Summer is officially here, and it’s the perfect time to check out some of the great things that are happening in our regional literary community. Here’s a look at some of the events, book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up this week.
Thursday, June 22
10:30 AM – Storytime Learn & Play @ Troy Public Library
Join us at the Main Library for your child’s enrichment
1:30 PM – Howdunnits Mystery Writers Group @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
The Howdunnits provide a safe and welcoming venue to share your writing and to give and receive feedback from others.
3:30 PM – Songwriting Workshop & Discussion @ Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
Let’s talk about songwriting! What’s your process? Do the lyrics or the melody come first? Even if you’ve never written a song, but are curious about the process, join us for an engaging discussion.
6:00 PM – Speculative Fiction Reading @ CMM Distillery
Shout Out Saugerties and Inquiring Minds Bookstore presents an evening of speculative fiction featuring Anne Heltzel, John Langan, and Peter Vinogradov with excerpts from works in progress by Jan Alexander, Toby Barna, and Kevin Freeman.
6:00 PM – Stephen Kiernan – The Glass Château – with Megan Mayhew Bergman @ Northshire Manchester
The critically acclaimed author of Universe of Two and The Baker’s Secret will join us to celebrate his newest novel, in conversation with Megan Mayhew Bergman. The Glass Château is a novel of hope, healing, and the redemptive power of art, set against the turmoil of post-World War II France and inspired by the life of Marc Chagall.
6:00 PM – Craig Nelson – V is For Victory: Franklyn Roosevelt’s American Revolution and the triumph of World War II @ Oblong Books
New York Times bestselling historian Craig Nelson reveals how FDR confronted an American public disinterested in going to war in Europe, skillfully won their support, and pushed the government and American industry to build the greatest war machine in history, “the arsenal of democracy” that won World War II.
7:00 PM – Howl Story Slam: Ticonderoga @ Ledge Hill Brewing
The Howl Story Slam is a live storytelling competition. Anyone can sign up to tell a story the night of the event. This slam takes place at Ledge Hill Brewing in Ticonderoga, NY.
Friday, June 23
9:00 AM – Early Literacy Storytime! @ Troy Public Library
Kids ages 0-5 are welcome to this early literacy story
10:30 AM – Storytime @ Waterford Public Library
Open to kids of all ages, but geared towards 2-5 year old’s. No registration required. Storytime consists of 2-3 stories and a related craft.
7:00 PM – Vibes & Scribes Poetry Open Mic @ Foreign Objects Nerve Center
Featured performances by Anne Diorio and Daniel Villegas with music by DJ PhoolishRoc.
Saturday, June 24
12:00 PM – Exploring Transgender Poetics with Elliot Pecora @ Adirondack Center for Writing
A free, drop-in writing workshop on the theme of Transgender poetry. All are welcome.
1:00 PM – David Bushman signs “Forget It, Jake It’s Schenectady” @ The Open Door Bookstore
In one of the more notorious cases of police corruption in New York State in recent times, the FBI set its sights on the Schenectady PD in 1999, launching an investigation that would eventually result in the imprisonment of four officers, the suicide of a fifth, and the resignation of Chief Greg Kaczmarek. “Forget It, Jake, It’s Schenectady: The True Story Behind ‘The Place Beyond the Pines'” is an unprecedented in-depth look at this troubled time in the history of the Schenectady police.
3:00 PM – Poetry Reading @ Soulshine Market (Pine Bush, NY)
Poetry reading hosted by Robert Milby with featured reader David Messineo with an open mic to follow.
6:30 PM – Lorrie Moore – I am Homeless if THis is Not My Home: A Novel @ Morton Memorial Library
Hear Lorrie Moore discuss her first novel since A Gate at the Stairs—a daring, meditative exploration of love and death, passion and grief, and what it means to be haunted by the past, both by history and the human heart.
7:00 PM – Tri-Lakes Pride: Open Mic Reading @ Adirondack Center for Writing
An open mic (welcome to all) to help celebrate the Tri-Lakes Pride Festival.
7:00 PM – Salon Salvage #10 with Alexis Bhagat, Thea Brown, and Michael Flatt @ Weathered Wood
Salon Salvage hits double digits! On Saturday night, June 24th, at 7pm, we’ll welcome poets Alexis Bhagat, Thea Brown, + Michael Flatt to Weathered Wood. Sliding scale donation.
Sunday, June 25
10:00 AM – 13 Ways of Looking at a Man Bird: A Poetry Workshop @ The Mount
At this poetry workshop – at the beautiful & historic home of Edith Wharton in the Berkshires – you will explore how different poets (ancient & contemporary) dealing with/inspired by the same legend (the flight & fall of Icarus) arrived at drastically distinctive and evocative poems. You will consider the varied techniques/tools used to “tell” this story (or aspects thereof). You will also attempt to craft your own persona poems based on the same legend.
12:30 PM – Getting Started with Memoir Writing with Susan Hodara @ Hudson Valley Writers Center
Are you inspired to begin to write about the transforming events of your life? Are you drawn to explore the circumstances surrounding your most vivid memories? This four-hour workshop offers a supportive and safe environment designed to help you get started.
Monday, June 26
1:30 PM – Monday Memoir Writing Group (In Person) @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Participate in a group of memoir writers and get feedback on your work. This is a support group for aspiring writers who want to tell their story in creative and engaging ways. Get critiques of your work, find out how to self-publish, or learn about writing from fellow writing enthusiasts! All are welcome!
2:00 PM – With Pen in Hand @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Paul Lamar, College of St Rose professor (retired) and South End writer, leads this popular series of writing workshops. Learn how to express yourself clearly and imaginatively, share your work, and respond to the stories of others. Attend any or all sessions.
7:00 PM – Poetic Vibe @ The Fish Market
Poet, artist, and performer D. Colin hosts the weekly Poetic Vibe series, a dynamic night of poetry and spoken word.
7:00 PM – Poetry at The Church @ Goshen Methodist Church
Poetry reading hosted by Ted Gill with featured reader Ariana Den Bleyker with an open mic to follow.
Tuesday, June 27
10:30 AM – Story Time at North Albany @ Albany Public Library
Please join us in the Large Meeting Room for stories, fingerplays, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, and their caregivers.
12:15 PM – FFAPL Tuesday Book Review: Stories of Two Who Did Not Fit Their Stereotypes! @ Albany Public Library – Washington Ave. Branch
A review of “The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman,” by Nancy Marie Brown, & “The Man Who Stole Himself: The Slave Odyssey of Hans Jonathan,” by Gísli Pálsson, reviewed by Jonathan Skinner, PhD, retired statistician & amateur classicist.
2:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady County Public Library – Woodlawn Branch
Join the Woodlawn book club for a discussion of “The Marriage Lie” by Kimberly Belle. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
5:00 PM – Teen Writing Club: The Workshop Experience @ Schenectady County Public Library
Sharpen your creative writing skills, refine your publishing goals, and get the workshop experience with Teen Writing Club this summer! Participants will bring a short story, poem sequence, or creative nonfiction piece to workshop over three sessions with their fellow writers. Each session will explore an aspect of creative writing, from critique and editing to scouting publishing opportunities and preparing a piece for submission.
5:30 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady County Public Library – Rotterdam Branch
Join the Rotterdam book club for a discussion of “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
6:00 PM – Jodé Millman in conversation with Suzanne Chazin @ Oblong Books
Jodé Millman will talk about her new Queen City Crimes mystery novel THE EMPTY KAYAK with fellow crime writer Suzanne Chazin.
Wednesday, June 28
5:45 PM – Writers Group @ Schenectady County Public Library – Central Library Branch
Whether you’ve been doing it forever or just starting out, bring your written words to this volunteer run community group and receive feedback from fellow wordsmiths as time permits.
8:00 PM – Author Talk with Tananarive Due: Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda @ Bethlehem Public Library
A chat with Tananarive Due about her newest work, The Wishing Pool and Other Stories. The second collection of stories by the author is full of her signature offerings of horror, science fiction, and suspense while confronting monsters of all kinds, including racism, the monster within, and the supernatural. Due’s prolific body of work cements the author as a leading voice in black speculative fiction for more than 20 years.
Did we miss anything? Let us know at info@hvwg.org, and be sure to check out https://hvwg.org to find out more about our vibrant literary and arts community.
