F211.
Concise Punches of Reality: Readings from Five Chapbook Memoirists
Friday, March 25, 2022
1:45 pm to 2:45 pm
Some shy away from writing memoir because writing a lengthy, personal, emotional narrative of hundreds of pages seems too daunting. Yet, as these memoirists' readings will show, it's possible to craft memorable journeys within a shortened format. These writers utilize first person narration as well as poetry, photography, and social justice essays, reading from works that were made all the more powerful by being published in chapbook form. These are not tomes but concise punches of reality.
Participants
Romaine Washington is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Purgatory Has an Address and Sirens in Her Belly. She is a fellow of The Watering Hole, and her writing has appeared in several publications including Lullwater Review, San Bernardino Singing, and Accolades: WWS.
gail butensky, a documentary photographer for many years, chronicles music (working for bands, record labels, and many publications); along with with more documentary work, gail has displayed her photos in several group and solo shows. Every Bend is her first book.
Allen Callaci is the lead singer for the band Refrigerator and an adjunct professor at Mt. San Antonio Community College. He is the author of the memoir Heart like a Starfish, Louder than Goodbye, and 17 & Life who has also blogged for the Huffington Post and Black Knight Nation.
Kendall Johnson is a writer, artist, and former trauma consultant in Upland, California. His literary memoir book Chaos and Ashes was released last June, and his collection of flash memoir Black Box Poetics was recently published.
Juanita E. Mantz is a deputy public defender, podcaster, DJ, and lawyer. Her chapbook Portrait of a Deputy Public Defender (or how I became a punk rock lawyer) was released in 2021. Her memoir about her punk rock childhood is due for release in 2022.
