The Noepe Center for Literary Arts in Edgartown is kicking off spring with another round of its renowned writer’s residencies beginning this week. Also this May, the center will welcome literary agent Ammi-Joan Paquette for an intimate workshop. The Times suspected much more than this was in store for the next season at Noepe, and sat down with its founder and director, former West Tisbury Poet Laureate Justen Ahern. Here’s what we learned.
T: Speaking of the genre dearest to you, what Noepe events or workshops are rooted in poetry this year?
JA: Annie Finch is offering a great workshop for poets who have manuscripts they would like feedback on. Annie is a sensational poet and teacher. I worked with her in Mexico a few years ago, and knew then I wanted to bring her to Martha’s Vineyard to work with poets here.
She is a dynamic, inspiring, and incredibly knowledgeable teacher. Also, partnering with Featherstone and Pathways Project Institute, we are delighted to have back Billy Collins on July 28th. Also Islander Keith Leonard will read with his wife Jennifer Luebbers, July 14th; and Northampton Poet Laureate Richard Michelson will share the Featherstone stage with Karina Borowicz on July 21st.
T: What Noepe workshops would you encourage Islanders to try?
JA: All Noepe’s craft workshops are geared to writers of various experience and abilities. This summer we are offering workshops in every genre from memoir to poetry, to writing about food, and for children. Whether you have always wanted to write, or are working on your 19th novel, there is a workshop to help you at Noepe. Our workshops are a unique opportunity to work in an intimate environment with some of the best writers and agents in the world. Novelist Claire Messud, for example, is here in August, as is Kristine Dahl, a literary agent at International Creative Management (ICM) in New York City.
These are rare opportunities. The workshops also provide Islanders with an opportunity to meet and network with other writers who share their particular interests — and to have meals and exchange work. Many participants from off-Island stay at Noepe for the week, and so the evenings are a time to gather and talk craft, and mingle with the faculty staying at Noepe.
T: Could you discuss the upcoming visit of Ammi-Joan Paquette?
JA: We are offering a special mini weekend workshop on May 16th, from 12 to 6pm, with agent and author Ammi-Joan Paquette from Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Ammi’s workshop will focus on Choosing Your Superpower, Finding and Harnessing your Story’s Strength, and Bring Me to Life, a workshop on creating vibrant fictional characters. The workshop is $100. It will take place at Noepe, and is a fantastic opportunity to work with an agent. Ammi has worked with writers of children’s literature and young adult and adult fiction. The workshop is limited to 10 participants, and is nearly full.
T: What’s new at Noepe this year?
JA: Our fiction workshop is new, as is the poetry manuscript workshop with poet Annie Finch. The workshops with literary agents are new as well. In general, we’ve added to our workshop programming. This summer we have nine craft workshops between mid-June and mid-September. All of our workshops are detailed on our web site, noepecenter.org.
T: Could you describe how your writer’s residencies work, and who is slated to come?
JA: Our residencies run between April 1 and May 15, and Sept. 16 and Oct. 31. During these periods, Noepe provides writers with time and space to work on proposed writing projects. Writers apply several months in advance to come for between two and six weeks. The numbers of applicants has increased dramatically this year since Noepe was named one of the 20 best writer’s residency programs in the country by The Write Life. We have some amazing writers with us this spring, such as Susannah Calahan, author of N.Y. Times bestseller Brain on Fire; mystery writer Julia Dahl; Canadian award-winning writer Colin Brezicki; and historical fiction writer Stephanie Smith. And this fall, award-winning novelist and poet Elizabeth Rosner will be in residence.
T: Could you describe your scholarships, and who might be receiving them?
JA: This year we’ve given out full scholarships. Pauline West of Charleston, S.C., received the Marie Smith Memorial Scholarship, and JoAnn DeAngelo of Chicago the Room 6 Scholarship. This fall we are offering a Noepe at the Farm Scholarship through the Farm Institute. This scholarship will go to a writer writing about sustainable agriculture, food, and/or the environment. The recipient will volunteer at the Farm Institute for a few hours each day, then have the rest of the time to write. Additionally, this summer we are offering full scholarships to Island teachers who would like to take one of our craft workshops. This is a way for Noepe to help teachers further their knowledge of literature and writing, and to nurture their talent and passion for writing as well.
T: Could you discuss Noepe’s Italian retreat?
JA: Our retreats are an opportunity to travel and write. This November, we are again retreating to Orvieto, Italy. The retreat is for people who want to immerse themselves in their work and experience a different culture. This is the fourth year we are going to Italy. We rent a small family-run hotel in the center of Orvieto, right across from the hill town’s famous cathedral. I lead a daily writing group each morning, and during the afternoons, we are free to sightsee, shop, write, and wander Orvieto’s cobblestone streets. In the evenings, we reconvene and share our work, then go to dinner. It is a great way to begin to cultivate a writing practice, or to bolster the practice you already maintain.
T: How can folks donate to Noepe?
JA: Noepe is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible. You can donate through our web site, noepecenter.org, or by contacting Justen Ahren at noepecenter@gmail.com.
For a full list of workshop offerings and to learn more about Noepe’s programs, visit noepecenter.org.