Lit City: Known for being Music City, we dub the “new” Austin LitCity. Read why. May 30th-June 5th, 2014

by Gardiner Brown  and Bethany Hegedus

Known for being Music City, we dub the “new” Austin LitCity. Read why. 

 

Tonight we hit Sarah Bird’s release event for Above the East China Sea, and earlier this week, The Writing Barn attended Kate Payne’s release party for The Hip Girl’s Guide to the Kitchen. (See our event recap here.)

Wouldn’cha know? This  week’s LitCity round-up is chock-full of literary events, y’all. There may be some tough decisions to be made about which ones you’ll be making it to.  Even so, we at The Writing Barn hope to see you at at least a few of these great upcoming events!

 

The Events:

On Friday, May 30th, there will be a 7 p.m. talk at Book People with local author and cartoonist, Austin Kleon, on his latest book, Show Your Work! This instructional is a good guide for anyone looking to get their own creative work out there. Watch out later on this summer for a review of one of Kleon’s older books, Newspaper Blackout, here on the Writing Barn blog.

Also at 7 p.m., but at Bookwoman, join local Austin songwriters in their quest to raise money for SXSW Cares, an organization that collects money to assist the victims of SXSW 2014’s tragic car accident. A number of songwriters including Kit Holmes, Jane Seides, Rusty Nelson, and Katie Gosnell will be performing. There will be a suggested donation of $10, and all proceeds will be going to SXSW Cares.

On Saturday, May 31st, Book People will be presenting Batty for Bookkids Storytime, with a reading of Stellaluna, one of my personal childhood favorites. The reading will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Children’s Section. 


Later that day, at 3:00, Book People will be hosting The Ann Richards School’s release party of their literary magazine! 

On Sunday, June 1st, you can head over to Bookwoman at 7 p.m. to participate in the launch of Judith Austin Mills’ latest book of poetry, Accidental Joy. In addition to Mills, other local poets will be reading of their own work, including Mary Ellen Branan, Allyson Whipple, Spirit Thom, and Ute Carson.

On Tuesday, June 3rd, pop by The Whip In at 7 p.m. to join Owen Egerton and special co-host Manuel Gonzales (who Austin is sadly losing but whom will be back often as Manuel is a kick-ass part of the Austin literary scene no matter where he lives) for the monthly One Page Salon. Local authors come together to share a single page of a work-in-progress. Folks reading this week include Nicole Beckley, Shelby Wardlaw, Chris O’Connor, and Josh Gill! I’ll be there working on a write-up of the event, and you should come join me!
On Wednesday, June 4th, author Anton Disclafani, will be reading from her latest book, The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls at 7 p.m. at Book People.
Bring your book club too, because Book People will be holding a raffle give-away of soon-to-be-released books that could be perfect for your club’s next discussion! Check back next week for another round of Lit City so you can make sure you don’t miss out on any of our local literary events!
What’s Happening at The Writing Barn

Have you ever wanted to write a picture book? Well, now is your chance! This summer the successful Perfecting the Picture Book I (with Perfecting the Picture Book II being offered in fall of ’14 or winter of ’15) is being offered again. Join Writing Barn creative director, Bethany Hegedus, as she leads a 6 week class that covers the A to Zs in approaching the picture book form. This class begins July 8th and runs 6 consecutive Tuesday evenings.
Doing any romance reading this summer? Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a perfect beach book. Read Jenny’s new release this summer and study with Jenny and writer/best bud Siobhan Vivian at The Writing Barn this December!   Apply now for this limited attendance weekend workshop. 
Are you battling the submission blues? Keep your writer chin up by reading the inspirational posts on the Rejection Rejection series. Or revisit old favorite’s, like Paige Britt’s insightful piece.