Dr. McCoog 'Leadership Bites' Talk
Dr. Ian J. McCoog will give a reading and talk about his informative and reflective book, Leadership Bites: An Approachable Handbook for Emerging Leaders.
Rootstock Poets Read for PoemCity Program
Scudder Parker, author of Safe as Lightning; Effie Zimet, author of The Lost Grip; Toussaint St. Negritude, author of Mountain Spells; Kim Ward, author of Fire on a Circle; Joyce Thomas, author of Some Things in This World; and Nadine Budbill reading from Davd Budbill's new edition of Judevine.
Nadine Budbill presents readings from Judevine
Join Nadine Budbill at the Hyde Park public library for a reading of David Budbill’s Judevine: A Love Song for a Place and its People. This talk introduces her father and his work, followed by a selection of his evocative and timeless poems.
This event is sponsored by Lamoille Neighbors, Lanpher Memorial Library, and VT Humanities.
Budbill's Judevine Reading in Craftsbury
Nadine Budbill, daughter of David Budbill and his literary executor, will introduce his classic Judevine at the Craftsbury Public Library. Judevine: A Love Song for a Place and its People shines a light on the lives of his Wolcott neighbors who were, in turns, beautiful, ingenious, struggling to survive, and overlooked.
This event is hosted by the Vermont Humanities Council.
Poetry at the Grange with Kolber
Poets, poetry lovers, and everyone interested in poetry are invited to gather at the historic Charlotte Grange Hall! Each month, a local guest poet is featured, and Rootstock Publisher Samantha Kolber is the guest for May, sharing her poems about motherhood ahead of Mother's Day.
After Kolber reads, audience members are then invited to recite poems, and prizes will be offered to those who can recite their poems from memory! Bring a few of your favorite poems or your own poetry to read or recite, or just come to listen.
Learn more at www.charlottegrange.org.
Budbill’s Judevine Launch with Abby Paige
Celebrate the launch and return to Judevine: A Love Song for a Place and Its People, David Budbill’s work about the beloved fictional community. This new and revised edition includes introductions by former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, world-renowned musician and composer William Parker, and Lost Nation Theater Founding Director Kim Bent.
Nadine Budbill, David’s daughter, will be in conversation with actress and playwright Abby Paige, who has acted in Judevine and other Budbill plays. Paige’s first book, Piecework / Travail à la pièce, is a bilingual collection of her two plays about the Franco American experience. Both books will be available for signing and purchase.
'Portrait of an Unseen Woman' Book Launch
Join Roberta Harold in conversation with Baron Wormser, author of Some Months in 1968 and other novels, to celebrate the launch of Harold's Portrait of an Unseen Woman: a Novel of Annie Shaw. Free and open to the public, with refreshments and book signing.
Brattleboro Bookstore Hosts Author Roberta Harold
Roberta Harold will be reading from her new book, Portrait of an Unseen Woman: A Novel of Annie Shaw, in Brattleboro. This fictionalized account imagines the creative life a Civil War widow who flourishes in 1890s Paris. Books will be available for purchase and the author will be signing copies.
Harold Reading in St. Albans
Join Roberta Harold in St. Albans for a reading from Portrait of an Unseen Woman: A Novel of Annie Shaw. This fictionalized account imagines the creative life of a Civil War widow who flourishes in 1890s Paris.
Books will be available for purchase and the author will be signing copies.
Judevine Reading in Hardwick
Join Nadine Budbill, daughter of David Budbill, for a reading of Judevine: A Love Song for a Place and Its People in Hardwick. This new and revised edition includes introductions by former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, world-renowned musician and composer William Parker, and Lost Nation Theater Founding Director Kim Bent.
Norwich Bookstore Hosts Author Roberta Harold
Discover the world of 1890s Paris at a reading by Roberta Harold, author of Portrait of an Unseen Woman: A Novel of Annie Shaw. The author will sign copies of her book, which are available for purchase at the bookstore.
Poetry Salon Features Mary Elder Jacobsen
Mary Elder Jacobsen will be reading from Stonechat, at the June Poetry Salon in the Shelburne public library. She and Angela Patten, author of Feeding the Wild Rabbit, are the featured poets.
To learn more, visit piersonlibrary.org.
Harold at Arlington Common Authors Book Festival
Roberta Harold, author of Portrait of an Unseen Woman: A Novel of Annie Shaw, will be among the more than thirty authors from the Northeast at the Arlington Common Authors Book Festival. The free event features author talks and book signings, titles for sale, and refreshments.
For more information, visit: www.arlingtoncommon.org/book-festival.
Gilded Age Museum Reading with Harold
Roberta Harold will be reading from her novel, Portrait of an Unseen Woman: A Novel of Annie Shaw, at Ventfort Hall in the Museum of the Gilded Age. It’s a fitting location for this fictionalized account of the creative life of a Civil War widow who flourishes in 1890s Paris.
Author Harold at Antiques & Uniques Festival
The Craftsbury Antiques and Uniques Craft Fair on the Craftsbury Common features more than 100 vendors, live music, and food. Author Roberta Harold will be a table with copies of her novel, A Portrait of an Unseen Woman, available for purchase.
Poet Wentworth Opens in Portsmouth
Meghan A. Patricia Wentworth, author of Stay Until Tomorrow, will open a celebration for National Poetry Month at Reedmor Books & Brews in New Hampshire. Copies of her poetry collection will be available for purchase and signing.
Her reading will be followed by headliner Diannely Antigua, followed by a Q&A with poet Cari Moll.
‘Some things in this world’ launches
Poet Joyce Thomas celebrates the launch of her third book of poetry, Some Things in This World: Poems at the Castleton Library. Following a reading, she will be signing books.
PoemCity Book Launch and Open Mic
Join us to celebrate the launch of the new PoemCity Anthology 2025 with readings from headlining poets Bianca Stone, Chard deNiord, and Toussaint St. Negritude on his bass clarinet; followed by an open mic for poets with poems in the anthology. Come and sign up at the door (first come, first serve) to read your poem from this year’s anthology! Free and open to the public. Refreshments served and autographed books for sale.
Bianca Stone is the Vermont Poet Laureate and author of seven books of poetry, most recently What is Otherwise Infinite (Tin House, 2022), which won the 2023 Vermont Book Award in Poetry. Chard deNiord is a former Vermont Poet Laureate (2015-19) and the author of nine books of poetry, most recently Westminster West (Tupelo Press, 2025), and One As Other (Green Writers Press, 2024). Toussaint St. Negritude is the former Poet Laureate of Belfast, Maine, and is the author of the poetry debut Mountain Spells (Rootstock, 2024).
Book Launch for 'Stay Until Tomorrow'
Join poet Meghan A. Patricia Wentworth in celebrating the launch of her debut collection, Stay Until Tomorrow. These autobiographical poems shed light on trauma, heartache, love, loss, and the poet’s self-healing journey.
The author will read and sign books, available for sale by Reedmor Books & Brew. Light refreshments will be provided.
Authors at U-32 Art and Craft Fair
Shop at the U-32 Art and Craft Fair in Montpelier and pick up signed books by J. Peter Cobb and Samantha Kolber! The school fundraiser features over 100 Vermont artists and handcrafters.
Cobb will be signing copies of Some Things Aren't Meant to Be: A Novel from 11 am to 1 pm. Kolber will sign copies of Birth of a Daughter from 1 to 3 pm.
Wentworth Reading at Langdon Library
Meghan A. Patricia Wentworth, author of Stay Until Tomorrow: Poems, will be reading from her book at the public library in Newington, NH. The “meet the author” event includes a Q&A section with Wentworth.
Poet and Publisher Kolber Headlines in Brattleboro
Join Rootstock Publisher and poet Samantha Kolber, who will read poems from her chapbook "Birth of a Daughter" plus new work at a Poetry Open Mic in Brattleboro. Everyone can sign up to read at this event, which is free and open to the public.
Refreshments served and autographed books for sale. Learn more at bywaybooks.co.
C.O. Moed in Conversation in Beacon, NY
Memoirist C.O. Moed, author of It Was Her New York, will be in conversation with essayist and media theorist Chris Campanioni in Beacon, New York. The talk will be moderated by Kathy Curto. Don’t miss this wide-ranging discussion!
Reading of ‘Leadership Bites’
Author Ian McCoog will read from Leadership Bites: An Approachable Handbook for Emerging Leaders at the Commonwealth University Bookstore in Pennsylvania. A Q&A will follow.
'Preaching Happiness' Author Talk on the Power of Meaning
Ginny Sassaman, author of Preaching Happiness, will be speaking at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. She will discuss gratitude for meaning, one of the pillars of personal thriving.
For more information, visit ucmvt.org.
Farmers Night Concert Series Features St. Negritude
Afro-futurist /Oro-shamanic poet and bass clarinetist Toussaint St. Negritude will be a featured performer at the Vermont State House, as part of the Farmers Night Concert Series. St. Negritude, author of Mountain Spells: Poems, “dually conjures the lyric timbre of both his horn and verse, creating his own collaborative ceremony of empathic wonders.”
This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the VT State House. To learn more, visit the series page.
Poet and Clarinetist St. Negritude in Burlington
Toussaint St. Negritude, poet and bass clarinetist, will participate in Burlington’s Black Experience 2025 (#BXVT2025). Join him at the Greater Burlington YMCA for a dance and movement masterclass by Christal Brown, and a reading and poetry class by Toussaint St. Negritude. All ages welcome. For more information visit https://www.blackexperiencevt.com/general-6.
Maine Appearance by Toussaint St. Negritude
The former poet laureate of Belfast, Maine returns to the city to read—and perform—from his debut poetry collection, Mountain Spells. Don’t miss this event! Toussaint St. Negritude will be signing copies.
Leadership Bites Book Launch
Join Ian McCoog to celebrate the launch of Leadership Bites: An Approachable Handbook for Emerging Leaders in Pennsylvania. The author will read and sign copies during a special edition of The Last Word evening of storytelling focused on Leadership.
St. Negritude at Black History Month Celebration
Celebrate Black History Month and joy at an annual community meal with poetry, music, and dancing at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier.
The Human Family Potluck will showcase Black artists and pay special tribute to Nikki Giovanni. Among those appearing is poet and bass clarinetist, Toussaint St. Negritude, author of Mountain Spells. He will be performing and reading from his debut poetry collection.
To learn more, visit the Unitarian Church website.
IPNE Awards Ceremony
Each year, the Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE) hosts its book awards program with the aim of recognizing excellence in independent publishing, past and present. We serve the industry by rewarding authors and publishers for exemplary work and providing readers another means of navigating an increasingly noisy marketplace.
Join us online at 4pm Eastern for a Zoom awards ceremony to celebrate the winners and finalists, including four Rootstock titles!
Please plan to log in 10 to 15 minutes beforehand using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88290540720
Toussaint St. Negritude Reading and Performance
Join the poet and bass clarinetist in a special event at the Flatiron Co-op, in conjunction with the local library and bookstore. Toussaint St. Negritude will be reading—and performing—poetry from his debut collection, Mountain Spells. Village Square booksellers will be selling copies to be signed by the author.
First Night with Toussaint St. Negritude
Celebrate First Night in St. Johnsbury with poet and bass clarinetist Toussaint St. Negritude. He’ll be performing and reading from his debut collection, Mountain Spells. Showtimes are 6 pm and again at 9 pm in the Cabaret Room at Catamount Arts.
Learn more about buying admission buttons at First Night North in St. Johnsbury.
Noir Graphic Novel Featured at Bohemian Bakery Fair
Howard Norman’s graphic novel with illustrations by Annie Bakst will be for sale at the Holiday Bazaar at the Bohemian Bakery. I Refused to be A War Bride is a part of a series, Detective Levy Detects, with many fun cameos of local Montpelier figures.
Howard and Annie will sign copies. Other makers of jams, collage, pottery, and art will be selling gift items as well.
Mountain Spells in Maine
Toussaint St. Negritude returns to Maine, where he was the poet laureate of Belfast, to launch his debut collection in Rockland. The poet and bass clarinetist will perform and sign copies of Mountain Spells: Poems. Doors open at 6 pm; event begins at 6:30 pm
St. Negritude Performance and Book Signing
Toussaint St. Negritude—poet and clarinetist—will perform in Waterbury. The show includes a book signing of his debut, Mountain Spells: Poems.
Toussaint St. Negritude on Vermont Edition
Vermont Edition will feature a conversation with poet and clarinetist Toussaint St. Negritude. He will talk about his debut collection of poetry, Mountain Spells. The show will be rebroadcast at 7 pm.
To listen from anywhere, find Vermont Edition on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
Toussaint St. Negritude performance, book signing
Don’t miss an amazing night with Afrofuturist/Oro-shamanic poet and bass clarinetist Toussaint St. Negritude performing with musicians Caroline Davis and Toby Summerfield in Littleton, NH. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The author will be signing copies of his debut collection of poetry, Mountain Spells.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event page.
Meet Rootstock Authors At ‘Touch of Vermont’ Market
Buy autographed books for friends and family at the Touch of Vermont Holiday Gift Market! These Rootstock authors will be signing copies of their books:
10 am to noon:
Bernie Lambek, author of An Intent to Commit and Uncivil Liberties
Melissa Perley, author of The Violin Family
Noon to 2 pm:
Tamara Mathieu, author of All Who Believed: A Memoir of Life in the Twelve Tribes
Howard Norman, author of I Refused to be a War Bride: Detective Levy Detects
2 to 4 pm:
Peter Cobb, author of Some Things Aren’t Meant to Be and To Alice
Mary Elder Jacobsen, author of Stonechat: Poems
For more information about the event, visit www.touchofvermont.com.
'Conversations with My Mother' Launches in Ohio
Celebrate with author Ronald-Stéphane Gilbert the launch of Conversations With My Mother: A Novel of Dementia on the Maine Coast with the author. The event will feature book signings and complimentary refreshments.
J. Peter Cobb at U-32 ART AND CRAFT FAIR!
Join author J. Peter Cobb at the U-32 Art and Craft Fair where he will be signing and selling his two novels, To Alice, about boundary issues faced by hospice and home care workers and Some Things Aren’t Meant to Be, the story of a man at the center of two love triangles who seeks a purpose-driven life and becomes a Roman Catholic priest.
Rootstock Authors at U-32 Art and Craft Fair!
Join Rootstock Publishing and local authors Toussaint St. Negritude, Tamara Mathieu, and Celia Ryker at the U-32 Art and Craft Fair! Authors will be signing copies of their books. This is a great time to start your holiday shopping and support local artisans and crafters!
Author Signing Times:
11 am to 1 pm: Celia Ryker, Big Guy: A School Horse Story and Augusta: a Novel
12 pm to 2 pm: Toussaint St. Negritude, Mountain Spells: Poems
1 pm to 3 pm: Tamara Mathieu, All Who Believed: a Memoir of Life in the Twelve Tribes
Toussaint St. Negritude Poetry Reading, Music, and Book Signing
Join Toussaint St. Negritude and celebrate the publication of Mountain Spells: Poems in Montpelier! The poet and musician will be at Bear Pond Books to read, perform, and sign copies of his debut collection.
Mermin, Greene to Talk About memoir At Green Mountain Book Festival
Two Rootstock authors will be featured on a panel on “The Craft of Memoir“ at the Green Mountain Book Festival in Burlington. The participants are Thomas Christopher Greene, author of Notes from the Porch: Tiny True Stories to Make You Feel Better about the World, and Rob Mermin, author of Circle of Sawdust: A Circus Memoir of Mud, Myth, Mirth, Mayhem and Magic. The panel, which also features Adrie Kusserow, will be moderated by Sean Prentiss.
The two-day Green Mountain Book Festival honors free expression, embraces diverse voices, and hosts authors from Vermont favorites to best sellers to emerging authors. Books will be on sale at the event. To learn more, visit greenmountainbookfestival.org.
Rootstock Publisher on Publishing panel At Green Mountain Book Festival
Curious to know about how publishing works? Have a draft of a book and you’re not sure what to do next? Join publishers Rachel Fisher (Onion River Press), Samantha Kolber (Rootstock Publishing), and book marketer Heather Roberts (1852 Media) to learn more about the publishing process. They’ll be offering up their expertise and answering your burning questions about how to get your work out into the world.
The two-day Green Mountain Book Festival honors free expression, embraces diverse voices, and hosts authors from Vermont favorites to best sellers to emerging authors. Books will be on sale at the event. To learn more, visit greenmountainbookfestival.org.