So much is happening in the regional literary community it’s sometimes hard to keep up. Here’s a look at some of the lit events, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up this week.
Thursday, June 8
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.
2:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady County Public Library – Quaker St. Branch
Join the Quaker Street book club for a discussion of “The Nurse’s Secret” by Amanda Skenandore. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
6:00 PM – Poetry Café: Story Poems – Prose Poems
For June’s online poetry discussion, we will look at prose poems – those that look or sound like prose, but use poetic devices that distinguish them from the usual non-fiction writing.. We’ll read works by such poets as Charles Baudelaire, Russell Edson, and Claudia Rankine in this librarian-led discussion.
6:00 PM – Love is Queer Romance Panel @ Northshire Saratoga
Celebrate Pride Month with a panel discussion by four terrific authors – Nicolas DiDomizio, Jennifer Dugan, Rachel Lacey and Minita Sanghvi – about their latest queer romances.
7:00 PM – Howl Story Slam @ The Hub
The Howl Story Slam is a live storytelling competition. Anyone can sign up to tell a story the night of the event. This slam will take place at The Hub in Brant Lake, NY
Friday, June 9
9:00 AM – Early Literacy Storytime! @ Troy Public Library
Kids ages 0-5 are welcome to this early literacy story
6:00 PM – Brant MacDuff – “The Shotgun Conservationist: Why Environmentalists Should Love Hunting” @ Northshire Manchester
The author will share his personal journey from staunch anti-hunter to compassionate, ethical hunter, weaving together a larger history of humans, animals, the environment, and our food systems.
Saturday, June 10
10:00 AM – Half Moon Morning Writing Retreat @ Shambhala Meditation Center
This half-day program presents a wonderful opportunity to connect with your inner self, unleash your creativity, and discover your unique voice as a writer.
11:00 AM – Author Event: JR Szpila – “The Sparrows Who Dream” @ Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
Join YA Fantasy author JR Szpila for a book reading, Q&A, and book signing. Light refreshments will be served. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.
1:00 PM – Karen DeBonis Author Talk @ Waterford Public Library
Karen DeBonis writes about motherhood, people-pleasing, and personal growth. This entangled mix comes to life in her debut memoir.
1:00 PM – Geoffrey N Stein and Brad L Utter sign “The Motorcycle Industry in New York State” @ Open Door Bookstore
Geoffrey N. Stein is Senior Historian Emeritus of the New York State Museum and Brad L. Utter is current Senior Historian and Curator at the New York State Museum. Both authors have written numerous books on New York State history.
2:00 PM – Remington Donovan – “Prosperity Practices: Harnessing the Power of Positive Thinking to Get the Life You Want” @ Northshire Manchester
The local author will discuss how subtle differences in your attitude, turns of phrase and interactions with others can make changes in your life.
2:00 PM – Author Event: Jane Delury’s “Hedge” @ Montgomery Place
Join us for an in-person community event with author, Jane Delury, for the launch of her novel, “Hedge.”
2:00 PM – Woodstock Poetry Society Reading @ Woodstock Library
Poets Irene Sipos and Perry S. Nicholas will be featured followed by an open mike when the Woodstock Poetry Society meets on June 10.
Sunday, June 11
12:20 PM – 2023 June Self-Edit and Query Workshops @ Poughkeepsie Hampton Inn
Sara Schonfeld, Associate Editor for HarperCollins Children’s Publishing will lead two workshops, one focusing on self-editing your manuscript and the other on strengthening your query letter.
2:00 PM – 2nd Sunday @ 2 – Poetry + Prose @ Collar City Mushrooms
The 2nd Sunday @ 2 open mic for poetry and prose is in its 11th year, supporting emerging, published and writers in-between.
2:00 PM – Elinor Lipman signs and discusses her newest novel, “Ms. Demeanor” @ The Book House
From one of America’s most beloved contemporary novelists, a delicious and witty story about love under house arrest.
Monday, June 12
1:30 PM – Monday Memoir Writing Group (In Person) @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Participate in a group of memoir writers and get feedback
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.
6:30 PM – Poetry Circle Open Mic @ Moon and River Cafe
Poetry Circle is an intimate, interactive poetry and spoken-word open mic evening in which participants are invited to reflect on readings.
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.
Tuesday, June 13
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: “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” by Sherman Alexie @ Albany Public Library – Washington Ave. Branch
Join the FFAPL for a review of “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” by Sherman Alexie, reviewed by Andrea Nicolay, Executive Director, Albany Public Library. The Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library host regular book reviews, author talks, and special presentations.
1:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady County Public Library – Scotia Branch
Join us for a discussion of “The Book of Longings” by Sue Monk Kidd. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
2:00 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady County Public Library – Central Library Branch
Join us for a discussion of “The Things We Keep” by Sally Hepworth. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
6:00 PM – Mysteries & More Book Group – “Greenwich Park” by Katherine Faulkner @ Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
A twisty, fast-paced debut thriller about impending motherhood, unreliable friendship, and the high price of keeping secrets. In this gloriously tangled game of cat and mouse that keeps the twists coming until the very last moment, Helen’s idyllic life—handsome architect husband, gorgeous Victorian house, and cherished baby on the way—begins to change the day she attends her first prenatal class.
6:00 PM – Andy Karr – “Into the Mirror: A Buddhist Journey Through Mind, Matter, and the Nature of Reality” – with Barry Boyce
In this virtual event, the author will examine the materialism of the modern world through the profound teachings of Mahayana Buddhism and offer an accessible and powerful method for investigating the way our minds construct our worlds.
6:00 PM – Haiku Highway @ Troy Public Library – Main Branch
A workshop in the practice and history of haiku poetry guided by local haiku poet John Stevenson, former president of the Haiku Society of America and former editor of their literary journal, Fogpond.
6:30 PM – Teen Writing Workshop (Grades 6-12) @ Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
This workshop led by Janine De Tillio Cammarata will focus on developing and creating settings for fiction stories. There will be time to write and an option to share for feedback.
7:00 PM – 2nd Tuesday Open Mic
All-genre open mic out of Bennington, VT, hosted by Charlie Rossiter.
Wednesday, June 14
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.
7:00 PM – Rae McDaniel – “Gender Magic”
Author Rae McDaneil will talk with Ellis Light about their first-of-its-kind practical guide to achieving gender freedom with joy, curiosity, and pleasure for transgender and non-binary individuals, gender explorers, and those who love them—perfect for readers of The Body is Not an Apology and Pleasure Activism.
7:00 PM – Voices for Resistance
Join co-hosts Straw Dog Writers Guild and Forbes Library for the annual Voices for Resistance with Sejal Shah, Diane Gilliam, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Lisbeth White, Kelly Link, and James Tate Hill.
7:30 PM – A Storytelling Workshop for Everyone with Nathalie Thill @ Adirondack Center for Writing
During this month’s drop in workshop, Nathalie Thill will teach a 90 minute workshop on oral storytelling. Participants will learn how to tell the best story they can and perhaps get ready to share it at the next Howl. Amateurs and seasoned storytellers are all welcome.
7:30 PM – Writers Mic
Writers near and far are welcome to join host Jackie Craven for a lively monthly open mic on Zoom.
7:30 PM – Front Parlor Storytelling Series @ Lucas Confectionery
Monthly storytelling series hosted by Mike De Socio in downtown Troy. This month’s theme is Pride, “the capital-P sense of LGBTQ+ Pride month, but also in the lowercase-p, the commonplace definition of the word.”
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.
