Upcoming Literary Events: August 10-16, 2023

Another huge week of literary events in the area, so get out and support the arts! Here’s a quick look at the events, book discussions, readings, open mics, and workshops coming up.

Thursday, August 10

1:30 PM – Howdunnits Mystery Writers Group @ Albany Public Libary – 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 “The Marsh King’s Daughter” by Karen Dionne. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.

6:00 PM – Lydia Kiesling, “Mobility: A Novel,” in conversation with Adelle Waldman @ Oblong Books

Lydia Kiesling’s debut novel Mobility has been hailed as “A masterpiece of misdirection.” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks. At this event, Lydia will talk about Mobility with author Adelle Waldman (The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P).

6:00 PM – Poetry Café: Story Poems – Two 20th Century Ballads @ Saratoga Springs Public Library

Join this librarian-led, online poetry discussion group! For this final meeting in our ‘story poems’ series, we’ll look at two ballads written in the 20th Century: Gwendolyn Brooks’ Ballad of Rudolph Reed, and Woody Guthrie’s The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd. We’ll also pay some attention to the ballad form and it’s foundation in song.

6:00 PM – FFAPL Seven Branches Book Talk @ Albany Public Library

Friends & Foundation of the Albany Public Library presents Seven Branches Book Talks. FFAPL volunteer, Cheyenne McQuain, will present the book, I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy.

Friday, August 11

9:00 AM – Early Literacy Storytime! @ Troy Public Library

Kids ages 0-5 are welcome to this early literacy story.

Saturday, August 12

10:30 AM – “Herman Melville: When in Doubt, Speculate” @ Herman Melville House

Richard Matturro, author of eight novels, is this year’s invited speaker at the annual celebration of Herman Melville’s birthday at his Lansingburgh home. 

Sunday, August 13

11:00 AM – Susan Edwards Richmond Signing Night Owl Night @ The Open Door Bookstore

Susan Edwards Richmond will be signing Night Owl Night. Susan Edwards Richmond is the award-winning author of Bioblitz! Counting Critters and Bird Count. She graduated from Burnt Hills – Ballston Lake High School. She received a B.A. from Williams College and a M.A. from UC Davis.

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.

Monday, August 14

9:00 AM – Story Publishing Camp (Grades 5-8) @ Adirondack Center for Writing

Students in Adirondack Center for Writing’s week-long Story Publishing Camp will explore the fundamentals of narrative (characters, plot, setting, and more) and draft an original multi-page creative writing piece with the help of YA author Francesca Padilla.

9:00 AM – Sharp Ideas in Short Forms with Rhonda Rosenheck @ Wiawaka Center for Women

A Poetry Workshop of Personal Expression. Women are too often encouraged
to soften our voices, shush our laughter, tone down our opinions, and defer our desires. This workshop will invite you to do the exact opposite. You will learn three short poetic forms into which you can pour clearly voiced opinions, humor, demands and pleasures. The workshop will include instruction, time to write and opportunities to share in a safe and appreciative space.

1:30 PM – Monday Memoir Writing Group (In Person) @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch

Participate in a group of memoir writers and get feedback on your work. This is a support group for aspiring writers who want to tell their story in creative and engaging ways. Get critiques of your work, find out how to self-publish, or learn about writing from fellow writing enthusiasts! All are welcome! 

2:00 PM – With Pen in Hand @ Albany Public Library – Howe Branch

Looking for a supportive community of writers? Learn how to express yourself clearly and imaginatively, share your work, and respond to the stories of others. Attend any or all sessions. This is an online event. Registration is required. If you require help to register a librarian will be happy to assist you!

6:00 PM – Story Time for Grownups @ Bethlehem Public Library

If you like The Moth Radio Hour or Selected Shorts, you just might like our Story Time for Grownups. Join us for a relaxing hour of short stories, essays, poetry or excerpts while you unwind with some coloring pages.

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.

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, August 15

12:15 PM – FFAPL Special Program: Prof. Stephen E. Gottlieb presents his talk “Should We Abolish the Supreme Court?” @ Albany Public Library – Washington Avenue Branch

Please join us for a special program where Prof. Stephen E. Gottlieb, professor emeritus, Albany Law School, presents his talk Should We Abolish the Supreme Court? with references to his book Unfit for Democracy and to The Case against the Supreme Court by Erwin Chemerinsky. The Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library host 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 “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks. New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.

4:00 PM – Virtual Author Talk with Robert Jones, Jr., author of “The Prophets”

All are welcome and encouraged to join the Guilderland Public Llibrary for an engaging hour online with New York Times bestselling author Robert Jones, Jr., as he discusses his debut and award-winning novel, “The Prophets.” 

Wednesday, August 16

2:00 PM – Poem Renovation with Kelly de la Rocha @ Albany Public Library – Pine Hills Branch

Spend an afternoon with Poem Renovation creator Kelly de la Rocha. She’ll teach us about her super cool poetry software, and using computers, we’ll work together to mix up some words and create our own poems! There will be time for sharing what we “wrote” at the end of the session!

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 – Tonia Shoumatoff, “Historic Tales of the Harlem Valley: Life At The End Of The Line” @ Oblong Books

In her new book, author Tonia Shoumatoff reveals fascinating stories of the Harlem Valley and its incredibly eclectic history for a predominantly agricultural region.

6:00 PM – Poets Creating Conversation: Free Range Bullets and Banned Books @ The Mount

Not for the faint of heart, WordXWord’s Poets Creating Conversation is a series of events that invites and challenges poets to circle loosely around a theme or issue – often a thorny issue – in the public discourse. Free Range Bullets and Banned Books invites poets to contemplate two subjects that are not only headlines, but have a very real impact on the lives and futures of children and young adults.

6:30 PM – One Hot Poetry Share @ Belding Memorial Library

It’s so darn hot that even the poetry is sizzling! On Wednesday, August 16 from 6:30 – 8:00pm, join writer and poet Arianna Alexsandra Collins of Offerings for Community Building for an evening of speaking your truth through poetry. August’s Poetry Share challenge is to find and read your poems that illustrate summer, hot weather, and passion. Or if you’re feeling too darn hot read a poem that involves ways to cool down. 

7:00 PM – Wednesday Night Book Chat @ Easst Greenbush Community Library

What have you been reading lately? Join our Wednesday night Facebook book chat to share your recent reads and gather recommendations from librarians and other readers. These days, it’s more important than ever for us to stay connected, so we will be here every Wednesday night 7-9 PM! 

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.