Las Vegas book briefs for June 23-29, 2016

Annie Meadows: The local singer, songwriter and author is set to release the seventh book in her children’s series at 2 p.m. June 25 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

“Lily and the Octopus” signing: Screenwriter Steven Rowley is set to sign copies of his debut novel “Lily and the Octopus” at 2 p.m. June 25 in the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Frank Marino: Las Vegas headliner Frank Marino, author of the autobiography “His Majesty the Queen,” is set to talk about how he took a $25-an-hour job and turned it into a $100,000-per-night gig during an author chat at 3 p.m. June 26 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. A book signing is slated to follow. Visit lvccld.org.

Katrina book: Connie Marie Harris plans to talk about and sign her book “Rise Up!: The Miracles and Men of Katrina” at 1 p.m. June 26 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble and at 1 p.m. July 23 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Words and music: Local poet Lee Mallory plans to join hip-hop artist Jackie G. for an evening of verse and vocals at 7 p.m. June 28 at The Beat, 520 Fremont St. Visit facebook.com/jackiegthatsme.

“El Guero”: Local author Tim Harron is scheduled to sign “El Guero,” a novel based on true life events, at 1 p.m. July 2 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

Leviosa Con: A convention dedicated to the Harry Potter universe is scheduled July 7-10 at Green Valley Ranch Resort, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway. While J.K. Rowling won’t be in the house at the unofficial fan festival, other authors slated to participate include Victoria Aveyard, Alexandra Bracken, Susan Dennard and Sarah J. Maas. Admission starts at $200. Visit leviosa.org.

Comics conversation: Comic book scribe Russell Lissau is set to lead a workshop on how to turn ideas into comic books from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 13 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Visit lvccld.org.

Las Vegas Stories: Preservationist and archivist Lynn Zook, author of “Las Vegas 1905-1965” and the forthcoming e-book “Gambling on a Dream: The Classic Las Vegas Strip 1930-1955,” is slated to speak at 7 p.m. July 7 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Visit lvccld.org.

Chronic pain treatment: Dr. Mel Pohl, director of the Las Vegas Recovery Center and author of several books, including “The Pain Antidote,” is set to speak on chronic pain and opiod treatment at 7:30 p.m. July 8 at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. Visit lvccld.org.

Dwayna Litz: Singer and songwriter Dwayna Litz is slated to sign copies of her self-help book “Happiness No Man Required” at 1 p.m. July 9 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

“Broadcast Hysteria” discussion: Michigan writer A. Brad Schwartz plans to discuss his book “Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News” from 7 to 8 p.m. July 14 at The Writer’s Block, 1020 Fremont St. Visit thewritersblock.org.

Megan Volpert signing: A reading and signing with Megan Volpert, author of “1976,” is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. July 15 at The Writer’s Block, 1020 Fremont St. Visit thewritersblock.org.

“Happy Days”: Author N.D. Mellon is set to sign copies of his book “Happy Days” at 1 p.m. July 16 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Las Vegas Writers Group: Professional blogger Kitty Lusby is scheduled to discuss how to promote work through blogs during a meeting of the Las Vegas Writers Group at 7 p.m. July 21 at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. The meeting fee is $5. Visit meetup.com/Las-Vegas-Writers.

“Poetic Justice”: Local author Tami Belt plans to sign copies of her book “Poetic Justice: Lessons of love, life & relationships” at 7 p.m. July 22 at The Writer’s Block, 1020 Fremont St. Visit 1bluecube.com.

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 the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble, the 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. Barnes & Noble and the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

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. Visit clarkcountynv.gov or lvccld.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 mypubliclibrary.org. 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. For details on the district’s program, visit nlvld.org or call 702-839-2980.

Stroke survival: 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.

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.

Vegas Valley Book Festival: Although the schedule has yet to be announced, the Vegas Valley Book Festival has announced some of the authors slated to participate in the Oct. 15 event. This year’s book festival, an event that typically packs in 100 authors, workshops, panel discussions, readings and signings, is set to feature Amy Rose Capetta, Mary Guinan, Craig Johnson, Cori McCarthy, Megan McDonald, Jim Nisbet, Stephan Pastis, Stephen Savage, Stacy Schiff, Eliot Schrefer, Frank Shankwitz, F. Andrew Taylor and Randy Sutton. School visits by some authors are planned on Oct. 14. 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.