Friday, November 01, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Writers Bloc

Big-name authors hit town for the Vegas Valley Book Festival this weekend

A diverse range of writers, from New York Times best-selling author John Irving to comic book creators, nonfiction writers and poets, kick off the first Vegas Valley Book Festival today and Saturday throughout Henderson and Las Vegas.

"Diversity was our primary goal," says Kris Darnall, Southern Nevada program coordinator for the Nevada Humanities Committee. The Committee is co-presenting the event with the Henderson District Public Libraries and the City of Henderson.

"We wanted to be sure there was something for everyone," Darnall says.

The festival is highlighted by keynote addresses from two big-name authors. John Irving, author of "The World According to Garp" and "The Cider House Rules," will appear Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Artemus Ham Hall at the UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. His appearance is courtesy of the Barrick Lecture Series. Tickets, limited to two per person, are free on a first-come first-served basis at the UNLV Performing Arts Center box office.

Tom Robbins, author of such offbeat novels as "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" and "Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates," is a keynote speaker today at 7 p.m. in the Estancia Ballroom in Green Valley Ranch Station, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, Henderson.

Admission is $10.

A screening of the film "Enemies: A Love Story" will be Saturday from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Regal Cinemas in Green Valley Ranch Station. The film's screenwriter, Roger L. Simon, will be on hand for the screening. Admission is $10.

After the screening, Irving and Robbins will join Simon for a discussion titled "Adapting Literature to Film."

Besides "Enemies," Simon has written the scripts for "Scenes From a Mall," "Bustin' Loose" and an adaptation of his novel "The Big Fix," featuring private eye Moses Wine.

Meanwhile, comedian Louie Anderson will read from and sign copies of his latest book, "The F Word: How to Survive Your Family," at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway.

Other highlights of the festival include:

• A reading and discussion with action-adventure writers Dale Brown and Steve Coonts, both residents of Nevada, at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Henderson Pavilion.

• A reading by African poet Syl Cheney-Coker at 3 p.m. in a conference room at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson.

• Crime writers Bill Moody and Gary Phillips at noon Saturday in Room A of the Multi-Generational Center, adjacent to the Henderson Pavilion.

• "Las Vegas Myth and Reality" discussed by Bill Fox, Review-Journal entertainment columnist Mike Weatherford, Hal Rothman and Ken Ward at 11 a.m. Saturday in Room C of the Multi-Generational Center.

• Las Vegas gaming culture comes under discussion at noon Saturday in Room C of the Multi-Generational Center with panelists Michael Green, H. Lee Barnes, Mary Sojourner and Pete Earley.

• A reading and discussion with true crime writer Pete Earley and Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith at 1 p.m. Saturday in Room C of the Multi-Generational Center.

• Steve Gerber, creator of the "Howard the Duck" comic book, appears at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Estancia Ballroom of Green Valley Ranch Station with a reading and multimedia presentation.

• Gilbert Hernandez, collaborator with his brother Jaime on the "Love & Rockets" comic series, will read at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Estancia Ballroom of Green Valley Ranch Station.

• "Zippy the Pinhead" creator Bill Griffith appears at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Estancia Ballroom of Green Valley Ranch Station for a reading and multimedia presentation.

Book signings will be Saturday in a book signing tent, including Robbins at noon, Coonts and Brown at 1 p.m. and Anderson at 3 p.m.

Gerber and Hernandez will sign at noon while Griffith will sign at 3 p.m., all in the Estancia Ballroom.

Weatherford, author of "Cult Vegas: The Weirdest! The Wildest! The Swingin'est Town on Earth," will sign at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Huntington Press booth.

Writing workshops take up most of the day today in the conference room of the Paseo Verde Library.

"Successful TV Writing" is covered starting at noon, featuring Hollywood writer and TV producer Lee Goldberg; a panel discussion seeks answers to the question "What are publishers looking for?" with representatives from Huntington Press, the University of Nevada Press and Stephens Press, starting at 1 p.m.; aspects of self-publishing featuring Barbara Hall of Hallway Productions is discussed at 2 p.m.; and "Power Marketing Your Novel" with Joyce Spizer, Southern California publicist of the year in 2000, will be at 3 p.m.