Need a break from the holiday madness? Treat yourself to an evening at Café Felix, adjacent to Metro Books, where on Thursday, December 8 from 7-8:30 pm, our own Don Rearden will be featured in an informal talk on our collective literary obsession. Rearden, whose films have aired on TMC and Showtime, will share how he took a germ of an idea and cultured it into a full blown epidemic novel, The Raven’s Gift.
Winter break will arrive soon, and with it a free workshop for ages 12-14. “Comics: Turning drawings into stories” debuts at Teen Underground December 27-29 from 3-5 pm. No special drawing or writing talent is required. Teens need to register soon http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/2aOG8sba01r147, as we have room for only ten students. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Visit www.wyakwriters.com for details.
Still shopping? Remembers that thanks to a generous donation by Tom Sexton, we’re offering limited edition autographed broadsides of two John Haines poems, “On the Road” and “Poem of the Forgotten.” Proceeds benefit the John Haines Memorial Poetry Fund, which will help finance the 2012 Synergies series, an exciting line-up of dynamic events featuring well-known poets. Another hint-worthy item: 49 Writers Gift Vouchers, good for one year on fees for classes, retreats, and other 49 Writers goodies.
If you’re looking for an editor to go over your work, 49 Writers member Kellie Doherty is now accepting submissions. Kellie is a freelance editor specializing in developmental and line editing; you can reach her at kellie.f.doherty@gmail.com
For a comprehensive calendar of literary events throughout Alaska, visit http://www.alaskalitevents.com/.
This afternoon, Friday December 2, 4.30pm, Hearthside Books will be hosting Laraine and Romer Derr and Sharon Barton, from Chez Alaska. The Chez Alaska Cooking School Cookbook will feature, with tastings from the book’s recipes and Romer’s famous sourdough starter! 254 Front St., Juneau.
Tonight, Friday December 2, 7-8.30pm, the Alaska Quarterly Review First Friday Series will be hosted at Jitters Cafe, 11401 Old Glen Highway, Eagle River. The event will feature dramatic readings from the Fall and Winter 2011 edition, as well as musical selections from singer-songwriter Rod Rongstad. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Ronald Spatz at 907 786 1058 or ayaqr@uaa.alaska.edu
Also Friday, December 2, 7pm, authors Amanda Coyne and Tony Hopfinger present Crude Awakening: Money, Mavericks and Mayhem in Alaska. Barnes and Noble, 200 E. Northern Lights, Anchorage.
Tomorrow, Saturday December 3, 10am, author Tricia Brown will be reading and signing books at Gulliver’s Books, 3525 College Road, Fairbanks.
Also tomorrow, Saturday December 3, starting at 10am, Fireside Books will be celebrating their Tenth Anniversary all day. Stop by for door prizes, Fireside Books memories, and special guests. 720 S. Alaska St., Palmer.
Also tomorrow, Saturday December 3, at 2pm, members of the Community Writers Group in Fairbanks will be sharing their writings during a special, free Holiday-themed reading for the Family. If you have a special holiday poem or story, please feel free to attend and join in. Bear Gallery, Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Road, Fairbanks.
On Sunday December 4, 4-6pm, Indie-folk singer-songwriter Emily Kathryn Barry and performance poet Elizabeth Thompson, accompanied by Moss Campion on udu drums, will present a free music and poetry show. Terra Bella, 601 E. Dimond Blvd, Anchorage.
The deadline for the Statewide Youth Writing Competition is coming up soon–Wednesday December 7th! Winners will gain national recognition and become eligible for a total of nearly $4 million in Scholarships. For more information, visit http://www.artandwriting.org/
49 Writers member Ann Chandonnet recommends http://www.shewrites.com/, a multi-faceted blog and social networking site for women who write.