Maria Gitin

Creative Nonfiction Writer, Poet

Capitola, CA
California US

Author's Bio

This Bright Light of Ours offers a focused insider’s view of the community-based activism at the heart of the civil rights movement. I was one of the teenage white kids who answered the call to come to the south to join the Black Freedom Fight in 1965. Four decades later, I returned to rediscover my friends and co-workers in rural Wilcox County, Alabama. My book details through first-person accounts the contributions of ordinary people who formed the nonviolent army that won the fight for voting rights. View selected presentations and book talks http://www.thisbrightlightofours.com/events-appearances-2/selected-past-events/. Now scheduling presentations for 2016-17. Former Area Director for California Poets in the Schools. Married, living in northern California near the beach.

Publications & Prizes

Creative Nonfiction

Book:
This Bright Light of Ours: Stories from the Voting Rights Fight (University of Alabama Press, 2014)

Poetry

Books:
In Celebration of the Muse (Quarry West/University of California Santa Cruz, 1997)
,
Night Shift (Blue Wind Press, 1978)
,
The Melting Pot (Crossing Press, 1977)
,
Little Movies (Ithaca House, 1976)
Journals:
Alternative Press Review
, ,
Poetry Flash
,
Sun & Moon
,
Telephone
Prizes won: 

Special Congressional Recognition, 2014; YWCA Racial Justice Award, Mobile AL 2012; State of California Assembly Resolution 2014; State of Alabama House of Representatives Resolution 2014; P.E.N. Writers Fund Award
 1978

Personal Favorites

What I'm reading now: 
Reach: 40 Black Men Speak on Living, Leading and Succeeding by Jealous and Shorters, editors, Edges of Water by Maureen Owen, It's isn't Always So by Suzuki Roshi

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Prefers to work with: 
Adults
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Petaluma
Raised in: 
Penngrove, CA
California
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Oct 31, 2016