A Rochester-based literary organization hosted its first beach read Aug. 21 featuring three bestselling authors.
Co-founded by writers Tyler Barton and Erin Dorney in 2015, Fear No Lit is an independent literary organization dedicated to curating unique literary experiences in person and online. They also provide resources like grants, free notebooks and crafts to the community.
Its new literary reading series emerged with an inaugural book reading at Hamlin Beach State Park. “We’re both writers, and we just like to have events like this for the public to come and enjoy words in weird places,” Dorney said. “Hamlin Beach is really special to me; I grew up just a few roads away from here, and I’ve been coming to this space for a long time.”
Guests
attending the book reading listened to excerpts from works written by three bestselling authors, Angelique Stevens, Danny Caine and T Kira Māhealani Madden.
Angelique Stevens
Stevens, who is Towanda Seneca, grew up in Kendall. She has been published in Best American Essays 2022 and 2023. Now, Stevens teaches creative writing, literature of genocide and race literatures at Monroe Community College in Rochester.
Danny Caine
Following his graduation from the University of Kansas with an MFA in Creative Writing (poetry), Caine published his first chapbook, Uncle Harold's Maxwell House Haggadah in 2017. Most recently, Caine published How to Defend Books and Why: Book Bans and How We Fight Them, and Jewish American Dream, winner of the first Sarabande Chapbook Prize.
T Kira Māhealani Madden
Madden is a queer, diasporic Kanaka 'Ōiwi (native Hawaiian) author of the recently published novel, Whidbey. Her memoir, Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls, was named a New York Times Editors' Choice, and listed as a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle John Leonard Prize and the Lambda Literary Award.
According to the organization's site, the date for the next reading has yet to be determined; organizers plan to continue the series. Visit fearnolit.com to learn more.
— Genae Shields is the Business and Development Impact Reporter, working on mobility stories that focus on how people get around Rochester. As a member of the local community, Genae enjoys learning about emerging businesses and changes that impact Rochester's BIPOC and LGBTQ neighborhoods. She also enjoys supporting local artists and nonprofit organizations. Reach out at gshields@usatodayco.com or on Instagram:@genaebriphoto for questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you for your continued support!
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Fear No Lit launches beach reading series at Hamlin Beach | Exclusive
