The inaugural Dogtown Writers Festival exceeded all expectations. Opening to a
packed City Hall auditorium on Friday night, September 27, internationally renown,
literary journalist, Sandy Tolan, set the tone. He made it his responsibility to bring to
light the illustrious history of Gloucester, urging us to continue to protect and work
towards this city’s future. His talk was punctuated meaningfully with recordings of Joe
Garland’s voice exhorting people to stand up for what they believe in, to protect
democracy nationally and locally. The first Joseph Garland Memorial Lecturer, Tolan
knew, as the water all around is rising, that the stakes are high. His riveting talk left us
with renewed vigor to respond to the challenges we face with hope. Writer Willa
Brosnihan, a student at Gloucester High School, preceded Tolan with her stirring poem,
“Dying for the Shack on Ten Pound Island.”
Panel discussions were held at Cape Ann Museum on Saturday morning,
moderated by author, JoeAnn Hart. Distinguished authors/panelists: Anna Solomon/Alan
Weisman, and Charlotte Gordon/James Scrimgeour read excerpts from their works, and
conveyed rare insights on their creative process, and their ideas about history and
literature.
Eight writing workshops were held in various venues around Gloucester,
including museums, historic residences, the Ocean Alliance and Dogtown common. From
1:30 – 4:00 p.m. we worked together, writers all, ignited by the examples of each other.
The Dogtown Writers Festival opened and closed with a wonderful buffet and
chances to socialize at the Gloucester House. Gloucester High School writer Autumn-
Marie Silva read a gripping poem from the Festival’s High School Poetry Writing
Workshop at the open mic with others. .
The committee worked tirelessly for months to assure that this event would serve
the community, its history, its future and its place in the world. Special thanks to Stacey
Dexter and Sandra Williams for their leadership and all the terrific volunteers.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Shubow Nelson