What’s Next for Vermont?

Phoenix Books is excited to host an evening of readings from 2050: Vermonter’s Take a Swipe at the Future! Collected by Bill Mares, edited by Jane Smith, illustrated by Don Hooper, and full of essays and stories from 37 Vermonters, this book speaks to the past, present, and future of our beloved state. 

Reading at the event will be Stephen Kiernan, Samantha Alger, Medhat Hadzic, Joe Hagan, Christy Mitchell, Kevin Chu, Steve Conant, and Emily Bernard, introduced by Chris Hadsel.

About the book:

In the year 2050, what will Vermont look like? And will it be somewhere you’d recognize, or want to live?

Thirty-seven Vermonters take a half-serious, half-humorous, half-ironic, half-dystopian and half-sympathetic look at what Vermont will be like in this unique collection of essays and stories. Contributors range in age and profession, from poets and journalists, to academics, farmers, and businesspeople, imagining Vermont’s future. 

The compilation begins on a serious note by novelist Stephen Kiernan on the many challenges facing Vermont now, then moves on to a mixture of humor, fantasy, and serious concern by prominent individuals such as Vermont Public’s meteorologist Mark Breen and cofounder and CEO of the Alchemist Brewery Jen Kimmich; author Bill Schubart’s afterword reminds the reader of Bill Mares’ lasting contribution to Vermont literature.

2050: Vermonters Take a Swipe at the Future is the final literary project of Bill Mares, who died in 2024 and who took pleasure  in challenging people to think. This book will do just that. It has been completed with editorial help from Jane Smith and illustrated by Don Hooper, a retired Vermont legislator and cartoonist.

DATE: Tuesday, November 25 at 6:30PM

LOCATION: Phoenix Books, 89 Church Street, Burlington, VT

ADMISSION: $3. Your ticket comes with a coupon for $3 off the book. Coupons expire at closing the evening of the event. Tickets can be purchased at the registration link below, or at the door. 

BOOKS: Copies of 2050: Vermonters Take a Swipe at the Future will be available at the event for purchase.