#to celebrate the release of Moira's Pen

[carpefish]

To the future 🥂

[fulcrumahsokaamidala]

Saturday Spectacular #4

Happy Saturday!!! So this is me thanking awesome fanfic writers for their amazing work and all the time they put into their fics. ♥️ I want to recommend spectacular fanfic stories I read this week! ♥️ They are posted in the order I read them. All posts will be tagged #saturday spectacular fic rec

This week I read the gifts from the @olicity-fanwork-exchange (OFAE). I will mark which fics are part of the exchange.

Ride or Die by @someonesaidcake | Arrow | WIP

Summary: They say that life is a series of events that we can neither predict nor control... And then there is him. He’s a bit of an enigma. ~*~*~*~Young CEO Felicity Smoak is just trying to make her mark on the world, yes she's a little high strung and stressed, but it was what is was... until he came along. With eyes a girl could lose herself in and shoulder-tapping hair made for hanging on to Oliver Queen was reckless and carefree. Also, he rode a bike. He was everything she wasn't and he was a sucker for those sinful red lips and everything that came with them.*main story complete, now snapshots*

Always by @icannotbelieveiamhere | Arrow | One-shot | OFAE

Summary: Felicity and Oliver talk after being rescued from below the bunker after Adrian Chase set off an EMP which disabled Felicity's chip.

Did I Forget to Mention That My Dad is a Supervillain? by @laxit21 | Arrow | WIP

Summary: When Felicity told Oliver about her father, she wasn’t lying per se. She wasn’t completely honest either. It’s just that ‘my dad left us’ sounded better than the truth.

Or: A Series of one shots in which Felicity’s dad is a supervillain and we see how Oliver and the team finds out.

The Road Less Traveled by @oneofthosecrazygirls-fics | Arrow | WIP

Summary: Canon divergence/fix-it AU. Everything that happened in the series up through 4x11 happens as it did in the show and this fic diverges from there. Direct sequel to “Swear This One You’ll Save” and “Have Your Cake (And Eat It Too)” so make sure you read those first before reading this one. This fic is part of the What Should’ve Been ‘verse.

Broken Bones Lead Me to You by @spaztronautwriter | Arrow | One-shot

Summary: After an unfortunate incident involving a slippery slide and a toddler's snow boot ends in a visit to the ER for Oliver Queen, he's pretty sure he might be having the worst day of his life. Until he meets an intriguing blonde with a broken hand, that is.

Broken Bones and Porcelain Dolls by @tangled23works | Arrow | One-shot | OFAE

Summary: Felicity Smoak met Oliver Queen during a visit to the ER. Twenty years later, her brother's guilty conscience and a dislocated thumb lead Mia to a fateful meeting as well.

Home to You by @the-shy-and-anxious-fangirl | Arrow | Completed

Summary:  Oliver Queen has never done what his family expected of him. He took a gap year after high school instead of going to college right away. He quit his fraternity sophomore year to join the student newspaper, switching his major from business to journalism. He became a photojournalist for a wire service instead of taking a place at Queen Consolidated. He went missing after six months instead of coming home for his sister’s twenty-first birthday. He survived five years of captivity in a war zone when everyone thought he was dead. He came home. But home didn’t have a place for him in it anymore. His parents were both dead, casualties of their own mistakes and a city they had turned against them. His sister was all grown up, the CEO of Queen Consolidated with a fiancé and a dog and a life of her own. Oliver didn���t belong in his old life, but there was nowhere else for him to go. He was a man without a home, without any way of finding one, until he stopped by the IT department of his sister’s company to get files off an old, battered memory card, and found a woman with curly blonde hair and bright, intelligent eyes chewing on a bright red pen and swearing at a computer screen.

Airplanes, Coffee and Deadlines by @hope-for-olicity | Arrow | WIP

Summary: Felicity begins working at a national newspaper where she has always dreamed of working. On her first day, she meets a very interesting photojournalist. The two will eventually work together but sparks fly immediately.

The Microchip Chronicles by CSM | Arrow | WIP

Summary: Post 713. Follows the next nine months of Felicity’s pregnancy.

and we're somehow caught up in a web of lies by inlovewithimpossibility | Arrow | WIP

Summary: After their encounter with the Count and Moira's release from prison, Thanksgiving is upon the residents of Starling City but when an article arises in the gossip magazines that throws both Oliver and Felicity under scrutiny, the two of them somehow find themselves caught up in the most elaborate lie they've told. What was supposed to be a relaxing week at the Queen cabin in New Hampshire for Oliver and a week celebrating Hanukkah and Thanksgiving alone for Felicity turns into a week at the cabin of acting, the Queen women and bubbling not-so-platonic feelings.

The What If Harassment Alternative by portlandborn | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | WIP

Summary: What would have happened to Peraltiago And our intrepid detectives, if Amy had reported her mentor captains ugly behaviors?

Three Generations of Smoak by @spaztronautwriter | Arrow | One-shot | OFAE

Summary: A look inside the minds of the three Smoak women when they are each twenty years old.

Semper Fidelis by @oliversmuse | Arrow | WIP

Summary: Oliver Queen is a member of the Bravo Squad, a team that specializes in search and rescue, covert infantry and translating foreign documents. He is known as one of the best and even though he is one of the youngest recruits he advances quickly. While serving he meets Lance Corporal Felicity Smoak, a young woman with skills in hand to hand combat. Despite the fact they butt heads they fall in love and soon start to talk about a future together. However, when her plane disappears on a mission in China and she is presumed dead, Bravo Squad searches frantically for her, only to find her plane and her bloody dog tags. Five years later Oliver runs into "Megan" at a coffee shop near that gym he has been running with his friends. She has lost her memory from the plane accident but has had dreams of Oliver and the Bravo Squad. With the help of his friends and team mates, can he help her reclaim her past and fall for him once again?

Paging Dr. Smoak by @laxit21 | Arrow | WIP

Summary: When Oliver Queen gets into a car accident, he meets Dr. Felicity Smoak. He had no idea how much a chance meeting would change his life.

Mint Chip by @smoaking-greenarrow | Arrow | One-shot

Summary: Three times Oliver comforted Felicity with ice cream, and one time she comforted him.

| ONE | (Oliver The Footballer) by @someonesaidcake | Arrow | WIP

Summary: Felicity Smoak had a plan; to save enough money to kick her monotonous job and start up the company of her dreams. She made good plans, solid plans, attainable plans. He was never part of her plan. His name was Oliver Queen, the reclusive Brazilian football star with a broken smile and a story to tell He'd never planned on her either.

Providence by @so-caffeinated | Arrow | WIP

Summary: Will Queen has struggled in silence in the year since he was shot. But when a shadowy crime lord known as Domino targets the only woman Will’s ever truly loved, fate forces him to confront his demons in ways he never could have imagined… Whether he wants to or not. Amelia Prescott has fought to take control of her life since learning two years ago that her personal and professional worlds were manipulated by others. But nothing can prepare her for just how hard she'll have to fight to set her own course, especially when her heart belongs to a damaged man and a crime lord threatens her every professional move... And her life. Destiny brings them together, but as chaos reigns and personal demons haunt Will and Amelia both, it may also threaten to tear them apart.

(i want to) save that light by @callistawolf | Arrow | WIP

Summary: What if one little thing changed in the history of Arrow? What if, instead of going to Laurel's apartment after discovering the extent of Merlyn's plans for the Glades, Oliver stayed at the foundry and talked to Felicity instead? This series of short vignettes explores some of the ripple-effect changes that could take place throughout the next season as a result of this one, fortuitous change.

"Time for a story" Drabble Series by @smkkbert | Arrow | WIP

Summary: This fic shows Olicity and their life as a (married) couple with family. Although Olicity (and their kids) are the protagonists, other characters of Arrow and Flash make appearances. It started as a drabble series, but developed more and more into a full domestic AU. Although some chapters are still drabble-like, there are longer storylines by now.

Love and Little Cupcakes by @christinabeggs | Arrow | WIP

Summary: Felicity loved sweets so much that she paid no attention to her love life. Until Thea Queen came into her store wanting fabulous cupcakes for her sixteenth birthday.

[loroparque-orcas]

Morgan The Captive Orca – A Real Handmaid’s Tale

If she wore a red dress and a white hat would the world have more empathy for a captive, pregnant killer whale?

Unlike Offred, an imaginary female trapped in an imaginary city, enslaved to an abusive household and cheered on to escape by viewers the world over, Morgan is a very real captive killer whale held in a very real tank, within an animal entertainment themed park. Her very existence epitomises ‘‘The Handmaids Tale,’ she is likely silently screaming to her audience— “ME TOO!”

When watching the hugely popular Hulu adaptation of Margaret Atwoods’ book, we are disturbed by the scenes of subservience and ritualised rape and are empathetic to Offred’s plight in the show. But in the real world, our anthropocentric society commits similar abuses against captive marine mammals and we, the audience, sit in the stadiums with our children and cheer the spectacle on.

Whatever is silenced will clamor to be heard, though silently.

The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a dystopian society where fertile women, ‘Handmaids,’ are forced into child-bearing servitude. Quoting Laura Hudson, in her review – A Beginners Guide to The Handmaids Tale Universe: “Women are considered the property of men and are not permitted to vote, possess money of their own or read…all the women we encounter in The Handmaid’s Tale — including Offred—grew up in an America like our own, and thus have to be brutally indoctrinated into their new status as possessions, servants and walking baby incubators.”

In the real world, killer whales (or orca) like Morgan are captured for display. They too are then considered ‘property,’ and in captivity can no longer live a free and natural life. They can no longer swim great distances, dive to any real depth, hunt or feed of their own accord and they certainly can’t choose with whom they will live or breed. Their entire existence is managed by trainers in accordance with their owners’ business requirements. They become an object, a commodity, and literally die a social death.

Better never means better for everyone. It always means worse, for some.

Morgan lived in the world she knew—the ocean—free and with her family. She somehow became separated, was ‘rescued,’ and then opportunistically indoctrinated into her new status of possession; servant to the captivity industry and its patrons, and just like Offred, she too now exists as a (swimming) performing baby incubator.

Morgan – A Stolen Life In the real world, the deliberate capture of wild born killer whales is increasingly considered an unacceptable practice, and the breeding of this species is being phased out by some in the theme park industry who are listening to the public. However, when a young female orca was found alone and unwell, but well enough to keep alive for breeding purposes, Morgan became the most valuable find; a gene pool ‘bonanza’ for the captive entertainment industry.

In 2010 Morgan was taken from the wild in Netherland waters. Although underweight, Morgan was still free-swimming and she never stranded. The Dutch Government had previously issued a cetacean-wide ‘rescue, rehabilitation and release’ permit to Dolfinarium Harderwijk, which allowed the theme park to take Morgan from her ocean home.

From that moment, Morgan’s life was no longer her own; she was never rehabilitated nor released—instead she was kept in a pen that was barely large enough for her to swim, forced into training and taught how to behave in order to accommodate her keepers’ demands. She was conditioned to perform undignified tricks, providing customers more ‘bang for their buck’ when encouraged to pay for the novelty of seeing a wild killer whale up-close in a tank.

The moment of betrayal is the worst, the moment when you know beyond any doubt that you’ve been betrayed: that some other human being has wished you that much  evil.

In a travesty of justice resulting from a tangled web of governmental and regulatory loopholes along with theme park industry subterfuge, Morgan, some 18 months later, was shipped out of the Netherlands with the help of SeaWorld (a USA based company), into the hands of Loro Parque, an amusement park in Tenerife, Spain.

At Loro Parque, Morgan was put in another tank and forced to integrate with 5 captive-born SeaWorld-owned orca who were completely foreign to her. For over four years now Morgan has suffered an unnatural life; she has been made to perform demeaning behaviours in never ending theatrical shows, fed frozen fish and endured sexual pressure and continuous bullying from the male orca in the theme park pens.

A New Baby for Morgan… Praise Be! The public who patronise Loro Parque seem, for the most part, oblivious to Morgan’s suffering, her barren tank, her unnatural existence, her clown like performances—her real purpose. Families crave a day’s entertainment, promoted by an industry that presents its animals as just that. To see a killer whale up close is a bucket list item that we should all tick; families don’t see the torture. Perhaps the public is not dissimilar to the brainwashed citizens of the imaginary Gilead. They seem convinced by ‘the authority’, the industry, that these handmaids, these orca, are ‘happy’ to be used, happy to be bred. These ‘ambassadors’ will somehow help to conserve their species in the wild. Yet strangely, the public absorbing this information doesn’t ever seem to question …why then are these animals never released?

The handmaid’s purpose, Morgans purpose, despite her torture in order to achieve it, is to perform when required and to bear fruit. Morgan, in her Handmaid’s Tale has now been successfully inseminated. She is pregnant and due to give birth at any time. Some say the birth should be celebrated; her keepers say reproduction is a right of each animal, “it’s a natural behaviour,” and on the face of it this may appear true. But what of Morgan’s right to choose, what of her right to Freedom?

There is more than one kind of freedom, freedom to and freedom from.

Loro Parque admits to not knowing which of the two male orca at the park impregnated  Morgan, yet it is known that one of them is aggressive towards humans and the other is a documented killer. What this will mean for Morgan’s calf will become evident in time, but one certainty is, it will be a hybrid and so despite the conservation claims, her offspring can never be released into the wild. Morgan’s baby too will have no right to be free.

A Handmaid’s Fruit – What of Morgan’s Calf? In captivity, orca pregnancies are rare and even when births do occur, calves often die; the result of Morgan’s pregnancy is yet to be seen. Like Offred, Morgan’s subservient, and sometimes comatose existence, combined with her constant public display presents an abnormal situation, an unnatural environment within which she must bond with her first baby; she may even reject her own calf if it does survive. Her calf will be a commodity too, a new attraction to be exploited, and if female—a future handmaid in turn. Morgan, now proven to be fertile, will likely be bred again—the ultimate money-spinner for an industry driven by the business of bottom lines.

Morgan’s calf might remain with her, or her keepers may well take her away, assign her to a new ‘household,’ a new facility, another breeding program, or of course her baby may simply die. In Morgan’s captive, amusement park world, where the illusion of ‘happy families’ is key, there will be no time for her to grieve should her calf not survive, her baby will be taken from her immediately — the show must go on regardless of grief.

Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.

Empathy Lost In A Killer Whale Show Our ability as humans to empathise with these animals does exist and was overwhelmingly demonstrated recently when a wild killer whale refused to let go of her dead baby for 17 torturous days. Undeniably going through a grieving process, Tahlequah’s anguish captured the attention of the world. We recognised her grief; we empathised with this orca, and our outpouring of sympathy to her plight was unprecedented

Yet inexplicably we seem to detach when we put these sentient animals in tanks, when we use them for our entertainment, when we make them breed to ensure the longevity of the industry, when their captive bred babies die or we remove their children from them, our empathy, our sympathy, seems to vanish along with the money we leave at the theme park gates.

We enjoy and even celebrate what we see as abhorrent-a perversion, an injustice against humans. Yet for incarcerated sentient animals, we accept this same behaviour as entertainment. We somehow disconnect from the fact that these ‘handmaids with tails’ like Morgan, don’t sign up for this ‘role,’ they’re forcefully conscripted to act as our entertainment, our ‘educational, conservational, inspirational,’ breeding tools.

Despite industry assertions that orca ‘enjoy’ performing and people believing what they are told is the truth, the reality is that these animals are not willingly working to entertain us; they are conditioned with rewards such as food to perform. Their bodies are not their own; they are made to breed and their babies will never be theirs. Their lives, their entire existence, will always be controlled by the industry, their ‘authority,’ their very real ‘Gilead’.

This is Gilead. No one gets out – Moira

#FreeMorgan

Further Information and References

Further information about Morgan’s story and ways to help please visitFree Morgan Foundation Further information about orca in captivity please visit Sea World Fact Check Further reading about Marine Mammals in Captivity Further information about Human Behaviour Change

References: All block quotes contained in this opinion piece unless otherwise noted are from Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, sourced  from Good Reads, The Handmaids Tale Quotes. https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1119185-the-handmaid-s-tale?page=1 Laura Hudson, A Beginner’s Guide to The Handmaid’s Tale Universe http://www.vulture.com/2017/04/the-handmaids-tale-beginners-guide.html Telegraph UK   https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/loro-parque-ends-killer-whale-orca-breeding/ The Handmaids Tale – Hulu https://www.hulu.com/press/show/the-handmaids-tale/ The Handmaids Tale – Margaret Atwood https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38447.The_Handmaid_s_Tale Free Morgan Foundation, Morgans Story http://www.freemorgan.org/morgan-2/ Keto: Frustrated and Dangerous https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/whales/keto-frustrated-dangerous/ The Trials Of Tekoa https://timzimmermann.com/2011/09/26/the-trials-of-tekoa/ Centre For Whale Research – J35 https://www.whaleresearch.com/j35

[hope-for-olicity]

When a King is Really a Queen 4/4

Oliver Queen writes romantic suspense novels under the name Olivia King on his way to reveal his true identity he meets one of Olivia King’s biggest fans, Felicity Smoak, and she is not very happy.

This is based on the Hallmark Movie “A Novel Romance.”  I’m writing as a bit of a love letter to all the amazing romance writers that bring me happy. I so hope you enjoy!

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to read this story! I greatly appreciate. I hope you all enjoy the conclusion! Also available on AO3.

Thanks especially to @almondblossomme for proofing, supporting and suggesting!

                                                      Chapter 4

Felicity woke up the next morning to her phone buzzing. She grabbed it and groaned “I’m not ready to talk yet Oliver.”

“Oliver? Who’s Oliver? This sounds very promising!” Donna could barely keep the excitement out of her voice.

“Mom! Sorry...I was….dreaming. What time is it?” Felicity turned to look at her alarm clock and jumped. “Oh my God Mom! I’m totally late! I forgot to set my alarm.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I called then.”

“Yes, thank goodness!”

“I just wanted to call and thank you for the advice. Quentin and I talked and turned out that he found out from the doctor that he has a heart condition and it kind of freaked him out and he started thinking that it would be better for me if I didn’t get attached to him. As if I wasn’t already attached?”

“So, you are all good?” Felicity was standing in front of her closet trying to decide what to wear.

“Yes, honey all good now. How about you?”

“I’m okay. Sorry Mom, I’m just feeling a little frazzled. I’m running late and we are hosting an Olivia King event at our store today…”

“Olivia King! Oh, you must be so excited! She’s your favourite.”

“Yes, very exciting.” Felicity said dryly, she really wanted to tell her Mom but she just couldn’t yet.

“Ok hun. Good luck and give me a ring later to tell me how it all went.”

“Will do. I’m glad things worked out. Take Care. Love you. Bye”

“Love you. Bye.”

Felicity threw her phone on the bed and quickly ran to the bathroom to begin getting ready.

*****

“Oh, Oliver thank God you are here!” Thea walked into the dinette where Oliver was finishing his breakfast.

“I am here. What’s going on?” He smiled at his sister.

“What’s going on? So silly Oliver. How was your date with Felicity? Did you manage to woo her away from the other guy?”

“We didn’t talk about the other guy actually. But she could start being serious with him if she likes. She ended our date early when I came clean about being Olivia King.” Oliver couldn’t hide the disappointment from his voice.

“Oh Oliver, I’m so sorry.”

“I am too.”

“So, you are just giving up? I thought you really liked her.”

“I have to respect her wishes” he said solemnly

“And what exactly are her wishes? What did she say?”

“She was shocked. She said she was sorry too and left saying she would see me today.”

“Oh, Ollie I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks, but really it’s my own fault.”

“Well, yes.  But we all make mistakes. If you really care for her, you have to try. Maybe try to talk to her after the event?”

“I’ll try but I’m not feeling overly optimistic. She looked so sad and hurt. Thea and I did that.”

“Well Mom and I will be there for you today, no matter what happens.”

“Thanks Speedy, that means a lot.”

*****

Caitlin had not lied, when Felicity arrived at Happily Ever After some of the shelving had been moved and chairs had been put out for the event. She looked at the podium where Oliver would stand. She wondered how the big reveal would go over.

Truthfully, if she had not met Oliver beforehand she would have been pleased as punch to discover Olivia King was a man. She loved the idea of a man writing romance and he wrote it so well. She really had had no inkling that Olivia King was a man.

“Hey you. Feeling any better today?” Caitlin handed Felicity a coffee.

“Thanks so much for this.” she held up the coffee cup, “it really helps.”

“Have you decided what to do?”

“I have.” Honestly, she hadn’t realized she had until Caitlin asked.

“And…”

“And I’m going to forgive him. He didn’t lie to be malicious and I believe he’s sincerely sorry. So, I’ll forgive him. But that doesn’t stop the fact that I feel foolish and I am still hurt.”

“It will just take time.”

“Exactly. You know me so well Caitlin. Thank you so much for helping with my mini freak-out last night. I’m lucky to have you as my friend.”

“Anytime! Now let me catch you up on everything here.  The event starts at five, the Queens will arrive around four thirty, Moira says there is plenty of buzz around town so we are expecting a crowd. The caterers will drop off the finger foods and coffee around four fifteen. I think we are all set.”

“Is there anything I can do now?”

“Sure, there is a box of pamphlets for Oliver’s publishing company in a box at the cash, they can be put on the chairs and some on a table.”

“Sounds great. I’ll get right on it!”

“Felicity, you don’t have to fake your enthusiasm of me.”

“I’m going with fake it till you make it today and I’m sure this coffee will go a long way to getting me there.”

*****

Felicity was just settling things with the caterer when the Queens arrived. Caitlin walked up to her, “Do you want me to handle all this?”

“No,” Felicity shook her head. “I’d like to talk to Oliver now. Get it out of the way.”

Felicity walked across the room to greet the Queens, she was glad she had worn her heels today, the click they made gave her confidence she didn’t have at the moment.

“Felicity,” Moira gave her a warm smile. “That pink dress looks lovely on you.”

“Thank you, Moira. And thank you so much for your help with this event. The place looks great thanks to all your efforts last night. Sorry, I wasn’t here to help.”

“No worries, darling, Caitlin and I handled it all. Felicity, I don’t believe you met my daughter Thea,” Moira turned to Thea, “Thea, this Felicity Smoak she owns this lovely store with her friend Caitlin Snow.”

“It’s so nice to meet you Felicity, I’ve heard nothing but good things.” Thea smiled at Felicity.

Oliver must not have told her, was all Felicity could think. Thea moved a little to the right to reveal her brother. “Oliver,” Felicity tried to smile and ended up nodding.

“Felicity,” he nodded in return.

“Thea why don’t you come with me and I’ll introduce you to Caitlin.” Moira guided Thea away.

Felicity was about to speak, when Oliver cut her off. “We don’t need to talk, if you don’t want to - I mean I understand if you are still mad.”

“Oliver how about we step outside for a moment. It’s getting rather stuffy in here with all the people. I could use some air.”

“Sure.” He walked over to the door and opened it for her.

They were both silent for a moment.

“Oliver, I want you to know I forgive you.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I am so very sorry Felicity. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it up to you.”

“Thank you. I’m just going to need some time. Right now, I still feel foolish and a little hurt.”

“Of course. I am so sorry that I am the cause. I will give you all the time you need. I just hope someday you will reach out again.”

“I don’t want to make a promise I can’t keep Oliver. Besides you just met me, I’m sure I’ll be easy to forget.”

“Felicity, I will not forget you. I knew from the first moment I saw you on the plane you were someone special. I have the butterflies too and there is definitely sparkage. I will wait until you are ready.”

Felicity was shocked. She really didn’t know what to say. Suddenly the store door opened and Caitlin stuck her head out. “Hey guys it’s about time to get this show on the road. The crowds are getting restless. Felicity and I will do a welcome and then we will ask you to speak.”

“Sounds great,” Oliver said as he and Felicity followed Caitlin inside.

Oliver watched Caitlin and Felicity stand at the podium and welcome everyone to their store. He was so glad this was the chosen store. He liked the fact that his books were being sold here. He noticed Felicity began to speak on her own so he paid special attention.

“As many of you know Olivia King is my favourite author, I know I’ve recommended her books to you on numerous occasions.” Some in the audience laughed. “Well, today it is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to Olivia King although it turns out Olivia King is a pen name, let me introduce my, I mean Oliver Queen to fill you in.”

The audience clapped loudly as Oliver Queen was a bit of a local celebrity in his own right.

“Thank you. Thank you very much and I’d like to thank Caitlin and Felicity for hosting this event. I’m sure you are all wondering what I’m doing up here.  Well there is no easy way to do this so I’m just going to say it - I’m Olivia King.”

There was stunned silence for a moment before the murmurs of people expressing their shock.

“I realize this may come as a surprise but I want to be honest.” He looked around the room and was relieved to see the friendly faces of John and Lyla in the audience. “I’ve always wanted to be a writer and when I discovered my mother’s novels as a teen, I knew this was what I wanted to write. But I also wanted to know if I was any good. I didn’t want people to buy my books because my name was Queen. So, I changed it to King.”

Oliver noticed his audience was listening intently, they had not stormed out. Good sign, right?  “I also wanted to take this opportunity to apologize for what happened in my last book.” The audience began to clap.

Once the applause died down “I can only promise that it will be fixed in the next book.” Even more applause. “Okay, thank you all so much for coming. I’d be happy to sign your books if you like, the line forms right next to Caitlin and Felicity. Thanks so much for coming and understanding.”

Oliver felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. His secret was out and they didn’t hate him. Now he just had to hope the press showed the same understanding, he had not missed the reporters in the audience and he knew his publisher had released a press release during his speech.

He looked over at Felicity, he just hoped she could move passed the lie.

“Oliver!” Oliver turned to see John and Lyla heading towards him.

John clapped his hand on Oliver’s shoulder, “Good job up there man! I think they will still buy your books!”

“Thanks! I have to say I’m relieved.”

“I’m relieved too Oliver, so glad you are going to fix this Julia mess!” Lyla said.

“I am. Good to see you Lyla!” And Oliver pulled her in for a hug.

“You are still coming to our place from here right?”

“Yes! Can’t wait for barbecue and the chance to hang out with the digglets.” Oliver smiled.

John in a little closer “So was that THE Felicity.”

Oliver nodded.

“We will talk about that later.” John smiled approvingly.

“Oliver I am so proud of you!” Moira appeared with Thea by her side.

“Thanks Mom. And thanks for all your support. Both Felicity and Caitlin mentioned what a help you were.”

“Oh it was nothing.” Moira brushed off the praise.

“I’m so proud of you big brother!” Thea leaned in to give Oliver a hug. “And you better fix whatever the hell is going on with Julia!”

Oliver stepped back “I will I promise. Looks like there is a line of people waiting to meet me,” Oliver smiled and then looked over at John and Lyla “See you in a bit. The store closes at six so I shouldn’t be too late.”

*****

Oliver discovered fairly quickly that he loved meeting his readers! They had so many interesting questions about his favourite thing to talk about his books. It was so nice to hear what they liked and what they didn’t like.

The time went by quickly and soon the line was done and it was time to leave. Oliver stood and looked around for Felicity.

“She’s near the door saying goodbye to one of our regular customers.” Caitlin looked at him as though she was judging him. Oliver knew then that she was of course, Team Felicity.

“I didn’t mean to hurt her you know. I really do like her. If only I had a do-over.”

“I know you like her. And she really likes you and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Felicity this excited which is why I’m going to cut you some slack. You aren’t the first man to lie to Felicity, her ex did a real number on her. And she still thinks she should have seen it coming. So while lies are bad for everyone, Felicity takes them especially hard.”

“Thanks for telling me. She asked for space so I’m going to try to respect that. Wait for her to reach out to me. Do you have any other ideas?”

“No, I think you are doing the right thing. I really hope she comes around to you. You seem like a really nice guy.”

“Thanks Caitlin and it’s nice to officially meet you,” he held out his hand “I’m Oliver Queen.”

Caitlin shook his hand, “that’s right we haven’t been introduced yet!”

Felicity walked back toward them. “Did I miss something?”

“No, Oliver and I were just introducing ourselves!” Caitlin laughed.

“I’m so sorry! I meant to introduce you two.” Felicity looked at the both of them.

“No harm done. We are now acquainted. I should be off but I want to thank the both of you for pulling off a truly amazing event. I can only hope it attracts people to your store.”

“Thank you.” Felicity blushed and thought remember he hurt you, ignore the butterflies.

“Well, I’m off.” He looked at both Caitlin and Felicity, “I’ll be in town for a couple of more days if you need to get in touch with me and my number stays the same once I go to New York, you know in case you need to talk to me about anything.”

He waits for a minute, when Felicity says nothing he turns away.

*****

Oliver can smell the barbecue and hear children laughing as he heads towards John and Lyla’s backyard.

“Hey everyone, sorry I’m late.”

“No problem man, just getting things on the grill now.” John gives Oliver a welcome smile.

“Lyla is inside just finishing up the salads.”

“Sounds great!” Oliver tries to sound enthusiastic but he’s still disappointed about how things went with Felicity.

“So, dare I ask, where is Felicity? I kind of thought she might come with you.”

“She only found out about me being Olivia King last night and she is still processing. I hurt her John and I feel awful about it. I would give anything to turn back time and tell her right away on that plane.”

“Give her time, she will forgive you.” He handed Oliver a beer from the cooler next to him.

“Oh, we talked today and she said she forgave me. Which I am very grateful for but she still needs some time. I’m going to respect her wishes.”

“That sounds like the right call. And it sounds like you really care about her. So she is definitely worth the wait.”

“Worth the wait? Johnny, you better not be talking about my dinner! You should know by now that you don’t keep a pregnant woman waiting.” Lyla smiled and walked over to give Oliver a hug. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I just go here.” Oliver hugged her back. “How much longer until this one comes?”

“Maybe one more month, I’m ready for it to be now.” Lyla smiled.

“Lyla’s been having a lot of lower back pain with this one. So, I think she’s just about done,” John rubbed his wife’s lower back.

“So, no Felicity?” Lyla asked.

“You told her?”

“We’re married. You know I tell her everything.” John smiled.

“He’d better. I have met Felicity before. I go to her store to buy your books actually, she seems very nice. She’s also a contributor to Smart Bitches Trashy Novels website”

“Of course she is,” Oliver couldn’t help but smile at that. “She is amazing and I hope one day she’ll let me have another chance.”

“I hope so too Oliver. Please tell me you told her before today?”

“Yes, last night at dinner but she was blindsided. We talked today and she forgave my lie but says she needs time.”

“Well then time is what you give her.” Lyla gave Oliver a reassuring smile. “So on to my pressing problems are you going to fix this crap you pulled with Julia?”

“Definitely. I think I’m just as upset as my readers. I’ve already begun working on the next book. I’m actually heading back to New York City tomorrow.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it Oliver and I’m really proud of you for telling the truth to Felicity and to your readers today.” Lyla smiled

“I agree with Lyla that was a huge step. And with that I’m happy to say it’s time to eat!” John looked at his children further in the backyard “Come on guys let’s go eat!”

*****

Two Months Later

Oliver arrived back in Star City with a finished manuscript. He planned to turn in what he considered to be his final copy to his editor when he went back to New York after New Year’s.

As he came out of baggage claim he was happy to see his Mom and Thea waiting to greet him. His mother hugged him “So glad to have you home!”

They made their way back to Oliver’s family home. He had just finished unpacking when Thea stuck her head in the doorway. “Hey Ollie, it’s nice to have you home.”

“Thanks Thea. It’s good to be here. Do you know what time dinner is? I wanted to run a quick errand.”

“Please tell me that errand has something to do with Felicity Smoak because she’s totally been all mopey face since you left.”

“Felicity’s been all mopey face? How would you know that?” but Oliver could not hide the interest in his voice.

“Mom and I go to the store quite regularly now. And she always tries to put on a big smile when she sees us but really, it’s fake. Whatever you did to her needs to be fixed Oliver.” Thea said seriously.

“I hurt her Speedy and she asked for time and I’ve waited for her to reach out.”

“But? Please tell me you were about to say ‘but.’ I need you to say ‘but!’”

“But…” He smiled at his sister. “I’m tired of waiting so I’m going to bring her a peace offering. It’s Christmas and I’m hoping that will work to my advantage.”

“Oh Ollie I love it! Can you tell what the peace offering is?”

“Nope. That’s between Felicity and I.”

“Ollie!”

“Maybe I’ll tell you later,” he winked. “So, do I have time to go before dinner?”

“Even if you didn’t, I’d make sure dinner is delayed for you! Go Now! Go do the peace offering thing!!!!”

*****

Felicity and Caitlin were looking at their projected numbers for the store. They really were doing better than last year at this top.

“We were so lucky to get that Olivia King event.” Caitlin reminisced.

“Yes, we were.” She knew where Caitlin was going with this and did not want to go there again.

No, she had not contacted Oliver. The longer she had waited the more it seemed impossible. She still liked him but by now she was sure he’d moved onto to some New York socialite. She had waited too long. Her fear of being hurt overrode her chance for happiness. Not every man was Cooper. Why couldn’t she remember that?

“You know he might…” Caitlin stopped when they heard the bell for the door opening.

“Saved by the bell, literally” Felicity said under her breathe. She turns to greet their new customer and is stopped in tracks. There, in the flesh was Oliver Queen.

Oliver had thought about calling or texting first but he was afraid she would ignore him. He felt he had been patient but he needed to remind her that he was there and he was still very interested.

They both stood there looking at each other for minute before Caitlin rushed out from behind the counter. “Oliver! So nice to see you! I’m just heading out for the night, Felicity is closing, I’m sure she can help you find what you need.”

Caitlin rushed past Oliver, neither Felicity nor Oliver had broken eye contact.

“Night,” Caitlin called as she dashed out the door.

Oliver finally broke the silence. “Hey.”

Felicity licked her lips, his eyes darted to watch, “You came back.” She sounded almost surprised. “I mean, of course I knew you’d come back to Star City your family lives here, but you came back here, to the store, to my store, where you knew I’d be, to see me, please stop me!” She looked at him desperately.

He quickly walked forward until they were only separated by inches. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

She felt immediately calmed. How could this man make her heart race one minute and calm her the next?

“Felicity, I know I was supposed to wait for you to contact me but since I was in town, I thought I’d take the chance.”

When she said nothing, he decided it would be best for him to keep talking. “I brought you something. I wanted to get your opinion. If you have time of course.” He took the messenger bag he’d been carrying off his shoulder and took out a leather case, he offered it to her. Felicity took it.

“What is it?” Her heart was racing. All she could think was he came back. He came back and he might like me. It might not be too late!

“It’s the manuscript for my next book. I’m giving it to my editor in the New Year. But I was wondering if you could read it first? I need to know if I fixed it. I tried my best to due Julia justice. But I wanted you to read it as I value your opinion as an expert in the field. You know the field of romance and of course the field of being a woman and being a brave, smart woman like Julia.” He looked down sheepishly. “Now I’m rambling.”

Felicity looked down at the manuscript  in her hands. “You are trusting me with this?”

“Of course. I can also send you an electronic version if you prefer but I thought for this conversation it might help to have something tangible to hold.”

“Oliver. Wow. I’m overwhelmed.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do this.  I just thought maybe you would like to and I would really like to get an opinion of a reader, the publisher led me astray the last time. And….”

“And?”

“And I really wanted to see you. I miss you Felicity. I know we don’t know each other well but there is something about you. I’m so sorry, that I lied and hurt you. I promise not to lie again.”

“Oliver, you know I’ve forgiven you for that lie. Honestly, I’m surprised you remembered me. I thought with all the sights and sounds of New York, you would forget the lady who works in a bookstore in the small city.

“Never.”

“Never?”

“Never. So, would you be up for reading the manuscript? Feel free to make notes on that, it’s your copy.” He looked at her hopefully.

“Of course! I would be honoured. I’m flattered that you would ask.” She couldn’t be sure but it looked like Oliver Queen might be blushing.

“Please, keep in mind this is a first draft so don’t judge me too harshly for my spelling or grammar mistakes...I’m not perfect.” His voice got lower as he finished speaking.

“I promise not to judge you. I will start reading tonight. I can’t lie I’m more than a little excited. It’s the perfect Hanukkah gift!”

“Hanukkah! So, you are Jewish.” Oliver looked pleased.

Felicity was a little confused by his reaction. “Is that a problem?”

“No, no absolutely not. It’s just I’m really glad I didn’t say it was a Christmas gift, I wanted this to go well. Did it go well?” he asks timidly.

“This went very well Oliver.”

“Okay then.” Oliver smiles. “I’ll leave you to your reading.”

“I will text you as soon as I finish. Would you like to meet to discuss? Is your number still the same?”

As if Oliver would change his number! He’d been waiting for her to call for months! “Yes, my number is the same. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks again.” He turned and walked toward the door. He stopped in front of the door and looked back “Good night and Happy Hanukkah!”

*****

Felicity stayed up all night reading and continued at work the next day. She really couldn’t put Oliver’s book down. It was magnificent. It consumed her.

She sighed as she read the perfect ending and was just putting the pages back in the leather case when Caitlin came up behind her, “So?”

“Oh Caitlin! It was so wonderful! He fixed it and made it even better! I thought he might say it was a dream but no, he took a different route. I don’t  want to spoil it for you or break Oliver’s confidence so I can’t say more except, except this might be better than any other book I’ve read.” Tears of joy were in Felicity’s eyes.

“Wow. Are you sure? I mean you are a pretty well-read person. I mean you said nothing would ever beat Persuasion, you know because that letter that Captain Frederick Wentworth wrote saying how he waited for Anne Elliot.” They both sigh. “So this is quite the declaration.”

“Yes, and I meant it! I have to call Oliver!”

“Yes, do that and tell him you’ll see him tonight.”

Felicity looked confused. “Tonight? I was going to see where he was and go see him NOW.”

“Trust me Felicity you need some sleep. Go home sleep then meet Oliver. Trust me, your thoughts will be much more coherent after some sleep.”

Felicity’s first thought was to disagree but then she yawned. “Okay. I’ll text and ask him to meet me for dinner.”

“Excellent plan!”

Felicity hugged Caitlin. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life!”

“I know! Aren’t you?” She winked.

Felicity was about to open the door to leave when she heard Caitlin, “wait! Wear that new green dress you bought. You will look smashing!”

“Always looking out for me! Thanks so much!!”

******

Oliver felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He was surprised he had just left his Mom’s place to meet John and Lyla and their new baby. He only gave Felicity his book yesterday. He looked down surprised to see Felicity’s text.

Felicity: Dinner tonight?

Oliver: Yes

Felicity: Let’s give Verona’s a do over. I’ll make the reservation for 7?

Oliver: I would love a do over. See you there.

Felicity doubled checked her alarm clock was set and snuggled into the blankets to catch up on some sleep.

*****

Felicity arrived at the restaurant first. She looked around at all the lovely holiday decorations as she waited for the hostess. She smiled she really did like the wallpaper here.

“You are admiring the wallpaper again, aren’t you?” Oliver had come up behind her.

“Well, it really is nice wallpaper.”

“It’s nice to see and you look amazing.”

Felicity blushed.

“It’s okay that I said that right?” Oliver really did not want to do anything to ruin his do over.

“Yes, and thank you. It’s good to see you.”

The hostess arrived and sat them at the same table as last time.

“I swear I didn’t request this but I’m glad. I really do want a do over Oliver. I’m even going to order the same thing as I really wanted it and well…”

“Yeah, we didn’t get to eat,” Oliver said looking down.

Felicity reached across the table and lifted his chin. “Hey, that’s not going to happen this time. I want to talk about your book but first there is something I need to tell you about me. I don’t trust easily. I had a couple of bad experiences and my last boyfriend lied a lot. I know you aren’t him, Oliver. I even understand why you didn’t tell me and you apologized.”

Oliver opened his mouth to speak and Felicity touched his hand.

“No, please let me finish. I accepted your apology months ago and I meant it but I was too chicken to call you once the hurt had worn off. So, I want to apologize to you now, for not calling and doubting that you really wanted me to. You did want me to call, right?” Felicity asked, suddenly a little panicked.

Oliver held her hand in his, “Yes, I wanted you to call. But there is no need to apologize to me. How about we move on to what I hope, fingers crossed is a happier topic - my book.”

The server arrived just at that moment to take their orders, “Saved by the bell,” Oliver joked.

Oliver gave their order the same as their last visit and they both watched the server walk away.

“So….” Oliver was nervous. What if she didn’t like it? What if he didn’t fix Julia?

“I don’t think it would be an understatement to say YOU DID IT OLIVER! You fixed it and in the most genius way! She was playing her awful husband to bring him down - so, so, awesome and I love that we didn’t know her plan at first but you thought maybe...the suspense was killing me!”

“Really?”

“Really, I started reading it when I went home last night and didn’t stop until I finished this morning! I wanted to come see you right away but Caitlin insisted I sleep so I could form coherent thoughts and you know, not looked crazed and bug eyed.”

“I wish I could have seen you when you finished reading! I can’t believe you stayed up all night! You didn’t have to do that! There was no rush.”

“Oliver, I couldn’t put it down. I loved everything about it. Julia was brilliant and going undercover having her own bookstore, and the little girl calling her a princess!”

“So, you don’t mind that I used that?”

“Absolutely not! It was like I was in your book! I was in a book! Do you realize how amazing that is for a reader? Oliver everyone is going to love this! Don’t change a thing! I’m so proud of you!”

Oliver flushed with embarrassment. “It’s okay if you have some criticism you know. I can take it.”

“But I don’t! I am being honest. When I finished reading I told Caitlin I loved it more than Persuasion - and Persuasion is my favourite book of all time.” Felicity was practically beaming with excitement.

“Persuasion? By Jane Austen?”

Felicity nods emphatically.

“Wow. I really don’t know what to say.”

“Ask me what I love most about Persuasion.” She looks at him pleadingly.

“What do you love most about Persuasion?” He asks tentatively.

“He waited for her. I always thought that was the most romantic thing. And Oliver Queen you waited for me and this is by far is the closest my real life has come to being like a novel.”

“I’ll always wait for you Felicity. You are worth waiting for.”

At that moment, their food arrived. Once they finished eating Felicity suggested they go for a walk. She truly did not want the evening to end.

As they walked past the stores decorated for the holidays, Felicity couldn’t resist saying “I’d really like to see more of you, perhaps you would be willing to see me when you visit Star City? And maybe I could visit you in New York?” This was probably the boldest question she had ever asked but she couldn’t resist.

Oliver smiled “Or maybe I could move to Star City and we could visit New York together?” He said with hope in his voice.

“Yes, that sounds perfect!” she was so excited. She took hand. “Oliver?”

“Yes?”

“I’m so very glad that the King was really a Queen. Like what I did there?” she smiled.

Oliver laughed for a moment and then stopped. He stepped in front of Felicity and caressed her cheek with his hand. “Just to be clear, this Queen really likes a certain Princess.”  And with that he captured her mouth in what he was sure was an epic romance novel kiss - at least the way he wrote them.

And of course they lived happily ever after!

// @almondblossomme // @mel-loves-all // @memcjo // @tdgal1 // @vaelisamaza // @stygian-omada-fan // @miriam1779 // @laurabelle2930 // @lalawo1 // @oliverfel4 // @felicity-said–yes // @geneshaven // @nalla-madness // @captainolicitysbedroom // @pleasantfanandstudent // @spaztronautwriter // @somewhatinvisible // @dmichellewrites // @charlinert // @marytagus // @mammashof // @wherethereissmoak // @bringbackianto // @jaspertown //

[creative-salem]

Word Up Next Writers Events - March & April 2017

Word Up Next

Word Up Next is a listing of writers’ events in Salem and nearby towns. Want to add something to the calendar? Email susanna.baird@gmail.com. 

  Monday, March 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Witch City Writers Group Meet up and Write, Atomic Cafe, 268 Cabot St., Beverly

Let’s set aside some time to do some writing. Please bring a current project to work on. A prompt will be provided for anyone who requests one. To RSVP or request a prompt, visit www.meetup.com/Witch-City-Writers-Group/events/.

  Monday, March 6, 7-10 p.m.

Blue Room Sessions Open Mic Featuring Brendan Connolly, White Rose Coffeehouse, 56 Central Square, Lynn

Salem writer Brendan Connolly has published several chapbooks of flash fiction and poetry.

Tuesday, March 7, 8:40-11:30 a.m.

Writers’ Open Studio, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Athenaeum opens exclusively for writers to work in a serene environment. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and leave the distractions at the door.

  Tuesday, March 7, 5-8 p.m.

Book Launch Signing with Lisa Sugarman, Spirit of ’76 Bookstore, 107 Pleasant St., Marblehead

Marblehead’s Lisa Sugarman will launch her new book “Untying Parent Anxiety” at a special release day signing.

  Tuesday, March 7, 7-8 p.m.

The Writer in Your Neighborhood, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

Athenaeum members, and perhaps other local writers who are authors, will share samples of their work. Hosted by J.D. Scrimgeour, Professor of English, Salem State University.

  Wednesday, March 8, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Longform Writers’ Group

Writers swap essays, memoir, and fiction and gather monthly to provide feedback. We usually meet the second Tuesday of the month, but will meet the first Wednesday in March. For more information, email susanna.baird@gmail.com.

  Tuesday, March 14, 8:40-11:30 a.m.

Writers’ Open Studio, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Athenaeum opens exclusively for writers to work in a serene environment. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and leave the distractions at the door.

  Tuesday, March 14, 7 p.m.

Author Talk: Don Kaplan, Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St., Marblehead

Author Don Kaplan discusses his mystery, “The Devil’s Jury.”

    Wednesday, March 15, 6-7:30 p.m.

Book Signing with Julie Lekstrom Himes, Spirit of ’76 Bookstore, 107 Pleasant St., Marblehead

Julie Lekstrom Himes will be at the bookstore to sign copies of her new book, “Mikhail and Margarita.”

  Saturday, March 18, 10 .m. – 3 p.m.

Scribbler’s Ink Prompt-Writing Workshop, Nahant

Join us for a day of practice writing where you will write in response to prompts designed to awaken your lost or hibernating creative voice through a series of tools and exercises. $80 includes workshop, catered lunch, snacks and beverages. www.scribblersink.com

  Saturday, March 18, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

North Shore Poets’ Forum: Topic TBA, Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex. St., Beverly

Each meeting of the North Shore Poets’ Forum features a presentation on a poet, movement or form that should be of general interest to members. After the program, members are encouraged to bring an original poem and six to 10 copies for members to offer gentle critique. For more information, visit nspoetsforum.wordpress.com.

  Sunday, March 19, 2-4 p.m.

Poetry Salon with Claire Keyes on Claudia Rankine, Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St., Marblehead

Please join Marblehead poet and Salem State University Professor Emerita Claire Keyes for a lively discussion of poet Claudia Rankine.

  Monday, March 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Witch City Writers Group Writing Workshop, $2, Fogg Room, Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St., Beverly

Please note: This workshop is limited to 12 people, and writers are chosen in advance to receive feedback. Visit www.meetup.com/Witch-City-Writers-Group/events/ to register. $2.

  Monday, March 20, 7-8 p.m.

82 Main Poetry Series: J.D. Scrimgeour and Cindy Veach, Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St., Peabody

The Peabody Institute Library and Mass Poetry have partnered to host of series of monthly poetry readings in the library’s historic Sutton Room. Writer J.D. Scrimgeour, whose personal essays and poetry often focus on class and education, serves as coordinator of Salem State’s Creative Writing program. Poet Cindy Veach’s debut collection, “Gloved Against Blood,” will be published this fall.

  Tuesday, March 21, 8:40-11:30 a.m.

Writers’ Open Studio, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Athenaeum opens exclusively for writers to work in a serene environment. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and leave the distractions at the door.

  Tuesday, March 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Salem Writers’ Group, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

All are welcome to bring work-in-progress to share with the group for feedback. The group is facilitated by J.D. Scrimgeour, Professor of English, Salem State University, and meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

  Tuesday, March 28, 8:40-11:30 a.m.

Writers’ Open Studio, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Athenaeum opens exclusively for writers to work in a serene environment. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and leave the distractions at the door.

  Tuesday, March 28, 7-9 p.m.

Incessant Pipe Poetry Salon, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Incessant Pipe Poetry Salon meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month upstairs in the Salem Athenaeum. “The Pipe” is a space to read poetry, yours or others, and discuss everything from the price of tea in China to quantum particles (as long as it relates back to poetry). All styles of poetry are welcome.

  Tuesday, March 28, 7:30-9 p.m.

Salem State Writers Series: John D��Agata, The Underground, Ellison Campus Center, 352 Lafayette St., North Campus, Salem State University

American essayist John D’Agata has spent two decades exploring the essay through a series of innovative, informative and expansive anthologies. D’Agata directs the Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Iowa, where he also teaches creative writing.

  Sunday, April 2, 2-4 p.m.

Favorite Poems, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

Inspired by Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project, the Athenaeum Writing Committee is hosting a Favorite Poem reading to celebrate National Poetry Month. You don’t need to bring a poem to attend, just your ears. The event is free and open to the public. Please direct queries to J.D. Scrimgeour (jdscrimgeour@gmail.com).

  Monday, April 3, 7-8 p.m.

82 Main Poetry Series: Moira Linehan and Mary Pinard , Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St., Peabody

The Peabody Institute Library and Mass Poetry have partnered to host of series of monthly poetry readings in the library’s historic Sutton Room. Moira Linehan has authored two collections, one chronicling the loss of her husband, the other her battle with breast cancer. Mary Pinard’s “Portal” explores a story of familial loss and its environmental echo.

  Tuesday, April 4, 8:40-11:30 a.m.

Writers’ Open Studio, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Athenaeum opens exclusively for writers to work in a serene environment. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and leave the distractions at the door.

  Tuesday, April 4, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Salem Writers’ Group, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

All are welcome to bring work-in-progress to share with the group for feedback. The group is facilitated by J.D. Scrimgeour, Professor of English, Salem State University, and meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

  Wednesday, April 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Witch City Writers Group Writing Workshop, $2, Second Floor, Beverly Historical Society, 117 Cabot St., Beverly

Please note: This workshop is limited to 15 people, and writers are chosen in advance to receive feedback. Visit www.meetup.com/Witch-City-Writers-Group/events/ to register. $2.

  Wednesday, April 5, 7-8 p.m.

Get to Know the Festival Poets: Louise Gluck, Second Floor, Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St., Peabody

In conjunction with the Mass Poetry Festival (Salem, May 5-7), poet and Pine Manor College Prof. Jennifer Jean is leading a four-week discussion series exploring the work of four festival poets. This week’s poet, Louise Gluck, won the 2014 National Book Award for Poetry for her collection “Faithful and Virtuous Night.”

  Tuesday, April 11, 8:40-11:30 a.m.

Writers’ Open Studio, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Athenaeum opens exclusively for writers to work in a serene environment. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and leave the distractions at the door.

  Wednesday, April 12, 7-8 p.m.

Get to Know the Festival Poets: Kazim Ali, Second Floor, Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St., Peabody

In conjunction with the Mass Poetry Festival (Salem, May 5-7), poet and Pine Manor College Prof. Jennifer Jean is leading a four-week discussion series exploring the work of four festival poets. This week’s writer, Kazim Ali, is a poet, novelist, essayist and professor at Oberlin College and the University of Southern Maine.

  Wednesday, April 12, 7:30-9 p.m.

Salem State Writers Series: Perry Glasser, Viking Hall Room 123, Central Campus, Salem State University, 71C Loring Ave.

Emeritus Prof. Perry Glasser is an award-winning, frequently anthologized memoirist, novelist, and short fiction writer. He has been a contributing editor of the North American Review since 1994.

  Tuesday, April 18, 8:40-11:30 a.m.

Writers’ Open Studio, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Athenaeum opens exclusively for writers to work in a serene environment. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and leave the distractions at the door.

  Tuesday, April 18, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Salem Writers’ Group, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

All are welcome to bring work-in-progress to share with the group for feedback. The group is facilitated by J.D. Scrimgeour, Professor of English, Salem State University, and meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

  Wednesday, April 19, 7-8 p.m.

Get to Know the Festival Poets: Rigoberto Gonzales, Second Floor, Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St., Peabody

In conjunction with the Mass Poetry Festival (Salem, May 5-7), poet and Pine Manor College Prof. Jennifer Jean is leading a four-week discussion series exploring the work of four festival poets. This week’s writer, Rigoberto Gonzalez, has authored four books of poetry and is the recipient of several awards , including the American Book Award and the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award.

  Thursday, April 20, 7:30-9 p.m.

Salem State University Annual Graduate Student Reading, Martin Luther King, Jr., Room, Ellison Campus Center, North Campus, 1 Meier Drive

This reading spotlights students in SSU’s graduate writing program, who are some of the North Shore’s up-and-coming writers. Among the readers will be students completing their masters theses including Joe McGurn, Jessica Tower, and Marianne Curcio, as well as Soundings East editors M.P. Carver and Cathy Fahey.

  Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

North Shore Poets’ Forum: , Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex. St., Beverly

Celebration of National Poetry Month, with readings by the winners of the Naomi Cherkofsky Contest, followed by Open Mic. For more information, visit nspoetsforum.wordpress.com.

  Monday, April 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Witch City Writers Group Writing Workshop, $2, Fogg Room, Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St., Beverly

Please note: This workshop is limited to 12 people, and writers are chosen in advance to receive feedback. Visit www.meetup.com/Witch-City-Writers-Group/events/ to register. $2.

  Tuesday, April 25, 8:40-11:30 a.m.

Writers’ Open Studio, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Athenaeum opens exclusively for writers to work in a serene environment. Bring your laptop or pen and paper and leave the distractions at the door.

  Tuesday, April 25, 7-9 p.m.

Incessant Pipe Poetry Salon, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

The Incessant Pipe Poetry Salon meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month upstairs in the Salem Athenaeum. “The Pipe” is a space to read poetry, yours or others, and discuss everything from the price of tea in China to quantum particles (as long as it relates back to poetry). All styles of poetry are welcome.

  Wednesday, April 26, 7-8 p.m.

Get to Know the Festival Poets: Cornelius Eady  Second Floor, Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St., Peabody

In conjunction with the Mass Poetry Festival (Salem, May 5-7), poet and Pine Manor College Prof. Jennifer Jean is leading a four-week discussion series exploring the work of four festival poets. This week’s writer, Cornelius Eady, is the author of eight books of poetry and co-founder of Cave Canem, a summer workshop/retreat for African American poets.

  Thursday, April 27, 7-8:30 p.m.

Young Adult Writing for All Ages, Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St.

In this 5-week course, we’ll discuss the basics of YA writing, story elements, character development, and achieving the right tone for your audience. Matt Phillion, author of the YA series The Indestructibles, will be the instructor. $70, contact info@salemathenaeum.net for registration information.

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Word Up Next Writers Events – March & April 2017 was originally published on Creative Salem