Kaye Kelly Talks About her book "The Modern Creative" (audio)

FM #1491 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1491 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Kaye Kelly, musician, teacher, arts advocate and now author of her first book; "The Modern Creative: A Practical Guide for 21st Century Artists."  We had our discussion on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio.

 

We talk about 

• Kaye’s life in Franklin

• Teaching at Berklee, raising a family, performing

• Leading to her first book

• Ear training, a real thing for aspiring musicians

• Flexibility and grace in living the artist life

The recording runs about 34 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1491-kaye-kelly-talks-about-the-modern-creative-08-05-25/

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Steve & Kaye in the Studio

Kaye Kelly’s home page ->  https://www.kayekelly.com/ 

Berklee profile age -> https://college.berklee.edu/faculty/kaye-kelly 

Instagram  “One Creative Life” https://www.instagram.com/one_creative_life/ 

Book page not yet available (will be updated when it is)

A brief Berklee video explaining more about ear training -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOR5AtFhomI 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Book & virtual author & conversation & liquid beverages & snacks at Pour Richard's Aug 17

Book & virtual author & conversation &
sip & snack at Pour Richard's Aug 17

book: The Correspondent
author: Virginia Evans
location: Franklin, MA
host: Pour Richard’s
date: August 17th
time: 2-5PM

In partnership with Pour Richard’s Wine Shop in Franklin, MA we are excited to have you join us for a dayTREAT! What is a dayTREAT?

A little taste of one of our weekend retreats or summer camps! Join us at Pour Richard’s Wine Shop in Franklin, MA for an afternoon of BOOKISH BLISS! YOUR TICKET INCLUDES: AUTHOR CHAT with Virginia Evans. In this virtual chat and Q&A, she will be discussing her debut book, The Correspondent. WELCOME GIFT of The Correspondent and some Book a Break Goodies. BOOKISH CRAFTS to create on site and take home after the event. PLOT TWIST: you came for books, but Pour Richard’s is serving up swoon-worthy sips and snacks that might just steal the show. A little taste here, a new favorite there… suddenly your reading break comes with a charcuterie pairing.

TICKET DETAILS -> https://www.bookabreak.org/retreats/p/book-a-break-daytreat-ka7rl

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DM-TAh0xPaX/

Franklin Public Schools Receive $5,000 Grant to Continue Visiting Author Program

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Horace Mann Middle School Reading Specialist Erin O'Leary are proud to share that Franklin Public Schools have been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Franklin Cultural Council to continue the visiting author program.

"I want to thank the Franklin Cultural Council for such a generous donation that will allow us to continue the visiting author program," O'Leary said. "With their help, we can continue promoting engaging and hands-on reading curriculum that unites the three middle schools in a unique and exciting way."

Author Steve Sheinkin presents to the Remington Middle School student body. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

The three Franklin middle schools have a long-standing tradition of welcoming highly engaging young adult authors. The program was originally a schoolwide initiative at Horace Mann Middle School but spread to all three middle schools in 2019.

The visiting author program is built around contemporary authors whose books are popular, engaging, and speak to the middle school experience. Reading specialists collaborate with publishers, school and district administrators, the Franklin Public Library, and Plainville bookstore An Unlikely Story to select an author whose work aligns with Franklin's core values and curriculum. Previous authors include Aisha Saeed, Jordan Sonnenblick and Steve Sheinkin.

In recent years, the middle school visiting author experience has been a three-day residency. The author spends a full day at each middle school presenting to the student body, signing books, answering questions, and hosting small group writing and reading sessions. There is also an evening event for community members, allowing families to meet the author and share a common experience with their students.

The visiting author's work is woven into the curriculum leading up to the visit. Their books are used for summer reading, purchased for classroom libraries, and chosen for read-alouds. Teachers utilize the author's books to teach lessons regarding figurative language, dialogue, paragraph structure, and other skills.

Given the scope of this endeavor, the schools seek multiple funding sources to sustain the program. O'Leary has been awarded a grant to finance part of the experience for the last several years. And thanks to the Franklin Cultural Council's grant, the visiting author program will continue in the 2025-26 school year.

"The visiting author program has become an integral part of the middle school curriculum," Superintendent Giguere said. "It promotes literacy development and connections within our school community and across the district and town. We are very grateful to the Franklin Cultural Council and thank them for their donation. Thanks to them, we can continue our tradition of encouraging a love of reading through dynamic programs such as this one."

Author Steve Sheinkin Scheduled for Middle Schools on Wed, Nov 20

Author Steve Sheinkin Scheduled for Middle Schools on Wed, Nov 20

All In Reading Author Visit features Steve Sheinkin on Nov 10 for all 3 middle schools

Via Erin O'Leary of The Crazy Reading Ladies:

"Hosting a #visitingauthor is one of the best parts of my job. Over the years, we have been privileged to welcome some of the very best - absolute legends @rutasepetysauthor @brigidkemmerer @jordansonnenblick @aishacs @christopher_golden @heyleslieconnor (and Casey Sherman and Doug Wilson, but I can't find them to tag them!)

I was so thrilled when @stevesheinkin said YES and agreed to come to Franklin! He will visit all three #middleschools on Wednesday, November 20. 

Thanks to the teachers and admin at each building who are making this visit possible. Let the countdown begin!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DAUFTIVy-Pt/

All In Reading Author Visit features Steve Sheinkin on Nov 10 for all 3 middle schools

Talking Boston, vampires, and writing with local author J.M. Celi (audio)

FM #1246 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1246 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with local author J.M. Celi. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. 

Our conversation lets you find out more about Jamie and his second independently published work “The Vampires of 1863.” 

This is a prequel to the work we had talked about in November 2023 “The Unlife of Lisa Cooper: Conviction.” 

We talk about Jamie’s writing process from draft through multiple reviews and edits to publication, as well as the magic of writing when it can happen.

The recording runs about 37 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1246-author-j-m-celi-07-16-24/

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J.M. Celi’s author web site -> https://www.jmceli.com/

“The Vampires of 1863” can be found in most bookstores. 

Our prior conversation about “The Unlife of Lisa Cooper: Conviction”  can be found here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/author-jm-celi-wrote-book-he-couldnt.html

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Talking Boston, vampires, and writing with local author J.M. Celi (audio)

Book Talk and Presentation by Miriam Ornstein, Sunday, May 5 - 2 PM at Franklin Public Library

The Temple Etz Chaim Sisterhood (in partnership with the Franklin Public Library) is hosting a Book Event in observance of Yom HaShoah on Sunday, May 5 at 2 PM at the Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street, Franklin, MA.

Miriam Ornstein will share stories from the book My Mother's Eyes - Holocaust Memories of a Young Girl, written by her mother, Anna Ornstein. 

Anna Ornstein is a psychoanalyst and Hungarian Jewish survivor of the Holocaust. The book event is free and open to the public. 

Those who would like to - may obtain a copy of the book at the event by making a $25 donation via the Temple Etz Chaim website.  https://temple-etzchaim.org 

The event is free and open to the public. 

Friends and community are welcome. 

Please join us.

My Mother's Eyes - Holocaust Memories of a Young Girl

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FpKlAAsGrUvjFl9HxVrSqRuuwl9PxHDw/view?usp=drive_link

Pen to Picture: A Graphic Novelist Panel! Saturday, May 4 at 1:00 PM

Join us in partnership with the Franklin Public Middle Schools as we welcome writer, illustrator, and graphic novelist Jarrett J. Krosoczka to Franklin! 

Hear all about his creative process and participate in interactive breakout sessions.

Photo ops and book signings too! 

Event made possible by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council.

Pen to Picture: A Graphic Novelist Panel! Saturday, May 4 at 1:00 PM

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/pen-picture-graphic-novelist-panel

From the Crazy Reading Ladies - Save the Date - May 4 for "Pen to Picture" with Jarrett Krosoczka

Spend #starwarsday celebrating #graphicnovels with

@StudioJJK

!  

Join us for Pen to Picture

@FrkPublicLib

May 4 at 1 PM.  

Thanks to a grant from

@masscultural

this event is free and open to the public!

From the Crazy Reading Ladies - Save the Date - May 4 for "Pen to Picture" with Jarrett Krosoczka

Jarrett Krosoczka, author, illustrator, and graphic novelist will be at the Franklin Library for an author talk, drawing demos, photo ops, and more 

Watch Jarrett's TED Talk ->   https://www.ted.com/talks/jarrett_j_krosoczka_how_a_boy_became_an_artist

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/allinreading/status/1775890568188498176

Jessica Lepe to make a visit to Escape into Fiction on Saturday, March 23, 4 PM

"Coming this Saturday!!!   3/23/24 at 3 PM

Meet and Greet for Jessica Lepe and her Debut book Flirty Little Secret!"

#JessicaLepe #FlirtyLittleSecret #MillisMA #franklinmassachusetts #NorfolkMA #WrenthamMA #Shopfranklin #Bookstore #Franklin #MilfordMa #Franklinma #MedwayMa #wrentham #reading #FinditinFranklin #mansfieldMa #foxboroMa #Foxboro #romance #Readers #AuthorEvent

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C4qH24iPnLA/

Check out Jessica's author page ->  https://authorjessicalepe.com/

Jessica Lepe to make a visit to Escape into Fiction on Saturday, March 23, 4 PM