Writers gather at John Jermain to work on their craft

If Sag Harbor has a best kept secret, it might be what happens behind the heavy doors of the John Jermain Memorial Library on Thursdays when dusk turns to darkness.

Inside the library, writers, readers and fans of literature have been gathering on Thursday evenings to get insider tips on the craft or the business of writing.

Tips might include where to uncover factual details that launch stories into life, or how to choose between such new age options as publishing on demand and electronic publishing or traditional publishing.

Teenagers are gathering to write creatively in an adult workshop setting. Famous novels that have been turned into movies are celebrated.

All of the programs are designed to link the past and present through writers of Sag Harbor, while at the same time celebrating the 100th birthday of the John Jermain Library, said library director Catherine Creedon.

The idea for rounding up area authors to talk about a topic relevant to their own writing came from Olive Pratt Young—the first director of the John Jermain, said Ms. Creedon. The pair are kindred spirits, she said, as both women opted to balance their love of writing with their love of books and running a public library.

Around 100 years ago, Ms. Creedon said, Mrs. Young organized English classes for immigrant workers, held “victrola nights” for the community, and organized a lecture series about “authors and other kindred spirits.” Ms. Creedon thought a modern writers series that celebrates community and the generous spirit that makes Sag Harbor a special place was a perfect way to mark the library’s centennial.

Thursday Night Writes found its shape through Martha Potter, the library’s programming director. Ms. Potter—a former teacher with a love of language and history—sent the word out to area authors. Once dates were set, topics were matched with different writers.

Published authors, produced playwrights, newspaper editors and columnists have all spoken at Thursday Night Writes: Celebrating One Hundred Years of Writers and Writing at John Jermain.

A writing workshop for teenagers was launched with Thursday Night Writes in October. The Jeanette Sarkisian Wagner Writing Workshop for Teens is ongoing and open to new writers. Workshops are held the first and third Thursday of each month. A reading of student writing on May 16 will wrap up the teen workshop and bring the Thursday Night Writes program to a close.

Each Thursday Night Writes begins at 6:30 p.m. at the library. After the writer introduces a pre-arranged topic relevant to his or her work, the evening unfolds organically with discussion, question and answer, formal presentation and personal anecdotes all elements of the potential mix.

Past speakers include Joe Pintauro, Dava Sobel, Alan Furst and others. Ms. Creedon, who writes for young adult readers, spoke about research possibilities on February 4.

Still to come are 11 writers discussing at least nine more topics; the series continues through May 13. Susan Scarf Merrell will talk about character development on February 25; Joseph Hanna will discuss developing a fully-detailed imaginary world on March 4.

On March 11, the visual impact of poems will be discussed by poets Susan Baran and Marc Cohen. Story beginnings will be tackled on March 25 by Jane Ciabattari. The lineup also includes a discussion of picture books (by Kate McMullan on April 8), publishing a literary magazine (by Lou Ann Walker on April 22) and what it’s really like owning a bookstore and “cultural gathering place” (by Canio’s owners Maryann Calendrille and Kathryn Szoka on April 29).

The series wraps up with persistence in following a long research trail (by Mac Griswold on May 6) and exploring the boundaries between fiction and non-fiction (by Zach Lazar on May 13). The “official” conclusion is a reading of new works by the teenagers in the Jeanette Sarkisian Wagner Writing Workshop for Teens on May 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, a new program is set to make Thursday nights a bit busier. Launching on March 18 is the novel and film program, Thursday Night Reads. Held the third Thursday of every month, each installment features the screening of a film made from a popular novel.

One popular novel per decade from the last 100 years was selected by Ms. Potter. Movies include “Ethan Frome,” “The Great Gatsby,” “The Maltese Falcon,” “Ragtime,” “Snow Falling on Cedars,” “The Kite Runner” and others.

Thursday Night Reads is designed so participants can read the book beforehand and then view the film adaptation together, said Ms. Potter. A discussion follows each screening.

A booklet on Thursday Night Writes is available at the John Jermain Memorial Library, 201 Main Street, Sag Harbor. Information can be found online at http://johnjermain.org.