March Literary Events at the Storyteller's Cottage

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

Literary Dinner Party: Memoirs of a Geisha: Immerse yourself in your favorite book like never before! Don’t miss a glamorous evening dinner party featuring a 3-course gourmet meal, themed decor and discussion, and charming literary games, all drawn from the classic book, "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden. This event is BYOB. Friday March 1st from 7:00-9:00 pm. Cost: $60 Pre-registration is required

Learn to use “Submittable” and “Duotrope” to Submit Your Work for Publication: HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK! Writing is the fun part! But many people put off submitting their work because it can feel like time-consuming drudgery. True, submitting is detail-oriented; it also takes courage to face rejections. This workshop walks you through online and print resources to help you streamline your submission process and—most important—increase your odds of publishing. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for adults or literature for young readers, this workshop will improve your professionalism and give you the confidence and know-how to market your creative writing. with Pegi Dietz Shea. Saturday March 9th from 1:00-3:00 pm. Cost: $40. Pre-registration is required

“The Heart is True” CD Release Party: Celebrate the launch of the new CD "The Heart is True" by husband and wife team Gordon & Marcie Swift (known as Fiddle & Harp)! Enjoy a live performance of their music followed by a delicious wine & dessert reception. Your ticket includes a signed copy of the CD to take home! Saturday March 9th from 7:30-9:00 pm. TICKETS: $35 Pre-registration is required

Author Night with Jacqueline Sheehan: Join award winning author, Jacqueline Sheehan, for an intimate discussion of her books. Enjoy a light reception afterward in the Storyteller’s Cottage English Kitchen. “When five-year-old Hayley is found covered in blood by the side of the road, the search party begins to discover who she is, what she witnessed, and where she belongs. Sheehan (The Center of the World) has crafted a fast-moving domestic drama that sheds light on schizophrenia, the foster care system, and the scourge of heroin trafficking and addiction.” Jacqueline Sheehan, is a New York Times Bestselling author and a psychologist. Thursday March 14th from 7:00-8:30 pm. Cost: $5. Pre-registration is required

Unapologetically Fearless: Writing at the heart of an issue and not around it: This nonfiction workshop will focus on teaching writers how to be fearless when writing the truth — no matter what that truth looks like. So many times, nonfiction writers are afraid to let go and get to the heart of what it is they want to write about an issue, feeling, or experience. Because of this, they tend to write around the issue rather than fearlessly, unapologetically write about the issue. It is this kind of writing that makes us as writers feel uncomfortable because of its bluntness, grit, honesty, and intensity. This workshop will help students, through creative writing prompts and studying essays written by fearless writers, to put down on paper what they have been too afraid to write about, or what they have been having difficulty approaching within their own creative nonfiction work. *Students are asked to read the essays before coming to class, and to print out copies to bring with them for discussion.* with Nikki Sambitsky. Saturday March 16th from 12:00-4:00 pm. Cost: $80 Pre-registration is required

Short Story Workshop: We may be in a new golden age for the short story, a flexible form that writers can use to strengthen all the skills they need to create a novel, but stands as a rich form all by itself. Using writing prompts and recent examples, Steve will help you focus on the few absolute basics to create a satisfying short story. Steve Liskow is the author of 12 mystery novels and dozens of short stories. Two-time winner of the Black Orchid Novella Award and a former English teacher, theatrical director and actor, he now serves as a mentor & panelist for Mystery Writers of America & Sisters in Crime. Saturday March 16th from 2:00-3:30 pm. Cost: $30. Pre-registration required

The Dread of Winter: Ghost Stories by Candlelight: Join historian and local ghost story collector Jen Cook for a spooky night of scary stories! Hear all about true tales of the supernatural in the Storyteller’s Cottage creepy candlelit Victorian library, then take the edge off with some hot chocolate and cookies. Saturday March 16th from 7:00-8:30 pm. TICKETS: $15 Pre-registration is required

The Grand Tour Revisited: A Sunday Book Brunch: Travel the world by book! This month, travel to Guatemala with "The Center of the World" by Jacqueline Sheehan (with the opportunity to meet the author on March 14th at her Author Night). Come and discuss the book while enjoying a potluck of tasty Guatemalan dishes. Sunday March 17th from 12:00-1:30 pm. Cost: $5 for those who can bring a treat, $10 for others. Pre-registration is required

St. Patrick’s Night Limerick Contest: Bring your favorite teammate (partner, spouse, child, friend!) and play a rollicking version of the Newlywed game with limericks! A limerick will be provided with the last word missing (like Mad Libs), and you guess what word your partner would choose to complete the rhyme. Win lots of rounds, collect lots of points, and win prizes! Celebrate St. Paddy's day in a family-friendly way with Irish Coffee and Shamrock Shakes! Just $20 per pair of players! Saturday March 17th from 7:00-8:30 pm. Pre-registration is required

Author Night with Deborah Levison: Join author, Deborah Levison, for an intimate reading and discussion on her book, "CRATE: A Story of War, a Murder, and Justice". Enjoy a light reception after the event. An award-winning journalist and publicist, Deborah writes for regional, national and international media. Her debut book, THE CRATE: A Story of War, a Murder, and Justice, has been called “heart wrenching,” “brilliant,” and “a necessary read.” It tells the true story of a gruesome present-day crime that rocked her family of Holocaust survivors and dredged up terrible memories of the past. Since its release last summer the book has won multiple awards. Thursday March 21st from 7:00-8:30 pm. Cost: 5. Pre-registration is required

Building an Editorial Calendar for Your Blog: Have a blog set up but struggling to create consistent content? In this two-hour workshop, you will review types of posts you can write, and brainstorm content specific to your website. Participants will leave with an editorial calendar for the next 3-6 months. with Beverly Army Williams. Saturday March 23rd from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. COST: $50 Pre-registration required

Murder on the Orient Express: Live Murder Mystery Party: SEARCH THE HOUSE FOR CLUES! The luxurious Orient Express is snowed in, and a mystery is afoot! It is up to you to find the murderer amongst you, while you enjoy delicious traditional British cocktails and elegant hors d'oeuvres from all the stops of the original Orient Express. Please wear your vintage finest, and come ready to search for clues! You'll find costumed characters in every room. Use your passport to keep track of what they tell you, and determine which one of them is the culprit. (21 and over please). Saturday March 23rd from 8:00-11:00 pm. Cost: $50 for event tickets, $60 for event ticket with drinks

All Access Authors: Echoes of the Past: Enjoy unprecedented personal access to three talented local authors at one charming author night. This month, meet Kathryn Orzech (Asylum), David Garnes (Waitin' For The Train To Come In; A Novel of WWII), and Margaret Dopirak (Missionary Kid). Hear them read excerpts from their books, discuss their writing process, and enjoy a light reception with all the authors after the presentation. Thursday March 28th from 7:00-8:30 pm. Cost: $5 Pre-registration is required

Introduction to Journalism: Students will learn the basics every reporter needs to know, then submit their articles to the new "Simsbury Today" monthly magazine. Students’ bylines will be seen by every resident and business owner in town! With Tracy McKee. Saturday March 30th from 2:00-4:00 pm. Cost: $40 Pre-registration required

Once Upon A Book Club Monthly Discussion: Once Upon a Book Club is a monthly subscription box that includes a newly released novel and 3-5 wrapped gifts that are labeled with page numbers. As you read, you'll be prompted to open your gifts on the specified pages at the exact moment it matters most! Reveal a necklace from a lost love, a letter from the war front, or a dish towel from the character's great-grandmother. Discover the author's descriptions brought to life before your eyes, and experience a book club unlike any other, as we bring the book to life! LIVE BOOK DISCUSSION: Are you a Once Upon a Book Club subscription member already? Bring the February book selection to the Storyteller's Cottage on March 22nd and talk it over with other members AND Once Upon a Book Club Young Adult Coordinator Logan Leduc! Friday March 29th, Young Adult Book Discussion at 7:00 pm and Adult Book Discussion at 8:30 pm. Free Event

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
Tea Party Club: Mary Poppins Join the Tea Party Club and enjoy a fun tea party themed to a different book each month!
Dress in your favorite fancy tea outfit and come hear a story, make a story-themed craft, and have a beautiful pink tea party featuring a special snack from that month's book. There will even be china teacups in all different colors. It's just like being Fancy Nancy! (Great for ages 5 - 9). MARCH: Mary Poppins. Sunday March 3rd from 2:00-3:00 pm. Cost: $15. Pre-registration required
Book Riot “It’s Lit”: Calling all teens! Do you love to read and write? Join the Book Riot club on the first Tuesday of every month from 7:00-8:00pm. Chat about the monthly book then enjoy fun writing prompts led by Suzanne Hayes, a local writer and teacher. Bring your favorite journal or laptop, and come ready to let all of the stuff that's clouding your brain out of your head, and onto paper. Tuesday March 5th from 7:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $10 per meeting. Pre-registration required

Dungeons & Dragons Day: Play D&D all day! Questing knights, conquering overlords, royal champions, elite foot soldiers, hardened mercenaries, and bandit kings -- who will you meet on your adventure today? Three games available today for different experience levels (initiate, intermediate and expert). Sunday March 17th from 1:00-6:00 pm. COST: $40 Pre-registration required

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.