Anthology Provides Insight to Writers’ Trials, Triumphs, and Life Lessons
Anthology Provides Insight to Writers’ Trials, Triumphs, and Life Lessons
By: claycormany in Books
After over two years of planning, discussion, writing, revision, and occasional angst, Lost and Found: An Anthology of Poems, Memoirs, and Stories has become a reality. The book made its official debut on May 5 at the 2018 Columbus State Writers Conference, and in the weeks and months ahead, the GEM-C Writers will be working to make the book known throughout central Ohio. A book launch ceremony may be held as well as public readings at libraries, bookstores, and “open mic” sessions. We will almost certainly have copies of Lost and Found on sale at two local bookstores that sell the works of local authors on consignment. Copies may also be donated to office waiting rooms and coffee shops. Although none of us expects to see Lost and Found on any bestseller lists, we know this book has the ability to provide encouragement, hope, and guidance to people who’ve had lost-and-found experiences similar to our own.
The anthology is dedicated to the memory of Karen D’Arbanville, an adjunct English instructor at Columbus State. Karen, who passed away about 10 years ago, was one of the most innovative people I have ever known. Besides founding the Saturday Writers Workshop, the forerunner to the GEM-C Writers, she was a leader in organizing the college’s annual writers conferences, which have been held every year since 2001. As for the content of Lost and Found, the book’s introduction provides the best summary:
We come into this world with nothing and leave it empty handed. But between our entrance and exit, we go through cycles of finding things, losing them, and then sometimes finding them again. Part of the human experience, in fact, seems to revolve around the adventures we undertake to find those things that make life worth living. Equally significant are the pain and worry we endure when something of value is lost. If we are fortunate, we learn some lessons about ourselves and others along the way.
In the anthology that follows, the GEM-C Writers of Columbus State express a variety of perspectives on things – both tangible and intangible – that have been lost and found. In both prose and poetry, fiction and nonfiction, they reflect on the death of loved ones, a scientific discovery, a decline in health, an unexpected friendship, a classroom romance, and many other events that are common to people everywhere. At a time when it seems that so many issues divide us, it may help to remember that all of us are united by what we can find and what we can lose.
Lost and Found can be purchased for $5 from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Anthology-Memoirs-Stories/dp/1986215954. An e-book version should be available in the near future.