Las Vegas Book Briefs for Aug. 20-26, 2015

John Hill to speak to writers group

Local author and screenwriter John Hill is scheduled to speak about how to write short stories during a meeting of the Las Vegas Writers Group scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. A $5 meeting fee is charged. Visit meetup.com/las-vegas-writers.

'Still Life Las Vegas' author to visit

James Sie is set to sign copies of his novel "Still Life Las Vegas" at 3 p.m. Aug. 22 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

Author plans spa signing

"The Chapel of Eternal Love" author Stephen Murray plans a book signing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22 at Body Spa Salon, 10300 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 17. Visit thechapelofeternallove.com.

'Breathing Water' book signing slated

S.R. Atkinson plans to sign copies of "Breathing Water," the first book in a planned siren anthology, at 1 p.m. Aug. 23 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Maxwell Alexander Drake to offer free writing workshop

Local author Maxwell Alexander Drake plans to conduct a free writing workshop from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive. Visit lvccld.org or call 702-507-6107.

Matthew B. Freese to speak at library

Author Matthew B. Freese is set to speak as part of the Poets, Authors or Persons of Interest series at 9 a.m. Aug. 25 at the Heritage Park Library, 300 S. Racetrack Road. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Signing set for 'Porn Again'

Josh Sabarra is scheduled to sign "Porn Again," his memoir on life in the Hollywood fast lane, at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

The Writer's Block to showcase local authors

The downtown bookstore The Writer's Block, 1020 Fremont St., No. 100, plans to showcase a monthly selection of books from local authors followed by a last-Saturday-of-the-month book signing. This month's authors include Michael D. Mercurio, John Destino, Mathias B. Freese, Chris D'Errico and G. Gordon Davis, signing from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29. Visit thewritersblock.org.

Library to host writing coach workshops

Writing coach Liz Ozi plans to work with writers in free workshops scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 12 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Poetry to be featured at 5/5+

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. Aug. 30. Call 702-754-5971, email jtjmarco@live.com, raisewomenup@gmail.com or leewmallory3@gmail.com or search for 5/5+ on Facebook.

Event scheduled for 'Firewalker'

Best-selling author Josephine Angelini is slated to read from and sign copies of her new young adult fantasy "Firewalker" at 2 p.m. Sept. 5 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Romance writers to meet at library

A meeting of the Las Vegas Romance Writers is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 19 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Visit lvrwa.org.

'Nemesis' author plans events

Local author Eddie Lee is scheduled to speak as part of the Desert Author Series from 2:30 to 3:20 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. Visit lvccld.org. Lee also plans to sign copies of his science fiction thriller "Nemesis" at 1 p.m. Sept. 19 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Crystal Bookmark Award nominations requested

The public is invited to submit nominations for the 2015 Vegas Valley Book Festival Crystal Bookmark Awards through 5 p.m. Sept. 24. The annual awards honor a Southern Nevada individual and an organization for advancing the cause of literature in the Las Vegas Valley. Nominations can be submitted at vegasvalleybookfestival.org/crystal-bookmark-nomination-form, or forms may be requested by phone at 702-229-5902.

Library to host publishing workshop

A free workshop on publishing options for authors led by local publisher Jo Wilkins is scheduled from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Visit lvccld.org or call 702-507-3458.

Share poems at Human Experience

Polish up a poem or two and try them out at Human Experience, a free spoken word event scheduled from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Mondays at The Center, 401 S. Maryland Parkway. Participants 18 or older are welcome. Visit facebook.com/humanexperiencelasvegas.

City of Asylum writer to share stories of censorship

Black Mountain Institute City of Asylum resident writer Hossein Mortezaeian Abkenar is scheduled to share a night of discussion with readers through an interpreter as part of a program titled Unsilenced: Censorship, Iran and the Contemporary Novelist in Exile from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. A reception is slated to follow the discussion. Visit lvccld.org.

Henderson Writer's Group president to lead 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 Sept. 1 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.

Aliante Library to offer 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.

Arts Center to host 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.

Clark County poet laureate to host workshops

Clark County's new poet laureate, Bruce Isaacson, plans to conduct a free workshop on the subject of beatnik poetics at 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Drive. Registration is required by emailing poetlaureateclarkcounty@cox.net. Isaacson studied under Allen Ginsberg and knew other beat poets, such as Gregory Corso and Diane di Prima. Isaacson also plans to lead a series of open readings at the center at 6:30 p.m. Fridays, except for the third Friday. Visit clarkcountynv.gov.

Author to speak about self-defense

"Bright Lights, Dark Places" author Debra Gauthier is set to speak about self-protection and awareness for women from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Library to host Banned Books Week program

Fight censorship and celebrate your freedom to read during Banned Books Week, Sept. 27-Oct. 3. Locally, Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Steve Sebelius is set to moderate as a panel of educators and experts discuss the current state of censorship in Nevada during an event scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Visit lvccld.org.

Science fiction and fantasy writing group underway

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.

UNLV writers welcome all to 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. Visit neonlit.org.

Barnes & Noble to host 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 meetings set

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 slated

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.

Vegas Valley Book Festival speakers announced

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.

Free novel writing class offered at Green Valley

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. Participation is free, but registration is required. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.