What’s Going on in the Austin Book World May 12th – May 18th

Summer is officially here! Tons of artists and interactive events are being held this week for any/all Literary Lovers. Whether you want to celebrate new book releases, interact in Q&A, or even share your own work, all of the events are here for you. OH! And let’s not forget BookPeople’s Petting Zoo … Here’s what’s going on this week in the Austin Book World:

Thursday, May 12th (715 PM) @ Book Woman, enjoy the Second Thursday Open Poetry Mic ft. Anis Shivani.

Thursday, May 12th (7 PM) @ Malvern Books, enjoy Novel Night with Gudjon Bergmann & Richard Lee Price. 

Friday, May 13th (7 PM) @ BookPeople, enjoy author Adam Haslett speaking and signing Imagine Me Gone, a novel with the power to change how we see the most important people in our lives.

Friday, May 13th (7 PM) @ Malvern Books, enjoy an evening with Three Texas Novelists, a night of storytelling with Mary Helen Specht, Elizabeth Harris, and Thomas McNeely.

Saturday, May 14th (1130 AM) @ BookPeople, enjoy another SEASIDE STORYTIME! ft. Barnacle is Bored by Jonathan Fenske.

Saturday, May 14th (7 PM) @ Malvern Books, enjoy The Lion & The Pirate Unplugged, an inclusive (mic-less) open mic for writers and musicians.

Sunday, May 15th (3 PM) @ BookPeople, enjoy Mary Alice Monroe speaking and signing A Lowcountry Wedding, a book that delves into the heart of marriage, commitment, and family ties.

Monday, May 16th (7 PM) @ BookPeople, enjoy Debut Novelist Martin Seay in conversation with Austinite Kirk Lynn speaking and signing The Mirror Thief.

Tuesday, May 17th (1030 AM) @ BookPeople, come and sing at the Armstrong Community Music School Storytime! 

Tuesday, May 17th (7 PM) @ BookPeople, enjoy the Nightmare Factory Book Book Club ft. The Doll Collection by Ellen Datlow.

Wednesday, May 18th (1030 AM) @ BookPeople, enjoy a Tiny Tails To You Petting Zoo Storytime! Make new fluffy friends and read their favorite stories!

Upcoming Events and Classes at The Writing Barn:

Elements of Fiction: Creating Conflict and Crafting Setting: 

Spend an interactive afternoon with novelists Joy Preble and Samantha Mabry as they delve deep into two of the most important elements of fiction: creating conflict and crafting strong settings. This five hour one-day class is a MUST for anyone writing fiction or looking to write fiction.

Whether you’re writing for children or exploring the past for a personal essay, conflict is at the heart of almost every story. It’s what moves plots and creates tension. This interactive workshop will explore the relationship between tension and characterization. Participants will walk away with a greater understanding of the functions of their characters as well as how to use the relationships and conflicts between those characters in order to craft a truly riveting story.

S6 Week Class: Picture Book Nonfiction: Style & Substance: 

We are adding to our successful picture book offerings adding a NEW class on Picture Book Nonfiction. This broad category of the growing picture book market includes picture book biographies, work for hire projects, texts centering on the natural world, science and more.Over the course of the 6 weeks, 4 weeks will be spent on the study of picture book biographies and each student will choose a subject, research, and draft a picture book biography during the class. The picture book biographies will be workshopped in the last class, allowing for ample time to shape the manuscripts.