GALLERY OF READERS began in 1991 as an informal reading series in the art gallery of Northampton’s Forbes Library, organized by Carol Edelstein for the writers in her weekly writing workshops. When the audiences outgrew the space, Professor Bob Averitt of Smith College arranged for the readings to continue in the Neilson Library browsing room. Up to 24 writers read their work during monthly readings in this welcoming space through 2017, when the College began renovations to the Library. The College kindly made available a classroom for the reading series, until March of 2020, when Covid 19 required the readings to go virtual.
Since 1994, Gallery of Readers Press has published books by established and emerging writers from Western Massachusetts. Each year since 1991, up to 24 writers have read their work in the Gallery of Readers series. Recordings of many of these readings are available in the Recordings of Readings 2006 – 2015 and Recordings of Readings 2022 – Present sections of this website. The Pineapple online ‘zine presents work by local writers. This website is maintained by the Press to support and encourage these programs, and to make available publications for sale. Since 2010, Gallery of Readers Press has operated as a 501(c)3 private foundation, funded by grants and your donations.
Board of Directors
Carol Edelstein, Founding Director
Carol Edelstein, with Robin Barber, co-founded Gallery of Readers Press. With Liz George, she edits Switch, a journal of micro fiction. She is the author of three books of poems, most recently Past Repair (Simian Press, 2021). Her poetry and fiction have been featured in numerous anthologies and literary magazines, including The Massachusetts Review, The Georgia Review, and Alaska Quarterly Review.
Robin Barber, managing Director
Born 1947 in Northampton, Robin Barber, M.A., is a writer, teacher, and photographer. Certified by Amherst Writers and Artists leadership program, Robin has been in writing workshops since 1987, and leading the Wednesday evening and Monday morning workshops since 1997. Robin is the managing director of Gallery of Readers Press.
David Klimczak, Treasurer
David Klimczak is a transplanted resident of the Pioneer Valley for over 44 years, first in Northampton, now in Deerfield, David had a long career in nonprofit financial management. He served as the Financial Director for several nonprofit service organizations and then for 23 years as Accounting Supervisor for Historic Deerfield. Now retired, he continues to volunteer his time in the role of treasurer for the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association in Deerfield, and for Gallery of Readers.
Susan Cocalis, Secretary
Susan Cocalis is a stand-up comedian (she’s also funny sitting down). When she retired from teaching film studies at UMass, she left the Amherst campus cleaner than she’d found it. Her instructive book of rhyming verse, Lessons Out of School, was published by Gallery of Readers Press in 2011. She lives in Northampton with her wild boxer Cocoa.
Marc Berman
Marc Berman is board member and advisor to media companies both publicly and privately held. He lives in Florence
Meryl Cohn
Meryl Cohn is a two-time semifinalist for the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, a recipient of the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, a finalist for the Massachusetts Cultural Council Playwriting Grant, a Lark Play Development Center semifinalist, and recipient of the Eventide Arts Kaplan Playwriting Award. She is the author of DO WHAT I SAY: MS. BEHAVIOR’S GUIDE TO GAY AND LESBIAN ETIQUETTE, published by Houghton Mifflin, and a long-running humorous advice column about love, sex, and relationships. She lives in Northampton with her partner, the writer MB Caschetta, and their poodle, Baby Cass.
Laurie Loisel
Laurie Loisel, a freelance journalist and former reporter and editor at the Daily Hampshire Gazette, is author of two books: Those Left Behind: The Secret Club Inside the Nation’s Opioid Epidemic, published in 2021 by Gallery of Readers Press and On Their Own Terms: How One Woman’s Choice to Die Helped me Understand My Father’s Suicide, published in 2019 by Levellers Press. She lives in Northampton.
501(c)3 Foundation Documents
Sites We Love
Amherst Writers and Artists – A non-profit arts organization.to support the voices of established and emerging writers, to free silenced and marginalized voices, and to promote respect for the artist in all writers through the use of the AWA method, developed by Pat Schneider and described in her book, Writing Alone and With Other
Broadside Bookshop – A feast of books, exceptional service. In downtown Northampton, MA, and on-line sales.
LINEA – A literary journal of poetry and micro fiction published annually by Simian Press.
Perugia Press – Publishing new women poets since 1997
Pioneer Valley Writers – A literary arts center for writers
Public Seminar – Informing debate about the pressing issues of our times
Simian Press – Twenty-first century printmakers. artists, writers and educators producing limited editions of hand bound books, prints, and broadsides as well as the literary journal of micro fiction and poetry, LINEA.
Straw Dogs Writers Guild – Straw Dog Writers Guild unites and inspires writers throughout the diverse Western Massachusetts community.
Switch – A Magazine of Micro Fiction
Writers in Progress – The valley’s literary arts studio