by Jenna Jaco & Bethany Hegedus
LitCity is a new weekly Writing Barn blog rounding up the most interesting book-related events around Austin.
Whoever decided that summer doesn’t officially start until late June this year clearly doesn’t live in Austin. Kids might still be in school, but it’s getting hot and bright out there. For all intents and purposes, summer is in full swing.
What better way to celebrate than with some low-cost, literary lollygagging?
May is a busy month for everyone, including the local literary community. There are a ton of readings and other events between now and next Thursday, from children’s storytimes to book talks to open mics.
The Events:
On Saturday, May 24, you can bring your little ones to Book People for Keep Austin Weird Storytime–sounds promising, right? This week’s selection will include Kevin Sherry’s new book, “Turtle Island.”
Later that evening, Malvern Books is hosting their regular all-ages open mic event, The Lion & The Pirate Unplugged, at 2 p.m. This event, put on in conjunction with VSA Texas and Pen2Paper Creative Writing Contest, is designed to be an inclusive, supportive space for performances of all kinds.
On Tuesday, May 27 at 10:30 a.m., Book People will host Armstrong Community School Bilingual Storytime–another great offering for kids, and a chance to learn some Spanish! The storytime will include both traditional and original Spanish songs.
And later that evening at Book People, join author and blogger Kate Payne for a book talk and demonstrations from her new release, “The Hip Girl’s Guide to the Kitchen.” Payne’s book takes a funny, conversational approach to cooking delicious, even “fancy,” meals on a reasonable budget. The talk starts at 7 p.m. Free admission, free food based off Payne’s recipes in the book, and free alcohol!
Colson Whitehead will be giving a book talk for his book “The Noble Hustle: Poker, Beef Jerky, & Death,” 7 p.m. at–you guessed it!–Book People. Whitehead will share how his own experiences with the Las Vegas poker scene influenced this humorous novel. The speaking portion is free.
Rounding out the literary festivities, is the book release celebration for Sarah Bird’s Above the East China Sea on
Thursday, May 29th at 7:00pm. There will be themed cocktails provided Texas Sake Company. The speaking portion of this event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required for the signing and only available with the purchase of a copy of Above the East China Sea from BookPeople.
From the Booklist starred review, “Bird uses distinct voices to weave her narrative. Luz’s voice convincingly captures a smart but troubled contemporary teen, while Tamiko’s voice reflects her place in a very different culture…. Bird, whose other novels include the well-received The Yokota Officers Club, has delivered a multilayered and utterly involving work with plenty of grist for book discussions.”
This event is not be missed. Sarah Bird is an Austin treasure and her fans will be out in droves. As will the Austin literati.
Which events will you be hitting? We know which ones we, at The Writing Barn, will be sure not to miss. Check back with us next Thursday for another Lit City round up and look for recaps of the events we attend. Until then, happy reading.
What’s Happening at The Writing Barn
Austin-freelancer, Laura Jenkins offers tips and tools of the trade in her 6 week class: Style & Substance: Break into the Magazine Business. This class begins June 4th. Register now! info@thewritingbarn.com
Interested in Children’s Fiction? Spend a week revising your full length novel, whether it be YA, MG or a chapter book with the likes of Kathi Appelt, Shana Burg, Rita Williams Garcia, and Bethany Hegedus at The Writing Barn this August. Apply now!
Write Away Retreats! Spend Friday from noon to Sunday at 5pm at The Writing Barn or the Cabin, plugging away on your novel, researching your non-fiction book proposal, and pounding out the pages–solo or with friends. Email info@thewritingbarn.com for pricing and to reserve your Write Away Stay.
Don’t miss this weeks Rejecting Rejection essay by NYT bestseller Deborah Underwood!