March 17, 2005
Director of Media Relations
413/542-8417

AMHERST, Mass.—Author Catherine Newman will read from her work on Tuesday, April 12, at 8 p.m. at Amherst Books (8 Main St.). Sponsored by the Amherst College Creative Writing Center, the event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Of her memoir Waiting for Birdy: A Year of Frantic Tedium, Neurotic Angst, and the Wild Magic of Growing a Family, Chris Bohjalian writes, "Catherine Newman captures poignantly, powerfully and honestly that wondrous roller-coaster called parenting. Pure and simple, this book is a laugh-out-loud gem." Claire Messud writes, "Frank, hilarious, sometimes agonizing and always delicious, Catherine Newman's account of early parenthood will ring true for all who have been there, and provide rare insight to those on their way."

Newman is the author of the child-raising journal, "Bringing Up Ben & Birdy" on BabyCenter.com, and her work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including the New York Times best-selling The Bitch in the House. A 1990 graduate of Amherst College, she now works as the Academic Department Coordinator for its Creative Writing Center.

The Amherst College Creative Writing Center puts on a yearly reading series featuring both emerging and established authors. More information is available at the center's Website, www.amherst.edu/~cwc.

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