Writing Historical Fiction
A three-day writing course taught by Ben Shattuck, plus learn about the executive order to eliminate IMLS
Writing Historical Fiction
A three-day course taught by Ben Shattuck, author of The History of Sound
Saturday-Monday, July 12-14 at SPL
Sat. & Sun. 1-3pm • Mon. 9-11am
Stonington Public Library is thrilled to welcome back Ben Shattuck, author of The History of Sound. Ben read from his award-winning short story collection in SPL’s 2024 Seaside Series, and he’s returning to Stonington in July to teach a course on writing historical fiction at SPL. There is limited space in the writing course. Ben will also host a public event during his stay on the island; details will be announced when SPL publishes our summer schedule.
About Writing Historical Fiction
This is a three-day course focused on generating—rather than simply workshopping—historical fiction. Using writing prompts and exercises, assignments, readings, and self-directed research, participants will leave the course with the seeds for larger writing projects. We’ll discuss the purpose of and place for historical fiction today, and how stories can transcend time altogether.
$225 – Email SPL to register. Aid available.
About Ben Shattuck
Ben Shattuck’s most recent book, The History of Sound (Viking, 2024), was the winner of the Story Prize Spotlight Award and nominated for the 2024 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. His first book, Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau (2022), was a New Yorker Best Book of 2022, a Wall Street Journal Best Book of Spring, a New York Times Best Book of Summer, a New England Indie Bestseller, and was nominated for the Massachusetts Book Award. He is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and winner of the PEN Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers and a Pushcart Prize. He lives with his wife and daughter on the coast of Massachusetts, where he owns and runs the oldest general store in America, built in 1793.
Show Up for SPL
What does the executive order calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency for libraries, mean for Stonington Public Library? While SPL does not receive any direct federal funding, Maine State Library relies on federal funding to provide resources and services that benefit libraries and residents all around the state, including SPL.
Here’s a glimpse at what federal funding goes toward in Maine as compiled by the Maine Library Association (MLA):
Free gigabit internet to 243 public libraries through the Maine School and Library Network
Supporting interlibrary loan service to over 260 libraries statewide, ensuring Maine residents have access to more than 10 million items
Providing e-books and e-audiobooks to all Mainers through CloudLibrary
Providing those who are blind or visually impaired with large print and recorded books mailed to the patron for free
Delivering professional development training to library staff through consultations and workshops
Support for online databases offered through the Digital Maine Library
Providing the Books by Mail program to homebound individuals and Maine residents who live in rural areas without a local library
Support for Maine InfoNet for technology support and training for shared library catalogs statewide, building a strong connection for resource sharing statewide, and Digital Maine Library tech support and maintenance
Mainers stand to lose a lot if IMLS is eliminated, and it would directly impact what SPL can offer our community.
Learn more about how the executive order to eliminate IMLS threatens access to meaningful resources and services for millions of Americans.