(the above pictures are (L to R) Rhina P. Espaillat and a few of her poetry books)
Yesterday was the 2008 Newburyport Literary Festival in Newburyport, MA and it was a huge success! Plus, you couldn’t beat the weather — sunny and beautiful! I had 5 other fabulous photographers helping me document the event (which actually started with a kickoff on Friday night). Thanks again to Peter Grimshaw, Dan Powers, Paula Renda, Kay Bice and Eva Timothy for helping me document this year’s event! I will be posting pictures and slideshows from each of the photographers probably within the next couple weeks….so stay tuned and bookmark this site!
I got a note from Paula Renda saying, ” I am still flying high from my experience photographing the authors and people enjoying the Festival. I meet some fantastic people and the most friendly and enthusiastic authors. What talent all in one place. I wasn’t intending to spend any money, but after listening to many fascinating stories, I couldn’t resist!”
I’ll post more feedback from the other photographers as I get it. But from the initial emails from them, they all had a great time and want to come back next year! (Hear that Skye & Vicky!!! I knew you would be happy to hear this!) : )
We all had a chance to meet and hear some wonderful authors and poets, as well as some of the volunteers from Comcast and from around the surrounding communities. Everyone I spoke with was thoroughly enjoying themselves (including me!). I had a chance to meet Rhina P. Espaillat (the poet being honored) and got to hear various other authors/poets, one being Andre Dubus III, who was honored last year. He has a new book coming out in June and will be at Jabberwocky in July doing a signing of his new book. I can’t wait to read it.
I was running between the Central Congregational Church, the Universalist Unitarian Church, The Firehouse Center for the Arts, the Old South Church and the Newburyport Library so I had the chance to hear snipets of each of the presentations (plus got lots of exercise!). There are so many wonderful local authors and poets in this area. We are so lucky! There were two ladies, Mameve Medwed and JoeAnn Hart who were a hoot! I tell you, after hearing all these authors, I want to read all of their books!
I would love to hear any other feedback from people who attended the festival. Just post comments to this post. Stay tuned!!!
Pingback: After Action - Newburyport Literary Festival 2008 « danielpowersphoto weblog
I met many, accomplished photographers whose work I had only known by name [and website] – Christine McGarry, Kay Bice, Robert Pyle. Others are names whose work I have come to appreciate even more, such as Eva Timothy.
Although I was present as a photographer, I was equally touched by the authors themselves. A few examples… William “Bill” Sargent was charismatic as he spoke of man’s changing relationship with our environment; his passion is as evident in his body language, as in his speech! It makes a fun anecdote to report that we met in the men’s room immediately prior to his panel discussion, and upon seeing that I was a photographer he immediately engaged me with a discussion of the 33 homes lost in Chatham during the winter storm of 1987! How is that for being passionate about your work? See, “Storm Surge: A Coastal Village Battles the Rising Atlantic”.
X.J. “Joe” Kennedy – poet, editor, anthologist, and educator – swept his audience off their feet with his comic genius and touched their hearts with his eloquence.
New York Times bestselling author, Cheryl Richardson, even more beautiful in person than on the cover, captivated an auditorium full with aspiring authors. At the end of 90-plus minutes no one left until the very end of the question-and-answers. She was personal and intimate with every book-signing.
For a glimpse of photographs to come and more on the volunteering experience at this event, see my post at http://danielpowersphoto.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/after-action-newburyport-literary-festival-2008/
Dan, thank you so much for your comments and feedback on the festival. I’m so glad it was a wonderful experience for you. It does feel great to “give back” to such a great community and for such a worthy event. I look forward to working with you again. I love your work!!
Best, Chris
The Poet’s Roundtable Discussion on Friday Night was very entertaining; informative and stimulating! Each one of the four Poets expressed their personal views on: What made them first want to write Poems (reading a lot); Who their favorite Poets are (then & now) and the future of Poetry & Writing in our schools today (needs help!). The attentive audience put forth some challenging & intriguing questions and were rewarded with some amusing and knowledgeable answers. All in all; A superlative start to yet another Newburyport Literary Festival! Bravo!