Authors gather in Bangor to read their work

“Bangor is very well read,” according to Bill Lippincott, owner of Lippincott Books, a Bangor book shop that specializes in old and rare books. Lippincott also might say that Bangor reads well, and he should know because he’s been listening to area writers read their work during informal reading sessions that he has been holding for three years.

A book salesman for 15 years, Lippincott knows how important it is for writers to have a relaxed space where they can gather to meet other writers and share their compositions and thoughts. Originally, Lippincott scheduled the sessions sporadically, inviting groups of writers to meet at his apartment or at other local spots. In the past year, however, the sessions have been held steadily every fourth Thursday of the month at Bookmarc’s on 10 Harlow St. in Bangor.

“There are a lot of talented people in Bangor, but not many places for them to get together and share ideas. Bookmarc’s is an exciting place for these creative people to get together,” said Lippincott, who moved to Maine from New York in 1973.

A writer and research associate at Bangor Theological Seminary, Janet Beaulieu attends the meetings when she can because they are among the few local events that showcase writing. Some writers come from as far as 100 miles away to attend the reading sessions that include poetry, short stories, chapters from novels and other short pieces. More than 30 people might gather in the book store to read — or just to listen to — other people’s works, and the event may extend for several hours as discussions and critiques continue.

Some writers are interested in receiving feedback; some are not. But everyone is joined by the mutual interest in sharing and exchanging creative ideas.

Lippincott compared the reading sessions to workshops and said the attraction for participants is the interaction they get with other writers of varying skills and backgrounds.

“It’s valuable to see that others are out there writing and working at it. It gives you impetus,” said Lippincott.

One woman who frequently attends the Bookmarc readings has been presenting successive chapters of a novel in progress.

“There are always fresh ideas,” said Gig Weeks, manager at Bookmarc’s. “The varied level of talent makes it a good blend and its non-threatening, especially for new writers.”

Ardeana Hamlin, author of a historical novel set in Bangor titled “Pink Chimneys” and a participant in the Bookmarc readings, agreed.

“The nature of our work makes us moles, but it’s important to be in touch with other writers, to help one another and form a strong sense of identity,” said Hamlin, who occasionally invites more “advanced” writers to her home for separate reading sessions.

Although Lippincott often invites published writers to attend the Bookmarc meetings, the evening event is open to everyone, and there’s no pressure to participate or produce. However, the gathering is social, and the participants often enjoy refreshments while hobnobbing with other writers before the informal readings begin.

The format of the evening is loose and unstructured, say the writers, and the atmosphere is welcoming and creative.

“Poetry reading isn’t something that gets hundreds of people,” said Lippincott. But on the fourth Thursday of each month (except in the summer), literary readings attract more than 20 eager writers and careful listeners to Bookmarc’s.