The Telling Room's 20th Anniversary Anthology Book Launch

“Witty, authentic, and visual, echoing with grace and deep insight." — Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award Winner

Mechanics’ Hall and The Telling Room are delighted to co-host the book launch for . This illustrated anthology pairs the voices of youth with those of established Maine authors writing across genres, identities, experiences, and themes. Powerful stories, poems, essays, and recipes—accompanied by pen and ink illustrations—touch on pressing topics impacting youth today, from climate change, LGBTQ+ identity, gun violence, and racism; to finding community, cultural connections, humor, and hope in unexpected places.

The evening will feature readings by:

Brooks Miller & Maya Williams

Leela Marie Hidier & Nick Fuller Googins

Jules Vázquez & Mira Ptacin

Noor Sager & Arisa White

Preorder your copy of from The Telling Room here: www.tellingroom.org/bookstore/20th-anniversary-anthology

Orders can be shipped or picked up directly at the book launch.

We hope you'll join us for an evening of storytelling from across genres! Books will be available for purchase from The Telling Room the night of with signings to follow the author readings.

Here’s what readers are saying about It Rains Diamonds on Neptune:

“This book is a treasure.” — Lily King, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author

“A book for our times—for this particular moment.” — Bob Keyes, Chair of the Maine Arts Commission and author of The Isolation Artist

“An ode to connection, to community, to creativity, to our stories, and to the incredible resilience—the joy!—of youth voices.” — Tanuja Desai Hidier, author of Born Confused and Bombay Blues

“Captures the beauty and challenge of becoming who we are with compassion, imagination, and language that glitters as hard as it hits.” — Julia Bouwsma, Maine Poet Laureate and author of Midden

Telling Room Mission: The Telling Room’s mission is to empower youth through writing and share their voices with the world.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

Mechanics’ Hall is located at 519 Congress Street. Our main entrance is between Loquat Shop and the Art Mart. The Greater Portland Metro’s Congress & Casco Street Stop is directly in front of our building, served by .

Parking is available at the , which has entrances on Casco and Brown Street, with a rate of $5 per hour. Metered street parking is available on Congress, Casco, Cumberland, Free Street, and other nearby streets. Free hourly street parking is available between Parris and Alder Street.

ACCESSIBILITY

To enter our building, patrons will need to navigate a single step or use a . There is a wheelchair-accessible elevator to the third-floor ballroom.

If you have a particular accessibility question or request don't hesitate to get in touch with us at or 207-773-8396

SPONSORED BY

Martin's Point
Down East Magazine
Coffee By Design
Law Offices of Joe Bornstein
Machias Savings Bank
Pierce Atwood
Androscoggin Bank
The County FCU
cPort Credit Union
Dead River Company
Dean's Sweets
Kennebec Savings Bank
Northeast Bank
The Writing Company
Verrill Dana

SPECIAL THANKS

Headlight AV

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Mechanics' Hall, 519 Congress Street, Portland, United States