News

Butler MFA Alum Opens Bookstore

Posted by MS

sliderlaura

It’s a plot from a romance novel: A recent MFA in creative writing graduate dreamed of quitting her mundane office job to own a bookstore. One morning, her husband reads a story on Facebook about a closed bookstore selling its inventory, and he wakes her up. “Hey, were you serious about owning a bookstore?” he asks. “Because here’s your chance.”

For creative nonfiction alum Laura Kendall, this is reality. Though she’s preparing for the grand opening weekend, Laura took a few minutes to share the details of her exciting venture.

I love the story about how this happened. What has the process been like? 

Owning a bookstore is one of those jobs that doesn’t seem realistic–like only a protagonist in a movie can actually own one–so I don’t think I ever said out loud that I wanted to own a bookstore, but when Justin joked about it I just felt a huge impulse toward it. It’s been hectic because we were instantly on a timetable due to the previous owner having to get everything out of the space. We essentially had a week to either find a place to lease or move everything into a storage unit. The week we started moving things I couldn’t sleep because I was panicked something would go wrong. I’ve had to learn a lot on the fly.

How is a bookstore owned by an MFA grad different than the rest? 

I’m hoping to be 75 percent bookstore and 25 percent community/writing center. I want the store to be more event-oriented, and I think I can use all the connections I have to plan some really great programs that will bring people in. I’m hoping that some of my friends at Butler will help me host some community workshops in Lafayette. I’m also talking with the Purdue MFA program to see if they want to get involved.

14702369_484160061776085_3038877729427601815_nI love your logo. Who designed it and what’s the story behind it?

I’ve said for years that I wanted a tattoo that was an owl made of books, so that seemed like the obvious image when I decided to go with the name Second Flight Books. I actually ended up drawing up a doodle myself. My friend Nick Jones was then lovely enough to digitize it for me and help me create an official logo.

Will you be online?

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Not yet. It is a big project, so we will likely not have it up for another month or two.

What do you sell in a bookstore?

Obviously, we have lots of books. We have basically every genre you would find at a Barnes and Noble, but some sections are larger than others. I’m really hoping to grow the graphic novel section. But aside from books, we have t-shirts, scarves, necklaces, socks and other cool bookish loot. Hopefully soon we’ll have mugs in stock too, because God knows I love mugs!

laura

When’s the grand opening?

We’re having a weekend-long grand opening party on the 19th and 20th of November. There will be food, sales, and door prizes all weekend. We’re hoping to have a few short readings on Saturday as well as storytime and activities for kids on Sunday.

How was opening weekend?

I turned the sign around to OPEN at 10 a.m. on Saturday and no more than a minute later someone came in, and I was so excited for my first customer, but the guy glanced around, asked if we had DVDs, and then immediately left when I told him no. But since then we’ve had quite a few people come through who have actually wanted books, and I’ve enjoyed getting to show off my little shop.

What are your hours and address?

We are located in the Market Square Shopping Center in Lafayette. The address is 2200 Elmwood Ave, Suite D-7, and our front door is on a cute little strip of shops they call “The Alley.”

Our current hours are 10-6 Tuesday through Saturday and 10-2 on Sundays. On Mondays we breathe a little.

Butler MFA Alum Opens Bookstore

Posted by MS

sliderlaura

It’s a plot from a romance novel: A recent MFA in creative writing graduate dreamed of quitting her mundane office job to own a bookstore. One morning, her husband reads a story on Facebook about a closed bookstore selling its inventory, and he wakes her up. “Hey, were you serious about owning a bookstore?” he asks. “Because here’s your chance.”

For creative nonfiction alum Laura Kendall, this is reality. Though she’s preparing for the grand opening weekend, Laura took a few minutes to share the details of her exciting venture.

I love the story about how this happened. What has the process been like? 

Owning a bookstore is one of those jobs that doesn’t seem realistic–like only a protagonist in a movie can actually own one–so I don’t think I ever said out loud that I wanted to own a bookstore, but when Justin joked about it I just felt a huge impulse toward it. It’s been hectic because we were instantly on a timetable due to the previous owner having to get everything out of the space. We essentially had a week to either find a place to lease or move everything into a storage unit. The week we started moving things I couldn’t sleep because I was panicked something would go wrong. I’ve had to learn a lot on the fly.

How is a bookstore owned by an MFA grad different than the rest? 

I’m hoping to be 75 percent bookstore and 25 percent community/writing center. I want the store to be more event-oriented, and I think I can use all the connections I have to plan some really great programs that will bring people in. I’m hoping that some of my friends at Butler will help me host some community workshops in Lafayette. I’m also talking with the Purdue MFA program to see if they want to get involved.

14702369_484160061776085_3038877729427601815_nI love your logo. Who designed it and what’s the story behind it?

I’ve said for years that I wanted a tattoo that was an owl made of books, so that seemed like the obvious image when I decided to go with the name Second Flight Books. I actually ended up drawing up a doodle myself. My friend Nick Jones was then lovely enough to digitize it for me and help me create an official logo.

Will you be online?

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Not yet. It is a big project, so we will likely not have it up for another month or two.

What do you sell in a bookstore?

Obviously, we have lots of books. We have basically every genre you would find at a Barnes and Noble, but some sections are larger than others. I’m really hoping to grow the graphic novel section. But aside from books, we have t-shirts, scarves, necklaces, socks and other cool bookish loot. Hopefully soon we’ll have mugs in stock too, because God knows I love mugs!

laura

When’s the grand opening?

We’re having a weekend-long grand opening party on the 19th and 20th of November. There will be food, sales, and door prizes all weekend. We’re hoping to have a few short readings on Saturday as well as storytime and activities for kids on Sunday.

How was opening weekend?

I turned the sign around to OPEN at 10 a.m. on Saturday and no more than a minute later someone came in, and I was so excited for my first customer, but the guy glanced around, asked if we had DVDs, and then immediately left when I told him no. But since then we’ve had quite a few people come through who have actually wanted books, and I’ve enjoyed getting to show off my little shop.

What are your hours and address?

We are located in the Market Square Shopping Center in Lafayette. The address is 2200 Elmwood Ave, Suite D-7, and our front door is on a cute little strip of shops they call “The Alley.”

Our current hours are 10-6 Tuesday through Saturday and 10-2 on Sundays. On Mondays we breathe a little.

Brenda Shaughnessy

Posted by MS

Shaughnessy

“That was amazing.”

“She was so helpful.”

“I love her!”

These were some of the comments from Butler poetry MFA students as they left one-on-one meetings with poet Brenda Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy visited the campus last week as a Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writer. In addition to the individual workshops, Shaughnessy held a public poetry reading and a Q & A discussion on writing.

Shaughnessy shared personal details of her struggles in life and writing and candidly answered questions from students. She discussed practical advice, like how to use correlative objects to make readers care about a character or emotion. Stressing the importance of defamiliarization, she explained how staring at a wall in McDonald’s created an image of loneliness.

For most of the discussion, Shaughnessy focused on encouraging young writers. “Writing is like karaoke or dancing. Just do it. Don’t think you have to be really good. Don’t quit if you hit a wrong note,” she said. “Poetry is not about knowing things; it’s about asking things, exploring things, wondering things.”

 

Brenda Shaughnessy

Posted by MS

Shaughnessy

“That was amazing.”

“She was so helpful.”

“I love her!”

These were some of the comments from Butler poetry MFA students as they left one-on-one meetings with poet Brenda Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy visited the campus last week as a Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writer. In addition to the individual workshops, Shaughnessy held a public poetry reading and a Q & A discussion on writing.

Shaughnessy shared personal details of her struggles in life and writing and candidly answered questions from students. She discussed practical advice, like how to use correlative objects to make readers care about a character or emotion. Stressing the importance of defamiliarization, she explained how staring at a wall in McDonald’s created an image of loneliness.

For most of the discussion, Shaughnessy focused on encouraging young writers. “Writing is like karaoke or dancing. Just do it. Don’t think you have to be really good. Don’t quit if you hit a wrong note,” she said. “Poetry is not about knowing things; it’s about asking things, exploring things, wondering things.”

 

November Events

Posted by MS

Events at Butler

11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30 – Write Group
ECCW, 11:00 AM

The #1 rule all successful writers follow? They write. Join your writing community for one hour of writing every Wednesday. No Facebook, no talking, lots of coffee, and sometimes monkey bread. Email Natalie if you have questions.

11/4 – Occasional Poetry: Election
ECCW, 7:00 PM

An “occasional” poem is a poem written on the occasion of a special event. The MFA program invites all writers to perform a poem on the theme of “election.” Butler MFAs and English students are invited to perform an original poem in competition for a grand prize. As in the Sunset Story Hour, the aim is to entertain; poets enjoy a good guffaw, too. Unlike Sunset Story Hour, no prior submission of your poem is required, come ready to read!

11/9 – Elizabeth Strout
Atherton Union, 7:30 PM

Elizabeth StroutThe Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series presents The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author of Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout. Strout also won the O. Henry Prize for her collection of short stories Snowblind in 2015, and was a PEN/Faulkner Award finalist for her first book, Amy & Isabelle in 2000. Her latest book is My Name is Lucy Barton (2016).

 

 11/11 – Poetry Lunch Hour
ECCW, 12:30 PM

Join Mindy Dunn for a fun, insightful poetry discussion. Open to all Butler students, faculty, and staff, these lunches are a great opportunity to meet new people and have passionate and intelligent conversation about poetry. A selection of poetry is emailed to all who RSVP with at least 24 hours’ notice, so no book purchase is necessary to participate. You do not need to have any experience studying poetry. Lunch is also provided! Please RSVP to Mindy.

11/11 – Sunset Story Hour
ECCW, 7:00 PM

The MFA program wants to give storytellers a stage. Butler MFAs, English students, and alumni are invited to submit to our storytelling contest which will culminate in an epic slam event, featuring three finalists performing their work. “Miracles” is our chosen theme. Please submit audio/video files to Mindy Dunn. More submission details can be found on our blog.

11/12 – Butler Poetry Group
ECCW, 3:00-5:00 PM

Poetry MFA students, alums & brave prose writers are all welcome. We discuss a poem that we admire, spend some time on a writing prompt, and then informally workshop poems by anyone who brings copies. Contact Tracy for more information.

11/29 – Meghan Daum
Atherton Union, 7:30 PM

Meghan DaumThe Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series presents the winner of the 2015 PEN Center USA Award for creative nonfiction, Meghan Daum. Daum is the author of four books, most recently the collection of original essays The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion, which won the 2015 PEN Center USA Award for creative nonfiction. She is also the editor of The New York Times bestseller Selfish, Shallow & Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not To Have Kids. Her other books include the essay collection My Misspent Youth, the novel The Quality of Life Report, and Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived In That House, a memoir.

11/30 – Book Party with Lili Wright and Eric Freeze
ECCW, 7:00 PM

Reading and remarks by MFA adjunct professors Lili Wright and Eric Freeze, celebrating the release of their new books, Dancing With the Tiger and Invisible Men. Books will be available for sale and signing courtesy of the Butler bookstore.

 

Events in Indy

Descriptions are taken from the event websites. Please confirm details through the links in the event titles.

11/11 – Underground Book Club Panel
Indy Reads Books, 7:00 PM

Join us at Indy Reads Books for a discussion of two great new titles, Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead and Underground Airlines, by Ben H. Winters. Released within a month of one another, both address slavery through speculative fiction, though through very different settings and protagonists.
Or are they so different? How does current fiction explore the past and create a roadmap for the future?

Local professors Ania Spyra from Butler and Jason Housley from IUPUI, author Tamara Winfrey Harris, and activist Leah Humphrey will be on a panel to help facilitate this conversation, moderated by Ebony Chappel, Editor in Chief of the Indy Recorder, followed by refreshments.

11/16 – Sarah Gorham
Depauw University, 7:30 pm

Sarah Gorham is a poet, essayist, and publisher who resides in Prospect, Kentucky. She is the author of four collections of poetry: Bad Daughter (2011), The Cure (2003), The Tension Zone (1996), and Don’t Go Back to Sleep (1989). With Jeffrey Skinner, she co-edited the anthology Last Call: Poems on Alcoholism, Addiction, and Deliverance.

11/16 – Writing Home: The Stories of American Veterans in Words, Dance, & Theater
Theater at the Fort, 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM

Get a personal glimpse at what veterans think and feel through this multidisciplinary endeavor that provides veterans an opportunity to share their feelings and express themselves through written and spoken word and creative movement. This unforgettable experience will tie the past, present and future together allowing people to ponder and experience “home” in a unique way.

The event is capstoned by the readings of veterans previously involved in writing workshops with the Indiana Writers Center. Their words are followed by creative dance interpretations created and performed by Dance Kaleidoscope. All are invited to remain after the program, enjoy refreshments, and share thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Memory Workshop

Maybe you want to preserve the stories of your life for your family; maybe you want to write them solely for yourself-to better understand what made you who you are. Maybe you feel you have a story to tell that the wider world needs to know. E.L. Doctorow said, “Anyone at any age is able to tell the story of his or her life with authority.” Memory Workshop will help you find that authority by introducing you to a simple method of turning your memories into words.  Led by Butler MFA, Andrea Boucher, these free workshops are held at various times and locations around the city. Click the link above for a complete schedule.

November Events

Posted by MS

Events at Butler

11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30 – Write Group
ECCW, 11:00 AM

The #1 rule all successful writers follow? They write. Join your writing community for one hour of writing every Wednesday. No Facebook, no talking, lots of coffee, and sometimes monkey bread. Email Natalie if you have questions.

11/4 – Occasional Poetry: Election
ECCW, 7:00 PM

An “occasional” poem is a poem written on the occasion of a special event. The MFA program invites all writers to perform a poem on the theme of “election.” Butler MFAs and English students are invited to perform an original poem in competition for a grand prize. As in the Sunset Story Hour, the aim is to entertain; poets enjoy a good guffaw, too. Unlike Sunset Story Hour, no prior submission of your poem is required, come ready to read!

11/9 – Elizabeth Strout
Atherton Union, 7:30 PM

Elizabeth StroutThe Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series presents The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author of Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout. Strout also won the O. Henry Prize for her collection of short stories Snowblind in 2015, and was a PEN/Faulkner Award finalist for her first book, Amy & Isabelle in 2000. Her latest book is My Name is Lucy Barton (2016).

 

 11/11 – Poetry Lunch Hour
ECCW, 12:30 PM

Join Mindy Dunn for a fun, insightful poetry discussion. Open to all Butler students, faculty, and staff, these lunches are a great opportunity to meet new people and have passionate and intelligent conversation about poetry. A selection of poetry is emailed to all who RSVP with at least 24 hours’ notice, so no book purchase is necessary to participate. You do not need to have any experience studying poetry. Lunch is also provided! Please RSVP to Mindy.

11/11 – Sunset Story Hour
ECCW, 7:00 PM

The MFA program wants to give storytellers a stage. Butler MFAs, English students, and alumni are invited to submit to our storytelling contest which will culminate in an epic slam event, featuring three finalists performing their work. “Miracles” is our chosen theme. Please submit audio/video files to Mindy Dunn. More submission details can be found on our blog.

11/12 – Butler Poetry Group
ECCW, 3:00-5:00 PM

Poetry MFA students, alums & brave prose writers are all welcome. We discuss a poem that we admire, spend some time on a writing prompt, and then informally workshop poems by anyone who brings copies. Contact Tracy for more information.

11/29 – Meghan Daum
Atherton Union, 7:30 PM

Meghan DaumThe Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series presents the winner of the 2015 PEN Center USA Award for creative nonfiction, Meghan Daum. Daum is the author of four books, most recently the collection of original essays The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion, which won the 2015 PEN Center USA Award for creative nonfiction. She is also the editor of The New York Times bestseller Selfish, Shallow & Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not To Have Kids. Her other books include the essay collection My Misspent Youth, the novel The Quality of Life Report, and Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived In That House, a memoir.

11/30 – Book Party with Lili Wright and Eric Freeze
ECCW, 7:00 PM

Reading and remarks by MFA adjunct professors Lili Wright and Eric Freeze, celebrating the release of their new books, Dancing With the Tiger and Invisible Men. Books will be available for sale and signing courtesy of the Butler bookstore.

 

Events in Indy

Descriptions are taken from the event websites. Please confirm details through the links in the event titles.

11/11 – Underground Book Club Panel
Indy Reads Books, 7:00 PM

Join us at Indy Reads Books for a discussion of two great new titles, Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead and Underground Airlines, by Ben H. Winters. Released within a month of one another, both address slavery through speculative fiction, though through very different settings and protagonists.
Or are they so different? How does current fiction explore the past and create a roadmap for the future?

Local professors Ania Spyra from Butler and Jason Housley from IUPUI, author Tamara Winfrey Harris, and activist Leah Humphrey will be on a panel to help facilitate this conversation, moderated by Ebony Chappel, Editor in Chief of the Indy Recorder, followed by refreshments.

11/16 – Sarah Gorham
Depauw University, 7:30 pm

Sarah Gorham is a poet, essayist, and publisher who resides in Prospect, Kentucky. She is the author of four collections of poetry: Bad Daughter (2011), The Cure (2003), The Tension Zone (1996), and Don’t Go Back to Sleep (1989). With Jeffrey Skinner, she co-edited the anthology Last Call: Poems on Alcoholism, Addiction, and Deliverance.

11/16 – Writing Home: The Stories of American Veterans in Words, Dance, & Theater
Theater at the Fort, 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM

Get a personal glimpse at what veterans think and feel through this multidisciplinary endeavor that provides veterans an opportunity to share their feelings and express themselves through written and spoken word and creative movement. This unforgettable experience will tie the past, present and future together allowing people to ponder and experience “home” in a unique way.

The event is capstoned by the readings of veterans previously involved in writing workshops with the Indiana Writers Center. Their words are followed by creative dance interpretations created and performed by Dance Kaleidoscope. All are invited to remain after the program, enjoy refreshments, and share thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Memory Workshop

Maybe you want to preserve the stories of your life for your family; maybe you want to write them solely for yourself-to better understand what made you who you are. Maybe you feel you have a story to tell that the wider world needs to know. E.L. Doctorow said, “Anyone at any age is able to tell the story of his or her life with authority.” Memory Workshop will help you find that authority by introducing you to a simple method of turning your memories into words.  Led by Butler MFA, Andrea Boucher, these free workshops are held at various times and locations around the city. Click the link above for a complete schedule.