Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline” is a spooky story that kids read as an adventure tale. Join us for this month’s Children’s Book Club.
The Old Victorian Inn, Alderson, West Virginia
Mildred’s Garden characters Mildred Ruffner and Cindy Newton wind up their bed and breakfast tour at Old Vic, the Old Victorian Inn, in Alderson, WV.
Book Club Announcement: Don’t Ask Why by Michelle Ortega
Join us for our next book club, discussing poet Michelle Ortega’s chapbook, Don’t Ask Why, beginning in October (domestic violence month).
Poets and Poems: Sr. Sharon Hunter and “To Shatter Glass”
The 56 poems of “To Shatter Glass” by Sr. Sharon Hunter strive to make sense of a life filled with pain, grief, and suffering.
Poetry Prompt: Homecoming Poems
Join author Callie Feyen as she considers the romantic struggle that is Homecoming and offers a poetry prompt about rites of passage.
Reading Generously: ‘Mildred’s Garden’—A Begin Again Story
Begin Again with a love story—”Mildred’s Garden” by Laura Boggess. Even if you don’t like romance, it’s easy to read this book generously.
The Surprise Leap: Notes on the Writing Life
As in the rest of life, the writing life is about more than beginning. Often times, what defines the work (and who we are) happens in the middles.
The Preston County Inn, Kingwood, West Virginia
Fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden) continue their bed and breakfast tour, visiting the lovely Preston County Inn, in Kingwood, West Virginia.
Sitting in ‘Mildred’s Garden’ with Laura Boggess
“Mildred’s Garden” by Laura Boggess combines music, poetry, the beauty of West Virginia, and a refugee story into a delight of a novel.
Poetry Prompt: Dickinson the Series & Code Poems
Join author Callie Feyen as she watches Dickinson the Series, tries to crack the code of a Dickinson poem, and invites you to write your own code poem.
By Heart: ‘Somewhere or Other’ + New H.D. Challenge
Love is there — “Somewhere or Other.” Beauty keeps hope alive. Join us and learn a love poem by Christina Rossetti By Heart.
The Beekeeper Inn, Helvetia, West Virginia
Fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden) continue their bed and breakfast tour, visiting the charming Beekeeper Inn, in the Swiss-American community of Helvetia, West Virginia.
Poets and Poems: Peter A and ‘Art of Insomnia’
The poems of “Art of Insomnia” by Peter A tell the story of a profound grief, a loss so devastating that the poet questions his existence.
50 States of Generosity: Illinois
We continue our 50 States of Generosity series with a focus on Illinois and its state fossil, the mysterious Tully monster.
The Brass Pineapple Inn, West Virginia
Visit the charming (and real) Brass Pineapple Inn through the eyes of fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden)!
Poets and Poems: Andrew Benson Brown and “Legends of Liberty”
“Legends of Liberty” by Andrew Benson Brown is part epic, mock-epic, historical fact and invention, and all sheer fun.
Poetry Prompt: Poems on the Writing Life
Poems on the Writing Life start with life—whether real or imagined. Take a walk with author Callie Feyen and find your “writing life” poems!
Children’s Book Club: ‘Llama Llama Misses Mama’
Let’s get all up in our feelings with Llama LLama, off to school without his mama. Join us for an Anna Dewdney Children’s Book Club.
Poet Laura: Replenishing the Imagination
Writers need to fill the imagination tank now and then. Our Poet Laura takes us for a long drive to find a feast for the eyes.
‘Spoon River America’: Jason Stacy on the Myth of the Small Town
“Spoon River America” by Jason Stacy explains how the myth of the small Midwestern town supplanted the myth of the New England village.