RONAn Writers' House Opens to a Near-Capacity First Reading
The RONAn Writers' House held its first public reading to near-capacity turnout Friday evening, drawing 74 attendees to hear resident authors share works-in-progress. Organizers called the response a strong signal of local appetite for the program.
UNDERHILL, Vermont — The RONAn Writers' House filled nearly every chair on Friday evening for its inaugural public reading, with 74 people settling in to hear resident authors share poetry, memoir, and short fiction still taking shape. The venue holds 80.
"We didn't know quite what to expect," said Maren Okafor, one of the event's organizers. "But people stayed for the whole thing, and they lingered after. That tells you something."
Simultaneous French-English interpretation ran throughout the evening, reflecting the Writers' House's commitment to both of RONA's working literary languages.
One attendee, a retired schoolteacher from Jericho who gave her name only as Diane, said she had driven over on the strength of a neighbor's recommendation. "It felt like being let in on something early," she said. "I'd like to come back before they're done."
Organizers say they are considering a follow-up event before the current residency cohort wraps in May.