"PROS & CONversation," a fundraiser for WriteBoston

I was honored to be a guest at "PROS & CONversation," a fundraiser for WriteBoston, last Thursday night. WriteBoston is a citywide initiative created by Mayor Tom Menino to boost writing proficiency among the city's high school students. It's a public/private partnership that I have supported since its inception, and PEN New England is one of several nonprofit organizations that participate in WriteBoston programs.


With Alice Hoffman and Dennis Lehane


Left to right: Betty Southwick, executive director of WriteBoston; Sam Cornish (Boston's first Poet Laureate), Anita Shreve, Joe Finder, Alice Hoffman, Dennis Lehane, Peter Canellos

Dennis and I were dressed almost identically -- no, we didn't plan that in advance -- so he removed his boutonniere for the photos. I say, real men wear flowers.