The Out Of The Book project was inspired by the drive to do more than just talk about a book at a standard book club. We wanted a club where we could flex our creative muscles and come up with physical products that analyze and celebrate the themes of what we’ve read. To collaborate with other readers and see where our imaginations take us. To think outside of the book itself.

How It Works

This first year is going to be a learning process to figure out what works. That said, we plan to run on a quarterly cycle, so you only have to commit to 4 books and 4 workshops if you want to participate in the full 2019 project.

This project will focus on work by members of under-represented groups, including people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community and/or women.

Quarterly themes:

• Q1: Fiction (longform)

• Q2: Poetry

• Q3: Creative Nonfiction (longform)

• Q4: Essays or Short Stories

Cycle schedule:

• Month 1: Poll is posted to the blog with potential book selections, book is selected in the 2nd week.

• Month 2: We read!

• Month 3: Readers come to the workshop armed with creative ideas, supplies to contribute and spend the afternoon sharing ideas and developing projects - either individually or in groups.

Finished works will be shared on this site and across our social media channels following each workshop.

Trimalchio

The first iteration of this idea was the Trimalchio Project, conceived and organized by Andy Grabia. Trimalchio was a one-time experiment with this format, based on The Great Gatsby, and finished products included photography, poetry, song, cocktail recipes (how could it not?), fashion design and a mix tape. It was exciting to be a part of something so collaborative and fun!

We have Andy’s blessing to develop the original idea into something ongoing. Thank you for the inspiration!