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.