Calvert County Writers Give Me a Warm Welcome

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Melanie

Participants of the Creative Memoir Workshop give me a warm welcome, from left Sandy Anderson, Donald Shomette, Donald Pitts, John Riedesel, Ernestine Brooks, Roseanna Vogt, and me in front. (Elisavietta unfortunately is not pictured -- she was the photographer!)

Many, many thanks to Elisavietta Ritchie, writer extraordinaire and also a member of the Washington Writers’ Publishing House, who invited me to speak at her monthly Creative Memoirs Workshop at the Calvert Library in Prince Frederick, Md. (April 11). I had the chance to listen to participants read their own work.

When it was my turn, I talked about my life and writing and we had a great discussion about culture and how people’s perspectives differ depending on where they are from. I also read a little from my novel, The Color of My Soul. They welcomed me warmly and I appreciated the discussion – I always enjoy engaging in a conversation rather than me simply talking. What a great group of writers.

Thank you!

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National Black Writers Conference Was Fabulous!

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Melanie

I hopped on the Megabus on Thursday night (March 29) headed for New York City where my sister (by choice, not by blood), Amanda was waiting for me. (The bus cost me $16.50, and with gas prices as they are, I couldn’t have been happier!).

I stayed with Amanda in her lovely home in Queens and we drove into Brooklyn on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Eleventh National Black Writers Conference. We had the best time! Heard some great thought-provoking discussions and supported the array of vendors selling jewelry, clothes, and of course, books! I captured a few nuggets from the event.

Here are a few pictures:

Angela Dodson, Troy Johnson and Akoto Ofori-Atta

Director Jamal Joseph and Sonia Sanchez

Amanda with Dr. Michael Simanga

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My Visit to School Without Walls

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Melanie

Spent a couple hours on Friday, March 9, with 15 students at School Without Walls in Washington, DC. Many thanks to the PEN/Faulkner Foundation for organizing the event, and to Edward Ismail, the AP Lit Class teacher. What a great group of seniors! They had some great questions about me, about writing, and about the book. You can read more in my blog.

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Partnering with PEN/Faulkner Foundation

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Melanie

I’m very excited to share that I will be visiting some Washington, D.C. public schools this spring in partnership with the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. Students will read my novel and prepare questions for me when I visit. I’m really interested to get their insights on the book. My first visit is in March at School Without Walls.

Founded by writers in 1980, and named for William Faulkner, who used his Nobel Prize funds to create an award for young writers, and PEN, the international writers’ organization, the PEN/Faulkner Foundation brings together American writers and readers in a wide variety of programs to promote a love of literature.

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Wonderful event at One More Page bookstore

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Melanie

Thank you to everyone who came to support me at One More Page bookstore in Arlington, Va., on Saturday afternoon. It’s a wonderful bookstore and I encourage you to take the time to stop in if you’re in the neighborhood. Terry Nebeker made me feel very welcome and at home. I was extremely excited to see two former co-workers drive all the way from Baltimore to see me — what a treat. Thank you Camila and Denise! And thank you to Brenda who took me to see the National Symphony Orchestra that evening. Oh, and I must thank Randall for taking really great pictures at the reading. It was a lovely day. Visit my FaceBook page for more pictures.

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Washington City Paper Reviews My Novel!

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Melanie

It’s the strangest feeling reading a review by someone you don’t know in a well-known newspaper. Trying to figure out, do they like it or hate it. It’s not clear. The review is really more of a summary of the book, but I’m happy with it. So thank you Eve Ottenberg for giving my book more exposure to the Washington, DC community. That’s very exciting!

When you have a moment, take a read!

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Upcoming Reading in Arlington

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Melanie

Look for me at One More Page bookstore in Arlington, Va., for a reading and signing on Saturday, January 14, at 3 p.m. It’s a great way to support independent bookstores. Hope to see you there!

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Calling All Book Clubs!

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Melanie

Here’s a thought: if you are part of a book club and are looking for something to read, may I suggest The Color of My Soul. 🙂 I would be happy to visit with your reading group (in person in the DC-area, and via phone to locales beyond). Just send a note to writer(at)melanieshatter(dot)com.

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Another Great Event at The Writer’s Center

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Melanie

Once again, so many of you came out to support me at my reading at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md. THANK YOU! Again, I am truly grateful for all the love. I was especially excited to give a “shout out” to Wendy Henderson who was in the audience. Wendy is the wonderful artist who designed the cover of my novel, The Color of My Soul. She did an amazing job, and so many people have commented on the cover. So, my deepest thanks to you, Wendy.

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Great Crowd at Politics & Prose

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Melanie

I was deeply grateful to all my friends who came to support me at my first public reading today at Politics and Prose. It’s a great location and I can’t thank them enough for giving new authors like myself the opportunity to share my work.

There were about 30 people in the audience and so many faces I knew. It was so cool! I was reading with Poet Dan Gutstein who was my fellow winner with the Washington Writers’ Publishing House. Many thanks to everyone who purchased a book.

If you have read my book, I would love to hear from you, and if you are willing, please write a sentence or two on Amazon.com.

Thanks again for all your support.

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