What’s Going on in the Austin Book World June 23rd — June 29th
Summer has officially started and along with this solstice’s strawberry moon comes several literary events around town. School’s out, so don’t miss out on an opportunity to participate in some exciting bookclub conversations, speaking & signings, and several storytimes at BookPeople. Here’s what’s going on this week in the Austin Book Community:
Thursday, June 23rd (7 PM) @ BookPeople, participate in the New & Noteworthy Bookclub. This month’s new book is The Vegetarian by Han Kang.
Saturday, June 25th (11:30 AM) @ BookPeople, bring the kids out for Vamos A La Playa Storytime! A storytime with a focus on summery beach tales.
Saturday, June 25th (7 PM) @ Malvern Books, join Malvern Books for the launch of Blood Eagle a collection of poetry by debut poet Adam Crittenden.
Sunday, June 26th (2 PM) @ Malvern Books, join Malvern Books for An Afternoon with Will Everett, a celebration of the debut novel We’ll Live Tomorrow by Will Everett.
Tuesday, June 28th (10:30 AM) @ BookPeople, bring the kids out for Ninjas in the Night Storytime!
Tuesday, June 28th (7 PM) @ Book Woman, enjoy this YA author panel, Secrets & Second Chances.
Wednesday, June 29th (10:30 AM) @ BookPeople, bring the kids out for Best Friends Rock Storytime!
Wednesday, June 29th (7 PM) @ BookPeople, join the Hard Wood Bookclub for this month’s book, The Night of the Panthers by Piergiorgio Pulixi.
Upcoming Events and Classes at The Writing Barn:
6 Week Class: Perfecting the Picture Book | *North Austin Satellite Location
Join us for Perfecting the Picture Book I at a satellite North Austin location, taught by Carmen Oliver. Past Perfecting the Picture Book I and II students, have gone on to sign with top agents and garner picture book contracts! This deep study and analysis of structure and form paves the way for all that is to come.Classes will be Thursday evenings from 7 to 9pm at 7703 N. Lamar, Suite 337 (in the offices of Girls With Pens) on 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, and 8/11
Finding Voice: The Language of Memoir with Sarah Smarsh
The most riveting memoirs are the ones in which we can hear the author speaking in an unmistakable voice, often with a rhythm and vernacular specific to the story’s place and time. Even if you didn’t grow up in the segregated South (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou), the impoverished lanes of Limerick (Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt), or an east-Texas oil town in the 1960s (The Liars’ Club, Mary Karr), your language carries the signature of a unique life. In this era of Internet memes, forces of linguistic homogenization might pull us away from our own voices. Through readings, writing prompts and discussion we’ll uncover the aspect of writing that can be both essential to craft and uncomfortable to let shine.
Join The Writing Barn in this group session, where we’ll use our visual tools (NO art experience or skill necessary! We love stick figures!) to explore our writer archetypes, our ideal reader, our fears and creative blocks, and our visions for ourselves as we traverse the Hero’s Journey of writing!
Using prompts from my forthcoming book, 365 Days of Doodling (Discovering the Joys of Being Creative Everyday), you are sure to come away from this class with more creative freedom and satisfaction than when you arrived.
Many times, what I’ve envisioned in a doodle has come forth, including my first book, How Dare You Make a Book? that was born right here at The Writing Barn! What will your doodles spark? Let’s find out!
