March, 2012

Biblio File Historian studies presidents Keir Graff’s first kids’ book, The Other Felix, was named to the Public Library’s “Best of the Best” list for clues about Americans for 2011. And it seems like it’s “meilleur du meilleur” in France, too. The Other BY THOMAS FRISBIE name “Dutch” clash. In one, after calling Felix will be published there by Bayard, or an author who is writing his third him a Dutchman upon seeing him at birth, with new illustrations, in the company’s book about an American president, his father, Jack, says: “Who knows he Estampillette series. Keir has also been Fhistorian Rick Perlstein has a sur- may end up being president someday.” invited to work with talented young writ- prising admission: He doesn’t think those Another has it that he got the moniker ers at the Reading Council’s presidents are the focus of his work. after getting a haircut his brother said Young Authors Conference in May. “I am not so much interested in these made him look Dutch. And yet another Meanwhile, he is hard at work on his leaders,” Perlstein said at the Society of person who knew Reagan when he was next kids’ book, The Midland Authors monthly program March young could not remember ever hearing Matchstick Castle, 13 at the Cliff Dwellers Club in Chicago. him called Dutch a single time. Reagan which will be pub- “I studied them to understand us.” himself wrote that he came up with the lished by Roaring For example, the shift in voter prefer- nickname and asked people to call him Brook Press in the fall ence from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Dutch. (“It’s hard to make stories about of 2013. ... Bruce Reagan reflected a shift in the Ronald Reagan match up,” Guernsey (See New nation’s mentality – a shift in the Perlstein said.) Books, Page 4) may aspirations that make us who we – In one of his various ver- be the only SMA are, he said. sions of his earliest memory, member who has twice Craig Sautter Perlstein is author of the Reagan said it was hearing his sailed around the acclaimed books Before the father rush in to tell of the disas- world. ... Illinois Gov. Storm: Barry Goldwater and the trous sinking of the Eastland in has appointed past Society of Unmaking of the American the Chicago River (a topic about Midland Authors President R. Craig Consensus and Nixonland: The which Jay Bonansinga, who Sautter to the Abraham Lincoln Rise of a President and the Rick Perlstein will emcee the SMA dinner on Presidential Library Advisory Board, and Fracturing of America. At the May 8, wrote a book). his nomination has been confirmed by the SMA program, he read from the Perlstein said keeping track of full Illinois State Senate. (The only second chapter of his upcoming book research material has changed since the requirement is that he wear a beard and a The Invisible Bridge: The 1970s and the days when authors surrounded themselves stovepipe hat. And say “four score” Rise of Ronald Reagan. with piles of paper notes and files. whenever he means eighty.) ... 1993 SMA In each of the books, Perlstein said, the “Physically, I have barely any files any- award winner and 2004 finalist Carol first chapter sets the atmosphere of the more [because] the computer allows you Anshaw has a new novel: Carry the One period and ends by introducing the char- to do search for things in this pile of (Simon & Schuster). She was signing acter around whom the book revolves. data,” he said. books March 6 at the Swedish American The second chapter is biographical – But that doesn’t mean an author doesn’t Museum. ... 2007 SMA Children’s “their aspirations, their inner conflicts.” have to keep track of what’s in those files, Nonfiction winners Dennis Brindell Among the biographical tidbits about he said. Fradin and Judith Bloom Fradin’s new Reagan in Chapter Two: “I organize the material by never losing book is Zora! The Life of Zora Neale – Versions of how Reagan got the nick- Turn to PRESIDENTS, Page 2 Hurston. ... Adam Langer tweets to explain what it means when a book reviewer says, “I won’t reveal more.” Translation: “I didn’t read the whole April New Literary Latest: damn thing.” (For more euphemism Poetry Program Books Robert Loerzel translations, see Page 7). ... Besides her PAGE 2 PAGES 4-5 PAGE 8 Turn to Page 2 Biblio File April program: Discussion, Continued from Page 1 Pushcart nomination from the film on poetry of The Iliad Connecticut Review, Linda Nemec he Society of Midland Authors Foster received nominations from three April 10, 2012, program other journals. Throughout the month of presents a screening of the new February, she taught poetry workshops at Tdocumentary “Poets and Profs: Theater Wit, the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Looking at ‘The Iliad’” followed by a dis- 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago Grand Rapids, Mich. Earlier this month, cussion with the film’s directors, Mark www.theaterwit.org she planned to attend the AWP Eleveld and Ronald Conference in Chicago (Hilton Hotel) Maruszak, at 7 p.m. 6 p.m. - Social Hour where she was scheduled to do a book Tuesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. - Program Theater Wit, 1229 W. signing at the New Issues Press booth at Free - donations accepted the conference’s Book Fair. Foster is the Belmont Ave. founder of the Contemporary Writers The 66-minute film Series at Aquinas College; on March 14, features poets, includ- Eleveld, a Midland Authors board fellow SMA member Scott Turow was ing Robert Pinksy, member, is editor of the books The scheduled to be the guest of honor at a Edward Hirsch and Spoken Word Revolution and The Spoken gala fund-raiser for the CWS endowment. Mark Marc Smith, perform- Word Revolution Redux. Maruszak is pro- ... Richard Cahan was quoted in the Eleveld ing sections of “The ducer of “Slam the Radio: Poetry” on Feb. 16 New York Times about amateur Iliad,” as well as Xm/Sirus' Book Channel. photographer Vivian Maier. He working scholars scholars Elizabeth Samet, Nick The film begins at 7 p.m., but the Society on a book about her. On March 22, at Rudall, James Redfield and Herman encourages guests to arrive early for a Sinaiko discussing the multitude of social hour 6-7 p.m. in Theater Wit’s bar. Turn to Page 3 themes within Homer’s ancient epic. A Reservations are not required. Admission is trailer for the film is at: free, but the Society will accept donations to defray the cost of programs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_p9_r For more information, see www.midlan- s-Cl4 dauthors.com. Eleveld and Maruszak are English (Note: There won't be free appetizers as teachers who co-founded EM Press. we've usually had at the Cliff Dwellers.) 2012, Society of Midland Authors P.O. Box 10419, Chicago IL 60610 n Presidents Continued from Page 1 Editor: Thomas Frisbie [email protected] sight of the story I am trying to tell, Also, the same story lines keep appear- and always trying to provide forward ing, he said. Copy editor: Steve Huntley motion in creating a narrative,” he said. “I like to say these days that every arti- “ ... Storytelling is the most powerful way cle I wrote has been the same for 15 years www.midlandauthors.com to deliver an analytical message.” and can be summarized in four words: All those electronic notes also come in ‘Republicans crazy, Democrats stupid,’ ” Follow the Society on handy for writing articles about politics, he said. said Perlstein, a former writer for the Twitter@midlandauthors After reading from his chapter, Perlstein Village Voice and the New Republic. told the audience they would have to wait Society of Midland Authors members “The cool thing is that when it comes to a year to get the rest of the story. can now pay their membership dues, the historically grounded political essays I buy tickets to the annual dinner and write now, I have a big enough archive to “When this book comes out, I think it is make donations on our website with pull [information] out of my computer going to be fascinating,” he said. PayPal (there is a $1 feel to help cover and be able to apply it to contemporary PayPal’s fee). To make a donation, visit politics,” he said. “My 80 million refer- The Society of Midland Authors’ 2011- our home page at www.midlandau- thors.com and click on the "Donate" ences to the obscure 1960s [Michigan] 2012 programs may be heard in their button in the upper right corner. governor George Romney have become entirety at www.chicagopublicradio.org/ prime real estate in journalism.” amplified.

“Lisa leaned back in her chair, trying to keep calm. Major McCall shifted in his chair. The chair squeaked. Lisa struggled to prevent the noise from unnerving her. After a long moment of thoughtful silence, McCall spoke.” – Lisa’s Way, Robert Collins, 2011

2 LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 Writing an engaging story Biblio File Continued from Page 2 that’s historically accurate 7:30 p.m., he will speak and sign books BY THOMAS FRISBIE Coulie battle site, keeps an extensive at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, Literary License recently asked John archives of those accounts in the form of 875 Lake St., Oak Park, Ill. ... Gerry Christgau about Birch Coulie (New memoirs, letters, and newspaper inter- Souter’s latest book, American Shooter: Books, Page 4). Here’s what he told us: views. The Minnesota State Historical A Personal History of Gun Culture in the Society also has extensive holdings United States, iterary License: What interested focused on the Dakota War and the Battle was released you in the Dakota War? of Birch Coulie. The best narrative nationally by L John Christgau: My interest in accounts of the war by Indians can be Potomac the Dakota War began in 1972 when I found in Through Dakota Eyes by Gary Books on Feb was looking for the setting of a novel Anderson and Alan Woolworth. In these 28. He and his (Spoon). I was born and raised in somewhat scattered accounts and records, wife, Janet Minnesota and my high school history a dramatic narrative line is missing. The Souter, have teachers taught me all I wanted to know challenge for me in writing about the bat- also been com- (and much I didn’t want to know) about tle was to present an engaging story that missioned by the Boer Wars and other dull historical was historically accurate at the same time their London Gerry Souter events. I didn’t discover the tragedy or the it captured the hair-raising moment-by- publisher, importance of the Dakota War until I left moment drama of the battle. Carlton Books (with Scholastic as their the state. Over time, it became apparent to Literary License: Where do the differ- U.S. distributor), to create a proposal for me from my reading that the war dramati- ent spellings of Coulie come from? the March 19 Bologna Book Fair titled cally illustrated all that John Christgau: Technology in War – a look at the chang- was wrong with the Immediately after and ing face of warfare in light of technology government's policies Literary ever ever since the bat- replacing troops for key roles. Also, two with respect to Native tle the word coulie has of their other book projects, the memoir, Americans. Landscape been spelled numerous The Art Student: Living with Wildebeest Literary License: ways: coulee, coulie, and Photog! Chicago Press Photograph- What don’t people John cooley, couley, coolie, ers and 100 years of Life on the Streets understand about it? etc. In his early are nearing completion. Their new blog is John Christgau: Christgau account of the Dakota souterauthors.blogspot. They’ve had to This year is the sesqui- War, Charles change their e-mail, too, because of tech- centennial of the Dakota War and the Flaundrau acknowledges the dispute over nical problems. It’s now Birch Coulie battle. At the time, the the correct spelling of the term. He [email protected]. ... Ted Indians were characterized as ferocious explains the the term is from the French McClelland was quot- savages who were determined to drive all verb “couler,” meaning a slow, trickling ed in a March 17 Los white settlers from Minnesota. stream. Flandrau argues that the true Angeles Times story That characterization of Indians as a spelling of the word is “coulie.” His argu- about HBOs’ “Luck.” warlike people still persists. (The “toma- ment was often ignored, as evidenced by ... The nonprofit hawk chop” by Atlanta baseball fans, and a participant’s color sketch of the battle National Society of the fight by University of North Dakota site that appears on the Birch Coulie Newspaper alums to preserve their “Fighting Sioux” book jacket. Columnists Education mascot demonstrate how abiding that Literary License: What is your next Foundation has image of Native Americans is.) Few book? renamed its under- understand today that in the dramatic and John Christgau: I have several writing Jeffrey Zaslow graduate college desperate struggle by the Dakota Indians projects in various stages of completion, scholarship program to to regain their ancestral lands, the fate of among them a screenplay loosely based honor SMA member Jeffrey Zaslow, Minnesota hung in the balance during the on a horse racing scandal in Los Angeles who died last month. ... Spoken word two days of the Birch Coulie battle. in 1941, and another an anti-war stage poet Kevin Coval is scheduled to be at Literary License: How did you do play set in Iraq. Fear No Art Chicago’s March 26 dinner your research? The project closest to completion and party. ... Former SMA member Eric John Christgau: In the months and publication is titled Incident at the Klinenberg (he now lives and teaches in years following the war, numerous partic- Otterville Station, a dramatic nonfiction New York) was in town March 8 to dis- ipants gave first-hand accounts of the bat- narrative of the rescue of a Missouri slave cuss his new book, Going Solo: The tle. The Renville County Historical and his family by Minnesota soldiers in Society, located not far from the Birch 1863. Turn to Page 4

LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 3 Biblio File New Books Continued from Page 3 THE CAUSE: THE FIGHT FOR AMERICAN LIBERALISM Extraordinary Rise and Appeal of Living FROM RAIN: Alone. ... Jaimy Gordon made the U.K.’s FROM FRANKLIN POEMS, 1970-2010 Orange Prize long list. The short list will ROOSEVELT TO BARACK be announced April 17. ... Jonathan OBAMA Eig’s new website ChicagoSide goes daily April 2. Among the writers for the In simple, spare language the poetry in site focusing on Chicago sports will be From Rain: Poems, 1970-2010 by Bruce Kevin Mattson’s latest book, The Joseph Epstein, Robert Kurson and Guernsey examines the common objects Cause: The Fight for American Richard Babcock. ... Carol Madden around us as if they were clues to solving Liberalism from Franklin Roosevelt to Adorjan writes with the sad news that some kind of mystery. Ice, glass, stones, (written with Eric Yuri Rasovsky, founder of the Chicago moss, and similar inanimate things take Alterman), is an analysis of postwar Radio Theatre and, more recently, the on meaning as the poet seeks to answer American liberalism. It includes a chapter Hollywood Theatre of the Ear, died last who and why we are. These poems, one on Bruce Springsteen – the poet laureate month at age 67. He produced Carol’s of which appears below, are the detec- of working-class liberalism. Springsteen’s original radio plays, and he and she often tive’s magnifying glass to examine our America, the book says, is “one in which worked together on adaptations. “He was profound connection to the natural world working men and women were imbued a great talent and he will be missed,” she and its disruption by with dignity, even heroism, where gays says. ... Richard Lindberg has been war and loss. were embraced as brothers and sisters, engaged by his alma mater, Northeastern In particular, the where blacks and whites worked and Illinois University, to write the first book- poet reflects on the played together, and where ‘nobody wins length history of the school, which dates disappearance of his unless everybody wins.’ ” back to its 1867 founding as a Cook father from a V.A. hos- County Normal School. The project was pital in 1987. Suffering from inspired by former BIRCH COULIE: SMA President Bernie Parkinson’s disease, he Brommel, who is pos- vanished out the door THE EPIC BATTLE sibly the only Society Bruce Guernsey one spring day and OF THE DAKOTA WAR of Midland Authors was never found. His member with a univer- wandering ghost haunts this collection. sity science building “The physical world of field and forest that I learned from my father, the very In the days following the Battle of named after him Birch Coulie, the decisive battle in the (Bernard J. Brommel world he shuffled off into, I have been trying to grasp in these signs and symbols deadly Dakota War of 1862, one of Hall, see Literary President Lincoln’s private secretaries License, Novem- shaped into lines.” Arranged thematically into four sec- wrote: “There has hardly been an out- Richard ber/December, 2010). break so treacherous, so sudden, so bitter, Lindberg tions, the poems in this collection have Also, Rich was at the and so bloody, as that which filled the Palos Heights (Ill.) been published in The Atlantic, Poetry, American Scholar, The Nation, and many State of Minnesota with sorrow and Public Library March 15 to discuss his lamentation.” latest book Heartland Serial Killers, of the quarterlies, as well as in less tradi- tional publications such as Fly Rod & Even today, at the 150th anniversary of which is about Bell Gunness and Johann the Dakota War, the battle still raises Hoch, two early 20th century serial Reel, The Journal of Medical Opinion, and War, Literature and the Arts. questions and stirs controversy. killers who placed advertisements in the In Birch Coulie John Christgau (See lonely hearts columns of ethnic newspa- Glove Q&A, Page 6) recounts the dramatic pers advertising for desperately lonely If in this word events surrounding the battle, one of the men and women to marry, swindle and is love itself most important to roil the American West. ultimately murder (they didn’t put that then love is bone and blood inside Christgau’s account of the war between last part in the ads). Rich also has given the form that warms white settlers and the Dakota Indians in his talk about Gunness, Hoch and New your lovely hand– Minnesota examines two communities England ax murderess Lizzie Borden to torn by internal dissent and external Romeoville (Ill.) Library and the your hand is love threat, whites and Native Americans Norwood Park Historical Society. A talk and mine that takes your love in mine equally traumatized by the short and vio- to the Irving Park Historical Society also without your hand lent war. is on the schedule. Rich writes to say, “I is nothing but Turn to Page 5 an empty word. Turn to Page 5 4 LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 New Books mental activists and biologists I’ve met have told me that reading Silent Spring in STEP GENTLY OUT Continued from Page 4 their youth was key in their choice of careers. I am hoping to reintroduce Carson, who is not well-known to Helen Frost’s new children’s book, RACHEL CARSON our younger generation, to help show Step Gently Out (Candlewick, March 13, AND HER BOOK THAT what one very determined person 2012), introduces her young readers to CHANGED THE WORLD can do to help save the planet. It’s a the many tiny creatures around them. Her hopeful, heroic story. lyrical text is paired with photos by Rick Lieder, a Michigan nature photographer, Literary License: Will the release of artist and book-jacket designer. Laurie Lawlor’s new book (Holiday “The Lorax” help build interest among Kirkus Reviews said: “Breathtaking House, February, 2012) is for readers in kids in environmental issues? photos and an exquisite poem capture a grades 4-8. It celebrates the 50th anniver- bug's-eye view of nature. ... While Frost's sary of Carson’s path-breaking work, Laurie Lawlor: I certainly hope so! lightly rhymed declarative verse encour- Silent Spring. Here’s what Laurie told Many people – young and old – feel a ages children to experience the natural Literary License: sense of despair about the state of our world with care and openness to the tiny environment. What “The Lorax” and wonders of insect life around them, Literary License: What did you learn Rachel Carson's story show is that it’s not Lieder's richly colored intimate close ups about Rachel Carson while researching enough to take a stand quietly – but to offer every reason why. ... A dazzlingly this book? attempt to create change right now, right poetic photo album of the insect world in the communities where we live. for tots on up.” Laurie Lawlor: What seemed remark- &&& Publishers Weekly said: “Captivating able while reading her letters Here’s what the publisher says photography gives readers a closeup view was her remarkable courage and about the book: “Once you are of the world of insects, as described by a unshakable belief that this was a aware of the wonder and beauty gently contemplative poem. ... The words book she had to finish. She con- of earth, you will want to learn and images achieve a Zenlike calm that fided to one friend, “I could about it,” wrote Rachel Carson. also hints at the complicated web of life never again listen happily to a An American marine biologist unfolding all around.” thrush song if I had not done all and conservationist, Carson is I could.” credited with advancing the She was totally dedicated to global environmental movement. the painstaking research and Biblio File Laurie Lawlor The publication of Silent Spring writing of Silent Spring, know- in 1962 brought environmental Continued from Page 4 ing what kind of fire fight would concerns to the masses. possibly result from the book's publica- am always amazed by the public's fasci- In this new, accessible biography, tion. And she had real reason to be accu- nation with historic true crime. young readers are introduced to, and are rate and forceful. The chemical compa- Throughout the year I give these talks on sure to be inspired by, the widely nies immediately began a very personal various aspects of true crime, and most acclaimed biologist. slander campaign against Carson in order times I have a pretty good turnout.” ... Rachel Carson’s fascination with and to defend their products – DDT and other Scott Turow, who is president of the love for nature began when she was a pesticides. Authors Guild, recently ripped a poten- child, but it was when she started work as Throughout the creation of Silent tial U.S. Justice Department antitrust a field biologist that she noticed disturb- Spring, she was taking care of many lawsuit against publishers in an open let- ing trends in the environment. She pub- people in her extended family, including ter to members. “Amazon was using e- lished two best-selling books about the her niece's young son, whom she had book discounting to destroy bookselling, ocean, and in 1958 began investigating adopted at age 50. What's most amazing making it uneconomic for physical book- the effects of chemical pesticides. Despite to me was how she kept working on the stores to keep their doors open,” Scott criticism from the chemical industry, book while suffering through the final wrote. (For another opinion on Amazon, Silent Spring, her third book, was a huge stages of breast cancer – something she see Literary Livelihood on Page 6.) ... success and led to further studies and to told very few people. She simply would Scheduled to take part this month in legislation designed to protect the envi- not give up on the project. Columbia College Chicago’s Fiction ronment. Writing Department’s Annual Story Rachel Carson and Her Book That Literary License: Do today’s elemen- Week were Donna Seaman, Don Changed the World depicts the life of a tary school aged children know who DeGrazia and Nami Mun. woman who demonstrated through the Rachel Carson is? power of the written word how one per- Follow Biblio File on Laurie Lawlor: Many fine environ- son can alter an entire planet’s course. Twitter@bibliofileSMA

LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 5 New Members Why author removed Amazon

D. Leigh Henson, author of The Town Abraham Lincoln Warned, The Living ‘buy’ buttons from his website Namesake Heritage of Lincoln, Illinois, is BY THOMAS FRISBIE ously thinking what it would like to try to a professor emeritus of the Missouri State Jim Hanas, author of the e-book Why publish a book without Amazon. I think University English Department, where he They Cried (ECW Press, 2010) recently that is going to be a difficult choice to taught starting in 1994. removed the Amazon.com “buy” buttons make. It is difficult to try to say that I will Henson grew up in Lincoln, Ill., the from his website. He acted after Amazon never self-publish a book through first town named for Abraham Lincoln – in a dispute with Hanas’ book distribu- Amazon. That would be taking myself out before Lincoln became famous. tor, Independent Publishers Group – last of the 80 percent of the game. According to legend, in 1853 when the month removed the “buy” buttons for the Literary License: Has Amazon crossed town’s founders asked their attorney, works of IPG’s 400 indie publishers. a line? Abraham Lincoln, if they could name the Because Hanas’ book is strictly an e-book, Jim Hanas: I want to make clear, I town for him, he quipped: “You'd better Amazon’s action also removed reviews, think it’s fine if they use their weight any not do that, for I never knew anything reader comments and everything else. way they want. But I want to use my named Lincoln that amounted to much.” Literary License recently interviewed weight in the ways I can, however small Henson received his B.S., M.S. and Hanas, who grew up south of Cincinnati it might be. I think Amazon can be Ph.D. in English from Illinois State and attended Miami University in Oxford, allowed to do what it does. But I am University. He taught English at Pekin Ohio. Hanas also is author of two e-book interested in literary and different inde- Community High School from 1964 to short story collections, Cassingle (2009) pendent presses. I don’t know how IPG 1994 and part-time at Illinois Central and Single (2006). He was a digital pio- does financially, but I don’t think inde- College from 1972 to 1976. neer, distributing e-books a year before pendent book distribution is a get-rich- The Town Abraham there was a Kindle. quick business. Lincoln Warned exam- I heard someone say once that Amazon ines how the town has iterary License: Can you describe certainly can negotiate in a tough way, explored and exploited how you are taking a stand? but it seems that they are unnecessarily its connections to L Jim Hanas: The interesting aggressive when they don’t need to be Lincoln to create civic thing is that in addition to taking the buy against players that are not really that pride and strengthen button for Amazon off of my website, I important. its economy through am going whenever Literary License: tourism. Some of these possible to stop buying Has this changed your community activities from Amazon, which Literary view of Amazon? D. Leigh Henson are success stories, but isn’t easy because I Livelihood Jim Hanas: I think others reveal contro- have a Kindle, and I the thing that they are versy, irony, and missed opportunity. For kind of always blithely neglecting is Amazon nearly 10 years Henson has developed an purchased from Jim had a huge amount of online community history of Lincoln. The Amazon. goodwill. I thought it Illinois State Historical Society awarded Literary License: Hanas was a good product. I this project its “Best Web Site” for 2004. You say you are mak- think buying books Henson has published articles in peer- ing this change out of “enlightened self- from them is the easiest way to buy reviewed history journals about Lincoln’s interest in the IPG dispute.” What’s books. All the user behavior was headed political speeches in his first namesake changed? in their direction. Admittedly, that it town and about William Maxwell’s auto- Jim Hanas: Amazon seems willing to affects me directly is enough to make me biographical fiction set in Lincoln. Max- throw its weight around, as they did a few go to less user-friendly alternatives. ... well, also a native Lincolnite, was a long- years ago with MacMillan, to pressure the Certainly, I definitely think the dispute time editor of the New Yorker Magazine. suppliers on price. When that supplier is with IPG has to be positioned as a dispute Henson was an honorary member of the someone who services 400 indie book about trying to cut out distributors. ... Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial publishers, that is bound to trickle down E-publishing is certainly a good deal Commission of Lincoln, Ill.; and for the to authors and to the publishers. that people are making money off of in 2008 Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration Literary License: Will this be a blow the short term. If they take out all the there he wrote the script for a re-enact- you financially? other links in the chain, the only place ment of an 1858 political rally and speech Jim Hanas: As an admittedly small- left to pressure suppliers will be inde- by Lincoln the day after the last Lincoln- time author, I don’t have that much at pendent authors. It feels for me like the Douglas debate. Henson is researching risk. I am not liable to lose 80 percent of chickens will come home to roost. the rhetorical development of Lincoln my income overnight if I don’t go with Jim Hanas lives in New York. His web- before his presidency. Amazon. But for the first time, I am seri- site is www.whytheycried.com. 6 LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 What publishers and agents Final Chapters

Society of Midland Authors member think of authors’ ‘epic’ ideas Grace Bacon Ferrier, a one-room schoolhouse teacher who hand wrote two ver wonder what publishers or books on yellow legal sheets and won the agents are really telling you when ‘It has SMA’s Adult Nonfiction Award in 1987, they dash off that note? Here are E died last year at the age of 97. some translations of publishing “interesting literary Ms. Ferrier’s books were Teacher, euphemisms that recently circulated on Teacher, I Done It in 1986 and Post Oak Twitter: aspirations’ means: Sprouts in 2001. “This is too British for the American “I remember that Grace Bacon Ferrier market.” I have no idea what this is We couldn’t came from her hometown to attend the about. dinner and receive her best nonfiction “I hate the cover, too, but my hands are understand it, and book award,” SMA member Richard tied.” The publisher’s niece did it. Frisbie recalled. “It was about her experi- “It’s a great local interest title!” No one it has no ences as a teacher in a one-room school. outside this town will want to read it. Her publisher (from a small press) came vampires. too. Living far from any literary center, “You should hear back from us in she was thrilled to receive attention from January.” Of 2015. time.” Or any time.” the SMA. It was a proud moment for the “It's a new classic.” Same as an old “I asked finance to action payment SMA, too, when we could reach out and classic but the names are changed and it weeks ago.” We have a policy of not pay- find a fresh talent under these circum- probably has vampires. ing until you scream at us 17 times. stances.” “Just a couple of tiny changes needed.” “I don’t know where it would sit in the Grace Virginia Bacon Ferrier of Osage I am about to send you 27 pages of edits. bookshop.” Our sales force is interested County in Missouri was born near Linn on Feb. 28, 1913, a daughter to the late “Effortless prose.” Run-on sentences. only in publishing celebrity blogs. George and Jennie (LeFevre) Bacon. In “No holds barred.” Vicious slander. “We changed the pub date to give the 1956 Grace married Buell Ferrier who book the best exposure.” We f—ed up the “Fast-paced page turner.” Lots of one- preceded her in death in 1962. schedule. line paragraphs and After Ms. Ferrier graduated from Belle “Epic.” Long. Literary Laughlines short chapters. High School in 1931, she began a teach- “I’m sure someone “There is such excite- ing career that spanned 43 years. At age else will snap it up.” Not a chance in hell, ment in-house.” My 19 she began at Horseshoe Bend, a one- but hope this gets you off my back. assistant took the manuscript home and room rural school in Osage County. For lost it. two decades she taught in rural schools. “I didn’t feel enough empathy with the She taught all subjects, grades 1-8; later characters.” I suspect the author may be a “I don’t quite love it enough.” I fell in the city schools she taught English and nut job. asleep reading it. social studies. She retired from teaching “You might consider reworking the “Iconoclastic.” No punctuation. in 1974. opening section.” You spelled your name “We’re assessing your marketing budg- Her retirement allowed her to return to wrong. et.” Take out a second mortgage. the Bacon family farm in rural Osage “Brilliant roman a clef.” My name “I’ve never read anything like it.” It County, where her family had moved in shows up 10 times. was the first manuscript that made me 1920 on her seventh birthday. “A literary tour de force.” Pretentious. want to glue my eyes shut. Settled on the farm, she began to write stories of her life. “E-book sales are strong, don’t worry.” “Ambitious.” Way out of your league. These were detailed, humorous tales of Print sales are a disaster. “It has interesting literary aspirations.” real people and events in central Missouri We couldn't understand it, and it has no “We lost no time reading your manu- over 70 years, and provided the material vampires. script.” We just threw it away. for her books. “I love it, but it doesn’t fit our list.” I’m “A modern classic.” Old-fashioned. To receive her Society of Midland too much of a coward to say I don’t like “Urban and edgy.” We bought it for Authors honor, she traveled to Chicago it. nothing, and no one has ever heard of the and attended the awards ceremony, which was held at the Drake Hotel. While in “Do you think we need the back story?” author. Chicago she also was interviewed on I hated the first 20 chapters. “You should join Twitter.” We are not WFMT-FM by the late SMA member “Your novel isn’t right for us at this spending a dime to publicize your novel. .

LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 7 Final Chapters Manage your online profile

Longtime Society of Midland Authors member Mary Jane Bezark died last to avoid needless PR disaster year at the age of 80. here's been a lot of press about the Ms. Bezark, 80, a longtime resident of Chicago city clerk deciding to not Tumblr is a free Highland Park, Ill., was born in 1931 and Tuse a student’s design for this died last year at her son's home in year's city sticker because it appears to “blogging platform Altadena, Calif., after suffering a series of have gang signs. The student and his strokes, her son, Adam, told the Chicago mother claim he’s innocent, but according Tribune. to the Chicago Sun-Times, a picture on that provides The former Mary Jane Mayer grew up the student's Facebook page “showed in Glencoe and graduated from youths making what appeared to be the an easy way to , the Tribune 'pitchfork' hand sign of” a gang. Below said. After graduating, she spent a year in that picture, a friend asked him if he was post text, photos, New York, working as a junior editor in in a gang, which caused authorities to link the poetry department at Random House. what he posted on Facebook to his win- video and audio Returning to the Chicago area, she ning design. worked as a staff writer for the Highland Even though you are not a high school online. Park News for about student, this serves as a warning about 10 years into the early what you post online. Think about your 1970s, then became a profile: is there anything you don't want ” Free blogging platform: Tumblr is a full-time freelancer for anyone to see? Or have you friended peo- free blogging platform that provides an the ple to whom you don't want to expose easy way to post text, photos, video and and Sun-Times as well your personal infor- audio online. as the Highland Park mation or photos? It's easy to use Herald. And what about your Literary because all you have Her bread and butter status updates or to do is push a but- Mary Jane was writing newslet- comments you've Loudspeaker ton for the type of Bezark ters for North Shore made on other peo- media you want to school districts in the ple's pages? post, and upload a 1970s and 1980s, and for The Josselyn If you want to see Tom file or embed code Center for mental health on the North where your name right in the editor. Shore, Adam Bezark said. appears on Facebook, Ciesielka You can also simply "She was always interested in education in addition to a write something and and health issues," he told the Tribune. Google search, try Foupas, which is a publish it instantly, and make any changes "She took a natural springboard off of her Facebook search engine. If a fan page or with the text editor. family." She worked on the school someone's personal page is public, your Your posts can be linked to your Twitter newsletters when her son was a student. name will show up. Sometimes people tag and Facebook accounts, and using tags Her husband, Leonard, died five years us in photos and we're not aware of it will help you find people who are inter- ago. until we do a search. ested in your niche. Avoid a public relations disaster: check Tumblr's templates can be customized, your photos, remove anything you don't and you can embed it on your own web- Printers Row feel comfortable with, and make sure site. your privacy settings are locked down and It works on any smartphone where it is The Society of Midland Authors will that you actually know all your friends. just as easy to use as on a computer. have a tent at the Printers Row Lit Fest You can also go a step further and delete There are even Tumblr meetups around on June 9-10. your Facebook account, and then create a the world so that you can meet other We’ve been officially confirmed, so new one. However, if you delete your bloggers in your area. contact SMA President Robert Loerzel account, you'll have to get a new user- Tumblr was great when it started, but for a two-hour time slot. The fee is $35. name because your old one will be they've made it even better with an ele- There are four slots on each day, start- retired. gant interface and features that have real- ing at 10 a.m. More than one author can So be careful out there, and consider all ly expanded it without compromising its share a time slot. This is a good opportu- aspects of your public image, whether it's simplicity and style. nity for authors to sell their books and on Facebook or anywhere else online or meet readers. offline. E-mail Tom Ciesielka at [email protected] or &&& call (312) 422-1333. 8 LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 ‘I never write a character I don’t love’

BY ROBERT LOERZEL of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, lived in Chicago for 20 years, said he en thousand people spent three moderated by Donna Seaman. Gordon thinks of himself – and his books – as days in March talking about books said her novel was inspired by her experi- existing in an “overlapping space” Tin downtown Chicago, when the ences working at a racetrack in the late between different places and languages. city hosted the national AWP conference. 1960s, where she was fascinated by horse “This negotiation between the two spaces, The speakers at the Association of Writers racing lingo and the other slang. “It was the two languages, the two cultures, is and Writing Programs event included sev- such a completely new language to me,” inherently creative,” he said. “It forces me eral SMA members and award winners. she said. “More than anything, I wanted to to find solutions.” Joe Meno, SMA fiction winner for his penetrate that language.” , an SMA member who 2005 book Bluebirds Used to Croon in the Seaman also spoke at a March 3 discus- has been the SMA award finalist for her Choir, encouraged writers to pursue their sion, “First City in Literature: A Discus- books Ruins and Days of Awe, talked idiosyncratic ideas. And then, he said, sion of Chicago's Past, Present and Future about “Ambitious Fiction” on a March 3 they should ask: “What’s the best place Writers.” She said Chicago has become a panel that also included Jane Smiley, the for what kind of book this is?” more vibrant literary city in recent years, SMA fiction winner for her 1991 novel A Despite all of the gloom about publish- thanks to the rise of small presses and Thousand Acres. ing, Meno insisted more opportunities MFA programs at local universities. And Obejas’ advice to writers included creat- exist than ever (which seemed true at the how can the book scene thrive even more? ing a graphic rendition of a novel, such as AWP book fair, with hundreds of tables Seaman urged book lovers to vocally a diagram. “The act of trying to organize selling books and journals from small encourage the media to run more book it acts on your brain,” she said. Asked by presses). “In 2012, if you have a book, the reviews. And support local bookstores, an audience member about some of her possibility of finding a she said. “We tend to not-so-likable characters, Obejas said: publisher is greater be a quiet, thoughtful “The more I write, I am more interest- than ever before,” Literary group, but we need to ed in characters that are dislikeable.” But Meno said at a March be more active,” she Obejas said she loves those characters just 1 panel on “The Latest said. “You always have as much as any other. When she was writ- Business of Publishing to fight for what you ing Ruins, she said, “I loved my charac- Your Novel with an Robert care about and what ters so much, I didn't want to hurt them” – Independent Press.” you love.” but she knew that she had to. When an audience Loerzel SMA members Smiley said she has a trick to help her member asked whether Stuart Dybek and work out problems when she's writing a authors should be expected to promote Aleksandar Hemon – both two-time novel. “I write little letters to myself,” she their books, Meno laughed off the notion SMA Award winners – took part in a said. That act – putting down her problem that writers should stay isolated. “I don't March 2 panel discussion on “Finding in words – often leads to a solution, she know where this idea comes from, that Home: Immigrant Voices in American said. Smiley also urged writers to eaves- writers and poets are … frail, that we're Literature,” with novelist Nami Mun. drop on strangers' conversations and to these brains floating around,” he said. Asked about his literary influences, watch people. “You have to gossip a lot,” Benjamin Percy, who won the SMA Dybek said, “The writers who influenced she said. fiction award last year for The Wilding, me the most were the actual Europeans – the And if you have a lot of characters that took part in a March 1 discussion called Russians and the Spanish.” In their writ- readers might have trouble keeping “There Will Be Blood: Writing Violence ing, he said, “I could feel the fairy tale.” straight, give them distinct names and in Fiction.” He said a minimal violence Dybek said his upbringing in Chicago's characteristics, she said. can be powerful in print. Little Village instilled in him a love and Marilynne Robinson, SMA fiction “Sometimes the white space is the best fascination with ethnic culture. “I admit winner for her 2004 novel Gilead, took way to show that violence,” he said. it,” he said. “If it's ethnic, I'm probably part in a March 3 discussion on “Litera- “Sometimes that isn’t the case. going to like it. If it's McDonald's, I'm ture and Evil” – but the very title of the Sometimes you want the camera to linger. going to hate it.” event seemed to make her uneasy. What is The question is: Is it earned?” Hemon said he believes the greatest evil? “The greatest peril is in thinking that Percy discouraged going overboard American novel of the 20th century was by you know what it is,” Robinson said. with colorful turns of phrase. “Amp down an immigrant from Russia, Vladimir Nab- “Too easily arrived-at definitions of good the special effects and deliver the goods,” okov’s Lolita. Hemon said the English and evil do the work of the devil.” he said. “Let the violence speak for itself.” language itself is a melting pot that contains When the authors were asked how they Jaimy Gordon read from her 2010 elements from other languages. “In some create evil characters, Robinson said, “I National Book Award-winning novel Lord ways, the notion of the immigrant in Am- never write a character I don’t love, and of Misrule on March 2, followed by a erican literature is nonsensical,” he said. the reason is that I'm going to spend years conversation with Rebecca Skloot, author Hemon, a Bosnian immigrant who has with this person.” LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 9 Society of Midland Authors Annual Dinner Early Registration Form

The Society of Midland Authors annual Name: awards banquet will be held May 8 in the LaSalle Room at the Holiday Inn Chicago Number of Chicken Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago. Vesuvio dinners at $75 each. The reception with a cash bar will start at 6 Number of vegetarian p.m. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m. (risotto with grilled aspara- Jay Bonansinga is the emcee. gus) dinners at $75 each.

Donation.

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Please clip above form and mail to: Dinner Reservation, Society of Midland Authors, P.O. Box 10419, Chicago IL 60610 You may also download a similar form at our website, www.midlandauthors.com SMA annual dinner: ‘A merry feast’

ere’s what Hobart C. Chatfield- ness. fying, even our annual meetings being far Taylor, the first president of the “But the annual meeting is the only for- from staid events. In the winter time, HSociety of Midland Authors and mal conclave of the year, and even that is however, we gather at such Bohemian later its historian, wrote 80 years ago followed by sufficient cheer and welcome places as Mme. Galli's, the Bismarck about the organization’s annual gathering to make what Shakespeare calls a ‘merry Garden, or De Jonghe's French restaurant; of authors: feast.’ ... while in summer we hie either to Lake “We Midlanders do assemble “Decked in paper motley, we Forest for a sylvan outing or to the once a year ... [but] instead of then devour the roast beef of old Chicago lawn of our charming Secretary, being bored by ‘high-brow’ sapi- England and quaff October ale; whenever wandering Thespians raise their ence we have been diverted by or, in more homely trestles there. the pleasing wit of Alice French, guise, eat pork and beans and “Indeed, if the Society of Midland Meredith Nicholson, Randall pumpkin pie until the hard cider Authors has a just reason for being, it lies, Parrish, George Ade, Emerson which has washed them down I repeat, in its avowed purpose of bring- Hough, Zona Gale, and Margaret begins to tingle in our ing the writers of the Middle West togeth- Hill McCarter. toes. Then we must needs dance er in closer association. Though a society Hobart “Even at the last annual meet- Chatfield-Taylor a reel to the tune of ‘Old Dan of authors, it is nevertheless free from ing ... we just sat together in a Tucker,’ till the perspiring fid- cant and prejudice, the creation of both friendly group while Clara dler will bow no more. friendship and goodfellowship among the Laughlin, Edith Wyatt, and Harriet “No, there is but little wisdom and false men and women of the Middle West who Monroe told us human stories of James philosophy in the Society of Midland write for a living being the object for Whitcomb Riley's lovableness and quaint- Authors, and much that is human and edi- which it was founded.”

“As the truck pulled away, I looked at our home for the last time. Though its outline faded into the darkness of the night, I could still plainly see the red stars and the bayonets reflecting the moonlight.” – When God Looked the Other Way: An Odyssey of War, Exile, and Redemption, Wesley Adamcyzk, 2004

10 LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 A new chapter for writing Chicago nonfiction This is an abridged version of a speech borders. They were Studs Terkel and But this is a city that’s growing Internet- SMA member Kevin Davis gave March 1 Mike Royko – journalists and storytellers. based businesses such as Groupon and at the AWP conference in Chicago. Terkel’s work reinforced some of Grub Hub. Financial services are still big, Sandburg’s observations. He found the but the trading pits of the Board of Trade hicago has long been associated voices of working-class people through- and Mercantile Exchange are all but silent, with grit, realism and industrial out the city’s diverse neighborhoods and replaced by computerized trading. Look at Clabor. Does this image captures the let them tell their own stories of dreams the city’s largest employers today: govern- truths about living, working and writing and hardship. Royko was an everyman’s ment, health care and insurance compa- in Chicago today? columnist who was unafraid to take on nies. Images of people hunched over com- You bet. I think any Chicago writer try- the first Mayor Richard Daley. And one puter screens and going to meetings is not ing to make a living with words would thing that hasn’t changed in Chicago is gritty or romantic-sounding to a writer. So agree that it’s just like industrial labor – political corruption. There have been where can a writer of creative nonfiction long hours, low wages, insufferable work- 1,531 public corruption convictions in the or literary journalism go for inspiration? ing conditions. Northern District of Illinois since 1976. Well, it’s still a city that works – and it’s But I want to talk about the portrayal With Terkel and Royko gone, few non- still made to work by immigrants. This is of this city in nonfiction – creative non- fiction writers’ work has tried to capture an area rich for writers of fiction and non- fiction, literary journalism or essay writ- this city and bring it to a bigger audience. fiction. This is where we’re going to find ing. My fear is that this city's realism – One of those writers is Alex Kotlowitz. stories that define contemporary Chicago, which long ago shifted His breakthrough book, where we will find a new romanticism not from Sandburg’s vision – There Are No Children rooted in industry and hog butchery, but is not being captured by Literary Here, chronicled the lives in a new melding of cultures ... and new contemporary writers for of two boys in a public clashes of culture. audiences outside of this Lecture housing project. Years This is what inspires me as a writer. In city. It is a city that is rich later, he wrote the book my neighborhood, I walk the streets and and dynamic, as well as Kevin Never A City So Real, a out of curiosity went into a little store- gritty and real. Davis love letter to Chicago told front called the Pan African Association. I Trying to define a city’s in nine essays – from the meet a man who fled Burundi and arrived ethos is destined for story of a steelworker- in winter without a coat and find that debate. I’m sure Sandburg honked off a turned-union-organizer to an Albanian thousands of Africans here have to be lot of people who weren’t into hog man who runs a Northwest Side diner. taught how to live in a cold climate. butchering and didn't work in factories. The book contains snapshots of a changed Many wore flipflops in the snow. I wrote Sandburg’s most famous description of city whose grip on the past is slipping, but about it in an essay. the city is as “Hog Butcher for the not quite ready to let go all the way. And I meet a young man who fled Iraq and World/Tool Maker, Stacker of that, in many ways, is Chicago. moved to Chicago, leaving his family Wheat/Player with Railroads and the I’m hard pressed to name other contem- behind. He lives in along Devon Avenue, Nation's Freight Handler/Stormy, Husky, porary authors of nonfiction who write one of the most fascinating streets in Brawling, City of the Big Shoulders.” about this city as it is now. Chicago, crowded with people from the We're not the hog butcher any longer, but Some of the most commercially success- Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia we love our pork. Look at all these new ful nonfiction writers who write about and beyond. I’m working on a piece about pork-inspired restaurants, these foodie Chicago mine the past. When I look for this young man. celebrations of pork and bacon, the wildly contemporary books about the city, I find What else defines Chicago? The West popular restaurant called the Purple Pig. mostly historical books about crime: Devil and South sides – Englewood, one of the Stacker of wheat? More like stacker of in the White City by Erik Larson (not a most violent neighborhoods anywhere, sandwiches. Craft burger joints every- Chicagoan); Get Capone by Jonathan define another side of Chicago – less where. Freight handler? We still have a Eig, a Chicagoan; Sin in the Second City romantic, but oh, so real, so gritty. massive railroad junction, though air by Karen Abbott, not a Chicagoan. There’s Pilsen and Little Village, home to freight has replaced many rail cars. Even the popular contemporary books Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and others from Stormy, husky brawling City of Big focus on crime such as Gang Leader for a Central and South America. This, too, is Shoulders? Sure, look at the politics. But Day by Sudhir Venkatesh, and Courtroom Chicago. the stockyards and major meat packing 302 by Steve Bogira about a year in a So our challenge, as Chicago writers, is plants have been closed for decades. criminal courtroom at the infamous 26th to draw on what’s around us and recast In the last two decades, we lost two and California. I’m guilty about that Chicago for what it is now. Is it possible great nonfiction writers (and SMA mem- myself, having written a nonfiction book to encapsulate this city's image in a few bers) who helped define a more modern called Defending the Damned about pub- lines of poetry as Sandburg did? I chal- version of the city, writers whose voices lic defender in Chicago who specialize in lenge my poet friends to try and I hope were strong enough to reach beyond its representing murder suspects. that it’s not just a few lines, but volumes.

LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012 11 SMA QUESTIONNAIRE: The Society of Midland Authors wants your feedback. Please fill out this survey to help us make plans for the future. It's also an opportunity to let us know if you'd like to help out with the SMA's activities. This survey is also online — visit www.midlandauthors.com and click on the "MEMBER SURVEY" link. Or if you prefer to fill out this paper version, mail it to: Society of Midland Authors, P.O. Box 101419, Chicago IL 60610. Please send us your completed survey or fill it out online by April 30. WHO ARE YOU? __ Critique groups recently attend? 1. Are you a current member of the Society? 10. Please indicate your interest in the fol- q 2007 or earlier q 2008 q Yes q No lowing locations and venues: q 2009 q 2010 q 2011 2. Are you a former member of the Society? __ Chicago neighborhoods 21. Please rate the following for the ceremo- q Yes q No __ Chicago suburbs ny most recently attended. [1–5] 3. Approximately how many years in total __ Other cities/states __ Cost __ Location (consecutive or nonconsecutive) have you __ Libraries __ Host __ Length __ Food been a member? __ Bookstores __ Entertainment value q 1-5 q 6-10 q 11-15 __ Bars 22. The 2012 awards dinner will follow a q 16-20 q 21+ __ Coffee shops similar format to years past. For 2013 and 4. If you not currently a member, why not? __ Member homes future years, please rate your interest in the q Too expensive q Not useful PUBLICITY following ideas. [1–5] q Forgot to renew 11. How often do you visit the Society web- __ Don’t change a thing. site? __ Seated ceremony in a hall (e.g., the Tell us more: q Weekly q Monthly Library auditorium), free q Yearly q Never to the public. 12. How often do you visit the Society __ Seated ceremony in a hall (e.g., the Facebook page? Harold Washington Library auditorium), free q Weekly q Monthly to the public, followed by a ticketed recep- HOW ARE WE DOING? q Yearly q Never tion with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. 5. How satisfied are you with your Society 13. Do you follow the Society on Twitter? __ Ticketed wine and cheese reception with membership? q Weekly q Monthly shorter ceremony. q Very dissatisfied q Yearly q Never THE FUTURE q Somewhat dissatisfied 14. Are there any specific areas you feel we 23. In just a few short years the Society will q Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied could be promoting the Society better? celebrate its 100th anniversary. How should q Somewhat satisfied the Society prioritize its efforts in 2012? q Extremely satisfied Please rank the following from 1 to 4, with 1 MISSION being the most important. 6. Do you believe the Society needs to clari- __ Creating more dynamic programming fy its mission? q Yes q No __ Building membership 7. Please rank the following statements in 15. How often are you willing to receive __ Broadening geographic reach order of importance to you personally: emails from the Society? __ Enhancing value of membership __ The Society is a social group for writers. q Quarterly q Once a month GETTING INVOLVED __ The Society provides networking q Twice a month q Four times a month 45. The Society thrives on member partici- opportunities. 16. Would you be interested in receiving pation. If you are interested in becoming __ The Society promotes members’ work. Literary License as an e-newsletter instead more involved, please indicate your areas of __ The Society encourages new writers. of as a print edition? q Yes q No interest. [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] __ The Society supports the literary arts in 17. Please share your thoughts on the con- q Identify and nominate authors in your area the Midwest. tent of Literary License. What do you like? q Program events PUBLIC EVENTS What would you like to see more of? q Write blog posts 8. Please indicate your interest in the follow- q Help with publicity ing themes for the Society’s public events: q Help with website/online presence [1 = not interested, 2 = somewhat interested, q Represent SMA at book fairs, etc. 3 = neither interested nor uninterested, 4 = q Other somewhat interested, 5 = very interested] 25. Please provide your email address or __ Fiction WEBSITE telephone number. [FILL IN THE BLANK] __ Nonfiction 18. Please tell us how well the website does __ Chicago/Midwest history the following. [1–5] __ Poetry __ Explains the mission and membership of __ Writing craft (writing, revision, tech- the Society FINAL THOUGHTS nique) __ Captures interest of new users Thank you for taking the time to complete __ The business of publishing (getting pub- __ Promotes our authors’ books this survey. Your insight is truly appreciated! lished, promoting work) __ Promotes our authors as speakers Please feel free to share any final thoughts __ Book reviewing __ Promotes the SMA awards below. Use more paper if needed. __ Social media __ Promotes the SMA programs __ Welcoming new members __ Promotes SMA membership 9. Please indicate your interest in the follow- __ Shares current news about the Society ing formats for events: [1–5] and its members __ Author readings AWARDS DINNER __ Panel discussions 19. Have you attended the award ceremony? __ Casual mixers/cocktails q Yes q No __ Book groups 20. If yes, in which year did you most

12 LITERARY LICENSE, MARCH 2012