Las Vegas Book Briefs for Oct. 1-7, 2015

Poet reading: Black Mountain Institute Ph.D. Fellow Olivia Clare is set to read from her poetry compiled in the book "The 26-Hour Day" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at The Writer's Block, 1020 Fremont St. Visit the writersblock.org.

Local author showcase: The downtown bookstore The Writer's Block, 1020 Fremont St., plans to showcase a monthly selection of books from local authors followed by a book signing. Up next, authors of memoir and personal essay — Arlene Smith, Jagdish Patel, Jeremy L. Wallace, Robert Winter, Shirley Dieu and Terry Woods — are set to sign from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Visit thewritersblock.org.

Signing event: Mona Oshana plans to sign copies of her self-improvement book "Dear Man" at 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Vegas memoir signing: Elaine Cali McNamera plans to sign her Las Vegas memoir "In the Midst of Cowboys Crooners and Gangsters" at 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

Travel writers meeting: More than 300 members of the Society of American Travel Writers from throughout the U.S. and Canada are set to celebrate the group's 60th annual meeting Oct. 4-8 in downtown Las Vegas. Coined the Reinvention Convention, the meeting offers members professional development sessions that examine where the travel industry and travel journalism are headed, along with an opportunity to explore downtown Las Vegas. Mayor Carolyn Goodman is set to address the group at 8 a.m. on Oct. 5 at the event's opening ceremonies at The Western, 899 Fremont St. Visit satw.org.

5/5+ featuring Nick Marco: Poets are invited to share original work for five minutes followed by attendees offering comments for five minutes during 5/5+, a workshop series put on by Nick Marco, Lana Hanson and Lee Mallory, scheduled every two weeks at BooksOrBooks, 3460 E. Sunset Road, Suite R. The next session is planned from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Call 702-754-5971, email jtjmarco@live.com, raisewomenup@gmail.com or leewmallory3@gmail.com or search for 5/5+ on Facebook.

Free writing workshops: Local author Maxwell Alexander Drake plans to conduct free writing workshops from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive. Visit lvccld.org or call 702-507-6107.

Emerging Writers Series: Poet Lucas de Lima is set to read as part of the Black Mountain Institute's Emerging Writers Series from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Rogers Literature & Law Building at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

"Little Shaq": Shaquille O'Neal is slated to sign copies of his children's book "Little Shaq" at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble. Wristbands for the signing line will be issued beginning at 9 a.m. O'Neal will only be signing books. Visit barnesandnoble.com.

Signing scheduled: Geoff Schumacher, director of content for The Mob Museum, is scheduled to speak and sign copies of his book "Sun, Sin & Suburbia: An Essential History of Modern Las Vegas" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at The Writer's Block, 1020 Fremont St. Visit the writersblock.org.

Star Wars Reads Day: Jedi Scouts, a nonprofit that brings children together to explore the values found in Star Wars, plans to team with BooksOrBooks, 3460 E. Sunset Road, Suite R, to host Star Wars Reads Day activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10. A portion of sales that day will benefit Jedi Scouts and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Visit booksorbooks.com.

Novel writing class: Author Sean Hoade plans a free novel writing class from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Registration is required. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Tournament signing: A group of local authors is set to sign books at a golf tournament benefiting the Society of St. Stephen's Food Pantry and Clothing Boutique from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Angel Park Golf Course, 100 S. Rampart Blvd. Authors set to participate include s.h. Montgomery, Nancy Nelson, Stephen Murray, Brian Rouff and Judy Shine-Logan.

"Haunted Las Vegas" signing: Paul Papa is set to sign copies of his book "Haunted Las Vegas" from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 10 in the retail store at The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave. There is no admission charge to enter the store. Visit themobmuseum.org.

Author presentation: "Air Force One: an Honor, Privilege, and Pleasure to Serve" author John L. Haigh Sr. plans to share his experiences serving President Jimmy Carter, President Ronald Reagan and President George H. W. Bush during an author event scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave. Visit lvccld.org.

Fire department presentation: Tim Szymanski, public information and education officer for the Las Vegas Fire Department, is scheduled to speak about the fire department chain of command and procedures during a meeting of the Las Vegas Writers Group scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. A $5 meeting fee is charged. Szymanski is open to working with fiction and nonfiction writers who want to get facts straight. Visit meetup.com/las-vegas-writers.

The Three Wise Guys: Dayvid Figler, Gregory Crosby and Geoff Carter plan to present Spoken Word and Poetry, a free performance planned in conjunction with the Vegas Valley Book Festival, from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 16 in the jury assembly room at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Vegas Valley Book Festival: Brad Meltzer and Colum McCann have been selected to be keynote speakers for this year's Vegas Valley Book Festival, Oct. 15-17. Meltzer, author of "The Inner Circle," "The Book of Fate" and seven other best-selling thrillers, is set to open the festival Oct. 7 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. McCann is the author of two story collections and six novels, including the National Book Award-winning "Let the Great World Spin." Other festival events are set to include vendor booths, panel discussions, readings and workshops for adults, teens and children. All events are free. Volunteers are needed. Visit vegasvalleybookfestival.org.

Author discussion: Melody Moezzi, author of "Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life," is set to share her experiences thriving despite bipolar disorder from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., and from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. Visit lvccld.org.

Signing set: Toni Gallagher, executive producer of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and kids chapter book author, plans to sign copies of her Sept. 22 release, "Twist My Charm: The Popularity Spell," at 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Bukowski, Man and Myth: Las Vegas poet Lee Mallory plans to speak about his friendship and adventures with iconic poet Charles Bukowski during a free lecture at 2 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Drive.

Yetta Yvette signing: Local author Yetta Yvette is set to sign copies of her book "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" at 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Journalist presentation: Award-winning investigative journalist Nicholas Schou plans to share insights into the world of smugglers, drug dealers and narcotics during an author talk scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave. The event is free with paid admission or museum membership. Visit themobmuseum.org.

Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival: The Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival, a day chock-full of free activities, panel discussions and presentations celebrating comic book culture, is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Highlights are set to include workshops led by local and nationally recognized experts on comic art, writing and marketing, and a concert featuring The Doubleclicks and Molly Lewis. Visit lvccld.org.

Mob Museum signing: Author C. Joseph Greaves plans to sign copies of his book "Tom & Lucky and George & Cokey Flo" from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 9 in the retail store at The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave. There is no admission charge to enter the store. Visit themobmuseum.org.

Writing workshop: Hollywood script and story consultant Michael Hauge, best-selling author of "Writing Screenplays That Sell" and "Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read," is slated to present a Las Vegas Romance Writers-sponsored workshop on creating compelling fiction and more from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Sunset Station, 1301 W. Sunset Road. Admission is $75 for Las Vegas Romance Writers members and $100 for others. Visit lvrwa.org.

"Pete the Cat" author tour: "Pete the Cat" author and musician Eric Litwin is set to bring his musical stories to several local libraries in November, with stops scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road; from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Windmill Library, 7060 W. Windmill Lane; from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 19 at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.; and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave. Visit lvccld.org.

Writing and art competition: Henderson Libraries are sponsoring a creative writing and cover art contest for Clark County writers and artists 18 or older. The contest deadline is Nov. 30. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Ongoing events

Neon Lit: Neon Lit, a public reading featuring writers from UNLV's Master of Fine Arts and Ph.D. writing programs, is scheduled the fourth Friday of most months at The Writer's Block, 1020 Fremont St., No. 100. The next gathering is set for Oct. 23. Visit neonlit.org.

Writers club: The Aliante Library Writers Club is scheduled to meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Way. Email facilitator Glory Wade at glorywadewriter@gmail.com.

Sevens Live!: Poet Lee Mallory plans to present Sevens Live!, a new poetry, music and comedy showcase, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays inside the Cantina at the Silver Sevens, 4100 Paradise Road. Admission is free with a one-drink minimum. Call 702-733-7300.

Fiction writing series: The Creative Writing @ Your Library: Fiction Writing series facilitated by Henderson Writer's Group president Gregory A. Kompes is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month through Dec. 15 at the Gibson Library, 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway. Topics to be discussed include settings, characters, dialogue and editing. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Poets Corner: The West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., plans to host poets corner readings with Keith Brantley at 7 p.m. the first and third Friday of each month. Call 702-229-4800.

Science fiction and fantasy writing group: Readers, writers and editors of science fiction and fantasy are invited to check out a new group scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Saturdays in meeting room two at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Call 702-334-0204.

Barnes & Noble writing group: The 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble plans to host a writing critique group at 5:15 p.m. 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.

Henderson Writers Group: The Henderson Writers Group plans to meet 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.

Memoir-writing workshops: An ongoing series of free four-week memoir-writing workshops is scheduled at noon Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Fridays at the Las Vegas FamilySearch Library, 509 S. Ninth St. Four-week sessions are set to begin the first week of every month. Call 702-382-9695.

Books needed: Students at Clark County's 78 Safekey sites are in need of books, and Clark County commissioners and Las Vegas' new poet laureate are appealing to the community to help out. The goal is to collect 3,000 new or gently used books for use by elementary school children enrolled in morning and afternoon Safekey programs. The programs are set to adopt the Apple Core reading program with the goal of setting aside 15 minutes of reading time during each Safekey session. Visit clarkcountynv.gov.