Announcing One City One Story 2012

It's that time of year again! Later this summer, Boston Book Festival will begin distribution of One City One Story 2012. Heading into our third year with 1C1S, and following the success of the past two years, the Boston Book Festival is thrilled to announce this year's selection...

The 2012 One City One Story selection is "The Lobster Mafia Story" by Anna Solomon, originally published in the Spring 2010 issue of The Georgia Review. The story was the recipient of a 2011 Pushcart Prize.

We think that the story's Boston setting and sense of family mystery will bring together readers from all across the city. "The Lobster Mafia Story" tells the story of recently widowed Marcella, born and raised in Boston's North End, and her life as a "a woman with a quiet life, with a husband who leaves only when he dies." The story links Marcella's mourning with a mystery surrounding a death and an unexpected teenage visitor. It's a story of crime, sorrow, and the secrets that both build and haunt a community. Readers will appreciate the wide-reaching themes and Massachusetts focus.

Solomon has published work in One Story and Harvard Review, as well as essays in The New York Times Magazine. Her first novel, The Little Bride, was published in 2011. Solomon holds a BA from Brown University and an MFA from the Iowa Writers Workshop. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with her family.

From the inaugural 1C1S year in 2010 with Tom Perrotta's story "The Smile on Happy Chang's Face," to last year's incredible session with Richard Russo about his story "The Whore's Child," we look forward to another great year of reading and discussing short stories with members of our community. We are looking forward to Anna Solomon joining us on October 27 for the Boston Book Festival for the special 1C1S session. Alicia Anstead will lead an open discussion with Solomon and readers from all over the city.

Help us make 1C1S 2012 another success! Look out for distribution of "The Lobster Mafia Story"  in the weeks leading up to BBF. There will be copies at all Boston Public Library branches, as well as at bookstores, farmer's markets, T stations, special events and other places throughout Greater Boston. Keep an eye on our 1C1S website for more information regarding distribution. You'll find Anna Solomon's "The Lobster Mafia Story"  somewhere close to you soon!