March, 2011 | Valya Dudycz Lupescu

More ripples

Posted on 18 March, 2011

When I went out to Philly for Kyle Cassidy and Trillian Stars’ wedding party back in 2009, I met several people whom I now consider to be dear friends, not the least of whom are Kyle and Trillian. There I also met Lindsay (Silveringrid) and Maura (Tigerinvaseline), whom I adore.

Upon Kyle’s gentle nudging, Lindsay decided to have a “Party from the Future” nearly one year ago, and that’s where I met the talented Molly Robison who played for Kyle & Trillian in a live broadcast. So began another treasured friendship. (Has it really only been a year!?)

It was also through Kyle’s blog that I met Madeline Carol Matz, a friend and gifted artist who created the beautiful cover art for The Silence of Trees.

So many things are converging this Spring. The world keeps getting smaller and ripples stretch out in unimaginable ways.

A few weeks ago, Lindsay joined a few of us (including Madeline) on an adventure up to Wisconsin. This weekend, a few of us will be venturing back to Wisconsin, this time to La Crosse, where the wonderful Maura has helped to set up a reading/booksigning for me and Madeline at the People’s Food Co-op.

Today Molly Robison has released her debut EP, Bedrooms and Attics, on Bandcamp. Kyle’s photograph grace the cover and interior. For only $5 you can discover Molly’s music, and years from now you can take pleasure in telling your friends that you heard of Molly Robison long before she was playing those sold out shows at the Metro.

How different my life would have been had I not gone to Philly.

Ripples.

You never know how one decision can change your life, especially those acts of random kindness.

Congratulations, Molly. I am so proud of you, and I look forward to a future filled with your music!

Columbia College’s 15th Anniversary Story Week

Posted on 17 March, 2011

Columbia College has been celebrating 15 years of its annual Story Week!

After I graduated from the School of the Art Institute with my MFA in Writing in 1998, I taught a few classes at Columbia College and remember the roots of this festival of writers. It has grown into a remarkable event, and this year I’m honored to be a part of it.

Story Week 2011 closes with the Chicago Classics, hosted by the Chicago Tribune’s Rick Kogan (whom you may recall was the emcee for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony last year).

As a representative for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, I will be among 20 guests from Chicago’s literary community who will read from stories and poems by our favorite Chicago authors.

Readers include:
Danielle Chapman, Director of Publishing Industry Programs for Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs
Don De Grazia, author, professor at Columbia College Chicago
Brian Hieggelke, Editor, Newcity
Rick Kogan, Senior Editor, Chicago Tribune and Host of WGN’s Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan
Alex Kotlowitz, author, journalist
Jonathan Messinger, author, Books Editor, TimeOut Chicago
Audrey Niffenegger, author-professor-visual artist
Bayo Ojikutu, author, professor at DePaul University
Donna Seaman, Booklist Associate Editor, Chicago Public Radio Book Critic
Sam Weller, author, professor at Columbia College Chicago
and others.

The first fifty guests through the door will be entered in a raffle to win prizes and gift packs from these friends of Story Week: Akashic Books, featherproof Books, Goodman Theatre, Hair Trigger, Lincoln Hall, MAKE Magazine, Myopic Books, POETRY, Quimby’s Bookstore, and Time Out Chicago.

The event takes place Friday, March 18, 2011, at Lincoln Hall (2424 N. Lincoln Ave.), from 6-8pm. I hope to see some of you there!

Here’s a video with highlights from past Story Weeks:

Another First: My First Book Club Visit

Posted on 17 March, 2011

“Did Nadya really love, Pavlo?”

“No, she loved Andrij. She never loved Pavlo.”

“But what about Stephan?”

“Oh, she didn’t love him–”

“Yes, she did! He was her first love!”

It’s a surreal experience to sit among a group of well-read women passionately discussing a book that I wrote. It’s flattering, humbling, exciting, and a little scary.

Last week I was invited into the beautiful home of Olena Pryma, who was hostess to her book club’s monthly gathering in March. Generous appetizers and cocktails were served as the ladies arrived, introducing themselves and catching up with one another.

I didn’t know most of the women in attendance, but I recognized their names and faces. Several of them knew my parents or members of my mother or father’s families. On the flip-side, I knew (or knew of) several of their children.

I sipped my red wine, a little nervous about what these women would think of The Silence of Trees. Like my protagonist, Nadya, many of their mothers had lived through WWII and emigrated to the United States. These women were part of the Ukrainian community in Chicago, most of them grew up in the Ukrainian Village, and their opinions would carry a great deal of weight with me.

We sat down for a delicious meal prepared and served by our hostess (and her husband). I briefly introduced myself and talked about my background, motivation, and process of writing. Olena then began the formal discussion of The Silence of Trees, touching upon such issues as Nadya’s character and her issues of regret and guilt, authenticity and acceptance.

Their discussion was thoughtful and lively. They asked provocative questions and spoke about how parts of the book resonated with them. (Part of me wished that I had my little notebook beside me to jot down notes from the evening’s discussion, but I focused instead on their impressions.)

We remember our firsts: first love, first job, first best friend. Though others many follow, the first creates an impression.

The ladies of Olena Pryma’s book club and their generosity and thoughtfulness will forever be remembered as my first book club as a visiting author. They will be reading their 100th book in May. The Silence of Trees was their 98th book. From what I heard, my novel was in some good company. I know that I certainly was in excellent company.

Thank you, ladies. Dyakuyu!