STEWART H. HOLBROOK SPECIAL AWARD - 2002 OREGON BOOK AWARDS
Carla Perry, founder and director of Writers On The Edge was awarded the STEWART H. HOLBROOK SPECIAL AWARD at the 2002 OREGON BOOK AWARDS for her "outstanding contribution to Oregon's literary arts."
Each year, one person in the state is recognized for their commitment to the advancement of Oregon's literary life. Perry received the award in recognition of her efforts with the Nye Beach Writers' Series, a monthly, year-round program held continuously since 1997.
The Oregon Book Awards is a program of Literary Arts, a statewide, nonprofit arts organization dedicated to promoting the importance of language as a means to express, explore and experience the world in which we live.
2003 GOVERNOR'S ART AWARD
Carla Perry received the 2003 GOVERNOR'S ART AWARD for "extraordinary achievement and commitment to Oregon's arts" at the December 8, 2003 ceremony which took place at the historic Elsinore Theatre in Salem, Oregon.
The Governor's Arts Awards recognize artists who have made lifelong contributions to the state of Oregon and used their talents to forge new ways to bring the arts to Oregonians. The awards salute community leaders who develop creative new strategies and partnerships to support the arts. The Governor's Arts Awards were established in 1977 by the Oregon Arts Commission.
2003 OREGON LITERARY FELLOWSHIP - FICTION
Carla Perry was also awarded a 2003 OREGON LITERARY FELLOWSHIP in FICTION for "Riva," her novel-in-progress. The story takes place mostly in Manhattan during the nineteen-sixties, a time of Civil Rights protests and the Vietnam War ramp-up. Chock-Full-O'Nuts, Horn & Hardart Automats, the 1964 World's Fair, and the New York City subway system play major rolls.
Since 1987, Literary Arts has honored Oregon writers and publishers. The fellowships help writers in need of funds to initiate, develop or complete a project in poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, drama and young readers literature.
Kudos from past featured authors:
"I am dazzled by how much you've done for reading and writing on the
coast. It seems you spend money much, much better than I do. Thank you
for letting me contribute. Thanks to you, I can still meet my commitment
to support other writers and readers." —Chuck Palahniuk
(author of Fight Club, Survivor, Lullaby,
Choke, Diary, etc.)
"Not only was Carla impeccable in planning and execution, but being a writer herself, she was tuned to so many unexpected nuances of the writer-host relationship that she transformed it from being at best, enjoyable, into a deeply enriching experience for me. Carla is a well of bubbling, infectious humor, shrewd wisdom, indefatigable energy and implacable dedication to writers and writing. She is neither a relative, a lover, nor rich enough to bribe such praise from me. It is genuine." —Peter Coyote, California, author of Sleeping Where I Fall.
"I clipped the article from the News-Times about the Poetry Writing Workshop!!!!!! I am so excited I can barely keep my lips from falling off. I am going to plan my summer around it."— Jessica Jackson, Yachats, age 16.
"I wish I was from Newport. If I was from Newport, I would never have left. I thank Carla Perry for all her efforts and afterwards, I am going to try to recruit her to Ashland. We tend to think we're the center of the world, but being here in Newport, I realize we don't have Carla."— Lawson Fusao Inada, author of Only What We Could Carry.
"Our performance poetry group, 3 Guys From Albany, is embarked on a grand plan to perform our poetry in all eighteen of the Albanys in North America. Our evening at the Newport Performing Arts Center was one of our best ever, from the excellent sound system (something poets are seldom provided), to the candlelit café-style seating. We enjoyed a full house the night of our performance. I talked with several people who had come from thirty or more miles away, such is the regional drawing power of the Series." —Charlie Rossiter, Illinois.
"…In my career as a poet/writer/teacher I have given over 100 readings and workshops and have taught at several universities in the United States. I would like to commend Carla Perry, the founder and coordinator of the Nye Beach Writers’ Series, for running such well-organized and well-received events in her coast community. Through a cooperative effort with the Lincoln County School District, I was invited to give a workshop in a neighborhood public high school on Friday, in addition to giving the public reading at Newport’s Performing Arts Center. Both were well-attended and enthusiastically received. The evening program was a warm and festive occasion—certainly one of the best communal gatherings of literary arts I’ve had the pleasure of attending. Bravo!" —Judith Minty, Michigan.
"…Between your publicity and the hospitality extended by the Newport community to out-of-town readers, it’s no wonder the Series has garnered the reputation of being one of the outstanding arts events on the Oregon Coast." —Barbara LaMorticella, Oregon.
"Carla, It was a great pleasure to meet you and read for your attentive audience. Newport was certainly the best venue of my book tour. Thank you!" —Michael T. Young, New Jersey.
"A very magic night. Wow… just WOW! I’m grateful that you made possible the entirely glorious evening of February 16th at the Nye Beach Writers’ Series. The community got involved in the most effective way, the Open Mike was a real bang on the ear and the double bill of Larry Brooks with me allowed us to cover a pretty considerable stretch of territory in style and approach. You are benefiting the larger cultural life of the state. That the gig pays is no small consideration. Thanks Profusely Again." —Doug Spangle, Portland, Oregon.
"I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the event; it was great fun and very cool to read in front of all grown-ups for once..... the whole experience was wonderful and I thank you most sincerely for inviting us!" —Bee Lavender, hip Mama, Seattle, Washington