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, May 16
1:00 PM – Women’s Issues and the Arts @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch
“Women’s Issues and the Arts” discusses women’s issues and the methods through which writers and artists have dealt with the societal challenges facing women.
2:00 PM – Novels After Noon Book Group @ Albany Public Library – Bach Branch
Cozy up with a cup of tea while you discuss notable literary titles in the Bach branch of the Albany Public Library’s newest book club, “Novels After Noon.” They will explore a variety of genres including memoirs, historical fiction, mysteries, and more!
4:00 PM – Third Draft Thursday @ The Poetry Barn
Join us on Zoom each third Thursday of the month from January to October for a peer-critique workshop. This is a benefit to Poetry Barn members at the Nomadic Migrant level and above.
6:00 PM – Ken Tingley in Conversation with Judy Patrick @ Battenkill Books
Please join us for a conversation between Ken Tingley, retired Glens Falls Post Star editor, and Judy Patrick, retired editor and senior vice president of Schenectady’s The Daily Gazette. Tingley is the author of three books about newspapers and journalism.
6:45 PM – A Writer’s Night in May @ The Longmeadow Adult Center
Straw Dog Writers Guild and The Longmeadow Adult Center present A Writer’s Night with Celia Jeffries.
7:00 PM – Howl Story Slam @ Upper Jay Art Center
The Howl Story Slam is a live storytelling competition. Anyone can sign up to tell a story the night of the event. The rules: true stories, no notes, under 5 minutes. Theme: Risky Business.
7:00 PM – John Wiswell, Someone You Can Build a Nest In
Oblong’s Nicole Brinkley will talk with Nebula Award-winning debut author John Wiswell about his new creepy, charming monster-slaying fantasy romance—from the perspective of the monster.
7:00 PM – CAPS Be the Feature Open Mic
CAPS Be the Feature Open Mic is always a fluid evening. Maybe participants read 6 poems. Maybe 5. Maybe 3. Maybe 2… This month’s featured poet is Margaret R. Sáraco.
7:30 PM – Third Thursday Poetry Night featuring Rachel Baum @ Social Justice Center
Poet Rachel Baum will read from her work at the Social Justice Center on Thursday, May 16, with an open mic for community poets.
Friday, May 17
7:30 PM – Open Mic @ Hudson Valley Writers’ Center
Featured Poets + open mike for poets, fiction writers, essayists with rotating hosts in Sleepy Hollow, NY.
7:30 PM – 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, May 18
11:15 AM – Authors Roundtable on Paths to Publishing
Authors Catherine Bruns, Libby Cudmore, Tina deBellegarde, Terrence McCauley, and Kelly Oliver discuss paths to publication and tips for aspiring authors.
12:00 PM – Dean Giagni, Main Character Syndrome @ Market Block Books
Acclaimed visual artist Dean Giagni will be signing his new book Main Character Syndrome at Market Block Books on Saturday, May 18 at noon.
3:00 PM – Julie Canepa signs and discusses, The Missing Star @ The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza
Julie Canepa is the co-author of the Regional Emmy® Award-winning documentary Return to Auschwitz: The Survival of Vladimir Munk. The documentary was filmed in 2020 when Julie accompanied Czech Holocaust survivor Vladimir Munk to the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Oświęcim, Poland.
Sunday, May 19
12:30 PM – The Fledging Premiere and Q&A @ Saratoga Arts Center
Capital Region filmmaker Joe Gietl brings his work and his story to Saratoga Arts for a screening of his most recent projects and to talk about his current journey pitching a TV series.
Wednesday, May 22
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.
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.
7:00 PM – The Smell of Fear: Building Suspense & Tension with Subtext @ Northampton Center for the Arts
Join Straw Dog Writers Guild and presenters Elizabeth MacDuffie and Tamara Fricke for “The Smell of Fear: Building Suspense & Tension with Subtext” on Wednesday, May 22, 7-8:30pm, at the Northampton Center for the Arts,33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA. In this craft workshop, writers will be guided in the art of creating suspense and tension.
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.
