How Los Angeles Transformed American Literature
“That’s the thing about Los Angeles: Everything we say about it is both true and false.” Continue reading How Los Angeles Transformed American Literature
Author: Brian Dunlap
Brian Dunlap is a native Angeleño capturing the city’s stories hidden in plain sight. He’s the author of the chapbook Concrete Paradise (Finishing Line Press, 2018) and the winner of a Marvin Bell Memorial Poetry Prize from december magazine judged by former Los Ángeles Poet Laureate Luis J. Rodriguez. He's also the Editor-in-Chief of Los Angeles Literature, an independent online magazine covering the Greater Los Ángeles literary community.
Los Angeles Literature Events: 05/02/22 – 05/08/22
NOTE: There Are Both Online and Virtual Events Listed Here
World Literature Book Club: Story Selections via Central Library, LAPL – Online Event
Join us for a spirited discussion of the world’s best short stories! All selections are from The Penguin Book of the Modern American Short Story (New York, 2021) ed. John Freeman. This month’s selections are:
May 2: St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell (2007)
May 9: The Last Thing We Need by Claire Vaye Watkins (2010)
May 16: Ken Liu: Selection to be Announced
May 23: The Dune by Stephen King (2011)
NOTE: See site for event details and Zoom link.
Where: West Valley Regional Branch Library, LAPL – Online event
Date: Monday the 2nd
Time: 10 am
Address: LAPL – Online Event
Website: https://lapl.org/whats-on/events/world-literature-book-club-36
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 05/02/22 – 05/08/22”
Meet Poet Astrid | Author, Poet, & Writer
FROM: Shoutout LA
We had the good fortune of connecting with Poet Astrid and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Continue reading “Meet Poet Astrid | Author, Poet, & Writer”
Los Angeles Literature Events: 04/25/22 – 05/01/22
NOTE: There Are Both Online and Virtual Events Listed Here
Teen Book Bites: Neurodiversity in Young Adult Fiction via Central Library, LAPL – Online Teen YouTube & FB Event
Teens may join our librarians online as they share books for teens that celebrate neurodiverse characters in YA literature.
Watch past episodes on YouTube for more book recommendations.
NOTE: See site for RSVP & event details.
Where: Central Library, LAPL – Online YouTube & FB event
Date: Monday the 25th
Time: 3 pm
Address: LAPL – Online (see site)
Website: https://lapl.org/whats-on/events/teen-book-bites-neurodiversity-ya
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 04/25/22 – 05/01/22”
Meet Luivette Resto | Mother, Poet, Educator
FROM: Shoutout LA
We had the good fortune of connecting with Luivette Resto and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Continue reading “Meet Luivette Resto | Mother, Poet, Educator”
Los Angeles Literature Events: 04/18/22 – 04/24/22
NOTE: There Are Both Online and Virtual Events Listed Here
A Celebration of Chicano Culture with Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez at El Camino College – In-Person Event
Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez, a primary figure of the Chicano Movement and founder of the Raza Unida Party, will speak on identity and activism.
Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez, the author of numerous books on Chicano culture, including The Eagle Has Eyes: The FBI Surveillance of Cesar E. Chavez of the United Farmworkers Union of America, 1965-1975 (2019), is a primary figure of the Chicano Movement and founder of the Raza Unida Party. He will speak on identity and activism in an afternoon presentation.
NOTE: See site for event details. Free and open to the public.
Where: El Camino College, Haag Recital Hall
Date: Monday the 18th
Time: 1:15 pm – 2:45 pm
Address: 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 04/18/22 – 04/24/22”
‘Written Without Shame’: Mexican-American Poet Briana Muñoz on Poetry, Performance and Her Indigenous Roots
“Los Angeles is a home that keeps Muñoz inspired. ‘There is so much movement. You just walk out the door and there’s a poem,’ she says.” Continue reading ‘Written Without Shame’: Mexican-American Poet Briana Muñoz on Poetry, Performance and Her Indigenous Roots
Meet Ron L. Dowell Author/Activist
FROM: Soutout LA
We had the good fortune of connecting with Ron L. Dowell and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ron L., what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have an undergraduate business degree in accounting from CSUDH. I passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination in the mid-80s. At the time, I worked in public service as a program auditor and wanted to mesh the best of public and private business approaches while preparing to leave public service for the private sector. Working for the public sector was viewed by the private sector as a disadvantage during the 80s. I was never employed by private, public accounting firms that could offer the experience I needed. I experimented with private sector business strategies while working for L.A. County healthcare and later public safety (law enforcement), such as performance measurement, specific goal attainment, best practices, and team building successfully.
Continue reading “Meet Ron L. Dowell Author/Activist”
Two Idiots Peddling Poetry
By Brian Dunlap
After all these years, I finally attended Two Idiots Peddling Poetry. I finally got to the Ugly Mug in historic downtown Orange. I’ve always respected and appreciated the space they hold for people to express their reality, a place where writers can share their work in the Southland’s expansive literary scene.
Continue reading “Two Idiots Peddling Poetry”
Los Angeles Literature Events: 04/11/22 – 04/17/22
NOTE: There Are Both Online and Virtual Events Listed Here
World Literature Book Club: Story Selections via Central Library, LAPL – Online Event
Join us for a spirited discussion of the world’s best short stories! All selections are from The Penguin Book of the Modern American Short Story (New York, 2021) ed. John Freeman. This month’s selections are:
April 11: Water Child by Edwidge Danticat (2000)
April 18: The American Embassy by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2003)
April 25: The Conductor by Aleksandar Hemon (2005)
NOTE: See site for event details and Zoom link.
Where: West Valley Regional Branch Library, LAPL – Online event
Date: Monday the 11th
Time: 10 am
Address: LAPL – Online Event
Website: https://lapl.org/whats-on/events/world-literature-book-club-32
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 04/11/22 – 04/17/22”
Los Angeles Literature 