CHATTERBOX IS BACK
Sun and fun and dinners out and summer stock theater and three-mile walks on the beach were great, but it’s September. Back to school—umm, work on Chatterbox: Stories from a Noisy Life!
Follow Barbara on:
Instagram @barbaraischatterbox
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-worton-0472a54/
Website www.barbaraworton.com
Email barbara@barbaraworton.com
New Beginnings
I graduated college many years ago. Still, right after Labor Day, Back-to-School syndrome kicks in for me. I get all jazzed up to get moving and delivering new work, coming up with bigger and hopefully better ideas and trying from my little corner of the world to make an impact. And that’s spurred a few new ideas for this newsletter. “I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends” is back with a new twist. A new column, “The Chatterbox Chat,” will be coming in October. (I’m keeping it hush-hush until then.) Finally, what the world needs now more than ever is help for those at risk of being left behind. I’m looking into a few ways to help. In “Paying It Forward,” I’m going to share some ideas I’ve come across and report back on what I learn—and if you have ideas for doing good things, please send them to barbara@barbaraworton.com. But First…
Make A Date With Chatterbox. Here are the details on events coming up in September and October.
September 14, 2025 — SPOTLIGHT presented by ARTS By The People
ARTS By The People has become something of a creative home for me. I’m a regular at The Platform, have had two pieces published in the December 2024 Platform Review and taken numerous workshops. I’m honored to have been selected to read at the September 14, 2025 SPOTLIGHT. I’ll be sharing the stage with three wonderful writers Stephen Vittoria, Mary Tautin Moloney and Laura Daniels. The readings, author Q&As and book signings start at 3:00 p.m. and run to 4:30. Doors will open around 2:30. Oh, and I’ll be baking cookies.
September 27, 2025 — Passaic County Book Festival
The 4th Annual Passaic County Book Festival is September 27 (rescheduled from June 14). The literary fun starts at 11 a.m.—and there will be vendors, food and other cool attractions. I’ll have a table and be on a panel with Miriam Simon. Our topic is “Beyond The Page: The Emotional Journey of Writing Your Life,” and our timeslot is 1:15-2:00 PM in Panel Tent 2. It’s a fun day out for book lovers of all ages and their families. Hope to see you there.
October 5, 2025 — Friends of CSI Literary Luncheon
I graduated The College of Staten Island (CSI) in 1973 after studying my first two years at SUNY Farmingdale. Now, I’m saying thank you. I’m the speaker at the Friends of CSI Literary Luncheon on October 5, 12-3 PM. Osteria Santina at 502 Jewett Ave., Staten Island, NY is the place to have some great Italian food and hear me talk about how CSI helped make me a writer, and, of course, I’ll talk about Chatterbox: Stories from a Noisy Life. All proceeds from the event support CSI scholarships. Please reserve your seat today at https://FriendsofCSI.givesmart.com, and if you can’t attend, please consider making a donation that will help a deserving young person earn a college degree.
October 9, 2025, Bradley Beach Library — An Evening With An Author
Big thanks go to Ralph Palladino for introducing me to Cynthia Becker at the Bradley Beach Public Library. I’ll be reading there and signing books on Thursday, October 9 at 6 p.m. And maybe there will be a surprise or two. It’s a free event, but registration is required, so please sign up at bradleybeachlibrary.org. Just go to the events calendar for all the information you need. Hope to see you down the shore.
I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
Plants Say The Darnedest Things
You may think plants are the green silent types. BUT did you know that some plants make noises when they’re stressed? Others can “hear” caterpillars munching on their leaves or bees buzzing nearby! Joyce Markovics reveals all in her new children’s book, Talking Plants. It’s out September 16 from Susan Schadt Press, and experts in the plant field are giving it big green thumbs up. This book takes young readers on a fascinating–and giggle-inducing–journey into the new and exciting world of plant communication. Along the way, they get to know experts in the field, learn some cutting-edge science and conduct their own “talking plant” experiment. Still not sure you believe your plants are outside making a ruckus? Take it from Joyce. She’s published more than 500 children’s nonfiction books on topics ranging from killer plants and space junk to protest marches and Black filmmakers. Many of those books were designed by Ed Morgan, Joyce's collaborator and close friend. Together, they manage a book development company called Bowerbird Books. And Joyce has solid science behind her. Preorder your copies of Talking Plants at Susan Schadt Press. Drop into Hudson Valley Books For Humanity on September 27 at 1:00 p.m. Joyce will be reading excerpts from Talking Plants and copies will be available. Of course, there’s always Amazon, Barnes & Noble, other online sellers and local bookstores. (And before I go; all this talking plants stuff has me wondering, could Little Shop of Horrors’ Audrey II be real?)
Living History
Did you see the blurb about The Jug Tavern in Ossining, NY, featured in my June 2025 newsletter? Here it is again. “Friends at The Jug Tavern celebrated the story of Captain Lewis Brady, a self-emancipated slave who found a home in the historic district of Sparta. Please read the story and watch the video on ABC7News.” Then go to The Jug Tavern website, read about the building’s history, its current role as the heart of the Sparta Historic Architectural and Design District, its tours and programs and the building’s ongoing restoration. Standing on the original 1760 foundation on which Peter Davis, a tenant farmer, built it as his family’s home, the Jug Tavern is in need of an HVAC upgrade before this winter kicks in.
Historic preservation is a cause near and dear to me, particularly when it’s in The Hudson Valley (my roots on my dad’s side) and people passionate about their local community are leading the effort. If you can, please make a donation to restore this landmark on the National Register since 1976 and keep the good work of The Jug Tavern going. Oh, yes, George Washington is said to have stopped to water his horses at the tavern as his troops passed by.
Do You Dream Of Writing On Italy’s Amalfi Coast?
Here’s your chance. Key to the Castle Workshop are returning to Cetara, Italy in 2026 from May 23rd-May 30th for their signature workshop program for writers. Early Bird Registration and pricing is available through September 30, and the Workshop team—Kathy Curto, Patricia Dunn, Angela Derecas Taylor and William Papaleo—is accepting applications. Visit the Key To The Castle Workshop website to get all the details on the workshop and lock in your early bird pricing. Registration is limited to twelve participants and places sell out quickly. Seven days, seven nights in a quaint seaside village for writing, painting and simply taking in the beauty, charms and flavors of Southern Italy are waiting for you. Friends will be made, creativity will flow and gelato will be served!
The Place To Be On 9/20 — Poet’s House
When poet Paul Genega emails me information about new book launches, I take note and pass along the details. Three Mile Harbor Press is celebrating the launch of Femistry by Pamela Hughes and Causa Sui by Dorian Elizabeth Knapp with a reading and book signing. The place to be on Saturday, September 20 at 2 p.m. is Poets House, Elizabeth Kray Hall, 10 River Terrace, New York, NY. Can’t get to the reading? You can still purchase copies of both books at www.3mileharborpress.com.
A New Book From A New Generation
A.T. Hawkins has just published his newest novel. Fans of low fantasy, LitRPG (Literary Role-Playing Game) modern world, slice of life, are likely to know the author. He’s active on Patreon and has a loyal following. Full disclosure, A.T. Hawkins, aka Andrew, is my nephew, and yes, I’m a proud aunt. Illustrations are by Lizbe Coetzee. You can find the book on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats. Enjoy!
Paying It Forward
Reading Is Essential
Tutoring: Reading is one of the greatest gifts my mother gave me. She read me to sleep at night. She signed me up for my first library card. In grammar school, I was always proud when I tested as reading above my grade level. Right now, many students aren’t getting the reading instruction they need and are falling behind. Research shows, children who cannot read at grade level by fourth grade are four times more likely not to graduate from high school, putting them on a path to poverty later in life.
If you’re over 50, you probably get AARP Magazine or their online newsletters. Personal note: It freaks me out to see guys like Rod Stewart, Sting and other rock ‘n roll wild men from my youth on their covers. But anyway… I read the magazine and have been reading about the AARP Foundation Experience Corps and Volunteer Tutoring Program. I’ve clicked to get more information. I’ll let you know what I learn.
Book Donations and Drives: Want to help, but can’t volunteer. Around the holidays, Barnes & Noble and other bookstores, partner with literacy and education programs and ask shoppers to buy a book for a child in need. The Toys for Tots Literacy Program, First Book, Reading Is Fundamental, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and many more organizations raise funds to buy books for children in need and support educators. Have your kids outgrown the Berenstain Bears? There are lots of new readers who would love those gently used books. Hosting a book drive to collect books for programs is another way to get books to children and get them reading. Search “how to hold a book drive,” and you’ll get plenty of guidance along with the names of organizations that can help you pull an event together.
Want To Bring Chatterbox To A Bookstore, Library, Italian Restaurant, Coffee Shop, School, Book Club, Etc., Near You? Please get in touch. Email me at barbara@barbaraworton.com. And let’s talk date, time and place. Thank you!
Chatterbox: Stories from a Noisy Life–print and eBook—Is Just A Click Away:
It’s available in print and e-book formats—Kindle (Amazon) or online download (Bookshop.org).
Follow Barbara on Instagram @barbaraischatterbox and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-worton-0472a54/
Like what you’re reading? Please share this newsletter with your friends. A new subscriber? Please go to https://www.barbaraworton.com/newsletter for all back issues. Thank you.
