Hill Rag

THE LITERARY HILL

A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events

by: Karen Lyon

Creating “A Space Inside”
Monica Jacobe was looking for a way to recapture the camaraderie she enjoyed as a graduate student in creative writing at American University. “It seemed like we were all in this together, supportive and encouraging,” she recalls. She hopes that “A Space Inside”—a reading series she has organized here on the Hill—will help recreate that feeling. “Part of my goal in creating ‘A Space Inside’ is to gather DC writers and creative people in a common pursuit,” she explains, “to create a sense of community and togetherness.” The monthly series, which begins January 25, is being hosted by Riverby Books.

“A Space Inside” will serve as a venue for lesser-known voices, for writers at various points in their careers, and for those who are “between books.” Jacobe points out that many writers who publish with a small press have to organize their own publicity and those who work with larger publishing houses are only called upon to read when they are promoting new books. “That is the ‘space’ that ‘A Space Inside’ seeks to fill,” she says. One unusual aspect of the series is that the writers will read from a variety of works: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. “I don’t know many writers who limit themselves to only one form,” she says. “That is why ‘A Space Inside’ is a multi-genre reading series.”

C.M. Mayo, the inaugural reader for the series, more than fulfills the multi-genre criterion. The award-winning author of “Miraculous Air: Journey of a Thousand Miles through Baja, California, the Other Mexico” (2002), she has published essays about Mexico in numerous literary journals Her short stories have also appeared in many journals and her “Sky Over El Nido” won the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. She translates Mexican poetry and literary fiction, founded a bilingual literary journal called “Taneme,” and has edited an anthology of Mexican writing that will be published this spring. “I write fiction, poetry, nonfiction—and maybe one day I’ll wrestle out a screenplay,” she declares. “It’s all poetry, I say!”’

Born in Texas, Mayo grew up in California and currently divides her time between DC and Mexico City. “I met my husband, who is Mexican, when we were studying economics at the University of Chicago,” she says. “When we got married, we went to live in Mexico City.” She taught economics and finance at a university there and published two books on Mexican finance. Once her first literary book, “Sky Over El Nido,” was published, she decided to become a full-time writer “I wouldn’t go back to working as an economist, not for a bazillion bucks,” she affirms. She and her husband (who is still an economist) keep a house in Mexico City, and Mayo goes back frequently. “Since I’m a writer, I can divide my time into odd-shaped chunks and morsels.”

When in D.C., she lives in Foggy Bottom and teaches a creative writing workshop at the Writers Center in Bethesda. She is also working on a post-Civil War historical novel set in Washington D.C. and Mexico City. At January’s “A Space Inside,” Mayo will read a short story titled “The Building of Quality.” Originally published in the Kenyon Review, the story deals with the aftermath when a violent storm drops an odd muffin-shaped building into a suburban couple’s backyard. The inspiration for the tale comes from author and architectural critic James Howard Kunstler, who wrote: “The average citizen—who went to school in a building modeled on a shoe factory, who lives in a raised ranch house, who vacations in Las Vegas—would not recognize a building of quality if a tornado dropped it in his yard.” Mayo says she read that and thought, “Whew, nasty. But hey, what if?” She adds that the story was “wicked fun to write.”

Mayo is enthusiastic about “A Space Inside,” hoping it will develop into a cherished community tradition. “Bravo to Monica Jacobe and Riverby Books!” she cheers. Steven Cymrot of Riverby Books returns the compliment. “C.M. Mayo is a gifted poet and writer,” he says, “and [we are] excited to have her lead off our new series of monthly readings. ‘A Space Inside’ will bring together new and old writers with new and old readers.” Jacobe’s aspirations also run high. “I hope to open doors for many writers’ voices and turn their somedays into today,” she says. “It is painfully optimistic, but I am willing to try.” She expects the readings to take place the fourth Wednesday of every month, and reports that she has already booked writers into next fall.

Fêting Franklin
A new exhibition at the Library of Congress, “Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words,” celebrates the three hundredth anniversary of the Founding Father’s birth. The display, which opened December 12, features items from the more than 8,000 documents in the Library’s collection of Franklin manuscripts, as well as books from his personal library and a selection of maps and prints.

The focus of the exhibition, though, is on Franklin’s “own words”: his extensive writings about an eclectic range of subjects. A true Renaissance man, Franklin was an amateur scientist, diplomat, printer, inventor, politician, and wit—and his writings reflect his many interests. Visitors can peruse his treatises on electricity, fire prevention, and the common cold, his designs for bifocal glasses, and his political cartoons and engravings.
Among the jewels of the exhibition is the first English-language imprint of Franklin’s famous autobiography. Published in London in 1793, the autobiography is regarded today as a classic of Colonial American literature. In it, Franklin presents not only a fascinating glimpse of life in Philadelphia in the 18th century, but also his shrewd observations on the literature, philosophy, and religion of the time.

To commemorate Franklin’s birthday, the Capitol Hill Book Club has chosen to discuss his autobiography at their January meeting. Led by Rocco Zappone, former teacher of American and British history at the University of Virginia, the club meets at the Southeast Branch Library every third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM to talk about a nonfiction book. Members are pleased to note that the January 17 meeting coincides with the exact date of Franklin’s birth in 1706.

Good Sense
“Street Sense,” the monthly newspaper “where the Washington area’s poor and homeless earn and give their two cents,” recently celebrated its second anniversary. Each issue includes coverage of news about homelessness initiatives, advocacy, and legislation; interviews with authors, politicians, or celebrities; a selection of thoughtful and though-provoking editorials; and features such as book and restaurant reviews, puzzles, recipes, serialized novels and, of course, “the poetry in the middle.” Copies go for a suggested donation of a dollar, and 75 cents of that goes directly to the vendor. Especially as the temperatures drop and the snow flies, it’s money well spent. Look for vendors mid-month near Eastern Market or on Pennsylvania Avenue

Picturing D.C.
Local photographer Jake McGuire has long set his sights on the nation’s capital. The winner of numerous awards for photography and photojournalism, he has twice been tapped by a Presidential Inaugural Committee to produce official images. His work also decorates the concourse at Dulles Airport and has appeared in Life magazine. Now you can display some of his striking images of D.C. on your own coffee table. “Washington, DC: A Photographic Portrait” (2004) presents McGuire’s unique perspective on the memorials, museums, parks, flowers, and government buildings we all know so well. And should your interest range further afield, McGuire has also produced books on Baltimore and Annapolis. For more information, visit the photographer at his website: www.jakemcguire.com.

Coming Next Month: “Manhunt”
Hill author James Swanson’s suspenseful narrative about the days following the Lincoln assassination hits the bookstores in February. The pre-publication buzz on “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” calls it a case of “edge-of-your-seat suspense [meeting] prize-winning history in a brilliant account of the greatest manhunt in American history.” And if that’s not enough to pique your interest, how about the movie rumored to be in the works? Stay tuned!

Resources:

DC PUBLIC LIBRARIES
www.dclibrary.org

Northeast Neighborhood Library
330 7th Street, NE, 202-698-3320
Capitol Hill Mystery Book Club
Mon., Jan. 9, 6:30 PM
Intermediate Sign Language Class
Dyan Adamson, Gallaudet University
Saturdays starting Jan. 14, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

Southeast Neighborhood Library
403 7th Street, SE, 202-698-3377
Capitol Hill Book Club (nonfiction)
“The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin”
Tues., Jan. 17, 6:30 PM

FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY
201 East Capitol St., SE
www.folger.edu, 202-544-4600
Box Office: -544-7077
PEN/Faulkner Readings
“Dream Me Home Safely”: Writers-in-Schools Readings
Fri., Jan. 13, 8:00 PM
Folger Poetry
Young Poets and Faith
Kazim Ali, Katie Ford, and Eve Grubin, with Jorie Graham
Tues., Jan. 24, 7:30 PM
Words on Will
Operatic Adaptations of Shakespeare’s Tragedies
James Conlon
Mon., Jan. 30, 7:30 PM

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
www.loc.gov, 202-707-0911
Book Talks
“Blindfold Game: A Thriller”
Dana Stabenow
Tues., Jan. 10, 6:00 PM
Exhibition
"Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words"
Dec. 12-June 17, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

RIVERBY BOOKS
417 East Capitol St., SE
www.riverby.com, 202-543-4342
‘A Space Inside’ Reading Series
“The Building of Quality” (fiction)
C.M. Mayo
Wed., January 25, 7:00 PM

TROVER SHOP
221 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
www.trover.com, 202-547-2665

If you know of a book, author, or event that reflects “The Literary Hill,” please write to Karen Lyon c/o The Hill Rag or e-mail her at hillwriters@yahoo.com.


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THE LITERARY HILL
A Compendium of Readers, Writers, Books, & Events
by: Karen Lyon
Creating “A Space Inside” Monica Jacobe was looking for a way to recapture the camaraderie she enjoyed as a graduate student in creative writing at American University. “It seemed like we were all in this together, supportive and encouraging,” she recalls. She hopes that “A Space Inside”—a reading series she has organized here on the Hill—will help recreate that feeling. “Part of my goal in creating ‘A Space Inside’ is to gather DC writers and creative people in a common pursuit,” she explains, “to create a sense of community and togetherness.” The monthly series, which begins January 25, is being hosted by Riverby Books. “A Space Inside” will serve as a venue for lesser-known voices, for writers at various points in their careers, and for those who are “between books.” Jacobe points out that many writers who publish with a small press have to organize their own publicity and those who work with larger publishing houses are only called upon to read when they are promoting new books. “That is the ‘space’ that ‘A Space Inside’ seeks to fill,” she says. One unusual aspect of the series is that the writers will read from a variety of works: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. “I don’t know many writers who limit themselves to only one form,” she says. “That is why ‘A Space Inside’ is a multi-genre reading series.” C.M. Mayo, the inaugural reader for the series, more than fulfills the multi-genre criterion. The award-winning author of “Miraculous Air: Journey of a Thousand Miles through Baja, California, the Other Mexico” (2002), she has published essays about Mexico in numerous literary journals Her short stories have also appeared in many journals and her “Sky Over El Nido” won the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. She translates Mexican poetry and literary fiction, founded a bilingual literary journal called “Taneme,” and has edited an anthology of Mexican writing that will be published this spring. “I write fiction, poetry, nonfiction—and maybe one day I’ll wrestle out a screenplay,” she declares. “It’s all poetry, I say!”’ Born in Texas, Mayo grew up in California and currently divides her time between DC and Mexico City. “I met my husband, who is Mexican, when we were studying economics at the University of Chicago,” she says. “When we got married, we went to live in Mexico City.” She taught economics and finance at a university there and published two books on Mexican finance. Once her first literary book, “Sky Over El Nido,” was published, she decided to become a full-time writer “I wouldn’t go back to working as an economist, not for a bazillion bucks,” she affirms. She and her husband (who is still an economist) keep a house in Mexico City, and Mayo goes back frequently. “Since I’m a writer, I can divide my time into odd-shaped chunks and morsels.” When in D.C., she lives in Foggy Bottom and teaches a creative writing workshop at the Writers Center in Bethesda. She is also working on a post-Civil War historical novel set in Washington D.C. and Mexico City. At January’s “A Space Inside,” Mayo will read a short story titled “The Building of Quality.” Originally published in the Kenyon Review, the story deals with the aftermath when a violent storm drops an odd muffin-shaped building into a suburban couple’s backyard. The inspiration for the tale comes from author and architectural critic James Howard Kunstler, who wrote: “The average citizen—who went to school in a building modeled on a shoe factory, who lives in a raised ranch house, who vacations in Las Vegas—would not recognize a building of quality if a tornado dropped it in his yard.” Mayo says she read that and thought, “Whew, nasty. But hey, what if?” She adds that the story was “wicked fun to write.” Mayo is enthusiastic about “A Space Inside,” hoping it will develop into a cherished community tradition. “Bravo to Monica Jacobe and Riverby Books!” she cheers. Steven Cymrot of Riverby Books returns the compliment. “C.M. Mayo is a gifted poet and writer,” he says, “and [we are] excited to have her lead off our new series of monthly readings. ‘A Space Inside’ will bring together new and old writers with new and old readers.” Jacobe’s aspirations also run high. “I hope to open doors for many writers’ voices and turn their somedays into today,” she says. “It is painfully optimistic, but I am willing to try.” She expects the readings to take place the fourth Wednesday of every month, and reports that she has already booked writers into next fall. Fêting Franklin A new exhibition at the Library of Congress, “Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words,” celebrates the three hundredth anniversary of the Founding Father’s birth. The display, which opened December 12, features items from the more than 8,000 documents in the Library’s collection of Franklin manuscripts, as well as books from his personal library and a selection of maps and prints. The focus of the exhibition, though, is on Franklin’s “own words”: his extensive writings about an eclectic range of subjects. A true Renaissance man, Franklin was an amateur scientist, diplomat, printer, inventor, politician, and wit—and his writings reflect his many interests. Visitors can peruse his treatises on electricity, fire prevention, and the common cold, his designs for bifocal glasses, and his political cartoons and engravings. Among the jewels of the exhibition is the first English-language imprint of Franklin’s famous autobiography. Published in London in 1793, the autobiography is regarded today as a classic of Colonial American literature. In it, Franklin presents not only a fascinating glimpse of life in Philadelphia in the 18th century, but also his shrewd observations on the literature, philosophy, and religion of the time. To commemorate Franklin’s birthday, the Capitol Hill Book Club has chosen to discuss his autobiography at their January meeting. Led by Rocco Zappone, former teacher of American and British history at the University of Virginia, the club meets at the Southeast Branch Library every third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM to talk about a nonfiction book. Members are pleased to note that the January 17 meeting coincides with the exact date of Franklin’s birth in 1706. Good Sense “Street Sense,” the monthly newspaper “where the Washington area’s poor and homeless earn and give their two cents,” recently celebrated its second anniversary. Each issue includes coverage of news about homelessness initiatives, advocacy, and legislation; interviews with authors, politicians, or celebrities; a selection of thoughtful and though-provoking editorials; and features such as book and restaurant reviews, puzzles, recipes, serialized novels and, of course, “the poetry in the middle.” Copies go for a suggested donation of a dollar, and 75 cents of that goes directly to the vendor. Especially as the temperatures drop and the snow flies, it’s money well spent. Look for vendors mid-month near Eastern Market or on Pennsylvania Avenue Picturing D.C. Local photographer Jake McGuire has long set his sights on the nation’s capital. The winner of numerous awards for photography and photojournalism, he has twice been tapped by a Presidential Inaugural Committee to produce official images. His work also decorates the concourse at Dulles Airport and has appeared in Life magazine. Now you can display some of his striking images of D.C. on your own coffee table. “Washington, DC: A Photographic Portrait” (2004) presents McGuire’s unique perspective on the memorials, museums, parks, flowers, and government buildings we all know so well. And should your interest range further afield, McGuire has also produced books on Baltimore and Annapolis. For more information, visit the photographer at his website: www.jakemcguire.com. Coming Next Month: “Manhunt” Hill author James Swanson’s suspenseful narrative about the days following the Lincoln assassination hits the bookstores in February. The pre-publication buzz on “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” calls it a case of “edge-of-your-seat suspense [meeting] prize-winning history in a brilliant account of the greatest manhunt in American history.” And if that’s not enough to pique your interest, how about the movie rumored to be in the works? Stay tuned! Resources: DC PUBLIC LIBRARIES www.dclibrary.org Northeast Neighborhood Library 330 7th Street, NE, 202-698-3320 Capitol Hill Mystery Book Club Mon., Jan. 9, 6:30 PM Intermediate Sign Language Class Dyan Adamson, Gallaudet University Saturdays starting Jan. 14, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM Southeast Neighborhood Library 403 7th Street, SE, 202-698-3377 Capitol Hill Book Club (nonfiction) “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” Tues., Jan. 17, 6:30 PM FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY 201 East Capitol St., SE www.folger.edu, 202-544-4600 Box Office: -544-7077 PEN/Faulkner Readings “Dream Me Home Safely”: Writers-in-Schools Readings Fri., Jan. 13, 8:00 PM Folger Poetry Young Poets and Faith Kazim Ali, Katie Ford, and Eve Grubin, with Jorie Graham Tues., Jan. 24, 7:30 PM Words on Will Operatic Adaptations of Shakespeare’s Tragedies James Conlon Mon., Jan. 30, 7:30 PM LIBRARY OF CONGRESS www.loc.gov, 202-707-0911 Book Talks “Blindfold Game: A Thriller” Dana Stabenow Tues., Jan. 10, 6:00 PM Exhibition "Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words" Dec. 12-June 17, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM RIVERBY BOOKS 417 East Capitol St., SE www.riverby.com, 202-543-4342 ‘A Space Inside’ Reading Series “The Building of Quality” (fiction) C.M. Mayo Wed., January 25, 7:00 PM TROVER SHOP 221 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE www.trover.com, 202-547-2665 If you know of a book, author, or event that reflects “The Literary Hill,” please write to Karen Lyon c/o The Hill Rag or e-mail her at hillwriters@yahoo.com.