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Report from our Book Party
Reported by Gema Gray
A frigid Sunday, January 25th found upwards of 80 writers gathered
for the NWU Boston Chapter Annual Book Party in the Durrell Theater
at the Cambridge Family YMCA in Central Square. In his Welcome
remarks Chapter Co-Chair Charles Coe quoted composer Bizet:
"What a beautiful art, but what a wretched profession." He exhorted
his fellow writers to persevere, to speak truth to power, and to preserve
the true meaning of language to prevent its subversion.
Guest speaker Pagan Kennedy was passionate as she railed against
the author-as-publicist. She recommended that authors avoid endless
travel and self-promotion which ill suits them; rather, Pagan had
practical advice about how to keep publicists, editors and publishers
on task promoting a book.
An impressive twenty-one Boston Chapter members were published
in 2008. Six of them shared a short reading from their work, which
ranged from Sue Katz's voter's guide to Sarah Palin to Amy Clark's
short stories of restlessness; from Yleana Martinez' coming of age
story in Texas to Janet E. Spurr's beach walk in Nastasket; from
Cathryn McIntyre's portrayal of modern transcendentalism in Concord
to Kate Genovese's story of child abuse and drug addiction in Boston.
A full list of all of the members with books published in 2008 can be
found on the Chapter website.
Thanks to Boston Chapter Steering Committee member Maria
Termini for organizing the event and introducing the readers, to
the set-up and clean-up volunteers listed below, and to all who
brought contributions of food and drink. This is the Boston Chapter's
largest event of the year and the annual celebration of writing success would not have been possible without everyone's help.
The atmosphere was convivial and relaxed as old friends reconnected
and new bonds were forged over wine, munchies, and the fascinating
speakers. Inspired by the success of fellow members, writers can be
motivated to continue with their own projects through the coming
year. It worked for Janet Spurr. Last year she said of this event:
"I'll look forward to it next year. Hopefully, I'll be the one reading
from my book." And so she was...
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