Teen Book Release on 5/31
Lake Erie Ink would like to invite the community to our Teen Book Release event on May 31, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the B-Side Lounge in Cleveland Heights. The second book of NEO Teen Writing and Art is a collection of creative writing from more than 65 teens across Northeast Ohio and includes an introduction by acclaimed novelist Paula McClain.
The process began 9 months ago, when 11 teens gathered around a table at Lake Erie Ink with one goal. What if we collected work from teens from all over Northeast Ohio to write and draw on a common theme? That theme was “Roots and Branches.”
Lake Erie Ink’s Teen Program Coordinator Cordelia Eddy oversaw the project. “Anyone who is a teen, or ever was a teen, can understand the experience of both wanting to remain true to your roots yet also wanting to explore and branch out,” said Eddy. “The pieces in this anthology explore what it meets to stay rooted, whether it is through family, tradition, or identity. At the same time, they explore what it means to build upon that foundation through new discoveries, identities, passions, relationships and worlds.”
The book was organized by a diverse editorial board made up of local teens and was produced with the help of Belt magazine. The editors shared a passion for helping local teens share their stories and their unique voices. Teen editor Anthony Koonce said his favorite part of the editing process is near the end: “With anticipation at an all-time high, it is very rewarding to see everything coming together.”
Lake Erie Ink is especially grateful to the Callahan Foundation and Nord Family Foundation for specifically supporting this project.
Come and celebrate the voice of youth! For more information, visit lakeerieink.org or call 216-320-4757.
Anthologies will be available in our local bookstores starting June 1.
Loganberry Books | Mac’s Backs Books | Appletree Books | Visible Voice