A Quiet Room for New York Writers, for Free

The Mercantile Library Center for Fiction, the literary foundation with which I co-manage a reading series for debut novelists, has a studio on the top floor of its midtown Manhattan headquarters, a quiet environment for writers to work on their stories with wireless internet, a reference library, even a small kitchen. Ordinarily, this would cost at least $100 a month, but the fees have been waived for December: “Access to the Studio will be granted on a first-come, first served basis, with priority given to writers with some publication history, though all writers are welcome,” I’ve been told—just provide proof of that publication history, or of some dealing with the publishing industry, when you fill out your application.

21 November 2008 | events |

November 12: Deb Olin Unferth & Diane Vadino

Come see Deb Olin Unferth and Diane Vadino in the last “Beatrice @ the Merc” reading of 2008! Since its launch earlier this year, the series has turned into a popular new venue for New York City readers to discover debut novelists.

Diane Vadino (Smart Girls Like Me) was the inaugural main staff person at McSweeney’s; she has also worked as a waitress, Daily Show intern, and professional shampoo-ist. Her writing has appeared in magazines including Marie Claire, Spin, Good, and Allure, as well as in her fashion blog bunnyshop.org, named by Real Simple as one of the Web’s best. She lives in Brooklyn.

Deb Olin Unferth (Vacation) is a University of Kansas professor and Pushcart Prize winner. She has been published in Harper’s, NOON, 3rd Bed, McSweeney’s, Fence, and other places.

9 November 2008 | events |