Talk of the Towns 7/12/13

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Engineer: Amy Browne

Program Topic: Maine as Muse: inspiration for writers

Key Discussion Points:
a) In response to questions from Ron, each guest shares some background about their work and their writing… then each shares a published piece (saving the second piece to close to the end of the show) and shares “lightly”, any context and source of inspiration for this piece…
b)After this first go-round, we have a broader conversation about Maine as a source of inspiration for you and other writers (feel free here, to turn listeners on to those you admire)…
d) Does Maine have a distinct “sense of place” and how would you describe its essence… draw from the works/descriptions of others, if that is appropriate
e) Is that “sense of place” in any way endangered… if so, how? Is there anything to be done it? (as we teach and nurture our young people, as we support community institutions, etc)
f)Is Maine a good place to be a writer (aside from serving as source of inspiration)?
g) Move towards conclusion with the second round of readings, and depending on time available, share any public events, readings you will be involved in later in summer or fall.

Guests:

A. Kim Ridley, contributing editor, Downeast Magazine, writer, author of the forthcoming children’s book, The Secret Pool, about vernal pools, from Tilbury House this fall
B. Carl Little, poet, author of Ocean Drinker and other works, including Art of Maine’s Islands
C. Candice Stover, poet, author of Poems from the Pond and other works

Writers Forum 4/14/11

Producer/Host: Joan Clemons
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Topic: Maine-based writers reading from and discussing their work

Guests:
Tawanda Chabikwa is a contemporary Zimbabwean artist and scholar. He works with both studio and performance art and recently published his first novel, Baobabs in Heaven, an outgrowth of his senior college project at College of the Atlantic. It’s a fictitious story but rooted in the truth of his experiences. Chabikwa is also the founder of the outreach organization rndini wako that works to fund the education of HIV/AIDS orphans and affected children in rural Zimbabwe. He currently lives in Deer Isle while applying to doctorate programs in dance and working on his second novel. FMI: www.ndiniwako.org

Jeff Foltz recently published his first novel, Birkebeiner, a Story of Motherhood and War, an historical tale of a mother’s compulsion to protect her child in 13th century Norway. Foltz is himself a skilled Nordic Skier and actually skied some of the territory described in his book. Foltz lives in Camden. FMI: www.birkebeinerthenovel.com

Sharon Bray is a freelance journalist, photographer, poet, forager, and farmer. Her work has appeared in journals, newspapers, and anthologies. She founded The Enterprise, Bucksport’s weekly newspaper and published it from 1992 to 2001. Since 2002, she has published 10 issues of the Narramissic Notebook–a journal of poetry and community stories, illustrated with old pictures. Bray is a member of the Down East Salt Coast Sages and has a section of her poems in their chapbook, titled A Rump-Sprung Chair and a a One-Eyed Cat. Bray is also a member of the Maine Poets Society and has had poems in two of their anthologies. Bray lies in Orland. FMI: www.saltcoastsages.com