Staying in a metal house and other adventures

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Quick check in from La Crosse where I’m staying in a metal house and enjoying fabulous food, coffee, chocolate, and company!

The reading went really well. The People’s Food Co-op is a fantastic venue. I wish I could shrink it tardis-style and bring it home with me to Chicago (along with the fabulous people of La Crosse).

Madeline Carol Matz signing.

Some provocative questions that I had never been asked before, and I loved having Madeline with me to talk about the process of creating the cover. (Plus folks there were lucky to get her to sign their books as well!)

Brunch at Hackberries (excellent coffee!)

Shared dinner with Maura Henn (Tigerinvaseline) who put this all together and her partner Ethan (a phenomenal artist) at the “Metal House” where we’re staying (one of the Lustron Houses).

La Crosse grey but lovely.

This morning began with coffee and breakfast at Hackberries and exploring the neighborhood, enjoying local coffee, crafts, and hospitality. Even the grey, rainy day could not dampen our spirits in such good company.

At the Root Note (home of excellent chai!)

Now we’re listening to The Carolina Chocolate Drops and getting ready for tonight’s roller derby bout and other shenanigans.

Words and wheels weekend in Wisconsin continues…

More ripples

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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

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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: