Photos by Ethan Backer

In a dimly lit VFW hall a clan of fiction writers and poets gathered
Sunday night to celebrate the power of prose. Featured readers at the fifth annual Somerville News Writers Festival included a former US poet laureate, an Academy Award nominee, a "Candy Freak" and Doug Holder. An Irish punk band played between readings and comedian Emily Singer hosted. Holder and Timothy Gager spent 6 months organizing the event and said they have already begun contemplating next year’s fest. If you didn’t make it to the VFW post and missed the night’s sounds, here are its sights.

Steve Almond                                                                               

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    Lo Galluccio                                                                                                                                                                            

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Timothy Gager

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Doug Holder

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Tom Perrotta

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Robert Pinsky

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Stephanie Gayle

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Jo Ann Hart

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Danielle Legrus George

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Gloria Mindock

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Errol Lincoln Uys

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Irene Koronas

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The Swaggerin’ Growlers