Dear Sun Spots: I am homebound and cannot go to the library to do research. Might you and other readers be able to assist me, please? I am looking for names or places of those willing to give grants for books to be published, or for a publishing company that pays for the book and keeps the royalties. I really want my book to be published.

I am interested in finding a canvas, tools, paints and more books that can be ordered by catalog or through stores? Also, I’d like to take up ceramics as a new hobby.

Do you have names or phone numbers for any of these resources? Thanks for all your help. – No Name, Norway.

Answer: Sun Spots would encourage you to contact the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, 318 Glickman Family Library, University of Southern Maine, P.O. Box 9301, 314 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04104, 228-8263 or via email at info@mainewriters.org about your publishing options.

In addition, you might want to consider some small presses either in Maine or elsewhere. While they often only pay in copies, it’s worth getting your name out there in the publishing world, and it is something you can add to your clips file when seeking publication of other pieces of your work.

Regarding ceramic options try Clay Play in Senter Place, 124 Maine St., Brunswick, www.clay-play.com Call 725-0397 for class schedules, reservations and questions.

The Clay Place is in the Hannaford Plaza, Route 1, Saco, 286-2800, www.the-clayplace.com

The Pick and Paint Pottery Shop is at 14 Cumberland St., Westbrook. Call 854-3616 for more information.

Another option is Wild Woman Pottery at 390 State Road, West Bath, 443-3859, www.wildwomanpottery.com

You might also be interested in the Affinity Arts Center on Kansas Road in Bridgton. Although currently under renovations, the Bridgton Art Guild has held classes in watercolor, ceramics and decorative painting there. For more information, please email owner and operator Stephen Oliver at designoperative@msn.com

You might check with many of the local adult education schools to see what their course offerings will be for the spring semester. It’s possible some may be offering these types of classes and possibly painting classes.

And lastly, regarding art supplies and classes, contact:

100 Aker Wood, 413 Main St., Norway, 743-9539.

Artist & Craftsman Supply, 650 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04101, 772-7272.

Sun Spots also contacted Artascope Studios, 352 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME 04106, 799-5154, which also offers a plethora of classes, among them painting, metal smithing, surface design and more. And for parents interested in keeping their children busy during winter vacation, there will be an art camp held from Feb. 20-24 for ages 15 and up. Children will study a variety of art mediums. Call them for more details.

Spiller’s Retail Complex, Route 196, 10 Memorial St., Lisbon, ME 04258, 784-1571, e-mail jsardella@spillersusa.com, Web site at www.spillersusa.com

Dick Blick Art Materials, P.O. Box 1267, Galesburg, IL 61402-1267, (800) 828-4548, e-mail info@dickblick.com, Web site at www.dickblick.com

Jerry’s Artarama Catalog Dept., P.O. Box 58638J, Raleigh, NC 27685-8638, Web site at JerrysArtarama.com

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link