Field's End Roundtable talk at Bainbridge Public Library

February 21, 2012 | 7 - 8:30 p.m. | Bainbridge Public Library | Free Event

Reading, Living, and Writing Cross-Culturally

with Margaret Chang

How do writers shape and inform stories depicting a culture other than their own? Margaret Chang, who married into a Chinese family, offers insights based on her experience as a writer, teacher, critic, librarian, and member of a supportive community that advocates for cross-cultural understanding.

Margaret Chang, a former children’s librarian, holds an MA in Children’s Literature and for 17 years taught college courses in children’s literature. With her Chinese-born husband, she has published four children’s books set in China, and an introduction to the Chinese language. A longtime reviewer for School Library Journal, she served on two American Library Association award committees: the 2005 Caldecott and the 2007 Batchelder. Chang was also a judge for the 6th Annual Massachusetts Book Awards. She is now on the Board of Directors for USBBY, an organization promoting international understanding through children’s books. Her most recent book is Celia’s Robot. Listen to a podcast with Margaret Chang.

The library is located at 1270 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, WA

Field's End Class with George Shannon

George Shannon is teaching "Writing the Picture Book" class at Field's End. This is a great opportunity to study with a master of picture books.

The class is has four sessions- October 13, 20, 27 and November 3 from 7-9 p.m. at the Bainbridge Public Library. Cost is $160.

For more information and to register visit the class link.

Thanks to Margaret Nevinski for sending the link!

Writing the Teen Novel with Suzanne Selfors

Walk into any bookstore and you'll notice the young adult section has doubled. Teenagers are reading! And there’s a variety of styles and subjects—it’s not just about vampires. While stories vary, at the heart of every teen novel is the coming-of-age theme. Using popular YA novels as examples, this class will explore the unique aspects of writing for teens. We’ll discuss concerns such as “Do I have to sound like a teenager?” “Should I worry about trends?” and “How do I get in touch with my inner teen?” Each class will be a blend of lecture and workshop. Writers of all levels are welcome, but a first chapter of a work-in-progress is required. The instructor and class members will read the chapters before discussion in the workshop sessions. Students will receive a written critique from the instructor.

Students should mail up to 12 double-spaced pages from their first chapters along with their application. Before class begins, students will be notified as to how many copies to bring to the first class.


There are four sessions; Thursday, Feb. 24 and March 3, 10, and 17, from 7-9 p.m. at the Library Meeting Room, at the Bainbridge Public Library (1270 Madison Avenue N., Bainbridge Island). Cost is $160. To register, or for more information visit the Fields' End website.

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"Reading Like a Writer" Class

Seattle poet and picture book writer Julie Larios is presenting a class through Field's End, "Reading Like a Writer," on Bainbridge Island on two Sundays, November 7 and 14, from 2-4 p.m. The cost is $50 for individuals, and groups of 5 or more registering together cost is $40 per person.

We turn to books for many reasons – for intellectual stimulation, entertainment, solace, the satisfaction of personal curiosity, the mastering of new skills, and the simple camaraderie of fellow readers. Each of these pleasures can be developed and deepened by learning how to read like a writer. Using the book Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose as a guide, we’ll look at strategies writers use to pull readers into their stories. We’ll focus on devices both large and small (from narrative arcs to the artful sentence) and share careful observations about a handful of wonderful books, including the National Book Award winner Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann.

Seattle poet Julie Larios teaches in the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts and has been published widely in reviews and magazines such as The Atlantic Monthly, Ploughshares, Threepenny Review, and Poetry Northwest. She is the author of four poetry collections for children and has had work included twice in The Best American Poetry series. Recently she was awarded a fellowship by the Washington State Arts Commission/Artist Trust. Find out more about Julie at her blog.

Details and registration at the Field's End website.