Las Vegas book briefs for March 26-April 1, 2015

PASEO VERDE LIBRARY TO HOST LOCAL AUTHOR SHOWCASE

More than 60 local authors are slated to participate in the annual Local Author Showcase from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 28 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway. A premiere author panel featuring Oscar Goodman and Geoff Schumacher, hosted by Brian Rouff, is set for noon, and a book marketing workshop is scheduled for 3 p.m. For more information, visit mypubliclibrary.com.

ROGERS FOUNDATION MAKES MAJOR DONATION TO BLACK MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE

After donating $10 million in 2013 to the Black Mountain Institute, Beverly Rogers announced an additional $20 million gift from the Rogers Foundation to the UNLV-based literary center on March 19.

BMI president Carol Harter said the money will help UNLV’s Master of Fine Arts and Ph.D. writing programs compete with the best in the nation. Plans include the addition of tracks in creative nonfiction and creative dramatic writing. The gift will also help hire new faculty and 15 graduate assistants.

For more information, visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

THE WRITER’S BLOCK EXPANDS WEBSITE AND OFFERINGS

The new downtown bookstore The Writer’s Block, 1020 Fremont St., recently expanded its website with the addition of a full schedule of literary events, including readings and signings for adults and free workshops for students ages 5 to 18. Kid’s workshops are each limited to six students who are selected via lottery. Topics range from printmaking to flash fiction. Upcoming adult events include Pam Braun reading from “The Ultimate Anti-Cancer Cookbook” from 2 to 4 p.m. April 12 and Arnie and Sheila Wexler reading from “All Bets Are Off: Losers, Liars, and Recovery From Gambling Addiction” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 22. For more information, visit thewritersblock.org.

BAUMAN TO SHOW RARE COOKBOOKS

Bauman Rare Books is slated to present a display of rare and unusual cookbooks and cocktail and bartender guides through April 12 in the Bauman’s gallery in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Highlights of the exhibit include a first edition of Jewish Cookery Book, valued at $15,000, a first edition of Julia Child’s “Cooking with Master Chefs,” valued at $1,200, and a 1865 Louis Pasteur autographed letter requesting a key ingredient for his experiments that would save the French wine industry, valued at $9,800. For more information, visit baumanrarebooks.com.

ANIMALS TO BENEFIT FROM BOOK EVENT

Heather Silvio plans to promote her book “Courting Death” and her newest book “Beyond the Abyss: Tales of the Supernatural” with an event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 28 at BooksOrBooks, 3460 E. Sunset Road. A portion of proceeds is set to be donated to local animal organizations. All Fur Love Animal Society and Animal Network representatives are set to be on hand to answer questions and may have animals available for adoption. For more information on the author, visit heathersilvio.com.

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. For more information, visit neonlit.org.

FREE CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS PLANNED AT LIBRARY

A free Creative Writing @ Your Library series is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the Gibson Library, 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway. Writers 18 or older are encouraged to participate and share.

Members of the Henderson Writers’ Group are slated to facilitate workshop sessions on a variety of topics, including memoirs on April 14, screenwriting on April 28, editing your own work on May 12 and publishing options on May 26.

For more information, visit mypubliclibrary.com.

The Henderson Writers’ Group also plans to host its 2015 Las Vegas Writer’s Conference April 23-25 at Sam’s Town, 5111 Boulder Highway. For more information, visit lasvegaswritersconference.com.

AUTHOR TO SIGN ‘THE GIFT’

Suzanne de Board is set to sign her book “The Gift” at 11 a.m. March 28 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

SIGNING SET FOR ‘ROZELLE: A BIOGRAPHY’

Jerry Izenberg plans to sign his book “Rozelle: A Biography” at 1 p.m. March 29 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

WRITING COACH TO OFFER FREE WORKSHOPS

Writing coach Liz Ozi is set to offer free workshops for creative writers from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays in March at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Register at mypubliclibrary.com or call 702-207-4261.

SIGNING SLATED AT BOOKSORBOOKS

Local author Anna Mae Zuccari-Teitelbaum plans a book signing from 3 to 5 p.m. March 28 at BooksOrBooks, 3460 E. Sunset Road. For more information, visit booksorbooks.com.

LIBRARY TEAMS WITH MOB MUSEUM FOR CARD DRIVE

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and the Mob Museum have teamed for a library card sign-up campaign throughout April. Patrons who sign up for a library card or like the district’s Facebook page during April will be entered for a chance to win a gift basket from the museum that includes a one-year family membership. Nevada residents can also present their library card at the museum during April for a $2 discount. For more information, visit lvccld.org or themobmuseum.org.

SISTER SPIT PLANS LAS VEGAS VISIT

Sister Spit, a group of queer and queer-influenced writers and artists, are set to visit The Writer’s Block, 1020 Fremont St., No. 100, at 7 p.m. April 4. The event is set to be hosted by Virgie Tovar and feature writers Thomas Page McBee, Myriam Gurba, Mica Sigourney and Tom Cho. For more information, visit facebook.com/sisterspit or thewritersblock.org.

STORYTELLING LECTURE SLATED

Art Practice: Memory, Myth and Storytelling, an event featuring Branden Koch of the Milton Avery School of the Arts at Bard College, is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. April 6 in the Barrick Museum Auditorium at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. For more information, visit unlv.edu.

FIRST FRIDAY POETRY SET FOR APRIL 3

First Friday Poetry, produced by Lee Mallory, Lana Hanson and Andy Hall, is set to return from 5 to 11 p.m. April 3 to the 18b Arts District. This month’s poets plan to honor April as National Poetry Month.

HISTORIAN MICHAEL GREEN TO SPEAK

UNLV historian Michael Green plans to discuss his new book “Nevada: A History of the Silver State” at 7 p.m. April 9 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. For more information, visit lvccld.org.

AUTHOR TO SIGN ‘THE 52ND’

Dela, author of the young adult urban fantasy “The 52nd,” is set to meet readers at 2 p.m. April 11 at the 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

REPORTER TO SIGN TRUE-CRIME BOOK

Crime reporter Carolina Sarassa is set to sign copies of “Dancing on Her Grave: The Murder of a Las Vegas Showgirl,” written with Diana Montane, at 2 p.m. April 11 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble. The true-crime book follows the 2010 murder of Debbie Flores.

AUTHOR TO SIGN ‘PAPA’S GIFT’

Local author George McLendon is scheduled to sign his book “Papa’s Gift” at 1 p.m. April 11 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

HIKING AUTHOR PLANS EVENT

“Hiking Las Vegas” author Branch Whitney is set to speak from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 16 at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. For more information, visit lvccld.org.

MORGAN ST. JAMES TO SPEAK TO WRITERS GROUP

Local author and editor Morgan St. James is scheduled to speak on character-driven vs. plot-driven style during a meeting of the Las Vegas Writers Group scheduled for 7 p.m. April 16 at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. A $5 meeting fee is charged. For more information, visit meetup.com/las-vegas-writers.

AUTHOR TO SPEAK ON DEVELOPING A SERIES

Award-winning romance author Jodi Thomas is set to present a program titled Word Building: A Look into How to Build a Series during a meeting of the Las Vegas Romance Writers from 10 a.m. to noon April 18 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Thomas has published at least a book a year for 27 years and has been on the New York Times Bestseller list multiple times. For more on the event, visit lvrwa.org.

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH SUPER SAMPLER SLATED

In honor of National Poetry Month, a Poetry Super Sampler featuring talent from all over the Las Vegas Valley is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. April 17 at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. For more information, call 702-229-4800 or 702-507-3989, or visit www.artslasvegas.org.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION TO BENEFIT FROM SIGNING

An author’s book signing to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Las Vegas is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 at BooksOrBooks, 3460 E. Sunset Road. Authors slated to participate include: Nancy Nelson, author of “Blue.River.Apple.”; Gina Morena Wilson, author of “Donald’s Story”; Frank Kennerley, author of “My Last Trip with Carol”; Bernita A. Glenn, author of “Behind Every Dark Cloud — A Caregiver’s Heart”; Stephen Murrah, author of The Chapel of Eternal Love”; and s.h. Montgomery, author of “Whisper in the Blood.” A percentage of book sales will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.

SUBMISSIONS, VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR VEGAS VALLEY BOOK FESTIVAL

The 2015 Vegas Valley Book Festival is set for Oct. 15-17. Authors and volunteers interested in participating can register at vegasvalleybookfestival.org/2015-interest-form. Submissions will be taken through March 31. For more information, visit vegasvalleybookfestival.com.

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY GROUP UNDERWAY IN LIBRARY

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. For more information, call 702-334-0204.

LEGEND SERIES AUTHOR PLANS LAS VEGAS VISIT

Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the Legend series, is scheduled to discuss the art of writing and her books, including her recently released novel “The Young Elites,” at 7 p.m. April 21 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. For more information, visit lvccld.org.

JACK SHEEHAN TO SPEAK AT UNLV

Author and journalist Jack Sheehan is set to discuss making a living as a writer from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 30 in the Greenspun Hall Auditorium at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Sheehan is the author of 18 nonfiction books, including “Buried Lies,” “Skin City,” “Class of ’47” and “Quiet Kingmaker.” The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit unlv.edu.

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.

RICHARD SILKEN TO SPEAK AT UNLV

The Black Mountain Institute is set to host a presentation by poet, editor, painter and filmmaker Richard Siken at 7 p.m. April 30 in the Greenspun Hall Auditorium at at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. For more information, visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

ALIANTE LIBRARY TO HOST 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. For more information, email facilitator Glory Wade at glorywadewriter@gmail.com.

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 9 p.m. Mondays in The Beat Coffeehouse inside Emergency Arts, 520 Fremont St. For more information, visit lasvegaspoets.org.

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. For more information, call the center at 702-229-4800.

LIBRARY CAN BENEFIT FROM AMAZON PURCHASES

At no cost to you, purchases made at amazon.com can help the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. The district benefits not only when you buy books but also movies, CDs, electronics, appliances and more. To start, visit wowbrary.org/lasvegas and the online retailer will donate roughly 7.5 percent of your purchases to the district.

For more information, email ask@lvccld.org or call the Virtual Library section at 702-507-6300.

FREE READ TO ME PROGRAM OFFERED

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.

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. For more information, visit hendersonwritersgroup.

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. For more information, call 702-382-9695.

ACCESS RECORDED BOOK PROGRAMS ONLINE

Too busy to get out to book programs? The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District posts videos and podcasts of many of its programs online. Selections available 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 blackmountaininstitute.org and select “multimedia.”

NEVADA STATE MUSEUM COLLECTING PHOTOS FOR BOOK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS

The Nevada State Museum is looking for photos for a book about the history of North Las Vegas.

Photos are sought that document regular life and special events, from family barbecues to award ceremonies, or show what the city looked like back in the day. Photographs from the 1930s and 1940s are of particular interest.

Museum professionals are set to scan photographs, and the originals will remain with the donors.

For more information, call Crystal R. Van Dee at 702-822-8751.

POETS CAN SEEK FEEDBACK 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. March 28. For more information, call 702-754-5971, email jtjmarco@live.com, raisewomenup@gmail.com or leewmallory3@gmail.com or search for 5/5+ on Facebook.

LAS VEGAS COMIC CON SET FOR APRIL 24-26

The inaugural Wizard World Las Vegas Comic Con is scheduled April 24-26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event is set to feature comic artists and writers and an assortment of television and movie actors and fans dressed in costumes. For more information, visit wizardworld.com/home-lasvegas.html.

POP-UP POETRY SERIES SLATED

The Las Vegas Poets Organization, in conjunction with Nevada Humanities, plans to present a monthly series in the 18b Las Vegas Arts District every First Friday at the Nevada Humanities offices at Art Square, 1017 S. First St. Each month, featured poets are set to present a reading from their works at 7 p.m. In upcoming months, the organiztion plans to feature poets Jess Flo, Bakeem Lloyd, Elizabeth Quinones Saldana, Madeline Beckwith and more. For more information, visit lasvegaspoets.org.

WALTER MOSLEY TO DELIVER LECTURE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Easy Rawlins mysteries series author Walter Mosley is set to deliver a Black Mountain Institute hosted Jim Rogers Contrarian Lecture on higher education at 7 p.m. May 7 in the Student Union Ballroom at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. For more information, visit blackmountaininstitute.org.

UNITED WAY PLANS FREE FLIP THROUGH SUMMER READING KICKOFF

The United Way of Southern Nevada’s Flip Through Summer reading kickoff is set to return from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. The annual event is set to feature six book nooks with live readings and activities. Children are invited to explore favorites such as “The Cat in the Hat,” “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” “Stuart Little,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Dora the Explorer” and the Harry Potter series.

Families can also participate in a book swap where each individual can bring two books and swap them for two new books. To learn more about sponsorship, contact Chris Cappas at 702-892-2322 or chrisc@uwsn.org. For event details, visit uwsn.org/flipthroughsummer.