Library hosts writing workshop

"Writing from History," a writer's workshop for ages 16 and older led by local author and teacher M.J. Iuppa, will be held Thursday evening October 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Ogden Farmers' Library, 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport. Iuppa will use historic photos from the collections of the library and town historian to provide inspiration for the participating writers. Registration is required.

Since 1986, local poet and writer M.J. Iuppa has taught poetry and creative writing workshops to students ages 8-89 throughout New York state. In 1996, she was the recipient of the Writing in Rochester Award, honoring a teacher of writing for adult students who has impacted the creation and appreciation of literature in Rochester; and, at St. John Fisher College, she has received the Part-time Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, May 2000; The Father Dorsey Award, 2000-2001 and 2002-2003, and a Certification of Recognition from The Monroe County Legislature, April 2003.

Over 200 of her poems have appeared in small press, university, and national publications, including "Poetry," "Yankee," "Press," and "New Letters." She has published the chapbooks "Sometimes Simply," (Foreseeable Future Press, 1996), and "Temptations" (Foothill Publishing, 2001) and "Greatest Hits" 1986-2001, (Pudding House, 2002). Her first full-length poetry collection, "Night Traveler" (Foothills Publishing) will be released in October 2003. Her creative nonfiction is included in the collection In Brief, edited by Judith Kitchen and Mary Paumier Jones, (Norton) and in Chelsea 67. Presently, she is the Writer-in-Residence at St. John Fisher College, and also teaches creative writing and poetry workshops at Writers & Books, Young Audiences, Project U.N.I.Q.U.E., Rochester City School District, Genesee Valley BOCES, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES and BOCES 2. Since 1990, she has been the curator of the Genesee Reading Series at Writers & Books. Her poetry has been nominated for the Pushcart Award 1998, 2001, 2002; and in June 1998, her play This Heat was selected as one of the seven plays read in the American Voices Regional Playwrights' Festival sponsored by GeVa Theatre and Writers & Books.

To register call the library, 352-2141.