Lit Youngstown is announcing its programming for February and March, which includes virtual readings, book discussions, and co-sponsorship of a special presentation by author Marra B. Gad.
First Wednesday Readers Series – Darlene Montonaro of Cleveland and David Swerdlow of New Wilmington, Pa. will read their work during the First Wednesday Readers Series. The virtual program occurs 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3 on Lit Youngstown’s Facebook page. The public can participate on Zoom and/or read in the open mic. Participants can register here.
MONTONAROMontonaro’s poetry has appeared in a number of literary magazines including Calyx, Slipstream, Earth’s Daughters, Blueline, and The Comstock Review. She served for 12 years as the director of the Poets’ & Writers’ League. In 2016, she was awarded a Creative Workforce Fellowship from Community Partnership for Arts and Culture.
Swerdlow’s poems have appeared in American Poetry Review, Poetry and The Iowa Review. He has published two books of poetry, “Bodies on Earth” (2010) and “Small Holes in the Universe” (2003). His first novel, “Television Man,” came out in 2019. Swerdlow teaches at Westminster College.
SWERDLOWOther upcoming programs include:
Teen Writers Workshops – These informal gatherings are for writing and creative expression. This Zoom program is for teenagers and open to all experience levels. Workshops are facilitated by Carrie George, a poet, photographer, and MFA candidate at the Northeast Ohio MFA program. She is the current graduate fellow for the Wick Poetry Center, where she teaches poetry in local schools and various community programs. Register here once and attend any number of workshops.
Food for Thought. This monthly book discussion series is facilitated on Zoom. “The Nickel Boys,” a novel by Colson Whitehead, occurs 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10. “The Nickel Boys” is available from the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, Maag Library (via OhioLink), and Barnes and Noble at YSU. Future programs include: “We Need New Names,” a novel by NoViolet Bulawayo, Wednesday, March 10; “Parable of the Sower,” a graphic novel by Octavia Butler, April 14; and “An American Marriage,” a novel by Tayari Jones, May 12. To register, visit here.
An Evening with Marra B. Gad – Lit Youngstown is among the co-sponsors of “An Evening with Marra B. Gad,” which occurs virtually 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8. Gad is the author of the memoir “The Color of Love: The Story of a Mixed-Race Jewish Girl.” In this virtual conversation, Gadd will speak on her personal journey as a biracial Jewish woman. Adopted as an infant by a white, Jewish family in Chicago, Marra came to realize as a child that she was “a mixed-race, Jewish unicorn” and not “Black enough.” “Her inspirational story proves that when all else is stripped away, love is where we return, and love is always our greatest inheritance,” notes the program’s sponsors. Participants can register for the online event or preorder Gadd’s memoir at JewishYoungstown.org….
Lit Youngstown experiments with Writers Circle format – “We’re trying out a new format for the Writers Circle,” said representatives from Lit Youngstown. “We sure do miss meeting with a few dozen of you around a cluster of tables to talk and share ideas. We’ve tried a few online formats, to limited success, so let’s try something completely different.” In response, Lit Youngstown is encouraging participants to share their work online on Google. Participants can post and receive (constructive) feedback on poems, fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, plays and screenplays. Lit Youngstown board member Josh Nauman built the page.
Two Virtual Writing Workshops from the JCC – Mari Alschuler will lead two virtual writing workshops for the Jewish Community Center. They include: “Writing for Well-Being,” a six week journaling group that seeks to “open up inner strengths, self-understanding, and relaxation.” It occurs 3:30-5 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan 26-March 2; “Writing Memoir from Photos,” a seven week memoir writing group that uses family and travel photos to prompt short memoir pieces. It occurs 3:30-5 p.m., March 16-April 27. Recommended reading: “The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr.” To register, visit www.jewishyoungstown.org….
About Lit Youngstown – Lit Youngstown is a community-based literary arts nonprofit for writers, readers and storytellers. For more information, visit LitYoungstown.org….
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