In their mission statement for The American Mercury in 1924, cofounders H.L. Mencken and George Nathan got at the heart at what drives independent writers in this country: their desire to offer a “realistic presentation of the whole gaudy, gorgeous American scene.”
We don’t agree with everything that Mencken wrote, but we appreciate his independent thinking and willingness to challenge orthodoxies of all kinds–and the fact that 86 years ago, his Baltimore-based journal became a nexus for freelance writing and spirited debate.
In the spirit of Maryland’s most famous contrarian, we hold monthly nonfiction readings to celebrate the creativity and the integrity of independent writers and journalists. We also celebrate a city where truth is frequently stranger than fiction.
This city has several excellent reading venues — the 510 readings, Atomic Books, and Stoop Storytelling all come to mind — but this is unique in that it has one requirement: nothing but the truth. We’ve had a taxi driver, a part time magician, a columnist, a radio host, an Iraq veteran, students, journalists and aging punk rockers. Somehow, the combination always seems to work.
With the assistance of the Windup Space, we’re offering a place for freelancers, nonfiction writers, and journalists to talk and write about their city, the state, their country, and their lives. We hope you’ll join us and check out what they have to say.
As event curators, we are currently trying to do what we can to get more writers in front of audiences. If you’re interested in writing, or if you have suggestions, please let us know. Place your name, email, and contact info below. We’ll get back to you.
