American author comes to River Bookshop for writing workshop

Author Maureen Aitken presented a workshop on flash fiction late last month at the River Bookshop in Amherstburg. Aitken, who now lives in Minneapolis, also did a reading from her book “The Patron Saint of Lost Girls.”

An author came to River Bookshop recently for a one-hour reading and workshop.

Award winning author and college professor Maureen Aitken led the workshop Sept. 23, on the heels of the release of her short story collection “The Patron Saint of Lost Girls.”

Aitken said she is familiar with Amherstburg from when she lived in Michigan, and still visits the town. She said the event at River Bookshop was mostly a reading and she gave tips on how to write flash fiction.

Flash fiction is fiction that takes under 1,000 words to complete. She said it is a more popular way to write now, adding it is like an online journal.

About four or five stories in her new book are flash fiction, she added.

“It’s a good test for young writers to flex their muscles and see what they can do,” said Aitken, who now lives in Minneapolis.

“The Patron Saint of Lost Girls” is her first book and was reissued by Wayne State University Press. She said she is working on two more books, one fiction and one non-fiction.

Advice she would give aspiring writers is to have writing groups and support systems they can bounce ideas off of. 

“I think one of the great things about being a writer is the community you can build with other writers,” she said. “It’s fun to share stories.”

In order to be a good writer, people should also be good readers.

Aitken said she has always found Amherstburg to be “very charming.” 

According to the press kit on Aitken’s book: “Maureen Aitken’s The Patron Saint of Lost Girls, set in the 1970s and ‘80s is the story of one young woman growing up in Detroit, Michigan, where jobs were scarce and many executives and auto workers were laid off. The economic stagflation of the 1970s and recession of the 1980s. In this collection of linked stories, we follow Mary as she seeks to cope with and withstands hardship and confront her fears of exploitation, abuse and death. Along the way, she delves into the complex yet nurturing relationships with her family and friends who teach her to love better, live fuller, and question power. The Patron Saint of Lost Girls presents an unflinching tale of life in the late 20th-century post-industrial Midwest.”

Meaghan Desjardins, lead bookseller at the River Bookshop, said one of her sales contacts put her in touch with Aitken and the idea grew from there to bring her in. 

“I’ve always wanted to do workshops,” said Desjardins. “It all fell into place.”

Desjardins added they have a few more ideas for workshops and the plan is to have more of them. Nothing is set in stone as of yet, but ideas are being pursued.

“We’re grateful to Maureen for bringing in her expertise,” she said.

American author comes to River Bookshop for writing workshop

By Ron Giofu