Book Talk: Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free
Sunday, September 13 @ 2pm
Ebenezer Theater, Easton
FREE
Though Claire McCardell has largely been erased from history, much of what we wear traces back to the ingenious, rebellious mind of this Maryland-born fashion designer. The inventor of ballet flats, spaghetti straps, and mix-and-match separates, she built an empire at a time when women rarely made the upper echelons of business. Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson brings McCardell’s story back in to the light in writing that is relentlessly compelling, reaching well beyond the interests of fashion. “In the hands of Dickinson, this is more than just the biography of a fashion revolutionary,” writes the New York Times: “It is a story of the fight for women’s identity and, incidentally, the birth of an American industry.” Dickinson will offer a presentation on McCardell before joining Shore Lit Founder/Director Kerry Folan in conversation about the book. Copies of Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free will be available for sale on site via Flying Cloud Books. A book signing will follow the talk. This is event is free and open to the public.
This program is presented in partnership with Shore Lit, Flying Cloud Booksellers, and the Talbot Historical Society. For questions about accessibility, please contact Kerry Folan at [email protected].
Sunday, September 13 @ 2pm
Ebenezer Theater, Easton
FREE
Though Claire McCardell has largely been erased from history, much of what we wear traces back to the ingenious, rebellious mind of this Maryland-born fashion designer. The inventor of ballet flats, spaghetti straps, and mix-and-match separates, she built an empire at a time when women rarely made the upper echelons of business. Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson brings McCardell’s story back in to the light in writing that is relentlessly compelling, reaching well beyond the interests of fashion. “In the hands of Dickinson, this is more than just the biography of a fashion revolutionary,” writes the New York Times: “It is a story of the fight for women’s identity and, incidentally, the birth of an American industry.” Dickinson will offer a presentation on McCardell before joining Shore Lit Founder/Director Kerry Folan in conversation about the book. Copies of Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free will be available for sale on site via Flying Cloud Books. A book signing will follow the talk. This is event is free and open to the public.
This program is presented in partnership with Shore Lit, Flying Cloud Booksellers, and the Talbot Historical Society. For questions about accessibility, please contact Kerry Folan at [email protected].
Book Talk: Lawrence Burney, No Sense in Wishing
Saturday, October 3 @ 5-7pm
BAAM Athletic Center, Easton
FREE
As a journalist and critic, Lawrence Burney has been writing about music and culture in and around his hometown of Baltimore for more than a decade. His debut book, the essay collection No Sense in Wishing (Simon & Schuster, 2025), takes us from the streets of Baltimore to the concert halls of Lagos, a Gil Scott-Heron show, and a Maryland crab feast, as he considers the music, art, people, and places that have transformed him. Along the way, Burney assesses how the Black people in his home state have historically improvised paths for their liberation.
On Saturday, October 3, he will be discussing No Sense in Wishing--this year’s One Maryland One Book selection—with broadcast journalist and video producer Alana Yzola-Daly, whose recent projects include an assistant producer role for The Ebony Canal, a documentary exploring Black infant health that won 2025 Mid-Atlantic regional Emmy Awards for "societal concerns" and “outstanding PSA." The event will open with a musical performance by Friends in Faith Gospel Group at 5:15, and a book signing will follow the talk. Books will be available for sale on site via Book Hounds. This is event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, October 3 @ 5-7pm
BAAM Athletic Center, Easton
FREE
As a journalist and critic, Lawrence Burney has been writing about music and culture in and around his hometown of Baltimore for more than a decade. His debut book, the essay collection No Sense in Wishing (Simon & Schuster, 2025), takes us from the streets of Baltimore to the concert halls of Lagos, a Gil Scott-Heron show, and a Maryland crab feast, as he considers the music, art, people, and places that have transformed him. Along the way, Burney assesses how the Black people in his home state have historically improvised paths for their liberation.
On Saturday, October 3, he will be discussing No Sense in Wishing--this year’s One Maryland One Book selection—with broadcast journalist and video producer Alana Yzola-Daly, whose recent projects include an assistant producer role for The Ebony Canal, a documentary exploring Black infant health that won 2025 Mid-Atlantic regional Emmy Awards for "societal concerns" and “outstanding PSA." The event will open with a musical performance by Friends in Faith Gospel Group at 5:15, and a book signing will follow the talk. Books will be available for sale on site via Book Hounds. This is event is free and open to the public.
Youth Writing Workshop with OMOB Author Lawrence Burney
Saturday, October 3 @ 1-3pm
BAAM Academic Center, 31 Jowite St, Easton
FREE
In this generative creative writing workshop led by this year's One Maryland One Book winner, essayist and cultural critic Lawrence Burney, participants will spend time “close listening” to the lyrics of Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and GoldLink, paying particular attention to the images each artist uses to describe coming of age in a particular place. Then they will write their own creative work about their personal experiences growing up on the Eastern Shore. A pizza lunch will be provided at the beginning of the program. This workshop is open to all middle and high school students. Registration is required.
Saturday, October 3 @ 1-3pm
BAAM Academic Center, 31 Jowite St, Easton
FREE
In this generative creative writing workshop led by this year's One Maryland One Book winner, essayist and cultural critic Lawrence Burney, participants will spend time “close listening” to the lyrics of Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and GoldLink, paying particular attention to the images each artist uses to describe coming of age in a particular place. Then they will write their own creative work about their personal experiences growing up on the Eastern Shore. A pizza lunch will be provided at the beginning of the program. This workshop is open to all middle and high school students. Registration is required.
These programs are presented in partnership with BAAM, Maryland Humanities, Shore Lit, and Talbot County Free Library. For questions about accessibility, please contact Marcus Moon at [email protected]. One Maryland One Book is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Maryland State Library Agency, Deutsch Foundation, Baker Foundation, BGE An Exelon Company, and Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.
Poetry Reading & Book Talk: Sally Keith, Two of Everything
Friday, November 20 @ 6pm
Golden Hour Rum Room, St. Michaels
FREE
From Guggenheim fellow and award-winning author Sally Keith comes an incantatory collection of poems on the transformative process of nurturing new life and the practical challenges of starting a family. Two of Everything (Milkweed Editions, 2024) draws from Keith’s experience navigating the US adoption industry and the unique obstacles faced by queer couples. “Emotional force accrues slowly, then is overwhelming in a book about love, family, the melding of lives into a shared story,” writes Garth Greenwell, who selected Two of Everything as a top book of 2024. Keith graduated from the Iowa Writers Workshop in 2000 and now teaches at George Mason University, where she also serves as the editorial co-director of Poetry Daily. She will be in conversation with Shore Lit Director Kerry Folan. Doors open at 5pm, and a book signing will follow the event.
This event is presented in partnership with Shore Lit, Windon Distilling, and Book Hounds. For questions about accessibility for this event, please contact Kerry Folan at [email protected].
Friday, November 20 @ 6pm
Golden Hour Rum Room, St. Michaels
FREE
From Guggenheim fellow and award-winning author Sally Keith comes an incantatory collection of poems on the transformative process of nurturing new life and the practical challenges of starting a family. Two of Everything (Milkweed Editions, 2024) draws from Keith’s experience navigating the US adoption industry and the unique obstacles faced by queer couples. “Emotional force accrues slowly, then is overwhelming in a book about love, family, the melding of lives into a shared story,” writes Garth Greenwell, who selected Two of Everything as a top book of 2024. Keith graduated from the Iowa Writers Workshop in 2000 and now teaches at George Mason University, where she also serves as the editorial co-director of Poetry Daily. She will be in conversation with Shore Lit Director Kerry Folan. Doors open at 5pm, and a book signing will follow the event.
This event is presented in partnership with Shore Lit, Windon Distilling, and Book Hounds. For questions about accessibility for this event, please contact Kerry Folan at [email protected].
SAVE THE DATE for the annual
2026 Shore Lit Holiday Book Exchange Fundraiser
Sunday, December 6 @ 10am-1pm
Accanto Restaurant, Easton
Details to come
2026 Shore Lit Holiday Book Exchange Fundraiser
Sunday, December 6 @ 10am-1pm
Accanto Restaurant, Easton
Details to come