Ink Slingers’ debut

All that is literary in one monthly column

By Tanya Whiton

All that is literary in one monthly column

The representation of Maine writers in the media seems to revolve around hearty-back-to-the-landers and MidCoast transplants clad in jumpers and felt clogs, in the same way that the image of the Bostonian scribe invariably features those hip little rectangular glasses. However, this representation has little relationship to reality. Sure, there are plenty of sickle moon-and-star earrings dangling from the lobes of Maine poets, and true, Maine letters feature an abundance of memoirs in the self-inflicted school-of-hard-knocks genre. And while nothing but cautious respect should be accorded someone who can both write and wield an axe, it nonetheless seems important to note that there is actually a tremendous diversity of style, content and approach in our literary landscape, ranging from bearded post–Beats to DIY slam punks. For those in search of a writerly community, there are any number of publications, venues, gatherings and opportunities to choose from.

This column will preview events and post news on what’s happening in the realm of fiction, poetry and non-fiction in our fair state and just beyond its borders. Send info about anything writing related to twhiton@prexar.com.

Readings, etc.

Friday, February 7& New York’s rap/hip-hop storytellers Little Egypt perform at the Center for Cultural Exchange, 1 Longfellow Square, Portland. Known for tackling uncool, complex subjects (like how to preserve a sense of community in an increasingly splintered society) Little Egypt makes having a social conscience hip again with their urbane rhythms and deft rhymes. Sample this for $8, and call (207) 761-1545 to reserve a ticket.

Mystery and genre-fiction fans can get a double dose on Wednesday, February 12 at the Portland Public LibraryJ— located at 5 Monument Square — with mother/daughter mystery-writer duo Kate Flora and A. Carman Clark. The reading starts at noon, and it’s free — for more info on the octogenarian Clark and her murder-buff daughter, call (207) 871-1710. Then, on Friday, February 14 mystery/young-adult writer Lea Wait reads from her new book Seaward Born, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maine Coast Book Shop, 158 Main Street, Damariscotta. Call (207) 563-3207.

Some folks like just the facts, and some folks like their facts embroidered with narrative. For the hard-fact people, no-holds-barred econ journalist Ann Crittendon tells it like it is with a talk on her most recent publication — The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job in the World is Still the Least Valued, Thursday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Bowdoin College’s Moulton Union, in Brunswick. Like the labor and love most mothers provide, it’s free. Call (207) 725-3724. For those who dig both data and detritus, Thursday, February 13, hotshot science writer Hannah Holmes samples from her book The Secret Life of Dust, a non-fiction account of the microcosmic world that is equal parts natural history and character study. More lively than you’d think — at 7 p.m. in University of New England’s Maine Women Writers Collection, Portland. Free. Call (207) 797-7688 x4324. Finally, for the austere, academic type, Shaker expert Elizabeth DeWolfe reads from Shaking the Faith: Women, Family and Mary Marshall Dyer’s Anti-Shaker Campaign 1815-1867, Wednesday, February 26, at noon at the Portland Public Library. Like all good things, it’s free. Call (207) 871-1710.

In the realm of theatrical interpretation, the University of Southern Maine presents a staged reading of Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge, Friday and Saturday February 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, February 8, at 5 p.m. in Russell Hall, Gorham. Tickets are $10 public, $7 seniors, and $5 for students and staff. Call (207) 780-5151. Also, on Valentine’s Day, the Usual Suspects stage a series of short literary vignettes on the theme “Lost in Love.” Exploring the vagaries of romance and infatuation from Syd and Nancy to Jane Austen, the Suspects perform at 7 p.m. at Longfellow Books, 1 Monument Way in Portland. Free. Call (207) 772-4045.

Finally, lest writers tire of hearing other writers’ work, there are several places where they can flaunt their own free verse — at no cost unless otherwise noted. Monday, February 10, Maine Writer’s and Publisher’s Alliance hosts its monthly open reading in the low-key swank atmosphere of Local 188, at 188 State Street, with featured reader Robin Merrill. Sign up at 7:30 p.m. — call (207) 761-7909. That same night, students of all ages and interests can hog the starlight when USM kicks off its Student Reading Series at 8 p.m. in the Southworth Planetarium on the Portland campus. Call (207) 780-4291. On Thursday, February 13, the Center for Cultural Exchange opens the floor for poetry, performance art, video work and music at the first Counter Culture Open Mic, starting at 7:30 p.m. Also at the CCE, The Café Review-hosts an ongoing Open Reading/Salon Monday, February 24, starting at 7:30 p.m. ($3 goes to cover publishing costs of the Review). Call (207) 761-1545. And on the last Thursday of every month, Peter Manuel hosts the Open Reading at Geno’s, 13 Brown Street in Portland, featuring (in case you missed her on the 10th) Robin Merrill. Call (207) 772-7891.

Announcements

New publication: Wolf Moon Press, a new online and print journal, seeks submissions from writers: book, theater, movie and art reviews, and the occasional essay. For more information, check them out online at www.wolfmoonpress.com.

Big money: The Maine Arts Commission is accepting applications for the 2003 Individual Artist Grants in literature and the media arts. (Grant categories rotate annually). For more information, go to www.mainearts.com.

Au revoir, le skinny slam: Slam master Jay Davis, host of the long-running Second Tuesday Slam at the Skinny, will be temporarily without a stage while the Skinny seeks new digs. Davis, like many, will also be temporarily without his favorite bar. Head to the Skinny for a donated art auction February 7 and a rummage sale on February 8 and 9 to ensure we’ll get to slam again another day.

Tanya Whiton can be reached at twhiton@prexar.com.