Book cover for “My Heart Fills With Happiness / Nijiikendam” by Monique Gray Smith, featuring an illustration of a child lying on a yellow background surrounded by white flowers.

Native American Heritage Month

Creative Collective Team

Join us for a reading of the book My Heart Fills With Happiness, written by Monique Gray Smith (Cree and Scottish) and illustrated by Julie Flett (Swampy Cree and Red River Métis). What fills your heart with happiness? This bilingual book in English and Anishinaabemowin was written to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and encourages readers of …

An old typewriter with a piece of paper on it.

Salem Literary Festival 2023: September 5-10

The Salem Athenaeum is pleased to announce the fourteenth Salem Literary Festival (aka Salem Lit Fest), happening September 5-10. Most of this year’s festival will be held in person in locations around Salem, with a few sessions only offered online. The Lit Fest features more than 40 notable writers from across genres sharing their stories and writing advice with each …

a stack of books sitting on top of a wooden table.

These Stories Will Get You in the Mood for Halloween

Editor’s Note – We’ve linked Amazon listings for ease of finding and image linking (and it does help self-published authors if you review their books on that platform), but we HIGHLY recommend you supporting your local indie bookstore. Here is a list of Massachusetts Independent Bookstores for easy access. Many of them have online ordering and curbside pickup. There’s nothing …

a banner hanging from the side of a building.

Book It to This Year’s Salem Literary Festival

by Joey Phoenix The Salem Literary Festival opens this coming weekend, September 10-13, with virtual discussions and events featuring local authors, poets, and performers. Although this year presents some challenges in regards to how to have a public festival safely during a global pandemic, the Festival will maintain its longstanding tradition of hosting readings, writing workshops, panel discussions, and artistic …

A Celebration of Books and Authors at The 2019 Salem Literary Festival

The Salem Literary Festival is returning to Salem this weekend for a celebration of literature and the writers who created it. Events will take place at the Salem Athenaeum and the Cellar at Hotel Salem starting on Friday evening and going through Sunday Now presented by the Salem Athenaeum, the Salem Lit Fest aims to inspire and promote literacy and …

Summer Reading List – 8 Books for Creative Minds

by Rachel Stigers, Bookseller at Wicked Good Booksand Joey Phoenix, Editor at Creative North Shore Creative people need a constant supply of input and inspiration to do the things that they do. When they’re not actively creating, they’re often attending art shows and concerts, having interesting conversations and reading everything they can get their hands on. Reading, in particular, allows …