At the end of March 2023, we gathered in Essex, MA at the Calder Classics Institute for the Calder Classics’ Inaugural Writing Retreat. Spring was in the air as we settled in to work on novel projects, short stories, and a sonnet cycle. The view from the window was inspiring and long walks on the marsh cleared our heads.
After a long day of writing, we found time to explore the local towns of Gloucester and Manchester by the Sea, stepping into a local book shop and exploring Singing Beach.
Having the time, space and access to nature is so important when trying to start a new project or wrap up an old one. We all benefitted enormously from the chance to be together, have lively dinner conversations about literature and to take time to think, away from the bustle of our city lives. Thank you Calder Classics!
Scholars in Residence – March 2023
Alyssa Northrop has her MFA in fiction writing from Brooklyn College where she was the recipient of the Himan Brown Award and a Truman Capote scholarship. Her fiction has appeared most recently in Joyland, Colorado Review, Epiphany, and The South Carolina Review. She teaches Creative Writing and Composition at Brooklyn College and is a college essay coach. During her residency, Alyssa plans to work on the novel she is currently writing. https://www.alyssa-northrop.com/
Lisa Metrikin lives in Toronto, where she's at work on a novel. Her short stories have appeared in Cimarron Review, Sycamore Review, The Humber Literary Review, The Louisville Review, and elsewhere. She's been longlisted for the CBC Short Story Prize and was a finalist for the Malahat Review Open Seasons Award. Lisa holds an MFA from Brooklyn College. Lisa is the Founder and Director of the Young Writers' Lab, the former Editor in Chief of The Brooklyn Review, and the mother of two beautiful young children.
Madeline Gilmore who has a BA from Williams College and an MFA from Boston University. She was a recipient of a Brooklyn Poets fellowship and was shortlisted for the 2019 Mick Imlah Poetry Prize from the Times Literary Supplement. Her poetry has appeared in Guesthouse, Epiphany, Bodega, Vinyl, and others. She is the co-editor of Volume Poetry. Originally from North Carolina, Madeline now lives in Brooklyn. https://www.madelinegilmore.com/
Elizabeth Sobel holds her MFA from Brooklyn College, where she was a fellowship recipient, and is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Editorial and Content at Double Verify, a leading advertising technology company and is at work on her first novel.