I haven?t been writing as much lately, though I am working on a book. It?s an interesting project, and one I think my friends in the #amwriting community might be interested in.
I live in the vibrant town of West Chester, Pennsylvania. We are situated in the center of Chester County, a beautiful historic region with rolling hills and horse farms. Fox hunting, cycling and canoeing down the Brandywine are some of the most popular pursuits. We are also home to art and entertainment personalities as diverse as Andrew Wyeth, Bam Margera, Longwood Gardens and the electronic retailer QVC.
Over the past few years, a community of writers has formed around critique groups and our local story slam. So in January of 2011, I made a list of local fiction writers I?ve come to know and admire. These writers all share a passion for crafting short stories. Some of the writers I?ve worked with professionally over the years, others I?ve met through the local groups and Twitter. Each writer is someone seriously pursuing the craft, though we all have different genres and styles.?After making this list I reached out to each writer and asked if they would contribute a story for a collection called Chester County Fiction. I was thrilled when everyone said ?yes!?
Two other friends who are professional editors agreed to edit each story and draw out the author?s voice. For the cover, graphic designer Larry Geiger offered to create one of his unique designs. As we sat at Iron Hill Brewery discussing the project, Larry deemed we needed a photographer and David James soon joined the collaborative effort.
This is not a collection as much as it is a sampler of the writers living and working in our community. Most of the stories are set in Chester County. All of the stories are solid examples of local writers who are hard at work defining their own voice over the course of a lifetime.
Short stories were all? turned in by June 30th. We edited and returned the stories to authors. Second and third drafts were passed back and forth. Round one of proofing has been done with round two commencing this week. We are in the final sprint.
After our book launch, we will hold a few events in our awesome local independent bookstores and art galleries. After six months, we?ll count out the money earned and the collaborative team will vote on what we should do with the profits. We may throw a party or donate the money to a local literacy campaign. If we?re lucky, we?ll have enough to do both! But we?re not doing this for the money.
Courtesy of Baldwin's Book Barn
The book launch for Chester County Fiction will be held on October 2nd, from 2p.m. to 5p.m. at Baldwin?s Book Barn. Baldwin?s Book Barn is an iconic Chester County landmark and possibly the best used book store in the country.
YOU are cordially invited!
My question is: Is there a local book movement in your area?
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