The Star-Splitter Salon
In February 2023, inspired by our learning about salons in ninteenth-century London, including one in which Charles Babbage, Ava Lovelace, Charles Darwin, and Charles Dickens shared with one another their latest works, we held the first annual Star-Splitter Salon, where luminaries such as Dr. James Herriot, Shirley Jackson, Oscar Wilde, John Steinbeck, Rebecca Stead, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and Ellen Raskin met to present their latest works in manuscript form.
Each eminent author wrote seven to ten page essays discussing character and theme, and how their new work intersects with what the Star-Splitters had learned earlier in the year, including the story circle, filmic techniques, and figures of speech. The authors presented their works via Google slides presentations, then answered questions from their fellow authors.
The Star-Splitter Salon
Meet Ellen Raskin, author of When You Reach Me
Introducing Shirley Jackson, who has just completed her manuscript The Haunting of Hill House
Welcome, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry! We are eager to hear about your new book, The Little Prince
John Steinbeck joined us to discuss his new novella, Of Mice and Men
Oscar Wilde joined us to talk about their new book, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Welcome, Ellen Raskin, author of The Westing Game
A few slides from John Steinbeck's presentation
A few slides from Shirley Jackson's presentation on her new book.
Two slides from Oscar Wilde's presentation
A few slides from Ellen Raskin's presentation
