branfordct

Fireside Chat & Poetry Reading with Jen Payne Honoring International Women’s Day

As part of its ongoing Fireside Chats program, the Blackstone Memorial Library welcomes Branford author Jen Payne for a poetry reading on Saturday, March 8, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

In honor of International Women’s Day, Jen will be reading from her new book, Sleeping with Ghosts, focusing on some of the women she’s written about — mentors and muses and friends. After the reading, Jen will be joined by Laura Noe for a conversation about how our relationships with women influence and inspire us. Laura, a local author as well, holds a master’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies, and is currently teaching the Psychology of Women at SCSU. Attendees are welcome to bring a short (100 words or so) introduction about one important woman in your life to share with the group.

Copies of Sleeping with Ghosts will be available for sale during the event. Refreshments will be served.

This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The Blackstone Memorial Library is located at 758 Main Street, Branford. For more information, visit http://www.blackstonelibrary.org.

Jen Payne is a poet, author, photographer, and artist. She is inspired by those life moments that move us most — love and loss, joy and disappointment, milestones and turning points. Her writing serves as witness to these in the form of poetry, creative non-fiction, flash fiction and essay. When she is not exploring our connections with one another, she enjoys contemplating our relationships with nature, creativity, spirituality and our inner lives. Ultimately, she believes it is the alchemy of those things that helps us find balance in this frenetic, spinning world.

Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Sunspot Literary Journal, The Perch, and the 2024 Connecticut Literary Anthology. She has written five books: Look Up!, Evidence of Flossing, Waiting Out the Storm, Water Under the Bridge, and Sleeping with Ghosts, all of which are available to borrow from the Blackstone Library. They can also be purchased online at 3chairspublishing.com.

Upcoming Spring Events

FEBRUARY 13
Valentine’s Book Signing & Spontaneous Poetry Reading
Thursday, February 13, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
at Guilford Art Center (411 Church Street, Guilford)

The Shop at Guilford Art Center is hosting a Valentine’s Day Shopping Event, all day on Thursday, February 13. Come see the treasury of beautiful objects made by hand with lots of love…it’s the perfect place to find gifts for the loves in your life. As a special treat, I’ll be signing copies of my book Sleeping with Ghosts, handing out homemade cookies, and doing spontaneous poetry readings from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Please stop by!

FEBRUARY 15
Center Cemetery Book Launch with Jane Bouley
Saturday, February 15, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
at the Blackstone Memorial Library (758 Main Street, Branford)

Join local author and Branford Town Historian Jane Bouley for an Open House and Book Launch highlighting her most recent work Center Cemetery: Church Yard Section. The two-volume work includes the record and photographs of 470 gravestones in the oldest section of Branford Center Cemetery on Montowese Street. Jane will show photographs, describe the book, and answer questions. Refreshments will be served.

This is the third book that Words by Jen has helped Jane publish, and I am honored to have been invited to be part of this event to answer questions about book publishing. Please stop by to say hello!

MARCH 8
Fireside Chat & Poetry Reading with Jen Payne Honoring International Women’s Day
Saturday, March 8, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
at the Blackstone Memorial Library (758 Main Street, Branford)

Please join me for a special poetry reading to honor International Women’s Day. I’ll be reading from my new book, Sleeping with Ghosts, focusing on some of the astounding women I’ve known — mentors and muses and dear friends. Together, we’ll talk about how our relationships with women influence and inspire us. If you’d like, please bring a short (100 words or so) introduction about one important woman in your life to share with the group.

APRIL 27
Book Signing & Spontaneous Poetry
Reading at Breakwater Books
Sunday, April 27, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
at Breakwater Books (81 Whitfield Street, Guilford)

I’ll see you on the CT Book Trail at Breakwater Books in Guilford, where I’ll be signing copies of my book Sleeping with Ghosts, handing out some sweet treats, and doing spontaneous poetry readings from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Plus, get your CT Book Trail Passport stamped for a chance to win over $4,000 in prizes as part of the 2-day CT Book Trail Passport Challenge!