This facilitated group is open to all writers of fiction and creative
non-fiction who want a serious group to provide constructive criticism\,
motivational exercises\, and interpersonal accountability to keep their
writing on track. We do in group exercises and critiques with an eye
towards individual improvement and the eventual goal of
publication. Writers are encouraged to bring copies of their work to
share for critique. Please direct inquiries to elizabeth@chariscircle.org.
On December 10th 2009\, The Washington Post
published a front-page profile of Helena that was hugely popular and
prompted responses from The Huffington Post\, Jezebel\, and Racialicious.
In the article\, “Single Minded Success\,” Helena explained her work\,
life and love\: “What I am trying to say about single black women is\,
you don't know them as well as you think you do. They may not know
themselves as well as they think they do.”
Her first book\, a memoir told in parts titled Bitch Is the New Black\, chronicles
Helena’s journey from the kidnapped daughter of the town lesbian to the
Washington reporter who can’t remember a single senator’s name\, to the
girl who runs her love life on G-chat. “I’m pretty much pants-ing
myself here\,” says Helena about Bitch Is the New Black\,
“daring folks to look at the hole-ly Hanes of my life as a metaphor for
the rest of the women who look like me or think like me.”
The film rights to Bitch Is the New Black have already been optioned by Grey's Anatomy
creator Shonda Rhimes\, who will produce the project for Fox Searchlight
Pictures. Helena will write the screenplay. Rhimes called the book
“outrageously funny and heartbreakingly honest.” Don't miss your chance to meet this hilarious and provocative author.
Charis &\; Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open
mic &\; reading series on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Hosted by
the anarchic spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis\, members of
the Art Amok Slam Team\, this series cultivates the voices of authors\,
novices and an assortment of poets\, songstresses and storytellers
The Akoma Book Club (of Women Healing Women) is open to any woman
seeking camaraderie with like-minded women for fun\, self-empowerment
and growth. Even if you haven't read the book\, but are willing to talk
about the principles in the book\, you can join us for a lively discussion. July's book pick is The Survivor Personality by Al Siebert. When faced with adversity\, tragedy\, or just bad karma\, what makes one
person crumble\, another survive\, and another thrive? Al Siebert first
became interested in this question when he discovered that World War II
combat survivors were less like Sylvester Stallone in Rambo and more like Alan Alda playing Hawkeye\, the irreverent M.A.S.H.
surgeon. Years of subsequent research taught Seibert that those who
survive (and thrive) often respond to challenge with humor\, wisdom\, and
mental and emotional flexibility. No\, life isn't fair\, but Siebert
shows us the tricks to regaining our stability in a world that seems
hell-bent on knocking us off track.