Christina Varga, host at the Varga Gallery, Woodstock, NY.
For three days in April the Woodstock Writer’s Festival brought together writers, agents, publishers and readers- all in a lively, supportive environment. Nestled in the village of Woodstock, no stranger to an influx of creativity, the literary minded hustled from panel to panel, seemingly invigorated by the activities taking place within three intimate locations- the Kleinert/James Center, Upstate Films of Woodstock and Oriole 9.
I was inspired by the three panels I attended, struck by the general sentiment of camaraderie over competition that often accompanies such conferences.
On Saturday, “Behind the Scenes of Rock and Roll”, took place at the Kleinert/James Center. The panel was moderated by Phoenicia’s Holly George-Warren, the celebrated author of over a dozen books exploring the always challenging and often elusive topic of music.
Michael Lang, producer of the Woodstock festival, and author of The Road to Woodstock was joined by Parke Puterbaugh, author of Phish: The Biography and Sean Yseult, former bassist of the art-rock/metal band, White Zombie, and author of I’m In the Band. Each of the panelists brought a light-hearted approach to their work and lives, quite humbly, given each author’s depth of experience.
At her time of rock stardom, Yseult literally broke down the barrier as the only female musician engaged in the particularly rough and tumble world of metal.
Puterbaugh spoke honestly about the challenges in portraying a band during their hey day and then break-up (recent reunion). Set in Woodstock, local legend Lang was showered with a particular reverence from the crowd. He spoke affectionately of the excitement and near chaos that accompanied his vision for the original Woodstock festival. In their own way, each of the panelists addressed the tumultuous nature of the industry with which they are so indelibly entrenched.
One of the most interesting topics touched upon was the subject of memory, given the time span between the actual writing of the books and the events that were explored. Yseult had the benefit of having her photographs as physical reminders, while Lang and Warren spoke candidly about some of the challenges in rehashing the festival’s sequence of events some decades later.
The first annual Woodstock Writer’s Festival focused almost exclusively on the memoir. It was a subject matter intimately familiar to the players involved in this year’s panel. Moderated by the effervescent Martha Frankel, the executive director of the Woodstock Writer’s Festival, the panelists shared their wit and unflinching honesty with a thirsty audience.
The panel included Margaret Roach, author of And I Shall Have Some Peace There, local Woodstock author, Shalom Auslander, of Foreskin’s Lament fame, and memoirist Marion Winik, author of several memoirs including First Comes Love. Martha Frankel, herself an acclaimed author of the memoir, Hats and Eyeglasses, posed some deeply personal questions to the panel, namely- ‘How much is too much information?”
Each of the authors on the panel were profoundly unafraid in their role, as if leading by example. Shalom Auslander took the approach, that if you’re going to have the courage to write about your life, then you must have the courage to dig in deep. Each of the authors took turns in reading some of their most revealing subject matter- which highlighted some provocative sexual memories.
On Sunday, the agents and publishers panel took place at Upstate Films in Woodstock, featuring a broad history on the subject. The remarkable Betty Ballantine, of Ballantine Press, who at 91 years of age, has seen the history of publishing from a unique angle, made a lasting impression. Clearly not losing any of her spark, she made a few witty retorts that the publishing industry had not improved with the advent of technology. Dan Conoway, an established agent from Writers House, spoke eloquently about how he chooses his authors- a method not unlike dating. While Debbie Allen explored the history and possibilities of her unique Black Dome Press. Rick Tannenbaum, of Hen House Press, represented the modern end of the spectrum, with the focus of his publishing company existing almost exclusively in the digital realm.
During the course of the panel, the owner of Woodstock’s local bookstore, The Golden Notebook, stood up to remind the audience that online purchases of books have become an equalizer between the larger chains and independent bookstores. Martha Frankel, from the audience this time, voiced her enthusiasm for the new medium, praising local Woodstock author, Susan Barnett, for her collection of short stories published by Rick Tannenbaum and Hen House Press.
Following the panel, the panelists continued to answer a wide range of personal and professional queries from an affectionate audience at the neighboring Varga Gallery, hosted by local artist, Christina Varga.
After the obvious success of the second annual Woodstock Writer’s Festival,
there is little doubt that momentum is already developing for round three. Betty Ballantine, in speaking about her role in supporting a writer’s vision, summed up the general sentiment.
“It’s a joy when you can grab a hold of it and let it grow,” said Ballantine.