Seven full days and nights of events in our regional literary community. Here’s a quick look at the book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up.
Thursday, September 14
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 Public Library – Quaker Street Branch
Join the Quaker Street book club for a discussion of Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
6:00 PM – Intro to Self Publishing @ East Greenbush Community Library
If you’re ready to let your inner book out, join Jessika Hazelton of The Troy Book Makers to learn the ins and outs of the self-publishing process. From finding an editor, to designing a beautiful book, to selling online and in bookstores, this presentation will cover all the steps of the publishing journey.
6:00 PM – Poetry Café: The Barbie Poems @ Saratoga Springs Public Library
For this online meeting, we’ll read and discuss poems that take the Barbie doll as their subject. Years before Greta Gertwig’s film Barbie hit the big screen, Denise Duhamel‘s book Kinky humorously explored both the delightful and disturbing aspects of the doll that was born mid-20th Century, and remains popular today. We’ll also read “Barbie poems” by Victoria Chang and others. Please register online.
7:00 PM – Howl Story Slam: Potsdam @ 1884 Barn
The Howl Story Slam is a live storytelling competition. Anyone can sign up to tell a story the night of the event.
7:30 PM – Suzanne Nossel signs and discusses “Dare to Speak” @ University at Albany
Join UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez and the NYS Writers Institute for an open conversation about the value of free speech on America’s college campuses, featuring the leadership of PEN America, the nation’s preeminent organization for promoting free expression. In addition to fighting censorship and defending writers and artists in the U.S. and throughout the world, PEN has issued the “PEN America Principles on Campus Free Speech,” a guide for students and educators.
Friday, September 15
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.
6:00 PM – ”An Altar to an Erupting Sun” with authors Chuck Collins and Judith Schwartz @ Northshire Manchester
Campaigner and storyteller Chuck Collins will join us in our Manchester store to discuss his debut novel with fellow author Judith Schwartz.
7:30 PM – Open Mic @ Hudson Valley Writers’ Center
Featured Poets + open mike for poets, fiction writers, and essayists with rotating hosts at the Hudson Valley Writers’ Center in Sleepy Hollow.
7:30 PM – Cafe Euphoria Open Mic & Slam @ Cafe Euphoria
A laid-back open mic and fun slam at a cafe founded and run by trans and gender non-conforming folks.
Saturday, September 16
4:30 PM – Bunny Presse Book Launch @ Urban Aftermath Books
St. Rocco’s presents a reading with Zoe Tuck, Bill Carty, and Paul Hlava Ceballos, celebrating new books from Bunny Presse: We Sailed on the Lake by Bill Carty and Bedroom Vowel by Zoe Tuck.
Sunday, September 17
2:00 PM – Baseball, and Beyond! A poetry reading by Louise Grieco, Mikhail Horowitz, and Tim Wiles @ Guilderland Public Library
Once upon a time, there were three poets who were interested in baseball and the cosmos. One of them, who was a librarian at the Baseball Hall of Fame a long time ago, in a town not so far away, edited an anthology of baseball poems, selecting one poem each from the other two—poems that reached beyond the game toward the galaxy it’s played in.
2:00 PM – Poetry Open Mic @ St. Lawrence Friary
Monthly poetry open mic St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon hosted by Fr. Bob Phelps.
4:00 PM – Kim Addonizio at Katonah Poetry Series @ Katonah Village Library
The Katonah Poetry Series is pleased to host the award-winning poet Kim Addonizio at the Katonah Library.
Monday, September 18
1:30 PM – Howe Monday Memoir Writing Group @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
Participate in a group of memoir writers and get feedback.
6:30 PM – Bard Written Arts: A Reading with Violet Kupersmith @ Bard College
Bard Fiction Prize winner Violet Kupersmith will read from her work. Introduced by Richard B. Fisher Family Professor of Literature and Writing, Mary Caponegro, the reading is free and open to the public and the student body.
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, September 19
12:15 PM – FFAPL Tuesday Book Review: “The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet” by Jeff Goodell @ Albany Public Library – Washington Ave. Branch
Please join us for a review of The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet by Jeff Goodell, reviewed by Richard King, a retired attorney. The Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library hosts regular book reviews, author talks, and special presentations.
3:30 PM – Book Club @ Schenectady Public Library – Niskayuna Branch
Join the Niskayuna book club for a discussion of Long Bright River by Liz Moore. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.
4:30 PM – Pierre Joris: A Nomad Poet Returns to Albany @ University At Albany
Pierre Joris, avant-garde poet, and winner of major prizes from PEN for his poetry translations, returns to UAlbany, where he taught poetry for more than 20 years (1992-2013).
6:00 PM – Robert Boyers – “Maestros and Monsters: Days & Nights with George Steiner and Susan Sontag” @ Northshire Saratoga
Robert Boyers, the founder and editor of Salmagundi Magazine, Director of the New York State Summer Writers Institute, and a professor at Skidmore College, will discuss his newest book, a memoiristic book and a dual portrait, built around intense friendships with two leading public intellectuals who achieved celebrity status–Susan Sontag and George Steiner.
6:30 PM – Journaling/Creative Writing for Teens @ Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library
Whether it’s writing about your day, your feelings, or covering the page with doodles, journaling is for everyone. This workshop will also include creative writing prompts.
Wednesday, September 20
11:00 AM – Fiction Book Discussion @ Voorheesville Public Library
“Animal Farm” by George Orwell is a satire on totalitarianism in which farm animals overthrow their human owner and set up their own government. This program is subsidized by the Friends of the Library. A limited number of copies will be available in print for $5.00. There will also be library copies and digital formats available. Please Register.
2:00 PM – Virtual Author Talk with Adam Alter, author of “Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most”
Join us as we chat with New York Times bestselling author Adam Alter about his new book Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most.
2:00 PM – Adult Contemporary Book Discussion @ Troy Public Library – Lansingburgh Branch
Join this afternoon book group as we explore newer adult fiction as chosen by the group. Meets on the last Wednesday of each month. No registration is necessary. September book discussion Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner.
5:45 PM – Writers Group @ Schenectady Public Library – Central 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.No registration required. Ages 18+
6:00 PM – Poetry Night @ Java Blue Coffee & Market
Monthly poetry open mic in Montgomery, NY, hosted by Robert Milby. This month’s featured poet is David Messineo.
6:00 PM – The Middleburgh Library Poetry and Creative Writer’s Society @ Middleburgh Library
The Middleburgh Library is proud to present its latest program for lovers of the written word.
7:00 PM – Barkreaders with Kim Van Alkemade @ Adirondack Center for Writing
Kim Van Alkemade will read from her latest historical fiction novel, Counting Lost Stars, about a pioneering woman computer programmer in 1960 who helps a Holocaust survivor discover his mother’s fate. Open mic to follow: anyone can sign up to share a short piece of writing. We’ll end with a book sale and signing
7:00 PM – Milkweed Poetry Workshop @ Buckbee Center
Monthly event with featured poet, workshop, and an open reading at the Buckbee Center in Warwick, NY.
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.
