Tobias Wolff, faculty contributions to the Lighthouse Serviette Project (slightly ripped off from Esquire), participant napkin entries, and a fabulous sit-down meal overlooking the mountains. All proceeds will benefit Lighthouse programming, including the Young Writers Program. Tickets are $160/members; $175/non-members. Special seating opportunities available: contact andrea@lighthousewriters.org.
The Lies of Memoir, the Truth of Fiction, a provocative seminar Sunday, September 16, from 9:30-11:15 AM, at the Tattered Cover LoDo. Wolff will take on what he's best known for: the problem of truth in memoir and fiction. The author of the critically lauded memoirs This Boy's Life (which was made into a motion picture starring Robert DeNiro and a young Leo DiCaprio) and In the Pharaoh's Army as well as award-winning short stories and novels, Wolff is one of the few writers of our day who has written in multiple genres, and done so beautifully. As one critic said of Wolff's memoirs: "Wolff's genius is in his fine storytelling. This Boy's Life reads and entertains as easily as a novel. Wolff's writing and timing are superb." Tickets: $65/members; $75/non-members.
Full Tobias Wolff weekend package for Lighthouse members only (including Inside the Writer's Studio, Wolff Dinner, Tattered Cover seminar, and a signed broadside): $235.
If it's been a while since you felt that writing bliss (or if you're just a junkie for it) we've got another round of eight-week workshops starting October 15. The old favorites are still on the schedule, as well as some shiny new four-week workshops, including "The First Chapter," starting Monday. Check it out.
In other news:
FACULTY NEWS & KUDOS
Two Lighthouse faculty members are finalists for this year's Colorado Book Award: Shari Caudron is up for the Nonfiction category with her latest book, Who Are You People?, and Mario Acevedo, whose debut novel The Nymphos of Rocky Flats is competing for best book of popular fiction. Novel instructor William Haywood Henderson's new novel, Augusta Locke, was a finalist for the 2007 Willa Literary Award. Go, Bill! Finally, three cheers for instructor Rebecca Berg, whose novel Julio's Ghost made "the Short List for Finalists" in the 2007 Pirates Alley Faulkner Society contest. Stay tuned for updates on all!
MEMBER SUCCESS STORIES
Our members also rock. Chris Rock, in particular. His short story "Purgatories" (workshopped in the Advanced Short Story class) will be published in Cimarron Review. It's also online, so give it a read! Chris also learned that Asimov's Science Fiction wants his story, "Lucy." And many congratulations to Vicki Mandell-King, whose poem "Face Paint" will appear in Main Street Rag.
Don't forget: Lighthouse story writer Gary Schanbacher will be feted on October 6, 5-7 PM, at the Ferril House. We'll celebrate the October release of his beautiful collection of stories, Migration Patterns (Fulcrum). Come one, come all! (And let us know you're coming so we can properly fill the drink-and-appetizer coffers.) The Tattered Cover will have copies of the book available for sale at the event.
WRITING A NOVEL OR BOOK-LENGTH MEMOIR? COME TO FAIRPLAY, OCTOBER 12-14
Geared for writers immersed in book-length projects and for those who want to dive right in, this weekend intensive retreat will concentrate on overall shape and vision of book-length projects, including narrative arc, thematic development, and voice. In addition, retreaters will receive feedback on their opening chapter--we'll analyze imperative elements of craft, such as the central dramatic question, setting of scene, time, and place, and establishment of character and narrative voice. Join faculty members William Haywood Henderson (Augusta Locke, The Rest of the Earth), Karen Palmer (Border Dogs, All Saints), and literary agent Sandra Bond, among others.
OCTOBER WRITER'S BUZZ: FROM LIFE TO FICTION
The Writer's Buzz returns for the fall on October 27, 1:00 PM, location TBA. Join Lighthouse instructor William Haywood Henderson for a discussion of adapting real people and places to the world of fiction. Using his novel, Augusta Locke, as an example of this technique, Henderson will discuss where the characters and ideas came from, and the strategies he used to bring them to life. Augusta Locke was named best novel 2007 by Westword, finalist for the Willa Award, Spur Award, and Mountains & Plains Award. The Chicago Tribune said, "Augusta Locke is such a gravely beautiful read that you have to stop every few pages to catch your breath," and the Philadelphia Inquirer called Augusta Locke "an uncommonly beautiful, haunting book."
SCREEN THIS
Screenwriting instructor Alexandre Philippe and Lighthouse member Catherine Ostrander invite you and your friends to a special 35mm screening of their award-winning film Left at the Starz FilmCenter (Saturday, September 22 at 6:30pm). Donations are encouraged, but not mandatory to attend the screening. All proceeds will go toward Left's Academy Awards qualification, theatrical run at the Landmark Theatres in Los Angeles, and possible subsequent Blu-Ray/Dolby TrueHD release. Left has been selected by 29 international film festivals so far, won three awards on the circuit, and will be released on three DVD collections around the world. Left was also recently invited to compete in the 51st BFI London Film Festival, the premiere film festival in the UK.
UPCOMING ONE-DAYS
Hermit Crabs, Harvard Outlines and Other Thievery: Borrowing One Form to Create Another (half-day)
Saturday, September 22, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, led by Harrison Fletcher, MFA Using the term coined by Suzanne Paola and Brenda Miller, students will examine how horoscopes, to-do lists, recipes, alphabets and obituaries can become personal narratives, lyric essays, flash nonfiction and found poetry. Readings provided in advance, exercises practiced in class, goodie bags offered at the door. Bring something to write with, and an open mind.
Writing Your Truth
Saturday, September 29, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, led by Matt Kailey
Who are you? This is what the reader of the personal essay or memoir wants to know, even more than what you do, what you think, or what's happened to you. But getting at the real truths of our lives can be difficult, and putting them down on paper can sometimes be excruciating. What do we tell? What do we hold back? And how do we excavate those really painful truths that can make our writing more than just physical descriptions and timelines of events? In this workshop, we'll discuss: what the reader wants from a personal essay or memoir; how to uncover those personal truths that will give your writing depth and meaning, both for yourself and for your reader; how to handle potentially offensive, shocking, or controversial material; and how to craft emotional experiences into creative pieces.
Creative Food Writing: One Dish at a Time
Saturday, October 20, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, led by Joey Porcelli and Clay Fong
This one-day workshop is designed to help writers craft delectable prose that enables their readers to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the culinary experience. Beginning with a discussion of effective structure and approaches to food writing, participants will also analyze successful food writing, identify helpful research resources, and address the ups and downs of professional writing for restaurant reviews and dining guides. For lunch, participants will visit a local restaurant and sample a variety of foods. The afternoon will be spent reviewing the meal, writing in-class exercises and exchanging constructive feedback. By day's end, participants should have a better understanding of the structure of memorable food writing, as well as a means of finding their culinary voice. Both experienced and inexperienced writers welcome.
Starting From Scratches (half-day)
Saturday, November 10, 1:00-4:00 pm, led by Jeffrey Ethan Lee, MFA, PhD Finding your voice is one of the most important discoveries a writer can make. How do you find the voice that is closest to your genuine self? How do you get the voice that you carry around in your head to reveal itself on the page? Often, it is through writing about what really matters to you. In this workshop, participants will explore life-altering moments in their lives, including times of great deprivation and transformation, to uncover their own natural voice and style. Open to writers of all levels.
ROBERT ALTMAN CLASS
Join Lighthouse playwriting instructor Terry Dodd for a course in Robert Altman films, including M*A*S*H, the classic anti-establishment film, and some of his lesser-known works, such as 3 Women, The Player, and Gosford Park. The class meets four Mondays starting September 10, so hurry! Those interested can enroll through the DU Web site.
ANOTHER EVENT AT THE TC!
On Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 7:30 PM, at the Colfax Tattered Cover: Nell Freudenberger and Ben Fountain will read from and sign the new paperback editions of their books. Freudenberger, the PEN/Malamud Award-winning author of Lucky Girls, will read from and sign her novel The Dissident ($14.95 HarperCollins), a bold, intricately woven story about an enigmatic stranger who disrupts the life of one American family. Fountain, winner of an O. Henry Prize, two Pushcart Prizes, and the PEN/Hemingway Award, will read from and sign his story collection Brief Encounters with Che Guevara ($13.95 HarperCollins). Help Lighthouse support independent bookstores!
Speaking of which--do you miss that icon that allowed you to purchase your Tattered Cover and Amazon purchases through our site, so as to pass a few pennies our way? The Lighthouse nonprofit affiliate page is still there, just a bit hard to find.
Click here: http://www.lighthousewriters.org/page/view/id/7/ and order often!