Book Briefs for Nov. 20-26

Vegas Lit to publish fiction with covers by local artists

Las Vegas-based publisher Huntington Press has launched the new fiction imprint Vegas Lit with plans to specialize in works with a Las Vegas or gambling tie-in.

The imprint's first title is "Risk of Ruin," a debut novel by Las Vegas writer Arnold Snyder, who also serves as Vegas Lit's managing editor. On Dec. 15, Vegas Lit is set to release Michael Konik's satirical fantasy, "Becoming Bobby." David Kranes' thriller, "abracadabra," is slated for an early 2013 release.

Huntington Press is planning to feature original artwork commissioned from local artists on all Vegas Lit covers. Writers and artists can visit lasvegasadvisor.com for submission guidelines. Queries can be emailed to books@huntingtonpress.com.

Poets and musical theater performers to combine talents in show

Las Vegas poets are slated to contribute original works to "Marry Me a Little," a RagTag Productions review of music by Stephen Sondheim scheduled at 7 p.m. Nov. 27-29 in Arts Square Theatre, 1025 S. First St. Tickets are $15. Visit flavors.me/cockroachtheatre.

'American Gypsy' to be discussed during Carr Chat series

Join guest host Deborah Coonts as she interviews "American Gypsy: A Memoir" author Oksana Marafioti during a Carr Chat series event scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway. The chat series, founded by Henderson author Robyn Carr, brings in writers from all over for free informal discussions. Visit mypubliclibrary.com for details.

Local author series to feature Phil Simon

Meet Phil Simon, local author of the non-fiction book "The Age of the Platform: How Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google Have Redefined Business," from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 28 in the lobby of the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, as part of the READ Local Author Series. For more information, visit mypubliclibrary.org.

Poet Peter Covino to visit as part of emerging writers series

The Black Mountain Institute plans to welcome poet Peter Covino, who will speak as part of the Emerging Writers Series at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 in the auditorium of the Marjorie Barrick Museum at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Covino is author of the book "Straight Boyfriends," winner of the 2001 Frank O'Hara Chapbook Prize.

Additional Black Mountain programs scheduled include Wole Soyinka at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the UNLV student union; A Nevada Emerging Writers Series featuring Leslie Jamison at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Greenspun Hall auditorium at UNLV; Mustapha Marrouchi at 7 p.m. March 6 in the UNLV student union; and a conversation with BMI Fellows Criselda Yabes and Oksana Marafioti, moderated by Richard Wiley, at 7 p.m. April 10 in the UNLV student union. For more information, visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

The Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, is signing up local published authors for the fifth annual Spring Fling Book Fair, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 6. Authors who have books to sell can sign up for signing table sessions from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Space is limited. The main theater is expected to feature a Hollywood authors panel, a concert and more.

For more information, contact library scheduling specialist Julie Okabayashi at okabayashij@lvccld.org.

Teen Writing Club to meet at library

A teen writing club is scheduled to meet from 4 to 5 p.m. today at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Visit mypubliclibrary.com for details.

Half-off book sale to benefit summer reading program

Help support the Henderson Libraries' Summer Reading Program and save money at a half-off Scholastic children's books sale scheduled throughout the day Nov. 29 and 30 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway. Visit mypubliclibrary.com for details.

Launch set for 'Salsa: The Taste of Life'

Eva Santiago plans to launch her book "Salsa: The Taste of Life" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8 at The Coffee House, 117 S. Water Street.

Graphic novelist schedules event

Liesa Swejkoski plans to sign copies of her young adult graphic novels "Lizzie's Blue Ridge Memories" and "A Sideshow Journey" at 1 p.m. Dec. 8 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Learn to write irresistible queries

LeeAnne Krusemark, author of "101 Ways to Make $Money$ as a Freelance Writer," is scheduled to talk about writing irresistible query letters during a meeting of the Las Vegas Writers Group scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. The meeting fee is $5. In addition to his work for newspapers and magazines, For more information, visit meetup.com/las-vegas-writers/.

Henderson Writers Group meets Mondays

The Henderson Writers Group meets from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Mondays at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at 4550 S. Maryland Parkway on the second and fourth Mondays and at Saxbys Coffee Lounge, 72 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson, on the first, third and occasional fifth Mondays. Meetings are typically canceled on holidays.

Visit hendersonwritersgroup.com for more information. Meetings are open to the public.

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 www.meetup.com/las-vegas-creative-writing-class.

FREE STORYCORPS TOOLKIT HELPS COLLECT MEMORIES

The 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 videocasts 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 blackmountain institute.org and select "multimedia."

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.