PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The annual Creative Writers Reading Series will begin Wednesday, April 12, at Northern Maine Community College in honor of National Community College Month and National Poetry Month. Three noontime sessions will be held featuring readings from a guest writer as well as students.
The series will take place the next three Wednesdays, April 12, 19 and 26, at 12 noon in the college’s library. Students from NMCC’s creative writing class will read from their poetry, creative nonfiction and fiction. A guest writer will then will share writings and answer questions.
“This is a wonderful chance for students to share their work,” said Jan Grieco, NMCC instructor and series coordinator, “and we are blessed that Maine authors have been generous in sharing their time and knowledge with the students and the public.”
On April 12, Aroostook County native Shonna Milliken Humphrey will attend. Now living downstate, Humphrey writes, teaches, works with groups on ways to improve systems and offers development consultation.
Her first novel, “Show Me Good Land” (Down East Books, 2011) was a semifinalist for the 2012 VCU Cabell Award, and her essays have appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Salon, Down East and Maine magazines. For two years, Humphrey also contributed to The Maine Sunday Telegram as a food writer. She provides writing, editing, marketing, development, coaching and grant writing services to individuals and organizations.
Her latest book, “Dirt Roads and Diner Pie” (Central Recovery Press, 2016) is a memoir that chronicles a month-long road trip through the southern United States with her husband as they deal with the repercussions of the child sex abuse he saw, heard, feared and experienced while a student at New Jersey’s American Boychoir School.
On April 19, Anne Britting Oleson, also a native Mainer, will read. Her work has been published widely on four continents. She earned her MFA at the Stonecoast program of the University of Southern Maine. Her first novel, “The Book of the Mandolin Player” (B Ink Publishing, 2016), was recognized by Frank O. Smith, author of “Dream Singer” and book reviewer for the Maine Sunday Telegram, as one of the best overlooked books of the year.
She has also published two poetry chapbooks, “The Church of St. Materiana” (2007) and “The Beauty of It” (2010), which received second place in the Sheltering Pines Press chapbook contest. A third chapbook, “Counting the Days”, is forthcoming from Pink Girl Ink, and a second novel, “Dovecote”, is forthcoming in September. Britting Oleson is also a full-time high school teacher.
This is the third year for the creative writers reading series.
“This is such a terrific opportunity for my students to have their voices heard,” Greico said. “It’s also a wonderful occasion for other students at the college and members of the public who love literature to hear original work by both experienced, published writers and talented beginners.”
The college invites the public to attend these sessions.
