It was a weekend for writers and people who appreciate good writing. The inaugural Ladder Literary Conference, Sponsored by Writers & Books, took place on Saturday, June 16, at the Rochester Riverside Hotel. The gathering of writers, editors, agents and publishers was bookended by a number of fun literary events at venues about town, culminating on Sunday, June 17, with Speak Easy at Cheshire. Ten readers, including seven first-timers, took to our stage to share their prose and poetry. We had a full house, which included agents and publishers visiting from The Ladder, and a number of our readers were asked to submit their writing. You never know what might happen at Speak Easy! A visit to our stage could lead to big things.
Next Up: After an unexpected postponement our July Speak Easy has been moved to July 22. Come on out and check out nine readers sharing their short works on the topics of their choice. Yes, it’s another anything-goes open-topic event. We hope to see you there!
Lineup for Speak Easy No. 18, Sunday 6/16/2018, at Cheshire: Graveside Gathering — Lori Bruton
Excerpt from The Wizard’s Daughter — Jeff Minerd
Excerpt from Stealing Ted Williams’ Head — Stephen G. Eoannou Wide Awake — David Holloway Shots Ring — Renita Graves
Excerpt from The One Taken from the Sea of Stars — Javi Mason Ballz and Bitches — MzTU The Ontological Argument — Evvy Fanning When I Die — Scott Seifritz
Excerpt from You are No Match for Me — Erin Julian
Special thanks to David Holloway for bailing us out last minute and for takings pics.
Speak Easy No. 18!
Mic check! Yup, it’s here.
Cocktails ready? Oh, yeah!
Popcorn? Check!
The crowd settles in for a great show.
It was a hot one, both on stage and off.
Erin Julian checks out the lineup.
Renita Graves prepares for her performance.
The amazing Evvy Fanning works her magic behind the bar.
Nothing like a hand-crafted cocktail to get you in the mood.
Your host, Scott Seifritz, gets the party started.
We’re always happy to see familiar faces in the crowd!
First-time reader, Lori Bruton, kicks things off.
Lori reading Graveside Gathering.
The audience is there for the readers.
Next up, first-time reader, Jeff Minerd.
Jeff reading an excerpt from The Wizard’s Daughter.
We appreciate our VIP pass-holders.
Stephen G. Eoannou, takes the stage for the first time.
Stephen reading and excerpt from Stealing Ted Williams’ Head.
The audience is all ears.
Frequent reader David Holloway bailed us out when a reader couldn’t make it.
David reading Wide Awake.
Evvy likes what she hears.
Another Speak Easy first-timer, Renita Graves, closes out Act I.
Renita performing Shots Ring.
It was a photo-worthy performance.
Intermission! Time to mingle!
And time for another drink!
Kicking off Act II is first time reader, Javi Mason.
Javi reading an excerpt from The One Taken from the Sea of Stars.
Next up, MzTU visits us for the first time.
MzTU performing Ballz & Bitches.
Woman of many hats and half of Rochester Spoken Word, Evvy Fanning, takes the stage.
Evvy reading The Ontological Argument.
The other half of Rochester Spoken Word, Scott Seifritz is up.
Scott reading When I Die.
Last up, Erin Julian visits the Speak Easy stage for the first time.
Erin reading an excerpt from You are No Match for Me.
