The Sounding Board
A Monthly Gathering at the Merry Barn Writers’ Retreat
CALLING ALL MIDCOAST WRITERS!
November 14
with Cynthia Reeves
5:30 p.m. - Gathering and refreshments
6-8 p.m. - Readings and feedback
The Sounding Board is a monthly forum for Midcoast writers of all abilities to share brief pieces, receive supportive feedback, and hear new work from a published author.
Writers will submit a piece for approval, up to 750 words in length, by November 12 to merrybarnwritersretreat@gmail.com
The Sounding Board offers an audience for new work, a safe container for vulnerability, facilitated discussion on creative process, opportunity for feedback, a chance to gain momentum in your writing practice, and an inside look at the dynamic evolution of new projects and books in the making. Every month the Sounding Board will feature an established author’s raw unpublished work! You’ll get a front seat to their new writing projects, get a chance to ask questions, and to hear their feedback on a piece you share.
Writers Find Nourishment Through The Sounding Board
January 4, 2024 at 10:20 am
Sarah Masters
The Sounding Board, a warm embrace of encouragement for writers, returns to Edgecomb’s The Merry Barn next Thursday, Jan. 11.
“Reading aloud is so powerful, for new and experienced authors” said Stephanie McSherry, executive director of The Merry Barn.
Last summer, local author Bill Anthony approached McSherry to propose “a space for writers to read aloud unpublished pieces and receive warm, constructive feedback.” McSherry, in turn, asked The Merry Barn’s community outreach coordinator Kelsy Hartley to moderate.
Hartley receives pieces a few days before the program and curates the evening’s readers. Those not selected still receive feedback. Hartley connects with published writers to feature each month.
“By reading aloud, feeling the energy the room, it gives writing a different context because of the witnessing.” Hartley said. “We had first time readers, and it was so beautiful for them – we’ve all been there!”
“Writers can feel everyone in the room silently cheering,” said McSherry. “Writing is a solitary experience, when we come together as a community is when we grow.”
Anthony volunteered to be the first reader at the inaugural event in October 2023.
“For writers young and old, who are moved to express private thoughts and write new stories, The Sounding Board offers a rare and valuable opportunity to get experience reading to the public and to garner the kind of positive feedback that sustains any writer.” Anthony said in an email.
Each Sounding Board begins with a meet and greet to help writers get comfortable in the space.
Wiscasset writer Alisa Smith was one of the first to read at the October gathering.
“I was very nervous to start. The crowd was very kind and warm, and I felt safe reading my piece,” Smith said. “All the comments were helpful in getting me to think about the piece from different angles.”
On Friday, Dec. 8, featured author Round Pond poet Elizabeth Potter read an essay titled “not my normal thing,” about submitting to the process of being vulnerable. Potter said The Sounding Board is “a stroke of genius.”
“(It gives) authors a community for verbal and nonverbal feedback – the original conversation – people can hear what strikes a chord with others,” Potter said. “(There is) a sounding of our hearts when we put out something special and dear.”
Many of the evening’s attendees were or are Potters’ students. She called on them by name as each reflected favored phrases or shared emotions. Potter said it was “very strange and nice to be on this side of things! Thank you.”
Hartley was “feeling nourished” by Potter’s story, her comments, and the blank journals she shared with attendees to take home. At the end of the evening, Hartley said the shared insights had taught her, even though she herself did not read.
By request, some passages were read again and again. Each attendees was given space to react to each piece. McSherry interjected once to lightly admonish a writer: “Self-criticism is not allowed!”
Attendees’ feedback has influenced the program itself. The number of readers was reduced so each could receive deeper responses with less rush. Comment cards have been updated with prompts suggested by Diana Mullins.
January’s featured author is Irene M. Drago. The Bath resident is the author of 2018’s “Daughters of Long Reach” and “Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers,” a 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist for Regional Fiction.
All are welcome for community and refreshments at 5:30 p.m. Readings and feedback start at 6 p.m. The Merry Barn is located at 417 River Road in Edgecomb. For more information, call 752-2018, go to merrybarn.com, or email merrybarnwritersretreat@gmail.com.