Dreams can come true!  One of our Writers' Cafe supporters, Mary Grace Dembeck, has had a short story made into a 30-minute movie by British director, Jack Ryder. Act of Memory, based on an incident from Mary Grace's life and originally set in Brooklyn, has been transposed to England in 1948. The film stars Anna Massey, Claire Skinner and Grace Cooper Milton. It will be shown on British TV this Christmas.

Multi-talented Mary Grace Dembeck has exhibited paintings at The National Academy of Design
in New York City. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal
and Reader’s Digest. She is also the author of a collection of children’s poetry, MOONSNACKS
And Assorted Nuts, and she delights in the Steve Allen quote found in the back of the book.
She has collaborated on a number of songs with renowned singer Maureen McGovern, many of which were turned into  the children's musical The Bengal Tiger's Ball, and performed in Florida.

You can fnd out more by checking out the press release at: http://actofmemory.com/

Mary Grace - you owe the Writers' Cafe a dollar for this brag! (That's what writers put into the kitty when they brag about something at the Cafe.  Next one is on July 13 from 1-2ish at the Westport Arts Center.

We had a great group on Wednesday, with so many ideas that I can't cover them all!
First the bragging:
Christine Shaffer is one of five finalists in a memoir contest being judged by the University of Minnesota. First prize is $1000 and publication of her book. We're rooting for her!
Ina Chadwick talked about the new writing contests  - more chances to submit!
Shira 'fessed up that she'd finally submitted something - a huge leap forward!
Elsie showed us her two memoir essays published by the New Canaan library in a book of memoirs.
I had an essay published on the Partnership at Drugfree website. http://intervene.drugfree.org/2011/06/5-things-i-wish-id-known-about-mental-illness-and-teens/#comments

We talked about informal writers' critiquing groups, and how to set them up. If you're interested, let us know, and we'll see what we can do to organize something.

I was inspired by Ina's mentioning the current NPR series on All things considered - Summer Sounds. So I submitted a piece today, about the sounds I remember from the age of the dinosaurs (the 50's) in England. We'll see.

Margaret Rumford told us about the self - publication of her memoir. She used a company in Vermont, who did the design, layout, (but not the proof-reading) and got it printed very reasonably. Email me if you'd like to contact Margaret for more information.

We talked about the 30 creative things in 30 days, and I rashly committed to doing it and reporting on it via my Facebook page (see below).

That's enough about me.  Keep writing! Gabi
See you next month - Wednesday July 13, 12.30-1.30ish at the Westport Arts Center