This week, we have another great lineup of literary events in the region. Here’s a quick look at the upcoming book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops.
Thursday, April 11
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.
5:00 PM – Sharp Ideas in Short Forms @ Waterford Public Library
This generative workshop will offer poets a delightful opportunity to play with the forms’ themes and structures to craft much from little.
6:00 PM – Author Event: Joseph Bruchac, Dawn Land @ Battenkill Books
Please join Battenkill Books for an event with Joseph Bruchac as he discusses his new novel, Dawn Land.
6:30 PM – Novel Ideas Book Club: Wandering Stars @ Novel Biblio-Brew
Join us for lively discussions on current novels while sipping on delicious cocktails. Our group is all about embracing fresh perspectives, exploring new voices, and having a blast while doing it.
6:30 PM – Viking Runestone Literary Magazine Celebration @ Forbes Library
Straw Dog Writers Guild is proud to collaborate with the staff of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School to shine a light on the creative energy of these talented students.
7:30 PM – National Book Award-winning novelist Alice McDermott @ University at Albany
Alice McDermott, one of the leading novelists of her generation, is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Absolution (2023), about the lives of American women on the margins of the Vietnam War.
Friday, April 12
1:00 PM – Poetry Open Mic @ Saratoga Senior Center
Featuring Poet/Writer Rhonda Rosenheck, Author of The Five Books of Limericks, Sin No More! A Biblical Sea Shanty, Looking, and Yiddische Yoga: OYsanas for Every Generation.
6:00 PM – Julia Alvarez – “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” @ Northshire Manchester
Literary icon Julia Alvarez, the international bestselling author of In the Time of the Butterflies, will join us in Manchester to share her inventive and emotional novel about storytelling that will be an instant classic. She will be interviewed by Joe Donahue of WAMC / Northeast Public Radio.
Saturday, April 13
9:00 AM – After the Eclipse Writing Retreat @ Shambhala Meditation Center of Albany
Join poet and contemplative arts teacher Ellen White Rook for a morning of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and writing sessions.
10:00 AM – Just Do It: A Creative Writing Workshop @ Norte Azul Cantina
Join Stephentown Art Guild co-founder and professional author Robin Catalano for Just Do It: A Creative Writing Workshop, where we’ll focus on experimenting with writing prompts.
4:00 PM – Madeleine May Kunin with Barbara Morrow – “Walk With Me” @ Northshire Manchester
Madeleine May Kunin, former Vermont Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, will discuss her latest poetry collection with Barbara Morrow. In this book, Governor Kunin invites the audience to step into her world, to slow down and find new serenity in older age and unexpected love.
Sunday, April 14
10:00 AM – Write 4 a Day @ Universal Pathways
Write 4 a Day is a series of monthly one-day writing retreats in upstate New York with no workshop, no agenda, no required activities, no assignments, no schedule, & no WiFi!
10:00 AM – Second Draft Sunday @ The Poetry Barn
Drop in each second Sunday of the month from March-December, 10 AM-12 PM, for a peer-critique workshop. Enjoy coffee, tea, and conversation.
11:00 AM – Marc Renson Signing “How Will I Know” @ The Open Door Bookstore
Author Marc Renson will be signing his new book “How Will I Know” in Schenectady.
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.
3:30 PM – Jewish Poetry in the 518
On Monday, April 14, Jewish Poetry in the 518 will be hosting a poetry reading at 3:30pm. Join the featured poets for an evening of poetry readings, book sales, and egg creams.
6:00 PM – Everyone Reads Second Sundays Open Mic
Come create community on second Sundays of every month 6-8pm EST with a virtual open mic on zoom. Co-create and reading and listening experience that is generous, dynamic, and heart-felt.
Tuesday, April 16
5:00 PM – Just Hit Send: Submitting to Literary Journals with Sally Simon
So you’ve written some stories and / or poems and have revised them until you can no longer look at them. What now? How do you get your words into the world? In this six-week workshop, you’ll learn the ins and outs of submitting your fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction to literary journals for publication.
5:00 PM – Anthony Horowitz with Paul Doiron – Close to Death
Anthony Horowitz will join Northshire Bookstore on Zoom in conversation with fellow bestselling mystery author Paul Doiron to discuss the newest addition to his Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery series, Close to Death.
6:00 PM – Oblong Online: Grace Curtis, FLOATING HOTEL
Grace Curtis joins us from the UK to talk with Oblong’s Nicole Brinkley about their latest cozy science fiction novel that tells a story of misfits, rebels, found family—and a mystery that spans the stars.
Wednesday, April 17
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.
6:00 PM – Silent Book Club: SaraPlacid Chapter @ Origin Coffee, Lake Placid
At Silent Book Club, there is no assigned reading. You bring whatever book you are currently reading to our monthly meetup. There will be time to order a drink, chat, and find a seat before settling in to read companionably with fellow book lovers! All are welcome.
7:00 PM – Devising Dialogue: Writing from Plays with LJ Schwartau @ Adirondack Center for Writing
Through generative writing exercises, students will create dialogue, set scenes, and write stage directions. With prompts, individual participants will create short solo monologues, and the group will also devise scenes collaboratively based on a short play reading.
7:00 PM – Devising Dialogue: Writing from Plays with LJ Schwartau
hrough generative writing exercises, students will create dialogue, set scenes, and write stage directions. With prompts, individual participants will create short solo monologues, and the group will also devise scenes collaboratively based on a short play reading.
7:00 PM – Straw Dog Writes Weekly Writers Meet Up
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.
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.
