She was the first critic to analyze the speeches of Ophelia in "Hamlet" in relation to the structure of the play.
Her poems have received prizes from the Oregon Poetry Association, the New Jersey Poetry Association, and the Oregon Writers Colony. She is recipient of an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship Award.
Honored to be an Oregon Legacy Author.
Her first novel, "The Lighthouse Ghost of Yaquina Bay," NOMINATED FOR THE OREGON BOOK AWARD!
Have you noticed a slight glimmer from the tower of the abandoned lighthouse on Yaquina Bay? Or perhaps you thought you heard a distant call of "Help me!" wafting by on the ocean breeze. In 1899 Lischen M. Miller called the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse "
Her first novel, "The Lighthouse Ghost of Yaquina Bay," NOMINATED FOR THE OREGON BOOK AWARD!
Have you noticed a slight glimmer from the tower of the abandoned lighthouse on Yaquina Bay? Or perhaps you thought you heard a distant call of "Help me!" wafting by on the ocean breeze. In 1899 Lischen M. Miller called the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse "the loneliest place on earth." Readers have long awaited a continuation of the tale of Muriel Trevenard, legendary lighthouse ghost. And now Alexandra Mason brings her story to life in present-day Newport.
The novel is available locally on the Oregon Coast at the Cape Foulweather Gift Shop; the Burrows House Museum Gift Shop and the Pacific Maritime Museum Gift Shop; Nye Beach Books, Bob's Beach Books in Lincoln City, and Well Read Books in Waldport; the Yaquina Bay Arts Association shop in Nye Beach next to the Sylvia Beach Hotel; the Tillamook Pioneer Museum Gift Shop and the Lighthouse Digest Gift Shop in East Machias, Maine. Click here to order: on-line https://www.amazon.com/Lighthouse-Ghost-Yaquina-Bay/dp/0911443495/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501975096&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lighthouse+ghost+of+yaquina+bay
“Mason’s story offers us a plot worthy of the Bard himself—with devious wit, intrigue, and pathos. ‘Shakespeare’s Pipe’ is a page-turner, brimming with the mysteries of genetic codes and surprising plot twists. A stunning insight into the nature of identity and the connection between language and reality, between art and life.” –Ellen M.
“Mason’s story offers us a plot worthy of the Bard himself—with devious wit, intrigue, and pathos. ‘Shakespeare’s Pipe’ is a page-turner, brimming with the mysteries of genetic codes and surprising plot twists. A stunning insight into the nature of identity and the connection between language and reality, between art and life.” –Ellen M. Caldwell, Professor of English
“A brilliantly crafted contemporary morality tale. American scholar Alexandra Mason proves herself to be a talented and highly engaging storyteller, weaving together age-old patterns of character and language into models of actual behavior. This novel takes its place within the well-established literary tradition of Shelley and her descendants.” –Marilyn Ewing, Professor of English
“Mason’s writing is truly spot-on and her characters well-developed and engaging. The movement of the narrative is smooth, believable, and intriguing. Definitely a best seller here.” –Brenda Croghan, Literary Editor
Check out her other books at amazon.com or ask for them by name at your local bookstore.
New: SHAKESPEARE'S MONEY TALKS
What critics are saying:
In this long-awaited revised and expanded second edition of "Econolingua," now entitled "Shakespeare's Money Talks," Alexandra Mason, Ph.D., offers an easily-accessible classic reference work to all lovers of Shakespeare and his dramatic times: scholars, actors and directors, teachers and students, readers and re-readers, and aficionados of history, culture, and society. Shakespeare's world--and his characters--come to life in this study of metaphor as they self-consciously test the limits of words and their exchange function in establishing social hierarchy, social status and value. Renaissance drama is revealed as a dynamic marketplace of exchange and assessment in which characters discover and test their relational worth. Each glossed term conveniently gives the phrase of its usage in the entry, both the literal and the metaphorical for full illumination. Introductory and supplemental essays catalogue dramatic usage of econolingua (terms related to coins, money, and value) and discuss "Usury and the Right Uses of Wealth" and "Shakespeare's Economics," the impact of a changing system of social value on the structures of his plays.
The study has been compared in scope and significance to Eric Partridge's classic "Shakespeare's Bawdy." Critics have high praise for the continued relevance of Mason's work, which set the standard for an entire school of economic studies of Shakespeare and his times. This is a volume to be treasured, and consulted regularly. It is itself a treasury of knowledge that leads us to appreciate the dramatic artistry of Shakespeare and his contemporaries ever more profoundly.
“Students and teachers, old-fashioned explicators and new-fashioned historians—all will find here a valuable reference work . . . interesting for its own sake.” Jane Donawerth in Shakespeare Quarterly
“Invaluable . . . her volume remains an exceptionally valuable collection of material.” B. J. Cook, Curator of Early Modern Coins, British Museum
A “foundational study.” Katherine Gillen, author of Chaste Value
A “most important study on Shakespeare economics.” Henry W. Farnam, author of Shakespeare e economia
“An indispensable tool . . .an extraordinary range of meaning and connotation . . . ushering in a deluge of economically-oriented studies." David Hawkes, author of Shakespeare and Economic Theory
“Extraordinarily helpful. I keep it on my desk, always at hand.” Paul A. Jorgensen, author of Lear’s Self-Discovery and Our Naked Frailties
“Shakespeare’s Money Talks is the kind of reference work I longed for many years ago when I was first captivated by Shakespeare’s metaphors. More than just a fascinating glossary, this study shows why proper understanding of Renaissance art and culture requires that we follow the money: not via marketplace exchanges, but rather thought and speech that either governs or is governed by them.” Lana Cable, author of Carnal Rhetoric
Click here to order "Shakespeare's Money Talks":
Other books:
POEMS ALONG THE WAY
LOST AND FOUND
ECONOLINGUA
J. CARL ELLSTON OF EXETER, MISSOURI
Alexandra Mason has lived a life devoted to reading, writing, teaching, and publishing. As a Shakespeare scholar, she published in "Renaissance & Reformation" one of the first essays to focus on the language of Ophelia (rather than of Hamlet) and in "Shakespeare Quarterly" a seminal article on economic language in the history plays; she helped bring to critical light the first woman playwright in England, Elizabeth Cary. After a full academic career, Mason is author of five books, one of them scholarly (Econolingua) (revised edition, Shakespeare's Money Talks), two of them volumes of poems (Poems along the Way and Lost and Found), two novels (The Lighthouse Ghost of Yaquina Bay and Shakespeare's Pipe), and one a biographical sketch of her late husband, J.Carl Ellston of Exeter, Missouri. With the Tuesday Writers of Waldport, she has been working on both memoirs and a philosophical self-help book on love. Her poems and essays are widely published in journals and anthologies, most recently in The Oregonian, Groundwaters, Oregon Stories, Subjectiv, and Seeds of . . . After a full career as a professor and an administrator, she lives in the perfect spot overlooking the sea on the central Oregon coast.
Alexandra Mason was selected by the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences to help lead workshops to train new deans. She served as a consultant to the New York Court System in developing testing for court reporters. Mason has been a consulting editor for decades, reading manuscripts for St. Martin's Press, "Mosaic," "The Journal of Evolutionary Psychology," and "Theatre Survey," among others. She began her editing career as a graduate student at UCLA, working on The Dryden Project. She taught adult learners at the Bethlehem (NY) Institute for Lifelong Learning and continues to offer writing courses for the Oregon Coast CC. She has served as a judge for Shakespeare recitation contests and many poetry contests, and she has traveled around the state giving Chautauqua presentations on "My Shakespeare," an examination of the changing image of Shakespeare through the centuries. She was named a "Woman of Vision and Courage" by Eastern Oregon University, and she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at North Salem (Oregon) High School for lifetime achievement. Her collaboration with director Ken Bush for Albany's (NY) production of "As You Like It" was cited for excellence by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Awards.
In La Grande, Oregon she chaired the city Mural Committee and ran a weekly themed film series for the community. On the Oregon coast she founded and organized the annual Northwest Poets' Concord and served as President of Writers on the Edge. Alexandra Mason is a long-time member of the Tuesday Writers of Waldport and publishes their annual anthology. This anthology, called simply TUESDAY, and an annual anthology representing work presented at the Northwest Poets' CONCORD, are both available on amazon.com.
Along with Ruth F. Harrison, Mason is instrumental in helping other local poets see their work into print.
A HANDBOOK FOR LOVE
"This easily accessible book merits a five star rating, and a prominent place on my bookshelf of treasured and inspirational works.
One reader describes A Handbook for Love as “a deep, thoughtful, and delightful book.” It is all that, and so much more. I found myself quickly enthralled in Mason’s compelling examination and celebration of humanity’s capacity for love and how it is the quintessential driving force of our purpose and our very essence.
“Love begins with each of us, and there is only the trying.”
“Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do.”
“Love is a verb and not a noun. Love is a “default outlook on life.”
“By loving ourselves, we become beloved.”
I discovered this warm and engaging treasure of wisdom on a cold, wet December day, and immediately was warmed and heartened by Mason’s great wisdom, insight, and superb writing. There is much to learn here, and much to be pondered and considered. This treasure is balm for the soul in these challenging times. I found myself enlightened, challenged, and inspired to know love more, to love myself, and to love the world around me.
A Handbook of Love speaks deeply to my soul, and has inspired me to be more of an instrument of love. My heart and soul have been touched and warmed by Mason’s well-crafted and thoughtful work. She challenges us to truly be lovers of the world and ourselves.
When I am troubled and challenged by the world, I will turn again to this masterful work, and feel the warmth of her words." --Neal Lemery
THE LIGHTHOUSE GHOST OF YAQUINA BAY
Click here to order: https://www.amazon.com/Lighthouse-Ghost-Yaquina-Bay/dp/0911443495/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501975096&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lighthouse+ghost+of+yaquina+bay
"'The Lighthouse Ghost' is not only a tale of ghostly intrigue, but a delving into the minds of a teenage ghost and a teenage girl, both of whom have lost their mother and are trying to find their bearings. Rather than running in fear from the ghost's attempts to break through the veil and reveal herself, Amelia bravely faces the task at hand and helps the ghost as a way of affirming her self-worth and taking initiative despite her father's doubts. The author evokes the movements and perceptions of the ghost with such delicacy and precision, one becomes caught up in her world and can't help but feel compassion for the lonely apparition at the window. For young and old alike, "The Lighthouse Ghost" is beautifully written, the story is riveting and the characters are vivid and engaging. A must-read for lovers of the Oregon Coast, and an excellent gift for young readers."--Brenda Hollander
"The Mother of all Ghost Stories." --M. C. Arvantitis, author of the "Hank of Twin Rivers" series
ECONOLINGUA, revised as SHAKESPEARE'S MONEY TALKS
Click here to order: https://www.amazon.com/Econolingua-Glossary-Economic-Language-Renaissance/dp/0874132509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501975231&sr=1-1&keywords=econolingua
"I keep it on my desk, constantly near to hand." --Paul A. Jorgensen, author of "Our Naked Frailties"
POEMS ALONG THE WAY
Click here to order: https://www.amazon.com/Poems-Along-Way-Alexandra-Mason/dp/0692875360/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501975318&sr=1-4&keywords=poems+along+the+way
"From moon-shadowed loneliness to wine-soaked friendship, from dreary winter rain to spring orchard joy, these elegant homages bring us closer to the nature, people and philosophy of T'ang dynasty China", says poet Henry Hughes. Matt Schumacher describes the book as "A Taoist treasure chest which frees fleeting flute notes and turtledoves thousands of years old, gives us pause under the 'sturdy huts' of our ancestors, and braves the same mountain summits as the T'ang Dynasty's finest poets. A very old muse moves through these poems, which guide the student toward enduring truths."
LOST AND FOUND
Click here to order: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Sandra-Mason/dp/0692284400/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501975423&sr=1-3&keywords=mason+lost+and+found
"In these poems, pain and joy are wrapped tightly in just the right words, erudite and philosophical, searingly funny. Whether talking about aging parents, lost loves, purring cats, birds humming in B flat, lightning-seared pines, salt works, public and private history, or the power of oceans, Mason's poems are ultimately about coming to terms with death, being grateful for life and love. Her metaphors of loss and renewal stay close to skin, bone, and the earth itself." -- Sue Parman, author of "The Carnivorous Gaze"
"The poems in Sandra Mason's new book, 'Lost and Found,' display the poet's deep scholarship and her command of formal constraint, while at the same time they sing a wild love song to the body and the world of nature, jazz, lovers and loved ones. Mason's spirituality is woven through this diverse collection, culminating in the lovely, wry 'Taoist' poems. Her humor is never far from the surface in these poems, leading us easily from loss to light and back to inevitable loss. 'Lost and Found' is an impressive collection." --Toni Hanner, Oregon book award finalist for "Gertrude"
"Sandra Mason's poems chronicle a woman's past and present; they are often intimate, sometimes gnarly, and keenly observant of her world, particularly that of the Oregon coast where she lives. The speaker's voice is confidential, yet heroic, and reveals a woman who has lived, and still lives, her life on her own terms--a life of astute self-knowledge and with few regrets--who advises us to wait 'until the surge has circled 'round /and gently floats you home' ("Goin' Down To Big Mary's …"). --Joseph A. Soldati, author of "In Italy: A Personal Journey"
J. CARL ELLSTON OF EXETER, MISSOURI
Click here to order: https://www.amazon.com/J-Carl-Ellston-Exeter-Missouri/dp/0692375325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501975491&sr=1-1&keywords=j.+carl+ellston+of+exeter
"The book is classy." --Karen Ross Morton
"A masterful job assembling memories into a complete picture of an earlier time and a man worth remembering."--Sue Fagalde Lick, author of "Stories Grandma Never Told"
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