Las Vegas book briefs for July 28-Aug. 3, 2016

Local author showcase: The Writer’s Block plans to showcase local indie authors A. Milton Blankenship, Bette Blankenship, Joseph Santilli, Tasha Bullock and Mark Fierro at a book signing and meet-and-greet scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. July 30 at the 1020 Fremont St. book shop. Visit thewritersblock.org.

Painted Stories: Writers of Southern Nevada plans to present a mixed-media showcase featuring local authors reading from their works as artists paint from 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 31 and Oct. 30 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. The July event is set to feature authors Deborah Coonts and Karen Haid and artists Gabbie Hirsch and Dale Sprague. Visit clarkcountynv.gov or lvccld.org.

Midnight parties: Harry Potter countdown release parties are back with a “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” party at 8 p.m. July 30 at Barnes & Noble locations at 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd., 8915 W. Charleston Blvd., and 567 N. Stephanie St.

Fiction writing: Local author Gregory A. Kompes is set to offer a free fiction workshop from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Aug. 2 and 16 at the Gibson Library, 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway.

“The Black Directive”: Local author N.D. Mellen is set to sign copies of the book “The Black Directive” at 1 p.m. Aug. 6 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

Book benefit: Local authors Nancy Nelson, Michael Gordon Bennett, Alan Geik, Tim Harron, Susan Johnson and Stephen Murray are scheduled to donate a portion of sales to the Alzheimer’s Association during a book signing event scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 at BooksOrBooks, 3460 E Sunset Road. Visit booksorbooks.com.

Bookseller signing: Local bookseller Tracey R. Newman is set to sign copies of her novel “Illusion: Through the Never Series” at 1 p.m. Aug. 13 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

Las Vegas Writers Group: S.P. Grogan, author of “Vegas Die” “Captain Cooked,” “Atomic Dreams at the Red Tiki Lounge” and “With Revenge Comes Terror,” is scheduled to speak during a meeting of the Las Vegas Writers Group at 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. The meeting fee is $5. Visit meetup.com/Las-Vegas-Writers.

Poets’ Corner: Poet Keith Brantley is set to host a monthly open-mic poetry gathering at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Visit artslasvegas.org.

Summer reading: The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District’s Club Read summer reading club is underway with performances, activities and reading incentive challenges for children, from birth to 17, through Aug. 20. Participants who read 20 books or for 10 hours get a free book and an entry into a drawing for a $50 Target gift card. Pick up a reading log at any library. For a list of events, visit lvccld.org or call 702-734-7323. The Henderson Libraries offer a summer reading program for children from birth through 17 with crafts, games, performances and more through Aug. 27. For details visit hendersonlibraries.com. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced a $1,500 grant to support summer literacy through the North Las Vegas Library District’s summer reading program. Visit nlvld.org or call 702-839-2980.

Stroke survival discussion: Author Robert Parker plans to talk about his journey as a stroke survivor from 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 20 at the Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Visit lvccld.org.

Author signing: Local author Rick Ainsworth is scheduled to sign copies of his book “American Dictator” at 1 p.m. Aug. 20 at the 2191 N. Barnes & Noble.

“Surface Tension”: S.R. Atkinson is set to sign copies of the novel “Surface Tension” at 1 p.m. Aug. 20 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

Romance writers: Historical romance author Kris Tualla is scheduled to speak during a meeting of the Las Vegas Romance Writers at 10 a.m. Aug. 20 in the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Visit lvrwa.org.

Slam champ: Four-time National Poetry Slam champion Patricia Smith is scheduled to lead a free writers’ workshop at 2 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Clark County Library, 1401 Flamingo Road. The award-winning poet is set to read from her work at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Nevada State College auditorium, 1081 Paradise Hills. Visit clarkcountynv.gov.

“El Guero”: Tim Harron is slated to sign copies of his book “El Guero” at 1 p.m. Aug. 27 at the 2191 N. Barnes & Noble.

Hiking chat: Branch Whitney, author of several local hiking books, is set to speak about the best hikes around Las Vegas from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Windmill Library, 7060 W. Windmill Lane. Visit lvccld.org.

“Children of Exile”: Margaret Peterson Haddix is slated to sign copies of her novel “Children of Exile” at 9 a.m. Sept. 21 at the 2191 N. Barnes & Noble.

Book art: Sue Cotter is slated to offer a two-day book art workshop where artists will get hands-on experience crafting books from scratch — painting, cutting pages and sewing and embellishing inside pages — using various media from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 and 16 at Braewood Heritage Square, 2570 Braewood Drive. The workshop cost is $150, which includes materials. A deposit of $50 is due Aug. 15. Contact Sylvia Bachiochi at 702-464-0857.

Vegas Valley Book Festival: The 15th annual Vegas Valley Book Festival is slated to host panel discussions, author readings, workshops, signings and more for all ages from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. This year’s book festival is set to host authors including Katherine Boo, Amy Rose Capetta, Don Calame, Mary Guinan, Nathan Hale, Amy Ignatow, Craig Johnson, Norm Kresge, Cori McCarthy, Megan McDonald, Jim Nisbet, Stephan Pastis, Thomas Perry, Sharon Schaaf, Stephen Savage, Stacy Schiff, Eliot Schrefer, Frank Shankwitz, Adam Silvera, Mister G, F. Andrew Taylor, Jodi Thomas, Randy Sutton, Alisa Valdes and Chuck Williams. School visits by some authors are planned on Oct. 14. The festival also plans a Spark! teen poetry writing and performance competition with entries due Sept. 30. Visit vegasvalleybookfestival.org.

ONGOING EVENTS

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.

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.