Dog Ears Plans Programs for Kids, Poets and Aspiring Writers | Arts & Culture

A writers’ workshop for kids, an evening of poetry, and comedy and fictional writing workshops are all scheduled this month at Dog Ears Bookstore, 688 Abbott Road, Buffalo.

Sara Ries will host the writers’ workshop for kids, Expressing Yourself Through Poetry and Art, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at the nonprofit bookstore. In a fun and nurturing environment, participants will roll up their sleeves and grab their pens, pastels, paint, photographs, glitter and glue to experience what happens when several art forms are combined. Bring your own art supplies or use what is provided by the instructor. In an exploratory way, these students will blur the line between poetry and art to let them live together on the same page.

The kids’ workshop is limited to 12 students and the fee is $20.

The monthly 4th Friday Poetry Series continues from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 27, at Dog Ears and will feature local poet Judith Rucki. As always, there will be some open reading slots and refreshments. A $2 donation benefits educational programs provided through the bookstore.

Rucki, who grew up in Cheektowaga and now resides in Bowmansville, spent most of her 40-year career in marketing, advertising and public relations roles. She is currently a freelance writer and public relations consultant. Her first book of poetry, Fragments of a Life, was published by No Frills Buffalo in November 2011.

Dog Ears Bookstore will also host a four-week Comedy Writing Workshop with Tim Joyce beginning Monday, July 30. Held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 20, there is a 12-person limit for the class and the cost for the course is $60. 

Techniques used by comedy writers for theatre, film, television and stand-up comedy will be explored, as well as the humorous essay writing of David Sedaris.

John Schreier will lead a Flash Fiction Workshop from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays from July 31 through Aug. 21. Participants are asked to bring some fiction currently in progress to kick start the program for the first session. Writers must be willing to share their work with the group and offer constructive, positive criticism to fellow members in this workshop format. Although this is not a formal classroom setting, the sessions will offer writers an opportunity to improve their prose and be enriched by interaction within the group.

To date, the flash fiction group has self-published three anthologies of original fiction. A number of local authors have participated in the past and discussed their trade with the group. The cost is $60 and the class is limited to 12 writers.

For more information about the bookstore or to register for upcoming events, please visit www.dogearsbookstore.org or call 823-2665. You can also follow Dog Ears Bookstore on Facebook for frequent updates.