What’s Going on in the Austin Book World June 30th — July 6th
July is upon us, and many of us are preparing to celebrate Independence Day. The number of events this week is on the lighter side, but there are still many interesting opportunities for readers. Here’s what’s going on this week in the Austin Book Community:
Thursday, June 30th (7 PM) @ Book Woman, enjoy a celebration of the summer solstice with poetry and stories of Sun Goddesses from different cultures at Book Woman’s Getting to know the Goddess Series: Sun Goddesses.
Friday, July 1st (7 PM) @ Malvern Books, join Malvern for the launch of The Eternal Party by Kristina Hagman. The book explores Hagman’s experience of being the daughter of two high profile actors.
Saturday, July 2nd (1:30 PM) @ Malvern Books, join Malvern Books’ Club: Reading Classics from New York Review Books. This month’s selection is Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis, a withering, eloquently misanthropic tale regarded by many as the finest comic novel of the twentieth century.
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!
