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.”
Like other cities and towns around the country, Baltimore is full of talented writers and freelance journalists. But they have fewer places to publish, or interact, as local and national print media continue to contract. Toothless truthiness has moved in to replace truth as a primary function of the press (or what remains of it), and a lot of writers are getting left behind in that equation.
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 Baltimore’s most famous contrarian, we hold monthly nonfiction readings to celebrate the creativity and the integrity of independent writers and journalists.
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, 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 nonfiction writers in front of audiences. If you’re interested in writing, or if you have suggestions, please let us know. You can contact us by email:
John Barry: jrbarry63@yahoo.com
Deborah Rudacille: drudacille@hotmail.com
