MISSION

Literature Alive! is the literary component of the Center for the Arts.

THE ORGANIZATION

Literature Alive! is a nonprofit membership organization with roots in the Sierra Foothill towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley, California. The organization was formed to bring the living voice of American literature to the local community by presenting public readings and festivals celebrating writers and their words.

From hosting small readings in a local bookstore in 1994, Literature Alive! has grown in size, influence, and reputation.

Literature Alive! has sponsored more than 60 reading and workshop events with poets, fiction and nonfiction writers, storytellers, and songwriters, including: Anne Lamott, Amy Tan, Alicia Ostriker, Robert Hass, Pam Houston, Gail Entrekin, Kim Stanley Robinson, Molly Gloss, Linda Watanabe McFerrin, J.S. Holliday, James D. Houston, Jeanne Wakatsuki, Gary Snyder, Maxine Hong Kingston, Charles Entrekin, Peter Collier, Utah Phillips, Sands Hall, Louis B. Jones, Francisco Alarcón, Terry Tempest Williams, Oakley Hall, Molly Fisk, John Nichols, Alfredo Véa, John Straley, Cara Black, Ayelet Waldman, Thomas Keneally, Ken Kesey, Karen Joy Fowler, and many more.

Literature Alive! events have included an alphabet parade down the streets of Nevada City; a book fair; a small-press, printing press demonstration; paper-making and handmade-book workshops; the writing and performing of radio dramas; and a variety of other word- and book- and literature-related activities and events. Literature Alive! began and continues to sponsor a
poetry-writing program, which the students have named Inkwell, for local high school students.

Literature Alive! was pleased to present to an enthusiastic audience the West Coast premiere of Pam Houston's popular
novel Sight Hound, adapted and performed by Martin Buchanan as a one-man play.

Literature Alive!'s signature event is Wordslingers presented each fall. The most recent Wordslingers event
featured writer Amy Tan. Listening to the Wild, an annual celebration of the natural work in prose and poetry, takes place each spring.

Since its beginnings, Literature Alive! has been fortunate to have as board members an enthusiastic, hard-working, and diverse group. All board members participate in the various activities of program planning and production, community outreach, and fundraising.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Those who serve or have served on the committee include teachers and professors, librarians, writers, business people, booksellers, attorneys, actors, and others. Many on the advisory board are former members of the active board and continue to assist with Literature Alive!'s programs and events.