Queens Writers Celebrate Queens Writers

Newtown Literary presented a unique reading at Espresso 77 in Jackson Heights last Monday. Queens writers, including some editors of Newtown Literary, read works by other Queens writers that had impressed, delighted, or otherwise spoken to them.

Organized by Jackie Sherbow, editor of the journal, and emceed by Richard Jeffrey Newman, author of Words For What Those Men Have Done, the evening was a reflection on what makes writing readable, and a revelation of the breadth and depth of literary talent in Queens.

Aida Zilelian, author of The Legacy Of Lost Things, read from a story by Rich Watson, who is working on his debut novel For The Pennant, a baseball story.

Sokunthary Svay, author of Apsara In New York, read poems by Danny Riviera, whose writing has appeared in Timber and Huizache.

Joe Okonkwo, author of Jazz Moon, winner of the Publishing Triangle's Edmund White Award for debut fiction, read from the short story "A New Place" by Olumide Owoo.

Luis H. Francia, whose memoir Eye of the Fish: A Personal Archipelago won the PEN open Book Award, read poems by Sandra Proto, author of several volumes of poetry, including Sketches: An Ekphrastic Journey.