In a city like Green Bay, something is always happening. Last weekend, though, was particularly special, as the second annual UntitledTown Book and Author Festival kicked off on the afternoon of Thursday, April 19 and filled the city with enjoyment until the evening of Sunday, April 22. I made the three hour trip south from the northwoods of Wisconsin to Green Bay just to attend the festival, and gosh, was it worth it. Not only was the weather beautiful, but the spirit of enthusiasm, encouragement, and excitement was tangible. UntitledTown 2018, much like last year’s festival, was again a reminder of why I love the literary arts and the city of Green Bay so much.

Over the course of the weekend, I rode the trolley all across downtown, attending numerous different events and, many times, wishing I could attend several at once. UntitledTown 2018 offered the chance to meet authors like Roxanne Gay, Christopher Moore, Michael Perry, Danez Smith, and R.L. Stine – who is hilarious, by the way. Because of UntitledTown, I was able to meet one of my favorite authors, Dan Chaon, and have him sign my copy of his book.

However, in addition to meeting lots of great authors, the Festival also allowed me to do things like sit down with a real literary agent and ask him questions, attend panels that helped me learn how to market myself as a writer and how to keep up a writing habit with a busy schedule, as well as get tips from experts about creating “hybrid forms” like blogs and podcasts. My favorite event, I’d have to say, was the session by author Angie Stanton on Sunday morning about what happens after a publisher offers a book deal. All of these are opportunities that I and many others alike would not otherwise have if it were not for UntitledTown.

As a Festival attendee, reader, and writer alike, I found the presentations at UntitledTown to be honest and uplifting, and the friendly, open atmosphere made the events feel more like a conversation with a friend rather than a formal event. UntitledTown, for me, showcased everything that makes the literary community great, and one of the best parts about it was being surrounded by those who are passionate about the same things I am. Though I never wanted it to end, I certainly left the Festival feeling inspired and empowered to write.

Therefore, I extend a hand of thanks to all those who make this incredible Festival possible: board members, volunteers, sponsors, presenters, and of course, attendees. Thank you for making UntitledTown great. I can’t wait to see what next year will bring.

Writing and Listening — an Interview with Brooke Randel

2 weeks ago

As a young girl Brooke Randel knew little about the Holocaust—just that it was a catastrophe in which millions were murdered, and that her grandma Golda Indig barely escaped that fate. But her Bubbie never spoke about what happened, and the two spent most of their time together making pleasant memories: baking crescent roll cookies, playing gin rummy, and watching Baywatch. Until an unexpected phone call when Golda said, out of the blue: “You should write about my life. What happened in the war.” What results is a fascinating memoir—about one woman’s harrowing survival, and another’s struggle to excavate theRead more…