Time to Start Writing, Ridgefield!

The Ridgefield Library is not just for readers! We also serve numerous writers with workshops, networking groups and various occasions to share their work with the public. This summer we are offering special opportunities for writers of all ages to enter a pair of writing contests.

August 15^th is the deadline for submissions by children going into Grades K-8 for our project with the Story Pirates. All entrants will receive a written response from the Story Pirates professionals, and selected stories will be dramatized by the troupe in a lively and entertaining performance on October 1^st at the Ridgefield Playhouse.

Adults and teens (aged 15 and older) are invited to enter a separate contest, with a September 1^st deadline.  Submissions of up to 3,000 words are being accepted in five genre categories, including mystery/suspense, romance, historical fiction, science fiction/fantasy and general fiction.  The only other requirement is that each story feature the Ridgefield Library in some way! Winners will be recognized at an event at the Library on October 1^st.

Submission guidelines and entry forms are available at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.  Tickets to the Story Pirates performance may be purchased by the general public at www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. Get writing, Ridgefield!

Library a Home for Teens

Extended hours for midterms were a big hit, but this is not all we have on tap in the Ellis Family Teen Center for those in grades 6 through 12.

The 3^rd in our series of Teen Trivia afternoons for teams of 9^th through 12^th graders is coming up on February 6^th, with the final tournament of the year scheduled for May.

We are pleased to welcome NY Times columnist and author Frank Bruni to Ridgefield on March 6^th for a presentation and workshops based on his book “Where You Go Is Not Who You Will Be.” Registration is required at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org. We also invite students and parents to visit our College Corner to learn more about post-secondary school options.

Our popular Reading Is a Family Affair intergenerational book discussion series is being expanded to include sessions for those in grades 6-8 and their parents, starting with Gary D. Schmidt’s “Okay for Now” on March 15^th.

Joining Crafternoons, Teen Tech Thursdays and Middle and High School Critics as monthly programs are a Teen Writers Group and Fandoms Unite, a celebration of pop culture.

Add in Ridgefield Folk concerts and an upcoming “Scholarly Look at Harry Potter,” and it’s no wonder the Library is becoming a true home for Ridgefield teens.

New Series for Writers

As part of the Library’s mission to help both experienced and novice writers hone their craft, we are presenting a brand new series of workshops and talks aimed at writers of all levels.  The series, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is called Write It! and will continue throughout the year.  

Starting on January 16 Phyllis Ross will return to the Library to present a three part workshop aimed at the beginning writer.  This is strictly for those budding writers who have no prior workshop experience. On February 9 author and editor Adele Annesi will present a program called Life Lines, which will focus on the art of non-fiction writing and then on April 6 she will present a program called The Art of the Essay.  This program will be of special interest to high school students trying to put together that perfect college essay.  Professor Michael White, from Fairfield University, will discuss From Idea to Book on March 6. More workshops are scheduled for the fall, with a workshop on writing for a teen audience and a program on screenwriting in the works.  Also in the fall we are very excited that the New Ridgefield Library will be hosting the second annual Ridgefield Writers Conference. 

Contributed by Adult Program Director Lesley Lambton.