Las Vegas Book Briefs for July 30-Aug. 5, 2015
Dreamers stories compiled in new book
Immigrant rights advocates Dr. Emma Sepulveda and Ivon Padilla-Rodriguez plan a reading and signing for "The Country I Call Home: Stories of Growing Up a Citizen in Every Way but One," a book they compiled featuring 41 first-person essays of undocumented youth known as Dreamers, from 6 to 8 p.m. July 30 at The Writer’s Block, 1020 Fremont St., No. 100. Visit thewritersblock.org.
Trio of writers to speak at bookstore
"Hidden Valley: The Awakening" author Jon Morgan Woodward, is set to join authors John Carvalho and Nadia Sahari for a book discussion and signing scheduled at 1 p.m. Aug. 1 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.
Clark County poet laureate to host workshops
Clark County's new poet laureate, Bruce Isaacson, plans to conduct a series of free workshops on the subject of beatnik poetics at 2 p.m. Aug. 15 and Sept. 12 at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Drive. Registration is required at poetlaureateclarkcounty@cox.net. Isaacson studied under Allen Ginsberg and knew other beat poets, such as Gregory Corso and Diane di Prima. The first workshop is set to focus on precursors to the beats, starting with the Bible, French poets, Walt Whitman and others. 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 clarkcountdnv.gov.
Great-granddaughter shares story of Western lawman
Jackie Boor is set to read from and sign "Logan: The Honorable Life and Scandalous Death of a Western Lawman," a book about the life and controversial death of her great-grandfather, three-term Nye County Sheriff Tom Logan, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at The Writer’s Block, 1020 Fremont St., No. 100. Visit jackieboor.com or thewritersblock.org.
Double Down to host 'Funky Love!' poetry show
"Funky Love!", a live spoken word and music show featuring poet Lee Mallory, upright bass player Mizz Absurd and jazz musician Philena Carter, is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Double Down Saloon, 4640 Paradise Road.
"Let's Get Lost" with "Never Always Sometimes" author
Mexico City-based author Adi Alsaid is scheduled to sign copies of the teen romance "Never Always Sometimes" at 4 p.m. Aug. 8 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble. Alsaid, a former UNLV student, is also author of the novel "Let's Get Lost." Visit somewhereoverthesun.com.
Authors plan bookstore event
Marietta Harris is set to sign copies of her book "The Other Side of Alzheimer's: A Caregiver's Story," and Spencer Anderson is slated to sign copies of his book "The Last Raider" at 1 p.m. Aug. 8 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.
Henderson writers to welcome Tom Keller
Tom Keller is set to speak on how to self-publish a novel during a meeting of the Henderson Writers Group scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana Ave.
Event slated for "Beautiful Liar'
Ni'cola Mitchell is scheduled to sign copies of her book "Beautiful Liar" at 6 p.m. Aug. 14 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.
Romance writers to welcome Shelley Shepard Gray
A meeting of the Las Vegas Romance Writers is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 15 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. The event is set to feature a presentation on the business of being an author by best-selling romance author Shelley Shepard Gray. Visit lvrwa.org.
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.
"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.
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.
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. 1. Call 702-754-5971, email jtjmarco@live.com, raisewomenup@gmail.com or leewmallory3@gmail.com or search for 5/5+ on Facebook.
Summer reading programs offered
Summer reading programs are underway in libraries across the valley. For details on Las Vegas-Clark County Library District programs, visit lvccld.org. For Henderson Libraries, visit mypubliclibrary.com, and for North Las Vegas, visit nlvld.org.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
