Book briefs: Sept. 24-30

Fancy Nancy book selected for international Big Library Read

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District invites families to join readers around the world in the international Big Library Read scheduled through Sept. 30. During the read, library cardholders can visit lvccld.org to borrow e-book and audio versions of this year’s selection “Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth,” from Jane O’Connor’s Fancy Nancy series. Unlimited copies with no holds or reservations will be available. For more information, call 702-507-6300.

Book festival seeks nominations for Crystal Bookmark awards

Nominations for the Vegas Valley Book Festival Crystal Bookmark Awards, given annually to an individual and an organization for work in advancing literature in the Las Vegas Valley, will be accepted through Oct. 1. Nomination forms can be found at vegasvalleybookfestival.org.

District teams with wax museum to promote sign-up month

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is set to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month through a partnership with Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Patrons who sign up for a card or “like” the library district on Facebook will be entered for a chance to win a four-pack of tickets to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas and a gift basket containing merchandise from the attraction. Patrons who already have a library card can use it at the box office to get discounted tickets to the attraction for two through Sept. 30. For more information, visit lvccld.org.

Fiction Writing in the Digital Age conference offers early discount

Writers of Southern Nevada is slated to put on a Fiction Writing in the Digital Age conference Oct. 11 and 12 at the Plaza, 1 S. Main St. Workshops are planned in the craft of writing for any media with an emphasis on the art of getting published in new mixed media. Conference registration is $325, which includes meals. For more information, visit nevadawriters.org.

Memoir-writing workshops slated

An ongoing series of free four-week memoir-writing workshops is scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays at the Las Vegas FamilySearch Library, 509 S. Ninth St. The monthly series is slated to begin the first Friday of each month and continue weekly through the fourth Friday. For more information, call 702-382-9695.

Author to discuss work at Get Booked

Local author Arlene Krieger plans to greet readers and talk about her latest books, including “The NiteKings: A Legendary Las Vegas Band,” a 30-year history of the band, and “Heart of a Designer,” a romantic comedy of two women who create a clothing empire on Seventh Avenue, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 28 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

ALIANTE LIBRARY TO HOST WRITERS CLUB

The Aliante Library Writers Club is scheduled to meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Road. For more information, contact facilitator Glory Wade at glorywadewriter@gmail.com.

Children’s Book illustrations to be displayed

An exhibit titled “Imaginings through Illustrations: Work by Children’s Book Illustrators” featuring artwork by illustrators Jorge Betancourt-Polanco, Elisha Cooper, Adam Gustavson, Bethanie Murguia, Kip Noschese and Joseph Watson is slated to be on display through Nov. 30 at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. The exhibit is scheduled to be open during Vegas Valley Book Festival events and by appointment. For more information, visit vegasvalleybookfestival.org or call 702-229-1012.

Black Mountain Institute fellow wins international fiction competition

Black Mountain Institute Ph.D. Fellow David Armstrong’s short story collection “Going Anywhere” won the Leapfrog Press Fiction Contest. His work was selected from more than 500 manuscripts from 16 countries, and Leapfrog is scheduled to publish it in fall 2014. Armstrong serves as the fiction editor for BMI’s literary magazine Witness. For more on the author, visit davidarmstrongfiction.com.

LIBRARY LETS YOU READ MAGAZINES ON THE GO

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District now offers magazines on Internet-enabled device free with its new service through Zinio. All readers need is a library card number and PIN. The magazines can be read on multiple viewing platforms such as computers, smartphones, tablets and other Internet-enabled devices. There is no limit to the number of magazines that can be downloaded. And there are no holds or checkout periods. Visit lvccld.org.

‘Summerhawk’ author plans visit

Peter Schmit is slated to chat with readers about his Arthurian legend and lore book “Summerhawk” from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 25 as part of the READ Local Author Series at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway. For more information, visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Vegas Valley Poetry Celebration set for Sept. 28

Poet, novelist and nonfiction writer Gretchen Henderson is set to be featured at the Vegas Valley Poetry Celebration scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. Las Vegas poets slated to participate in the preview event for the Vegas Valley Book Festival include Mick Axelrod, Shaun Christensen, Jamison Crabtree, Ali Eteraz, Harry Fagel, Dana Killmeyer, Shaun Leonard, Tara Phillips, Joan Robinson and Vouge Robinson. For more information, visit vegasvalleybookfestival.org or call 702-229-3515. For more on Henderson, visit bookunbound.wordpress.com.

Richard Wiley to release new novel

UNLV professor Richard Wiley, whose books include “Soldiers in Hiding,” “Fools’ Gold,” “Festival for Three Thousand Maidens” and “Commodore Perry’s Minstrel Show,” is scheduled to speak as part of a Black Mountain Institute event at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 in Greenspun Hall at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Wiley is slated to read from his newest novel, “The Book of Important Moments,” to be published in September. For more information, visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

HarperCollins young adult fiction writers to visit

A tour of HarperCollins young adult fiction writers — including Michaelle Gagnon, author of “Don’t Look Now”; Sherry Thomas, author of “The Burning Sky”; Madeleine Roux, author of “Asylum”; Mindy McGinnis, author of “Not a Drop to Drink”; Rae Carson, author of “Bitter Kingdom”; and Tera Lynn Childs, author of “Sweet Legacy” — is slated to meet with readers at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Barnes & Noble.

Library to mark Banned Books Week with Uncensored Voices event

In recognition of Banned Books Week, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District plans to team with the Vegas Valley Book Festival and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada for Uncensored Voices: Celebrating the Freedom to Read scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Las Vegas Review-Journal political columnist Steve Sebelius is slated to moderate the evening of readings and debate on censored books. A reception is set to follow the program. For more information, visit lvccld.org.

Author of ‘Parents to the End’ plans sept. 28 signing

Linda Herman is slated to sign copies of “Parents to the End,” her self-help book designed to assist parents dealing with dependent adult children, at 1 p.m. Sept. 28 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Three generations of writers to speak at Black Mountain Institute event

Fiction writer George Saunders plans a conversation with his former student, Maile Chapman, and his former teacher, Douglas Unger, during a public Black Mountain Institute discussion titled “Three Generations of American Writers” scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 15 in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Student Union Theatre, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Saunders is a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant,” and his most recent collection, “The Tenth of December,” is a 2013 New York Times best-seller. Chapman is the author of “Your Presence is Requested at Suvanto.” Unger’s five books include “Leaving the Land,” a Pulitzer Prize finalist. For more information, visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

Comic Book Festival to offer VIP package

Novelist and comic book writer Greg Rucka and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” artist Georges Jeanty are two of the many creators scheduled to participate in the annual Vegas Valley Comic Book Fest set for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. The festival is free, but this year for $5 fans can upgrade by registering for a VIP package, which is to include a VIP badge, swag bag, preferred seating at panels, screenings and concerts and a limited-edition poster. For more information, visit vegasvalleycomicbookfestival.org.

Hot Mojave Nights romance readers and writers conference scheduled

Romance readers and writers are invited to a Hot Mojave Nights convention scheduled Oct. 18-20 at Sunset Station, 1301 W. Sunset Road. The event is to include interaction with authors, romance cover models, a masquerade ball and more. Registration is 25 or 0 to $60 for individual events or days. For registration information, visit hotmojaveknights.com. A free public book signing featuring conference participants and visiting and local authors and bloggers is scheduled from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 20.

Historian plans workshop on preserving personal history

University of Nevada, Las Vegas oral historian Barbara Tabach, the author of “545 Life Prompts” and “LifeCatching: The Art of Saving and Sharing Memories,” is scheduled to lead a workshop on preserving personal and community memories from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. For more information, visit lvccld.org or call 702-507-3982.

Parenting book event slated

Linda Herman, author of the self-help book “Parents to the End,” is slated to sign books at 1 p.m. Sept. 28 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Mob Museum to welcome ‘Beverly Hills Confidential’ authors

Reporter Barbara Schroeder and Beverly Hills Police Department crime scene investigator Clark Fogg examine celebrity stories about events such as Jean Harlow’s husband’s death and Charlie Chaplin’s paternity trail in the book “Beverly Hills Confidential: A Century of Stars, Scandals and Murders.” The authors are slated to sign copies of the book from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, the Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave. They’re also scheduled to discuss the book in the museum’s court room from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 5. Another book signing is set to follow. Events are free with paid museum admission, which is 9.95 with discounts for children, seniors, Nevada residents, teachers and more. For more information, visit themobmuseum.org.

Author to chat about transition from journalism to fiction

Tom Barbash, author of Sept. 11 nonfiction work “On Top of the World” and the novel “The Last Good Chance,” is scheduled to speak on making the transition from journalism to fiction during a free lecture from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Majorie Barrick Museum at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Barbash is also slated to read from his new collection of short stories, “Stay Up With Me.” For more information, visit unlv.edu/liberalarts/events.

Art Square Event to feature haiku and cyber poetry T-shirts

A haiku presentation and Cyber Poetry T-Shirt give away are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 at Art Square, 1017 S. First St., Suite 190, as a preview event for the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Artist Yobana Graciano designed the shirt using QR codes that lead to poems by wordsmiths including Gretchen Henderson, Dana Killmeyer, Joan Robinson, Shaun Christensen, Jamison Crabtree and Harry Fagel. For more information, visit vegasvalleybookfestival.org.

SUN CITY MACDONALD RANCH plans events

The Sun City MacDonald Ranch Literary Guild plans a literary event featuring Jazzin’ Jeanne Brei, author of “House Party Tonight,” a biography of saxophonist Don Hill, for 2 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Desert Willow Community Center, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway.

Romance writers to welcome speaker

Erin Kellison is slated to speak during a Las Vegas Romance Writers meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at The Learning Village, 727 Fremont St. For more information, visit lasvegasrwa.org.

Western romance authors plan visit

Western romance authors Melissa Cutler, author of “Two Times as Hot”; Laura Drake, author of “The Sweet Spot”; and Cat Johnson, author of “Cowboy Justice,” plan to visit with readers at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Justin Torres to be featured at Emerging Writers Series event

Justin Torres, author of the coming-of-age novel “We The Animals,” is slated to speak as part of the Black Mountain Institute’s Emerging Writers Series from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. The University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduate served as a 2010-12 Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and as a 2012-13 fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard. For more information, visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

Progress is theme for this year’s Las Vegas Writes Project

Editor Scott Dickensheets rounded up a cast of contributors such as novelist and memoirist Kris Saknussemm, horror writer Rena Mason, journalists Geoff Carter and Henry Brean and writer Sarah Jane Woodall to provide original essays and short fiction on the theme of progress for the 2013 Las Vegas Writes anthology, the fifth in a series of annual books showcasing the city’s literary talents in cooperation with the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Anthology contributors are slated to participate in a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. For more information, visit lvccld.org or vegasvalleybookfestival.org.

HENDERSON WRITERS GROUP MEETINGS SET

The Henderson Writers Group meets from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Mondays in room C-2 at Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana Ave. Meetings are typically canceled on holidays. Visit hendersonwritersgroup.com for more information.

BARNES & NOBLE TO HOST WRITING GROUP

The 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble hosts a writing critique group the fourth Monday of each month. The group is limited to the first 20 participants per meeting. Sign up at meetup.com/las-vegas-creative-writing-class.

FREE READ TO ME PROGRAM OFFERS STORIES ONLINE AND BY PHONE

Celebrity storytellers Oscar Goodman, Rita Rudner, Clint Holmes, Terry Fator, Carrot Top, The Scintas and others have donated their talents to the Clark County Education Association Community Foundation’s Read To Me program. Children can view more than 15 videos of celebrities reading books on the website at readtomelv.com. Stories also can be accessed by calling 702-240-2665. Both databases are frequently updated with fresh stories. Parents and teachers can download lesson plans for each book on the website.

SHARE POEMS AT HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Polish up a poem or two and try them out at Human Experience, a free spoken word event, from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays in The Beat Coffeehouse inside Emergency Arts, 520 Fremont St. For details, visit lasvegaspoets.org.

DOWNLOAD BOOKS AND MORE FROM YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY

Virtual Branch websites make it easy to browse, check out and download digital books and more to a home computer for free. All patrons need is a valid library card and an Internet-connected PC. Virtual Branch download websites feature a digital catalog of downloadable audio books, e-books, music and video titles. Each site is meant to look and feel like the library’s main site, and it has many easy-to-use features similar to an online store. Digital book downloads are borrowed just like print materials. Once patrons select the title or author they want, they follow the steps to check out and then download the title to their home computer. Patrons can transfer most titles to portable media players, such as MP3 players, PDAs, Kindles or smart phones. Each title that is downloaded has a designated lending period. When the title expires, it is automatically returned to the Virtual Branch, so there are no late fees. For more information, visit search.overdrive.com.ZINE LIBRARY OPEN IN EMERGENCY ARTS

Grab a cup of coffee and check out the independently crafted magazines at the Las Vegas Zine Library inside The Beat Coffeehouse in Emergency Arts, 520 Fremont St. The library is more of a collection on display for reference and on-site reading than a checkout repository. Contributions of zines are appreciated. For more information, visit lvzinelibrary.blogspot.com.

FREE STORYCORPS TOOLKITHELPS COLLECT MEMORIESThe national StoryCorps’ Memory Loss Initiative encourages people with memory loss to share their stories with loved ones and future generations. To make that task easier, a free step-by-step toolkit is available to download at storycorps.org/mli. The Commemorate toolkit offers an individual reminiscence program that family members can initiate or memory loss care facilities can add to activities. The initiative has collected more than 1,800 interviews with 180 partner organizations. For more information, visit storycorps.org or call 646-723-7027.ACCESS RECORDED BOOK PROGRAMS ONLINE

Too busy to get out to book programs? The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District has started posting videos and podcasts of many of its programs online. Selections available so far include: “An Afternoon with Tony Curtis,” John L. Smith’s presentation “Amelia’s Long Journey: The Challenge of Writing What You Know,” “Batman” movie producer Michael Uslan’s presentation at the 2009 Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival, Jami Carpenter’s “ABCs of Editing” workshop and Brian Rouff’s “Getting Published: A Long Strange Trip.” To access the programs, visit lvccld.org, select “Books, Movies & More” and then “Video and Podcasts.”

The Black Mountain Institute has offered recordings of its programming since 2006. To access recordings of a gamut of writers from E.L. Doctorow to Alissa Nutting, visit blackmountaininstitute.org and select “multimedia.”