January Literary Events at the Storyteller's Cottage

SIMSBURY, CT – There’s always something fun to do in Simsbury, CT especially in January. Come to the Storyteller’s Cottage and enjoy author nights, vintage nights out and more!

A Night with Rudyard Kipling: Rudyard Kipling was "a magician of words” and Jackson Gillman is “the Stand-up Chameleon”. Put them together and you’ll see why Kipling’s timeless “Just So Stories” have been adored by many generations worldwide. Jackson has been making these literary gems sparkle for 35 years, and annually portrays Rudyard-in-Residence at Kipling’s historic Vermont home. It was here that Kipling penned The Jungle Book, an adaptation of which returned to movie theaters in 2016. Jackson had his Off-Broadway debut presenting The Magic of Rudyard Kipling: "Just So" for an adult audience as part of the 2014 United Solo Theatre Festival. Of the 130 shows from around the world, it received the Best Educational Show award. Jackson frames the program as Rudyard Kipling, but tells the stories as himself with lots of physicality and interaction. Jackson has brought Rudyard Kipling Revisited to many adult audiences and it this more historical version of his show that he has been presenting for NH Humanities to Go. Friday, January 4th from 7:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $20

One-on-One with an Author: Discover the Secrets to Getting Published: Do you have a manuscript underway, and are wondering how to go about getting it published? Would you like to sit down with a successful published author and have all your questions answered? On the first Sunday of each month, we'll feature a different author on site between 3:00 and 5:00pm. Make a 15-minute appointment during this time for just $25 and ask anything you like. Get the secrets of publication right from the source! Please call (860) 877-6099 to arrange your appointment. This month: Lisa Acerbo. Sunday January 6th from 3:00-5:00 pm. Cost: $25

Six Months to Your Manuscript: This workshop is for memoir or novel writers with a book idea underway who are looking to complete a full manuscript. Applications for slots in the workshop are already in progress. The manuscript workshop will provide writers an organized framework to attack a manuscript, as well as the constructive feedback and supportive guidance of an editor throughout the process. While writing is the central focus of the workshop, an additional benefit is a visiting guest speaker, an editor from a book publishing house. He’ll provide his perspective and insights on publishing, as well as be available to answer your questions on publishing. All writers will give and receive peer feedback. However, most of this exciting six-month journey will focus on writing and revising your manuscript. The workshop will meet three Wednesday evenings a month. Apply to “6 Months to Your Manuscript” by sending a 5,000-word excerpt from your memoir or novel to C. Flanagan Flynn (email c@storytellerscottage.com). Include a summary of what you hope to accomplish in this workshop, as well as a short personal bio. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email C. or call us at 860-877-6099. Starts Wednesday January 9th from 6:00-9:00 pm.

Author Night with Alison Downs: Join author Alison Downs for an intimate reading and discussion about her book, "Ladybird Adrift." "Ladybird Adrift" has been praised by readers for its emotionally raw candor depicting how Alzheimer's Disease affects patient and family alike. Love knows no age barriers, and in Ladybird Adrift, Alison Downs writes a bittersweet novel about love between a younger woman and an older man. As their love grows, so does the realization that a health issue threatens their relationship and happiness. This moving and tender love story highlights the heartbreak of a loved one’s descent into Alzheimer’s, depicted through the eyes of both victim and caregiver. Thursday, January 10th from 7:00-8:30 pm. Cost: $5

Author Night with Julia Tannenbaum: Join us for a special Author Night with 15-year-old YA author from West Hartford, Julia Tannenbaum. Julia will read and discuss her debut novel, 'Changing Ways'. Julia will have copies of her book available for purchase. Growing up sucks. Struggling to cope with the constant stress of school, her mother, and her confusing social life, sixteen-year-old Grace Edwards finds sanity in the most destructive of ways: dieting and self-harming. But just when Grace thinks she has everything under control, a classmate catches her cutting in the girls’ locker room, and Grace’s entire life is flipped upside down. Now she’s faced with the unthinkable – a stint in a psych ward with kids who seem so much worse than she is. After all, she’s not sick. She’s totally okay. She’ll never do it again. But the longer Grace stays, the more she realizes that the kids in the ward aren’t that different from her. Slowly Grace comes to terms with her mental illness, but as her discharge date crawls closer, she knows that the outside world is an unpredictable place . . . and one which whispers temptations about hidden food, dangerous objects, and failure to stay in recovery. Thursday January 17th from 7:00-8:30 pm. Cost: $5

Fine Parlor Magic: Experience the most unique live magic show in Connecticut! Immerse yourself in Victorian splendor as expert magician David Reed-Brown performs fascinating sleight-of-hand tricks right before your eyes as you enjoy elegant hors d'oeuvres in our candlelit Jules Verne Steampunk Library. Set in a vintage party atmosphere, this show allows guests to get up-close and personal with this talented magician, as he wanders among them while they eat and chat. Surrounded by vintage red and gold wall coverings, antique Victorian furnishings, and "smoky" low lighting, guests will feel transported to the Victorian era, the golden age of magic. Saturday January 19th from 8:00-9:30 pm. Cost: $50 (ages 12 and up please) includes soft drinks and dessert.
The Grand Tour Revisited- A Sunday Book Brunch: Each month we will read a novel that transports us into a different country. There is no need to leave our quaint little cottage for this adventure. Not only will we discuss the current book, we will also indulge in each country's delicacies and talk about the local culture.You are welcome to bring your own culinary treats to share course. Svenja, our book lover from Germany will await you in the cozy English Kitchen. January’s book is The Circle of Karma by Kunzang Choden. Sunday January 20th from 12:00-1:30 pm. Cost: $5 -10 per visit, depending on whether you bring food to share.

“Midnight in Paris” Signature Midnight Dinner: Do you find yourself longing for an eccentric night out, one that you’ve only seen in movies? This is your chance to experience something out-of-the-box. Put on your pearls and join us for dinner at midnight in Paris, just like Owen Wilson & Marion Cotillard! Guests who arrive at 11:00 pm will enjoy decadent appetizers and drinks while participating in unique party games to get to know their dinner companions. Dinner will be served right at midnight, featuring French foods and keeping on theme with our favorite Parisian film. A delightful dessert will follow, accompanied by coffee and tea, and despite the late hour, we doubt you’ll ever want to leave! Throughout the night, we are pleased to host Matt Ryan, an extremely talented professional artist, who will draw beautiful sketches of each guest’s glamorous outfit in our swanky vintage library. Saturday January 26th from 11:00 pm-1:30 am. Cost: $60 for dinner or $80 for dinner and a sketch.

Spy School Secret Service & Surveillance Symposium: Shhhhh! It’s a secret! Spend the day with us transforming yourself into a secret agent who can handle himself/herself in any situation. Learn all about disguise, self-defense, code breaking, surveillance, survival skills and more. (Two groups: ages 6 - 9 & 10 - 13). Sunday January 27th from 1:00-4:00 pm. Cost: $30

Dinner with an Author: Have you ever wanted to sit down with the author of a great book and chat with them about their story? Now is your chance! Join mystery author, Penny Goetjen, at the first of our new series, Dinner with an Author, on Thursday January 31st from 5:30-7:00 pm in our elegant Jane Austen Salon. We’ll discuss her newest novel, ‘Murder Beyond the Precipice’, sequel to ‘Murder on the Precipice.’ You and a select few guests can enjoy unprecedented access to this talented author over a delicious dinner before she speaks to the public at our All Access Authors event at 7pm. Thursday January 31st from 5:30-7:00 pm.

All Access Authors: Come meet three talented local authors and hear them read from their latest books. Enjoy a light reception afterward. Thursday January 31st from 7:00-8:30 pm. Cost: $5 cover charge

The Storyteller’s Cottage is located at 750 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, and features all manner of literary events and adventures, from author nights, to book-themed social hours, to challenging mystery room games. Parking for The Storyteller’s Cottage is free, and is available on the street in front of the building, and in the Fiddler’s Green parking lot on Wilcox Street (behind the house). For more information, please call 860-877-6099 or visit www.StorytellersCottage.com.