The snow is starting to fall, and the Holiday Season is in full gear. This week, we have another great lineup of literary events in the region to keep everyone warm and cozy. Here’s a quick look at the book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up.
Thursday, December 7
6:30 PM – Fiction Book Club: “The Words that Remain” @ Battenkill Books
Please join Battenkill Books for a discussion of Stenio Gardel’s novel, “The Words that Remain,” translated by Bruna Dantas Lobato.
7:00 PM – Poetry Night @ Noble Coffee Roasters
Monthly poetry open mic with guest host Hayden Wayne. This month’s featured reader is David Messineo.
Friday, December 8
4:00 PM – From Page to Stage: Turning Poets into Performers @ The Poetry Barn
Giving voice to written work adds layers of meaning while clarifying our intention and charging the words on the page with emotional and intellectual substance.
Saturday, December 9
1:00 PM – Phil Bayly Signing “The Man Who Had 9 Lives” @ The Open Door Bookstore
An American Fiction Award nominee, Bayly’s latest mystery sees television reporter JC Snow, entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an elusive killer. Surviving a Colorado avalanche is only the start of his adventures.
3:00 PM – Judy Staber Reading @ Stockbridge Library
Judy (White) Staber will read from her recent biographical-memoir “Rise Above It, Darling the story of Joan White, actor, director, teacher, producer, and (sometimes) mother.”
3:30 PM – Fiction Workshop: Writing to Stay Human with Ian Ross Singleton @ Bethlehem Public Library
This craft workshop, sponsored by the Hudson Valley Writers Guild will involve discussion, writing based on a prompt, and a follow-up discussion.
Sunday, December 10
10:00 AM – Second Draft Sunday @ The Poetry Barn
Members, drop in each second Sunday of the month for a peer-critique workshop. Enjoy coffee, tea, and conversation.
10:30 AM – Pamela McColl Signing “Twas the Night: the Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem” @ The Open Door Bookstore
Christmas Season’s most well-known and recited poem celebrates its 200th birthday in December. Clement Moore wrote the poem for his children and it was published Dec. 13, 1823, in the Troy Sentinel, in Troy N.Y.
12:00 PM – Michael Gross Talk + Signing @ Merritt Bookstore
Please join us for a short talk and signing. Holidays will be upon us and this is a perfect book for you AND to gift! Michael Gross is the author of New York Times bestsellers Model, 740 Park, and House of Outrageous Fortune, as well as Rogues’ Gallery, My Generation, Unreal Estate, and Focus.
2:00 PM – 2nd Sunday @ 2 – Poetry + Prose @ Collar City Mushrooms
The 2nd Sunday @ 2 open mic for poetry and prose, hosted by Nancy Klepsch and Dan Wilcox, supports emerging, published and writers in-between.
Monday, December 11
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.
Tuesday, December 12
12:00 PM – Friends Book Talk: Sílvia Mejía @ Albany Public Library – Washington Ave. Branch
Sílvia Mejía, Ph.D., professor of Spanish, Latin American Literature, & Film, also Chair, Dept. of World Languages & Cultures, The College of Saint Rose presents “Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock” by Jenny Odell. Open to all ages.
7:00 PM – 2nd Tuesday Open Mic
All-genre open mic out of Bennington hosted by Charlie Rossiter. One poem, song, or page of prose, and then, if we like, we do it again in a 2nd round.
Wednesday, December 13
12:30 PM – Midday Write Ins @ Mochalisa’s Caffe
Midday Write Ins are a free, shared space to write. No fee, no minimum, no programming. Just a free space to write alongside other writers. Join poet and writer Rhonda Roseneheck at Mochalisa’s Caffe every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
7:00 PM – A Return to Playfulness with Kelsey Francis @ Adirondack Center for Writing
Join the next installment in ACW’s generative writing workshop series, A Writing Workshop for Everyone. NY Times contributor and teacher Kelsey Francis will lead a generative workshop on the subject of playfulness in writing.
7:00 PM – Straw Dog Writes Online Weekly Meetup
Each Wednesday at 7 pm, whenever there is not another scheduled Straw Dog event, any Straw Dog Writers Guild members who would like to spend some time writing together can join a Zoom session. We will spend 15 minutes on introductions, a 45-minute writing session, have a 15-minute discussion, then write for a second 45-minute period of time. Afterward, the Zoom room will remain open for a half hour for discussion and chat.
7:30 PM – Writers Mic
Writers near and far are welcome to join host Jackie Craven for a lively monthly open mic.
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.
