Author Leigh Ellis (Photo by Molly Haley)
Leigh Ellis, from the Telling Room’s Young Emerging Authors program, will appear at the Portland Public Library’s Literary Lunch series on March 16th, 2022 at 12pm in conversation about their book Bach in the Barn. Leigh will be in conversation with their mentor Amy Raina.
About the Book
Really, neither of us knew anything. About life. About the future. About ourselves.
Deere, Maine. 1995. Thirteen-year-old Macy Griffin is less than honest with just about everyone in their life about their mother’s unexplained suicide. After her death, as Macy starts to grapple with their own life-altering secret, one that contradicts everything their late mom believed in, Macy discovers a grotesque yet lovable alien in their family’s barn. Finally, another being to confide in—about their feelings for the golden-eyed new girl at school, about their mounting jealousy of their best friend, Levi, and about the ghost who watches over them from the branches of a weeping willow tree.
This imaginative young adult novel is a touching and important story about coming of age and finding one’s identity.
About the Author
Leigh Ellis is a rising senior at Windham High School. Aside from writing, they enjoy making art and listening to music, especially punk. Leigh’s work has been featured in two Telling Room anthologies, See Beyond and Shadowboxing. They were also a Maine Literary Awards finalist for both Youth Poetry and Youth Fiction. They hope Bach in the Barn will resonate with young queer readers who have yet to see themselves represented in books and media.
About the Interviewer
Amy Raina, Ms.Ed, M.F.A (expected June 2020) is an artist, writer, educator, and creative professional with over twelve years of experience reading tarot cards and almost twenty years of teaching experience. As a former Lead Teacher and Book Designer on staff at The Telling Room, a literary arts education organization in Maine, Raina is known for her dynamic teaching styles, killer lesson plans, and high-quality design & aesthetics. Raina is a licensed public school teacher, a vinyasa yoga instructor (200hr), a consultant for the National Writers Project, and a Producer for The Femme Show, a touring variety show specifically designed for queer audiences. Raina loves to facilitate, teach, and read divination decks, but when at home, she/they can be spotted in the backyard attempting major landscaping projects.
About the Series
Portland Public Library’s Literary Lunch series is held monthly and features authors from New England in conversation about new works. Authors are interviewed by literary friends, colleagues or critics.
All Literary Lunches are free to the public. Because they take place over the lunch hour, guests are encouraged to bring their lunch! Coffee is generously provided by Coffee By Design.
Questions about our Literary Lunch Series? Please send the Portland Public Library an e-mail.