Local writers read at Open Mike event

Eleven members of the Santa Cruz Valley Chapter of the Society of Southwestern Authors shared their work at an Open Mike event on Monday at the Joyner-Green Valley Library reading from essays, memoirs, short stories, mysteries, poetry, novels and allegories.

With each author reading for 10 minutes, Mary Maas kicked off the event by reading two humorous essays, one centering on a family farm retrospective. Although jovial, it was written from the heart.

Retired therapist Matt Freese, who could also be called actor and comedian, read an excerpt from his book of short stories called “Little Errands.” The comedic reading focused on an obsessive-compulsive man who mailed two letters in a standard U.S. Postal Service mailbox only to fret endlessly if the letters were stuck or did indeed go down the chute and off to their destinations.

Jo Anderson read several short poems. One centered on “snowbirds” bemoaning an overcast day in Green Valley and another on the recent eclipse — or what early man once thought was the end of the world.

Essayist David Colpitts entertained with his lively essay about “Writer Rejection.” Why join a writer’s group and help the competition, he joked. Then he read a witty explanation of the different levels of editorial rejection letters. Judging by the audience’s reaction, each was familiar with the various forms of publisher rejections.

Denise Roessle read from her poignant and personal essay on giving up a son at birth and rediscovering him at age 26. Former Navy wife Marilyn Pate read from her memoir “The Green Gecko”— a illustrative retrospective about her years in Japan.

Other author/readers included JoAnn Haberer, Mary Darling, Pat Krohn, Joni White and Claude Campbell.

Asked her reaction to the society’s first “Open Mike” event, president of the SSA Marilyn Pate said, “I was delighted… it was the first time in front of a microphone for some and a good experience for everyone.”

The next meeting, scheduled for May 5, will feature fiction writer Harvey Stanbrough.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.