inspiring readers and writers

ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012 Dear Friends and Supporters of Inprint,

When I think of the word “synergy,” I think of Inprint. By working together, we create a literary life that is so much greater than our individual efforts. I invite you to keep this in mind as you peruse this 2011-2012 Annual Report, which gives a snapshot of the many ways that we are enriching and enlivening the Houston community. The 2011-2012 Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series was simply amazing, drawing an audience of 2 more than 4,500 and filled with more great moments than one would think possible. Among my favorites:  Pulitzer Prize winner Jeffrey Eugenides’ lively presentation of his new novel The Marriage Plot at Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater— the biggest event of his 22-city tour;  The great Canadian writer Margaret Atwood (The Year of the Flood) leading a packed house at the Cullen Theater in singing “Hymn to the Mole,” in honor of Mole Day; and  The mere presence of the great poet W. S. Merwin, who closed the season at the Alley Theatre with a brilliant reading, demonstrating to all present poetry’s quiet power. We owe endless thanks for making this singular Series possible to The Brown Foundation—the Series is named for Margarett Root Brown, one of its founding directors—Weatherford International, the National Endowment for the Arts, United Airlines, Houston Public Radio, plus all of our fellow season ticket holders. children at Project Row Houses (thanks We also are grateful to the Harris County Department of to the professors Education/Cooperative for After-School at the UH Creative Enrichment (CASE) and Sterling-Turner Writing Program, Foundation), and staff at Methodist who regularly Hospital. interview many of Inprint’s support of the talented Inprint’s visiting and energetic UH Creative Writing writers. Program graduate students makes much Houston’s nathan lindstrom younger readers had FOR THE IMPORTANCE AND THE a great year, too. Cool Brains! Inprint JOY OF READING AND WRITING, Readings for Young People presented 3 some of the nation’s most renowned WE PRESS ON—AND LOOK middle-grade writers in 2011-2012 (including Pseudonymous Bosch— FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR my favorite pen name ever). A child’s WORK, WITH YOUR INVALUABLE life can be changed forever by an encounter with a beloved writer. COLLABORATION. Our thanks to HEB for its visionary support. of this possible. This essential synergy The Inprint Writers Workshops benefits the community in countless were full every session in 2011- ways. Inprint’s prizes and fellowships— 2012—with sessions added to approximately $2.4 million to date— meet demand. These 8-10 week help attract some of the nation’s top workshops offer some of the best emerging writers to Houston, supporting creative writing instruction available more than 500 students since 1983. anywhere—thanks in large part to Thank you for fueling all of this the graduate students and alumni of vibrant activity. For the importance and the UH Creative Writing Program the joy of reading and writing, we press who serve as workshop leaders. on—and look forward to continuing our UH Creative Writing Program work, with your invaluable collaboration. students and alumni also power The whole is greater than the sum of Inprint’s community writing the parts—together, we’ve proved it. workshops, serving more than 75 Thanks again. K-12 teachers from the greater Houston area (thanks to the Kinder Sincerely, Foundation), senior citizens in different parts of the city (thanks to Robin Angly and Miles Smith, Matt Henneman and the Samuel Foundation), young President READINGS

a look back at the The Inprint Margarett Root Brown 2011-2012 season Reading Series ranks among the nation’s leading literary showcases, and the 2011-2012 season featured Thanks to the ten of the world’s most celebrated authors, including winners of four generosity of our Pulitzer Prizes, two Booker Prizes, the National Book Award, the Orange supporters, Inprint Prize, and numerous other awards and honors. More than 4,500 enthusiastic continues to foster readers and writers attended the readings, filling Houston’s premier 4 the art of creative performance venues to hear such literary icons as Margaret Atwood, writing and has Jeffrey Eugenides, former U. S. Poet Laureate W. S. Merwin, and Michael made Houston a Ondaatje, among other acclaimed novelists and poets whose work is national focal point shaping the future of great literature. The series received spectacular media for the literary coverage. The price to hear and see arts. Readings, these phenomenal authors remained writing workshops, and community programs served almost 10,000 people last year.

a modest $5 for general admission— unchanged since 1980—with free tickets provided to students and seniors. Some of the visiting writers also gave craft talks at the University of Houston and visited with students at other local educational institutions. FROM AUDIENCE MEMBERS:

“I would come to hear these authors read even if it were held in an abandoned

industrial meat locker…and HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEASON: we all had to sit on cracked On October 10, and broken milk crates.” 2011, Booker Prize- winning author of The “This is the first year English Patient, MICHAEL I’ve attended, and I was ONDAATJE, read to an shocked by how much I audience of 600+ enjoyed each and every from his new novel dave einsel reading! These authors were The Cat’s Table. The reading was held at the Moores Opera entertaining, interesting, House at the University of Houston and and inspiring even if you University of Houston Creative Writing weren’t familiar with their Program (UH CWP) faculty member 5 material. I loved it!” Chitra Divakaruni conducted the on-stage interview of Mr. Ondaatje. “The Inprint reading series On October 26, 2011, is one of the best ways Pulitzer Prize winner to stay connected with JEFFREY EUGENIDES the written word. It is a appeared for the Series Houston treasure.” and read from The Marriage Plot, his highly anticipated third novel, 2011/2012 Inprint Margarett Root to 900+ fans at Cullen dave einsel Brown Reading Series Authors Theater in Wortham Center. An on-stage FRANCISCO GOLDMAN interview followed with novelist and UH NICOLE KRAUSS CWP faculty member Alexander Parsons. MICHAEL ONDAATJE JEFFREY EUGENIDES On January 23, 2012, MARGARET ATWOOD Inprint presented RAE ARMANTROUT Booker Prize winner CHRISTIAN WIMAN MARGARET ATWOOD TÉA OBREHT to GARY SHTEYNGART a full house of 1,100 W. S. MERWIN at Cullen Theater in Wortham Center. Atwood read from dave einsel a collection of her work followed by a witty and thoughtful on-stage interview conducted by novelist and UH CWP faculty member Robert Boswell. continued continued from page 7 On March 26, 2012, two dynamic Cool Brains! Inprint Readings young novelists, Orange Prize for Young People continues winner TÉA OBREHT to generate excitement about and New York Times reading and writing among bestseller GARY children and families. Voted SHTEYNGART “Best Reading Series” in appeared before an 2010 by the Houston Press, Cool audience of 700+ Brains! features the country’s at Cullen Theater, most distinguished and dave einsel Wortham Center. popular writers for children Obreht read from her debut novel and young adults. Cool Brains! The Tiger’s Wife and Shteyngart from readings, free of charge, have 6 his hilarious book Super Sad True been offered since 2007. Love Story. The evening began with Each event features the author making a presentation and reading from his/her work, followed by questions from the audience and a book sale and signing where young fans can meet these “rock star” authors. The 2011-2012 Cool rm photography Brains! readings were held at about 100 people gathering for the centrally located Johnston Books & Bellinis: Inprint’s Young Middle School—a great partner Professionals Mixer, hosted by for the Series. Cool Brains! is Chris and Divya Brown (left above). presented in association with the Houston Independent On April 23, 2012, the season School District Library Services, closed with a stunning finale Houston Public Library, and featuring former Harris County Public Library, U. S. Poet Laureate all providing promotional and two-time support for the readings. Pulitzer Prize winner Book sales are courtesy of W. S. MERWIN Blue Willow Bookshop. reading from dave einsel his work to an audience of 500 at the Alley Theatre. An on-stage interview was conducted by poet and UH CWP faculty member Kevin Prufer as part of this memorable evening. On October 16, 2011, the popular On January 15, 2012, Newbery On April 29, 2012, New York and ever-mysterious writer Medal winner CHRISTOPHER Times bestselling children’s PSEUDONYMOUS BOSCH read from PAUL CURTIS, author of Bud, Not author TRENTON LEE STEWART his novel You Have to Stop This, Buddy, read from his new novel read to about 200 fans from the fifth book in the bestselling The Mighty Miss Malone to an The Extraordinary Education Secret Series, to an audience of audience of 400+. of Nicholas Benedict, the 300 fans anxious for a sighting of fifth book in theMysterious 7 the elusive author. Benedict Society Series.

An Open Book: The Inprint Blog was launched in March 2012 with a brand new look and a much broader scope than its predecessor. An Open Book brings readers and writers the

latest stories kristen flack about Houston’s literary happenings and other book- Inprint participated in the related news. Visit it online, Houston Indie Book Fest leave a comment, or give us and the Menil Community some story ideas. Arts Festival on April 12, 2012, bringing local authors Collaborations with other to read from their works, Houston arts, cultural and and providing Inprint educational organizations— Poetry Buskers who wrote including readings, literary poems on demand for discussions, workshops, attendees. kristen flack poetry booths, and much more—are conducted throughout the year and bring the literary arts to new and diverse communities. WORKSHOPS

Inprint Writers Workshops, considered Houston’s “Best Place for Aspiring Writers” (Houston Press), continue to be in high demand. Some workshops literally fill up within minutes of being offered online, and most have waiting lists, with extra sessions added to keep pace with demand. In all, 18 eight-to-ten week workshops in fiction, poetry, personal essay, memoir, and other genres—led by 8 talented local writers, including many who are students, faculty, and alumni of the UH Creative Writing Program—were conducted in 2011-2012, helping more than 200 Houstonians become better writers.

WHAT ASPIRING WRITERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS:

“The facilitator made us feel at ease the first week. She was very supportive of what we had written but offered concrete suggestions for improvement.” From a Personal Essay Workshop, Fall 2011

“I will certainly be taking courses here in the future. I am so glad there is an organization like this in Houston.” From a Fiction Workshop, Spring 2012

“The most informative writing class I have ever taken.” From a Poetry Workshop, Summer 2012 Teachers-As-Writers Workshops, there you are similar in design to the Inprint Writers Workshops, continued to up in the air help K-12 classroom teachers enhance floating like a toy balloon their writing skills. Five tuition-free 8-10 week workshops in fiction and above our bed – looking nonfiction were conducted, as well down – it’s midnight – don’t as a new manuscript workshop. The workshops served more than 75 teachers from various school you know – you’ve wakened districts around the city and in turn me – where have you been? impacted thousands of classroom students in Houston. 9 you said the tide was high – that day – you’ll ride the angry FROM PARTICIPATING TEACHERS: “The instructor is one of the most effective waves – you’ll soon be back leaders/facilitators I have had the privilege the waves will carry you – to be mentored by in many years… I feel empowered that I could be a producer (as you said – “just wait for me” well as a consumer) of the written word.” the sun was out – I remember – From a Teachers-As-Writers Nonfiction Workshop, Fall 2011 only one – or two – unthreatening clouds intruded – and were gone “I have explored my own writing habits and what it takes to be an effective feeling just a bit unwelcomed – writer… My passion for writing has come – lay down with me – increased and this translates as enthusiasm for writing when I am with my students.” tell me all about the waves From a Teachers-As-Writers tell me where you’ve been Manuscript Workshop, Spring 2012

“I can’t wait to take what I have learned by Sol Hamburg here—tips for writing first drafts and Participant in the revising, the structure of the workshop Inprint Poetry Workshop procedure, so much about pacing, tension, Summer 2012 structure of the short stories—and use it.” From a Teachers-As-Writers Fiction Workshop, Summer 2012 excerpts from Sayings I Grew Up With in peace if the evil neighbor does not like it. My second quotation from Goethe is: Was by Walter Karger*, a longtime participant in Inprint’s Senior Memoir Workshop at the Jewish Community Center du ererbt von deinen Vaetern hast, erwerb es, um es zu besitzen! —what you inherited Not being a lexicographer, I cannot prove from your elders, earn it to possess it. my impression, but I think that my youth Some sayings that still come to my in Germany exposed and indoctrinated mind on not so rare occasions, include me with more proverbs than I would those peculiar to Berlin, which had have acquired in Spanish or English a reputation for its own dialect and surroundings. Not that they do not exist outspoken expressions. One is that einem in every language, but in spite of having geschenkten Gaul sieht man nicht ins lived more years without using German, Maul—you do not check the mouth of an its sayings still come to my mind more old horse that you got as a gift (meaning frequently than those of other languages you do not find fault with a gift that you got and decades after having left it behind for nothing). Then there was Mit Geduld from my conversation. …. und Spuchefaengt man eine Mucke—with patience and spitting you catch a mosquito. From days in high school where we After all, auch ein blindes Huhnfind’t mal ‘ne memorized many poems and read many Perle—even a blind chicken finds a pearl classical dramas, three lines stick in once in a while. And for every decision da my memory, of which two find frequent kommt der Moment, wo der Aff ins Wasser 10 application. One is almost a summary of springt—there comes a moment when a Goethe’s Faust: Wer immer strebendsich monkey jumps into the water... bemueht, den koennen wir erloesen— whoever strives to make an effort, him Enough is enough. This collection we can redeem. It has some affinity to the resuscitates old and not so old memories. Latin verse: Ut desint vires, tamen est What it cannot do is look into the future, as laudanda voluntas—although the force “time marches on.” New expressions arise may be lacking, still the will is to be lauded. with googling and emoticons and the new Or the quote from Schiller’s William Tell: generation gets ahead of me. LOL (Laugh Es kann der Froemmste nicht in Frieden out Loud!) leben, wenn es dem boesen Nachbarn nicht *Walter Karger passed away in 2012. gefaellt—the most god-fearing cannot live

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Members of the Inprint Senior Memoir Workshops at Finnigan Park and Lincoln Park Community Centers gathered on May 22, 2012, to give a public reading of their work for family, friends, and community at the Ensemble Theatre. rm photography Senior Memoir Workshops remain MEMENTO MORI among Inprint’s most beloved by Luanne Novak programs. In 2011-12, workshops A Participant in the Inprint Life Writing ran from September through May Workshop at The Methodist Hospital at Finnigan Park Community Center in Houston’s Fifth Ward, Lincoln This is not about my grief Park Community Center, and at Or the emptiness inside me the Jewish Community Center. That pushes me out of bed at 5:00 a.m. Meeting on a weekly basis and To stare at a blinking cursor led by alumni of the UH Creative This is not about the memorial mass Writing Program, these free In the white chapel with the gold dome workshops provided senior citizens With the meandering priest stumbling with vitally needed stimulating Through both gospel and homily mental activity. Through the weekly writing exercises, precious This is not about the ex-husband memories were revived and the With the balls to come to the wake seniors were able to preserve their And stand awkwardly with her friends family and community stories for Who stood by her when he dumped her the next generation. Each year the This is not about the chemo 11 writing that the seniors produce Causing nausea and neuropathy, in the workshops is collected into Or procedure after procedure, anthologies and a celebratory Rending scars from sternum to pelvis reading is held to share the work with family, friends, and the This is about her mother community. Frantic with exhaustion and worry Refusing to leave the side Of her eldest child

Inprint Life Writing Workshops This is about her son were once again conducted in Finding within himself 2011-2012 at The Methodist The strength to step up Hospital. Led by published local And be the man she raised writers and similar in style to This is about her daughter other Inprint Writing Workshops, Fierce in her love these workshops provide Singing Dvorak to her mother employees from across the hospital Holding an almost pulseless hand system the opportunity to hone their creative writing skills as part This is about laughter and friendship, of Methodist’s employee wellness Stories of biting wit, generous faith, program. The writing produced Chronic lateness, great talent and skill, by participants in the workshops And dancing in grocery store aisles was collected into an anthology entitled Crain Garden Review. This is about joy Tinged with tears Like dark chocolate With a tiny bit of salt rm photography

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Youth Writing Residency Workshops at Project Row Houses, located in Houston’s Third Ward, provided another year of after-school creative writing workshops and activities for children from the surrounding community. The program was led by Ryler Dustin, Houston poet and UH Creative Writing Program alum. In addition to the in-class writing, the students also participated in other literary-inspiring activities such as taking a field trip to Inprint’s Cool Brains! reading featuring Christopher Paul Curtis in January 2012. rm photography On May 31, 2012, students in the Youth Writing Residency Workshop shared the pieces they wrote throughout the year with family and friends at a celebration held at Project Row Houses. ODE TO O’s By Aliyah Jackson A Participant in Inprint Youth Writing Residency Workshops at Project Row Houses

Oh “O” you feel so drafty in between. But filled with a hallow emptiness.

Poor “O” you have been smashed into this life.

Oh, my “O” you have so many followers 13 the zero, oval, and just about every egg you see.

Oh “O” your poor vibrationless soul discomforts me.

Oh “O” you are mimicked by rm photography the dog’s howling at the moon owo owo owo oooo! and the little girls going oh snap.

Oh “O” it’s as if you’re paper thin but yet so smooth. You are empty but yet filled. SUPPORT FOR EMERGING WRITERS

Inprint Marion Barthelme Literary Prizes After the death of longtime Inprint Board member Marion Barthelme in March 2011, a group of her friends and admirers came together in the fall to raise funds to establish three prizes in her memory. Marion served on the Inprint Board for more than 21 years, was a leading member of the Gulf Coast Board, and was dedicated to many community programs throughout her life. In less than a year, the Friends of Marion Barthelme raised almost $300,000, enough to award three prizes annually for more than 15 year. One hundred percent of the money raised will go towards the prizes, which include:

 THE INPRINT MARION BARTHELME PRIZE ($10,000), a major juried prize for a graduate student at the UH Creative Writing Program, based on literary merit and service to the community;

 THE INPRINT MARION BARTHELME GULF COAST AWARD ($1,000), given to a leading member of the editorial staff of Gulf Coast for service to the journal; and

 THE INPRINT MARION BARTHELME PRIZE IN CREATIVE WRITING AT RICE UNIVERSITY ($5,000), a creative writing prize for an undergraduate student at Rice. The Friends of Marion Barthelme are deeply grateful to the following donors who have made generous contributions to establish the Inprint Marion Barthelme Prizes. The first Inprint Marion Barthelme Prizes are being awarded in Spring 2013. SUPPORT FOR EMERGING WRITERS

Kristi Beer Emilie (Mimi) Kilgore Kathryn and David Berg Kathy and Karl Kilian Robin and Dick Brooks Stephanie and Ed Larsen Fran Knox Butler Kathleen Lee and Tony Hoagland Kathleen and Glenn Cambor Kristi and Earle Martin Bettie and Rick Carrell Antonya Nelson and Robert Boswell Bettie Cartwright Evelyn and Roy Nolen Dinah Chetrit and Rich Levy Ann and Eddie Norwood Franci and Jim Crane Krupa Parikh Susie and Sanford Criner Karen and Harry Pinson Liz and Steve Crowell Sarah Rothenberg and Robert Azencott 15 Michelle and Paul Cunningham Louisa Stude Sarofim Ramona Davis Dorothee Sauter and Josef Helfenstein Terrence Doody Vaughan Schwarz Consuelo Duroc-Danner Connie and Chris Seger Nanette and Jerry Finger Martha Serpas and Audrey Colombe Jeff Fort Hinda Simon Cece and Mack Fowler Barbara and Louis Sklar Heidi and David Gerger Alison Smith and Dean Burkhardt Lynn Goode and Harrison Williams Kathryn and Craig Smyser Elizabeth Gregory and Patrick Peters Doreen Stoller and Daniel Piette Marc Grossberg The Houston Seminar Mary Hallab and Kevin Prufer The Hussey Foundation Carolyn Roch Henneman The Menil Collection and Matt Henneman Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Mary and Wyman Herendeen Lynn Voskuil and J Kastely Lee Herrick and Andy Wooley Mark Wawro and Melanie Gray Olive Hershey and A. C. Conrad Sasha West Patty Hubbard Andrea and Bill White Sis and Hasty Johnson Joan Wicks Elouise and Harry Jones Aline and Collett Wilson Marilyn Jones and Brad Morris Nina and Michael Zilkha Elizabeth and Albert Kidd Inprint Fellowship M. D. ANDERSON FOUNDATION and Prize Recipients FELLOWSHIP ($5,000) Inprint was proud to offer the Layla Benitez-James following fellowships to graduate Poetry MFA student students at the University of BA, Trinity University Houston Creative Writing BROWN FOUNDATION Program during 2011-2012. The FELLOWSHIPS ($5,000) M. D. Anderson, Brown, Cambor, Claire Anderson Elkins, Fondren, Jones, and Fiction MFA student Zilkha Fellowships are awarded BA, Rice University for recruiting purposes and help Inprint and the UH Creative Sarah Allie Rowbottom 16 Writing Program to attract the Nonfiction PhD student world’s best emerging writers to BA, New York University Houston. The Joan and Stanford MFA, California Institute of the Arts Alexander Prize, the Verlaine Prize, Jennifer Lowe the Donald Barthelme Prizes, Poetry PhD student and the Robert J. Sussman Prize BA, Mount Holyoke College are awarded on the basis of a MA, University of Cambridge juried competition. International MFA, Arizona State University and progression fellowships are awarded to current students C. GLENN CAMBOR on the basis of need. In 2011- FELLOWSHIPS ($5,000) 12 Inprint awarded a total of Thomas Calder $125,550 in fellowships and Fiction MFA student prizes. These talented graduate BA, University of Florida students go on to publish books, Patrick James win nationally competitive Poetry MFA student awards, serve as educators, BM, Manhattan School of Music and enrich the cultural life of Caitlin Maling Houston and other communities Poetry MFA student nationwide. BA, University of Melbourne MPhil, University of Cambridge Olga Mexina-Bykova Poetry MFA student BA, New York University Tyson Morgan Fiction MFA student BA, Macalester College Bradley Parrigin INPRINT/JOAN AND STANFORD ALEXANDER PRIZE IN FICTION IN Fiction MFA student HONOR OF ANDREA WHITE ($10,000) BA, University of Michigan JD and MBA, Wake Forest University Adam Peterson

Sara Rolater INPRINT/PAUL VERLAINE PRIZE IN Fiction MFA student POETRY ($10,000) BA, Rice University Chuck Carlise Kellie Smith INPRINT/DONALD BARTHELME Poetry MFA student PRIZE IN FICTION ($2,500) BA, University of North Texas Michelle Mariano Yerra Sugarman Poetry PhD student INPRINT/DONALD BARTHELME 17 BFA, Concordia University PRIZE IN NONFICTION ($5,000) MA, City College of New York Aja Gabel MFA, Columbia University INPRINT/DONALD BARTHELME Daniel Wallace PRIZES IN POETRY ($2,500) Fiction PhD student Karie Buss BA, Taylor University Joshua Gottlieb Miller MFA, Columbia University INPRINT/ROBERT J. SUSSMAN J. A. AND ISABEL ELKINS PRIZE IN FICTION ($2,500) FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP ($5,000) Whitney Mower Ashley Wurzbacher Fiction PhD student PROGRESSION FELLOWSHIP BA, Allegheny College ($1,000) MFA, Eastern Washington University Raj Mankad

FONDREN FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS FELLOWSHIP ($5,000) ($1,500) Michelle Oakes Peter Kimani Poetry MFA student Thea Lim BA, University of Central Missouri Caitlin Maling Sruthi Thekkiam MICHAEL AND NINA ZILKHA FELLOWSHIP ($5,000) Peter Kimani Fiction PhD student BA, University of South Africa MA, City University London rm photography

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On April 1, 2012, Inprint Advisory Board Member Bobbi Samuels and her husband Vic hosted the annual Inprint Prize Winners Reading at their home. UH Creative Writing Program students who were recipients of 2012 Inprint juried prizes read excerpts from their work. More than 50 students, faculty, and community

rm photography members attended. Pictured on left from top to bottom: Inprint/Paul Verlaine Prize winner Chuck Carlise; Inprint Donald Barthelme Fellowship in Fiction winner Michelle Mariano, Inprint/Robert J. Sussman Prize winner Whitney Mower with Kenny Baldwin. Pictured above: Inprint Paul Verlaine Prize winner Chuck Carlise, Inprint/Robert J. Sussman Prize winner 18 Whitney Mower, Inprint/Joan and Stanford Alexander Prize winner Adam Peterson, Inprint/Donald Barthelme Prize in Fiction winner Michelle Mariano, Inprint/Donald Barthelme Prize in Poetry winner Joshua Gottlieb Miller, Inprint/Donald Barthelme Prize in Nonfiction winner Aja Gabel, and Inprint/ rm photography Donald Barthelme Prize in Poetry winner Karie Buss.

The First Weeks in Catania BY CHUCK CARLISE, 2012 INPRINT PAUL VERLAINE PRIZE WINNER A young father leans to hold his tiny son’s hand on the jagged gray of Piazza Duomo. With his free hand, he tosses breadcrumbs to the lava rocks

hoping to entice a pigeon close. The boy (his eyes wide & wildly interested) grins so hard my cheeks throb watching him. He can’t be more than three.

The man speaks very quickly (or so it seems to me) & any hopes I have for eavesdropping fall away. Ci sono, he says, waving his hand forward,

& after a flourish of rises and falls, a presto! I can’t pick up enough to make any sense. The boy must hear his father but his glance never reaches up to meet him. Instead

it shoots between three pigeons who’ve noticed the crumbled bread – two brown-backed, just darker & rustier-red than his father’s khakis, & one speckled gray bird just beyond them.

They edge toward the crumbs, but hesitate (they’ve been chased around these stones by creatures this boy’s size before). The man points to the brown-backs, but all I catch

is questo – “this one.” The speckled bird has had enough waiting. He ambles forward (beak-lead, piston-like stutter) & plucks a crumb from the boy’s shoe, then scuttles away.

The boy pulls his hand free & throws both arms into the air. His eyes threatening to leap from their sockets, he opens his mouth, pauses, then lets out the whoop of a toddler.

“Aaaaah!” It drowns out his father, & for a moment even the hum of motorini up the street – not a word in any language at all. It’s the first thing I’ve understood clearly all day. excerpts from As If They Were Burning BY ADAM PETERSON, 2012 INPRINT/ JOAN AND STANFORD ALEXANDER PRIZE WINNER

All winter girls jumped the falls. In the morning, a student spies a billowed nightgown, some pink flowerbed quivering in the water. Joggers find shoes abandoned beside the path, a professor the girl’s lonely coat. Before that, her toes are the first to know the ice. If she doesn’t feel the cold, the rush, the hint of a sunset, the moon still in the sky—it could be a dream. The last thought is a given: apologies, all unspoken and unnecessary except for the ones she will not be able to give for those who will keep what she leaves behind. Before breaking the water’s horizon, she must overcome the “Thank you for the Inprint Donald Barthelme sky’s, the jump, the deep breath, the walking award in poetry. I’m overjoyed to receive this on numb toes beneath haloing street lamps honor. The funds buy me time to write—the toward the bridge. And somewhere, in her greatest gift a writer could ask for.” final past, she decided, and nothing in the KARIE BUSS world she moves through changes her mind. Kath turns the shower cold, closes her “Support like yours means a great deal to eyes, concentrates on the rivulets of water student writers like myself, mostly in knowing 19 running through her toes. But it only brings that there are other readers and writers out there heat to her skin, wakes her up, forces her in Houston who believe in fostering such an to remember how little she has in common with the college girls throwing themselves inspiring and encouraging community. over the campus’s falls. But she knows This is my third year in Houston, and I’m their terrible gravity—some anchor in their continuously amazed at the abundance of hearts she fears in her own. When Martin opportunities for writing and the arts here. It’s a traced a word into the back of her silk dress pleasure to be a part of such a great city.” as they danced at Prom, she’d guessed late, ADAM PETERSON but he said it was love. At that moment, she would have followed him over anything. “I want to thank you at Inprint for the It has all got too dangerous. generous fellowship offered to not only myself, ● ● ● ● ● ● but many of my fellow incoming classmates. Kath breaks her frozen hair apart on her Your support and generosity will not go to way through the high school. She takes her waste. I intend to make the most of my time place in the interview line behind smart, slutty Ana Martinez who pretends not to while in the Program, to learn as much as my notice her, the competition. Ana has cast off mind can process, to write as much as her usual short black skirt and tight t-shirt my fingers will allow.” for a low-cut dress. It must be what she THOMAS CALDER wears to church on Sundays, and Kath hates the girl for how she wears her sex. Each year, one student receives the Albert R. Wiley scholarship, and for the past three years it’s been the valedictorian, a position Kath herself will hold. It’s the only way she’ll be able to afford the college, a full-ride to the university up the hill but no guarantee of coming back down. She imagines not dorm rooms and lecture halls but lonely girls standing barefoot in the night. Martin doesn’t understand why she fears following them and she cannot explain it to him. His family has always gone to the school, and the engineering building bears his grandfather’s name. THE 2012 INPRINT POETS & WRITERS BALL was a great success thanks to the leadership of Chairs Susie and Sanford Criner, surpassing the goal by raising more than $345,000. The featured speaker, Justin Cronin, bestselling author of The Passage, gave a lively talk about Houston’s influence on his writing life. Before dinner guests enjoyed short salon-style readings by novelist and UH Cullen Foundation Chair in Creative Writing Robert Boswell, PEN/Faulkner finalist ZZ Packer, and Orange Award for New Writers finalist Ann Weisgarber. nathan lindstrom Ball Chairs Susie and Sanford Criner Literary themed table decorations, a menu designed by Elouise “Ouisie” Jones, and a handmade limited- edition chapbook of the story “Life by Moonlight,” signed by the author, and distributed to Ball attendees, were all part of the elegant and festive evening. Proceeds from the Ball make possible Inprint’s literary performance programs, community writing workshops, fellowships and prizes for nathan lindstrom graduate students at the UH Creative Before dinner readers ZZ Packer, Robert Boswell, and Ann Weisgarber Writing Program, and much more. We are deeply grateful to our generous underwriters and patrons for their support.

nathan lindstrom Inprint Board member Franci Crane

Featured speaker Justin Cronin, author of The Passage nathan lindstrom William L. Hussey donors ANNUAL Kathryn and Jeffry S. Abrams James Ketelsen Suzanne and Brian Adams CONTRIBUTORS Jill and Dunham Jewett Angela and Charles Alcorn Phil and Josephine John Jory Alexander Inprint is deeply grateful to our many friends, Elouise and Harry Jones Lucy Anderson foundations, and other generous supporters Sissy and Diana Armentor Denny Kempner who made donations between July 1, 2011, and Ann Arnett Dillon Kyle and June 30, 2012. Your contributions—to our Annual Sam Lasseter Alyne Assunto Fund, the Inprint Poets & Writers Ball, and our Paul and Carolyn Landen Toby Atkinson many educational and performance activities— Pat Lasher and Peg Austin provide vital support for some of the most Richard Jacobs Mariame and exciting literary programs in the country. On Harriet and Francisco Aviles behalf of the countless readers and writers Truett Latimer Laura and Thomas Bacon who benefit from your generosity, we extend a Ann Lents and Kenny Griffith Baldwin sincere thank you! David Heaney Joanna Baleson Leslie and Shannon Sasser Julie Barry Family Fund Karen and Charlie Baughn benefactors Isabel B. and Mimi Lloyd Wallace S. Wilson Annelle Beckenbaugh Anne Chao/Houston Marley Lott Endowment Inc. Andrea Berkman sponsors Nancy Manderson Franci and Jim Crane Susan Bermack Dorothy J. Alcorn Nancy and Neal Manne Consuelo Duroc-Danner Linda Bird Joan and Stanford Margolis, Phipps Roxann Blackburn Nanette and Jerry Finger Alexander & Wright, P.C. Jeanne and Paul Blanchard Jeff Fort Jay Baker Tamra Mast and Alvin Blaustein Judy and Marc Herzstein Mary and Marcel Barone Marc Grossberg Laura Bodenheimer Sis and Hasty Johnson Kathryn and David Berg Misty and Surena Matin Wanda Bolton Nightingale Code Suzann and Shirat Mavligit and Foundation Travis Broesche Ken Hughes Wyn Bomar Maconda Brown Robin and Dick Brooks Isabelle and Eric Mayer Jack and Annis Bowen O’Connor/The Brown Elisabeth and Foundation Foundation, Inc. Anne Bohnn Brown and 21 Peter Hoyt Brown Brian McCabe Liz Brackeen and The Radoff Family Stephanie Fulton Chris Bryan and Kate McConnico Louisa Stude Sarofim Trey Peacock Rebecca McDonald John Bradshaw, Jr. Mark Wawro and Bud Light/Silver Eagle Sandra and Ken Moffet Timothy Britton Melanie Gray Distributors Sara and Bill Morgan Catherine and Gary Brock Weatherford Bettie Cartwright Sue Brown International Ltd. Betty and Anne and Albert Chao Stephen Newton Alyssa Bruder patrons Cathy and Paul Chapman Julie Nguyen Meera Buck Chinhui and Lois Chiles and Dick Gilder Evelyn and Roy Nolen Lowell Burford Eddie Allen Jackie and Paul Clote Judy and Scott Nyquist Barbara Bushong Amegy Bank, N.A. Liz and Steve Crowell Cabrina and Karen Bussey Robin Angly and Michelle and Steven Owsley Katherine Butler and Miles Smith Paul Cunningham Karen and Harry Pinson Donald Sanders Susie and Isabel and Danny David Linda Popkin-Paine and Lind Butler and Sanford Criner Susie and Joe Dilg Stephen Paine Bill Connolly Carolyn and Platt Davis Sally and Lydia Protopapas and Laura Calaway Nijad and Zeina Fares Philip Edmundson Mahmood Banijamali Gwyneth Campbell Cullen Geiselman Marita and JB Fairbanks Carolyn and Jim Robertson Chris Cander Pat L. Harris Brooke and Dan Feather Lisanne and James Rogers Roxi Cargill and HEB Rachel and Bud Frazier Katie Sammons and Peter Weston Terry Lohrenz Hines Jo and Jim Furr Nona and Bobbi and Vic Samuels David Carmichael Stephanie and Ed Larsen Gensler Betty and Gene McDavid Vicki and David Sharp Courtenay Carmody and Eleanor and Dan Gilbane Todd Knox Nancy Powell Moore Leigh and Reggie Smith Brenda and Bill Goldberg Lorna Carpenter Petrello Family Lois and George Stark Lynn Goode and Bettie and Rick Carrell Foundation Harrison Williams Doreen Stoller and Daniel Piette Marcia Carter Hinda Simon Beth and John Harper Robin and Sandy Stuart Kristen and Rick Casey Barbara and Louis Sklar Diana and Russell Hawkins Gay and Ron Tigner Mary Kay and Bob Casey Alison Smith and Carolyn Roch Henneman Dean Burkhardt and Matt Henneman Ann and Patricia Casey Robert Weisgarber Kathryn and Craig Smyser Lynn and Bill Herbert Gracie and Bob Cavnar Billy C. Wells Diana Strassmann Pauline and Junior Higgins Li-Tung Shih and and Jeff Smisek Andrea and Bill White Harry Chang Margaret and Alan Hill Thompson & Knight LLP Ann and Mathew Wolf Judy Chapman Virginia Holbrook and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Paul Teten Bradford A. Wyatt Jane Cherry Vinson & Elkins LLP Molly and Ford Hubbard Lynn and Oscar Wyatt Cynthia Christner Watt Beckworth LLP Madeleine Callery Hussey Mary Clancy Lynn Jenkins FY2012 Expenses Frances Johnson and Steve Colvin Programs (77%) Irene and Ron Johnson Fundraising (14%) Julie and Peter Johnson Management (9%) Robbi Jones Shelby and Ward Jones Jacqueline Kacen Kathryn Kase and Jeff Cohen Evan Katz Wendy and Mavis Kelsey Ann Kennedy and Geoffrey Walker Nancy Kerby FY2012 Revenues Elizabeth and Albert Kidd Kathy and Karl Kilian Poets & Writers Ball (35%) Carol and Stephen King Foundation Grants (23%) Valerie Koehler Rhona Konig Program Earnings (14%) Beverly Kopp Investment Income (9%) Leela and Nat Krishnamurthy Annual Fund Drive (8%) Judy Kugle Government Grants(7%) Anita Kunkle Jeanie Lambright Corporate Underwriting (3%) Michele Lees Miscellaneous (1%) Sally Lehr Jill and Gene Lewis Sabria and Kevin Lewis 22 John Clements Jennifer Ettelson Margaret Hansen Susan and Cindy Clifford Nancy Falgout Joanie Hare Michael Lieberman Meryl and Murry Cohen Carolyn and Bob Florek Stephanie Harris Victoria and Wanda and Mark Cohen Kay and Robert Forker Kathy Harrison Marshal Lightman Julie Cohn and Helen Winkler Fosdick Margaret Harrison Barbara Lister and John Connor Cece and Mack Fowler Shelia Dansby Harvey Daniel McCormick Elinor and Martin Colman Beatrice Mladenka-Fowler and Henry Harvey Klinka and John Lollar Elizabeth Connelly and Jesse Fowler Duncan Hasell Kathy and John Long Miquel Correll Nene Foxhall and Millie Hast Suzanne Longley and Patti Cowan Steve Jetton Sarah Hastings Randall Morton Leslie and Justin Cronin Rodi and Bob Franco Hollie Hawk Sarah and John Loudermilk Cay Cunningham Mary and Robert Frappier Susan and Robert Hawkins Sara Lowman Joan Cunningham Barbara Friedman Sheila and Page Kempner Carolyn Dahl and Janet Gaidosik Isaac Heimbinder Isabel and Thomas Perry Mel Gallagher and Mary and Ransom Lummis Ramona Davis Ron Embry James Henderson Barbara Marcus Gwendolyn Dawson and Carol and Gary Gartsman Mary and Marianne and Ba Nguyen Deborah Gary Wyman Herendeen Donald Marcus Mary S. and Jack Dawson Heidi and David Gerger Olive Hershey and Marlene Markovich A. C. Conrad Lynn Detrick Elizabeth and Elena and Kenneth Marks Cathy and David Hildreth Deutsche Bank Americas James Gerson Kristi and Earle Martin Foundation Vanessa Gilmore Laura and Brad Hipps Tim McGregor Mary Dickson Maureen Glentzer Deborah Hirsch Betty Lynn and Donna Diggons Alejandra Gonzalez and Kate and Steve Gibson/ David McHam Hobby Family Foundation Cynthia Diller Curtis Trimble Joan McKirachan Richard Holley Krista Dumas Rebecca Grant Bonnie McMillan Kathy House Nancy Dunlap Donna Gray Debbie McNulty and Houston Endowment Inc. Dean Ruck Rachel and James Dunlap Niasha Green Virginia and Rose Ann Medlin Karla Dunn Debbie Greenbaum William Howard Helen Meistrich Susan and Charles Elder Nonya and Jonathan Grenader Patty Hubbard Laura Menard Jennifer Elkins Ellen and Pearson Grimes Carol Hunton Susan Meng Sarah Ellenzweig and Missy and Peter Hyland Scott McGill Christi and Keith Guerrini Stacy Middleman Jane Jackson Margie Elliott Lynn and Bill Guggolz Bob Milbrath Susan Jackson Connie and Tom Elliott Holly Haire John Milkereit Ann Jacobs Kathleen and Keith Ellison Joy Haley Susan Miller Lisa Jaubert Nancy and Cathy and Bowes Hamill Leila and Walter Mischer Whitson Etheridge Vaness Hamilton Shih-Lene Jee Mary Montague Susana Monteverde and Barbara Richards Ping Sun and Anna Wingfield William Grimsinger Harriet Riley David Leebron Betsy and Jim Winn Betty Moody and Bill Stefi Sally and Charles Roberts Susman Family Marie Woodward Foundation Flora Moon and Holly and Royce Roemisch Lorraine and Ed Wulfe Robert Cozens Suzanne Suter and Anne and Joe Romano Gina Wyszynski Teresa Morales Bill Snypes Shirley and Don Rose Stephanie Yankowsky Jayme Morgan George and Docia and John Rudley Marisue Tallichet Elizabeth and Barry Young Sallie Morian and Ellis Rudy Sue Zagars Michael Clark Cherie Taylor JoAnn Russell Lois and Steve Zamora Belinda Munsell Ann and Patrick Thielke Rosemary Rust Gail Zaruba Anne Murphy Kris Thomas Dorothee Sauter and Thelma Zirkelbach Vance Muse and Nancy and Josef Helfenstein Peter Thompson Carl Palazzolo supporters Diane Schenke Judith Thorn Terrylin Neale Sherry Adams and Andrew Schirrmeister Georgiana Nelsen Emily Todd Walter Johns Olivia Schirrmeister Pamela New Ellie and Jon Totz Leslie Field Diana Schrom Katharine and Andrea Tran Cathy Coers Frank Dr. and Mrs. Irving Stephen Newman Steven Tredennick Belinda Friis Schweppe, Jr. Marcia and Anne Tucker and Pat and James Helliker Michael Nichols Valerie Scott and Robert Morris Jeff Buhrer Karen Luik Despina Nicolaou Rebecca and Mark Udden Diana Scroggins Mary and Paul Nugent Beverly and Eleanor and Susan and Staman Ogilvie Mallory Shaddix and Juan Vallhonrat Pam Rosen Charles Osterberg Marie and Harvey Orth Deyanira Verdejo Varsha Shah Jerrold and Linda Paine Marilyn Oshman Chaja Verveer and Mary Parham and Nancy and John Sherwood Jim Getola Sandy Parkerson Timothy Hagerty Carrie and Denise Patrick Eleanor and Dick Viebig Edward Shoemake Betty Pecore and Cara Pauloski and Eugenie Voorhees Howard Hilliard Carey Shuart Michael Rudelson Robert D. Wagner, Jr. Judith and Robert Phillips Hannah Sibiski Gretchen Peak Marlene Walker Elizabeth Rhem Bapsi and Noshir Sidhwa Erin Nelsen Parekh Kit and Rufus Wallingford Marsha and Marcia Simmons 23 Pamela Perkins Edward Walsh Lionel Schooler Louis Skidmore Robert Petty Ann Watson and Ava Schreiner Len Slusser Tracy Phillips Jay Allison Gail and Lee Silver Dorothy Snyder David Portz Dianne Webb and Kirsten Sorensen Carol and Gary Motal Patrice Pujol Iris Stockbridge Michael Stamatedes Paula Webb Lynn Randolph and Rochelle Tafolla Michele Stanton Anne Whitlock and Michael Berryhill Brad Telford and Tanya Stephens Michael Skelly Macey and Mark Deaton Bill Stern Sarah Whitton Harry Reasoner Terry Townsend Cassie B. Stinson Wendy Wight Karen Redden Margaret Watson Jan Stout Marion and Ben Wilcox Sonya Renner Amber and Byron York Sandi Stromberg and John Williford Kelly Reynolds Vanessa Zimmer-Falls Bill Turner Aline and Collett Wilson

Bergner and Johnson Nightingale Code GRANTS Design (in-kind) Foundation Edward and Helen Stanford and Joan Generous grants from individuals, foundations, Oppenheimer Foundation Alexander Foundation and government sources provide essential Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Sterling-Turner support for Inprint programs and operations. (in-kind) Foundation Grants for general operating support enable George and Mary Susan Vaughan Inprint to sustain its long-standing programs Josephine Hamman Foundation, Inc. and launch vital new ones; Program Grants Foundation Texas Commission support specific performance and community Harris County Department on the Arts education programs, such as the Inprint of Education/ Cooperative The Albert and Ethel Margarett Root Brown Reading Series, Cool for After-School Herzstein Charitable Enrichment (CASE) Brains! Inprint Readings for Young People, and Foundation HEB writing workshops for teachers, at-risk youth, The Brown Foundation, Inc. and senior citizens. Houston Arts Alliance The Gordon A. Cain Houston Downtown Foundation We thank all of our grantors for their shared Alliance The Samuels Foundation commitment to the work of inspiring readers Houston Endowment Inc. United Airlines (in-kind) and writers through a broad range of literary Houston Public Radio activities. The following organizations and The Wawro-Gray (in-kind) Family Foundation foundations provided generous grants or in-kind Kinder Foundation support for Inprint activities from July 1, 2011, Weatherford National Endowment International Ltd. through June 30, 2012. for the Arts inprint NON-PROFIT ORG. 1520 WEST MAIN U.S. POSTAGE HOUSTON, TEXAS 77006 paid HOUSTON TEXAS PERMIT NO. 1002

board of directors advisory board presidents council 2011-2012 2011-2012 Mark Wawro Robin Angly Charlotte Banham CHAIRMAN Michael Berryhill C. Glenn Cambor Matt Henneman Robin Brooks Bettie Carrell PRESIDENT Anne S. Brown Franci Crane Consuelo Duroc-Danner Li-Tung Shih Chang Jerry Finger VICE PRESIDENT Michelle Cunningham Cece Fowler Terry Morales Brooke Feather Marc Grossberg SECRETARY/TREASURER Rachel Frazier Matt Henneman Kathryn Berg Barbara Friedman Patty Hubbard Christina Bryan Vanessa Gilmore Sis Johnson Dean Burkhardt Joanie Y. Hare Elouise A. Jones Bettie Cartwright Wyman Herendeen Karl Kilian Gracie Cavnar Olive Hershey Ed Larsen Anne Chao Lonny Hoffman Chris Seger Ken Hughes Hinda Simon Franci Crane Inprint’s Annual Report is published once a Elizabeth Crowell Steve Jetton Craig Smyser Kathryn Kase Mark Wawro year, thanks to the underwriting support from Mary S Dawson The Jerry and Nanette Finger Foundation. Zeina Fares Leela Krishnamurthy Richard Finger Pat Lasher inprint staff Kevin Lewis Eleanor Gilbane Rich Levy Marc Grossberg Michael Lieberman EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Pat Harris Betty Lynn McHam Sandra Moffet Marilyn Jones Shelia Dansby Harvey ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Pauline E. Higgins Terrylin Neale Mahesh Ramchandani Lee Herrick Madeleine Hussey DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Irene Johnson Gilda Ramirez Sam Ramirez Krupa Parikh Sis Johnson MARKETING/ Robbi Jones Harry Reasoner OUTREACH DIRECTOR Bobbi Samuels Karl Kilian Kristi Beer Gene McDavid Bapsi Sidhwa OFFICE MANAGER/ Rebecca McDonald Mimi Swartz PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR Lillie Robertson Raji Tarakad Katie Sammons Gemini Wahhaj INPRINT 1520 WEST MAIN Hinda Simon Crystal Washington HOUSTON, TEXAS 77006 Doreen Stoller 713.521.2026 Diana Strassmann Robert Tudor www.inprinthouston.org Aline Wilson [email protected] find us on