Mechanics’ Hall Names George Jreije as 2026-2027 Writer-in-Residence
The author and educator will spend the coming year developing his work and connecting readers, writers, and communities in the Hall’s historic library
Jreije, a Lebanese American writer, will spend the coming year developing his creative work at Mechanics’ Hall while becoming part of the literary community that surrounds the historic library.
The yearlong residency gives a Maine writer the time, space, financial support, and institutional backing to advance a current creative project. Jreije will have a dedicated workspace in the Mechanics’ Hall library, a $2,500 honorarium, promotion through the Hall’s communications channels, and opportunities to connect with other writers, artists, and readers. Throughout the year, he’ll also share his work through workshops, public programs, and conversations.
“George sees literature as a way to bring people together, and he has a remarkable ability to make reading feel welcoming, relevant, and fun,” said Mechanics’ Hall Executive Director Annie Leahy. “Just as importantly, he came to us asking, ‘How can I help?’ That generosity and curiosity are exactly what this role is all about.”
The residency builds on Mechanics’ Hall’s long history as a place for writers and makers to work alongside one another. Unlike a traditional residency built around solitude, the Hall offers an environment that moves between quiet workdays and lively gatherings — space to concentrate and a community to energize the work.
Jreije is the author of several novels and graphic novels published by HarperCollins, Scholastic UNICEF, and others. His work draws on Lebanese and Arab American culture, mythology, family, identity, and belonging, and reaches a broad audience — young readers and adults, graphic-novel fans, and people who may not think of themselves as traditional “book people”.
“I’m humbled to step into a role held by my wonderful predecessor, Mira, and continue cultivating the community Mechanics Hall has built,” said Jreije. “Now, more than ever, it’s important that we welcome readers new and old for the purpose of building a literary ecosystem that will stand the test of time.”
“George brings such a fresh perspective to what a literary community can be,” said Leahy. “He already has relationships with writers, educators, libraries, bookstores, and organizations across Maine and beyond. We’re excited to support his work and see what grows from having him here.”
Ptacin, the Hall’s inaugural Writer-in-Residence, said: “George brings exactly the kind of energy I believe our new 2026–2027 Writer-in-Residence should bring to Mechanics’ Hall: curious, generous, joyful, and wide open. He understands that a vibrant literary community should reflect the diversity of the people we hope will walk through our doors — across age, background, culture, and even the ways we read. Graphic novels are literature; fantasy and comics belong in our literary spaces, too. George has a gift for reaching young people and readers who may not yet see themselves as ‘literary’, making reading feel cool, alive, accessible, and communal.”
Mechanics’ Hall received 51 applications for the Writer-in-Residence program this year. The volunteer jury was comprised of five community members and included Gibson Fay-LeBlanc, from Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, author Susan Conley, poet Myronn Hardy, Iris Blasi, from Arc Literary and Charisse Gendron, a volunteer with the Mechanics’ Hall Library. The jury reviewed every application and narrowed the field to three finalists. From those finalists, Mechanics’ Hall staff and library committee members selected Jreije as the 2026–2027 Writer-in-Residence.
Jreije assumes his post September 22nd and additional programs and events will be announced throughout the residency year.