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, June 13
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.
7:00 PM – Word Thursdays featuring Nicole Tallman and Caridad Moro-Gronlier
Word Thursdays Online featuring Nicole Tallman & Caridad Moro-Gronlier will broadcast live on Thursday, June 13 on Zoom and Facebook.
7:30 PM – Front Parlor Series @ Lucas Confectionery
Storytelling open mic hosted by Mike De Socio & Julia Cadieux. This month’s theme is New Beginnings. Also this month, Front Parlor is partnering with WMHT and local refugee support organization RISSE to feature stories from RISSE’s English language students.
Friday, June 14
5:30 PM – Damali Peterman Book Launch – “Negotiating While BLACK” @ Merritt Bookstore
Merritt Bookstore is thrilled to be hosting Millbrook’s own, Damali Peterman’s book launch! A real-world, one-of-a-kind resource for anyone who has ever been underestimated, overlooked, or misunderstood at the negotiating table.
Saturday, June 15
10:00 AM – Nature Writing: Poetry and Prose Workshop with Donna Kaz @ Spencertown Academy Arts Center
Participants will explore the unique landscape of summer and will be guided through examples of how poets like Mary Oliver and Robert Frost use their environment to inspire their writing styles.
11:15 AM – Upper Hudson Sisters in Crime on Publishing Short Stories
At the next meeting of the Upper Hudson Sisters in Crime Chapter, Jackie Sherbow, editor and author, will talk with author Frankie Bailey.
12:00 PM – Paul Smart signs and discusses “Overlook” and “With Different Eyes” @ Market Block Books
Former Capitol Region resident Paul Smart returns to his old stomping grounds to sign Overlook and With Different Eyes at 12pm, Saturday, June 15.
12:30 PM – Poet as Witness to History: A Generative Writing Class with Tina Cane
In this workshop, we will consider the poet as a witness to history and poetry as a document. We will read and discuss poets from various periods in order to understand how their cultural moment impacted their writing and what impact their writing exerted on their era and beyond. We will act and write as witnesses to our own histories while exploring what we think “history” means.
1:00 PM – Writing the Minimalist Poem @ The Poetry Barn
Drawing on nursery rhymes, aphorisms, poetic couplets, proverbs, advertising slogans – and of course haiku – we will work on ways to make tiny poems that stand tall.
2:00 PM – Marc Renson and Joshua Mayer sign and discuss their books @ The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza
Marc Renson is the award-winning author of the memoir Is the Coffee Fresh? He holds a degree in culinary arts and is the chef/entrepreneur of Ambition Coffee & Eatery in Schenectady, New York.
2:00 PM – Local Author Spotlight Multi-author Signing @ Northshire Manchester
Three local authors – Daniel Scammell, Matt Spencer, and Patricia Leyko Connelly – will join us in our Manchester store to autograph copies of their books. Please note that this will be a signing only, there will be no seated author presentation.
2:30 PM – Promoting Your Work as an Indie Author
Join Straw Dog Writers Guild on Saturday, June 15 from 1:00-2:30pm on Zoom with J. Scott Coatsworth as he shares his experience as an indie author. In this craft workshop, he will present some of the tips and tricks he has learned on how to promote one’s work and field questions.
6:30 PM – Book Launch: Griffin Dunne, “The Friday Afternoon Club,” in conversation with Scott Spencer @ Morton Memorial Library
Author Scott Spencer will talk with actor, producer, and director Griffin Dunne about his memoir of growing up among larger-than-life characters in Hollywood and Manhattan.
Wednesday, June 19
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 @ Lake Placid Olympic Oval
Bring the book (or ebook) that you are currently reading, a blanket, and come enjoy the company of fellow book lovers. The Origin Coffee Co. cart will be outside to provide us with tasty drinks. Sign up at: lu.ma/saraplacidsbc
7:00 PM – Sketch it Out! A Writing (& Drawing) Workshop with Lauren McGovern @ Adirondack Center for Writing
Mix it up! Toss an illustration into your personal narrative. Bring a current writing project or develop a new one at this event. No drawing experience is necessary. How can a sketch or illustration enhance a written piece? Images can project humor, heartbreak, or other emotions in a way the written word may not. To pair the two creates a layered narrative, blending the visual and verbal.
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.
