A new collection by one of our founding Participating Writers
Named the first Poet Laureate of Delaware County, New York, Bertha Rogers, is a poet, translator, visual artist, and master teaching artist. More than 250 of her poems and critical reviews have appeared in journals and literary magazines. She has published more than 600 poems and translations in anthologies, including the recent Like Light: 25 Years of Poetry & Prose by Bright Hill Poets & Writers (2017), which she edited and includes many Hobart Festival writers. Her own poetry collections include Heart Turned Back (2010) Even the Hemlock: Poems, Illuminations, Reliquaries (2005), and the recently published, Wild, Again. Her translation of Beowulf was published in 2000, and her translation with illuminations of the Anglo-Saxon Riddle-Poems from the Exeter Book, Uncommon Creatures, Singing Things, was published in 2018. Bertha Rogers has won prestigious writing and visual arts awards and residencies. A master teaching artist, the Distinguished Service to the Arts in Education Field Award was conferred upon her by the ATA in 2007. Bertha Rogers co-founded Bright Hill Press & Literary Center of the Catskills with her late husband, Ernest M. Fishman, in 1992.
Bertha Rogers’ work is lauded by
“Our world, once thought to be enormous beyond comprehension, is growing smaller by the day. Our communities, once mostly tribal in nature, have broadened to include all races, cultures, and traditions. The ways we learn must widen so that inclusion becomes second nature to our children and youth, so that they may become global citizens, capable and competent enough to interact and work with diverse people.” – Bertha Rogers from Teaching Poetry as a Means to Inclusion published in Education Week
Hobart Festival of Women Writers 2025 will feature a special workshop for children taught by Bertha Rogers on Saturday, June 7, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Riddles & Rhymes by and for Kids, Age 8-12
In this two-hour session, Bertha Rogers will lead students in writing funny riddles and poems, using made-up words, rhymes, limericks, and other poetic techniques. Participants will complete a riddle or poem about living in or visiting the Catskills and share it in a special reading for all Festival participants.
For information about all of the workshops offered for the Festival of Women Writers 2025, go to
Registration for Festival 2025 on June 6, 7 & 8th will open on May 1st.
Thanks to all our friends, family, and supporters who donated to our GoFundMe Campaign. We launched our fundraising campaign early this year because of our fiscal uncertainty. I’m happy to say that we can fund our weekend for 2025. However, we could still use your help. If you are able, please contribute to our campaign at https://gofund.me/d44a6a78
Hobart Festival of Women Writers 2025 