Empowering Diverse Writers, Innovaatively

By Agatha French

From: Los Angeles Times

IMG_6178Kima Jones is the founder of Jack Jones Literary Arts, a not-yet-3-year-old, three-person L.A.-based book publicity company whose clients are primarily women of color. Jones is a savvy media strategist and creative force, already counting a Pulitzer Prize winner (Tyehimba Jess’ poetry collection “Oilo”) among her campaigns.

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Saying Good By to Dirty Laundry Lit

by Brian Dunlap

downloadEverything must come to an end. Eventually. Los Ángeles writer, author of Grace (Counterpoint, 2016), Natasha Deón, creator of Dirty Laundry Lit, has decided it’s time to end the wildly popular and successful reading series in Hollywood, after seven plus years. It’s best to let Natasha Deón say it in her own words. The following words are taken from a Facebook post she made yesterday.

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Los Ángeles Writers Publish in 2017

As 2017 comes to a close, a lot of local writers have published in literary journals and magazines. They even published plenty of books. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, mystery novels, literary noveles, poetry of place, among others, It was definitely a year of publishing success in the Los Ángeles literary community. Here is what and where they published. Continue reading Los Ángeles Writers Publish in 2017

Los Angeles Literary Events

As Christmas and New Years fast approach, the Los Ángeles literary community is taking a vacation. There are no author readings at local independent bookstores around Los Ángeles. Open mics that usually take place the second half of the month have been cancelled. Enjoy the end of 2017 with friends and family. And remember books by local authors such as Cynthia Guardado, Alex Espinoza, Amy Uyematsu, Robin … Continue reading Los Angeles Literary Events

New Open Mic in Pomona

by Brian Dunlap

downloadFriday was the second edition of the open mic Poetry y Pan at Café con Libros in Pomona, hosted by poets and educators Irene Sanchez and Matt Sedillo. The Reading began shortly after 7:30 pm, the Arts District coming to life with music and food. Next door it sounded like a band was playing a familiar Green Day song, kicking off the weekend.

The feature Besskepp had yet to arrive and in the back sat a pink box of pan for readers and audience alike. The population inside the two-month-old lending library appeared close to 15. When things kicked off Matt Sedillo made quick introductions, then announced the first open mic reader.

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Remembering Michele Serros: A Writer’s Journey

by Daniel Cano

From: Labloga

IMG_1676In the spring of 2015, I received a telephone call from the Santa Monica College Foundation asking if I would present the SMC distinguished alumna award to writer Michele Serros, who had been a former student of mine.

“Of course,” I replied, sadly. I knew Michele had been fighting cancer, and she was putting up a courageous battle.

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Hitched at Holy Grounds Celebrates Macondo Writers and Two Book Releases!

by Michael Sedano

From: Labloga

Xochitl-Julisa_Bermejo

Hitched  is a quarterly reading series, created and engagingly hosted by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo. Notable for Bermejo’s pairing of intriguing voices, Hitched might feature seasoned with emerging writers, people working in complementary styles, writers with contrasting approaches. Bermejo always finds a delighting facet in her guests’ poetry and prose.

For December, the event paired two writers bringing debut books to light, Vickie Vertiz’s collection, Palm Frond with Its Throat Cut (University of Arizona Press) and Joseph Rios’s collection, Shadowboxing (Omnidawn)! In addition, all the writers were Macondistas, including liz gonzalez, Alex Espinoza, Tisha Reichle, Sarah Rafael García. With Saturday’s reading, Hitched reaches its seventh year. In Los Angeles, that’s an institution. That Macondo writers workshop has been an institution since Day One.

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Beginnings & Endings at Avenue 50 and La Palabra

by Michael Sedano

From: Labloga

La_Palabra_Final_Group1Karineh Mahdessian restrained the tears that refused restraint so the tears flowed as she disclosed news to a supportive crowd that today wraps her service hosting the immensely important and popular reading series, La Palabra at Avenue 50 Studio in Northeast Los Angeles. The December 10 meeting wraps the series for 2017.

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Los Angeles Literature Events 12/11/17 –12/17/17

Father Gregory Boyle at Vroman’s Bookstore (Off-site at All Saints Church)

downloadCome to hear author and founder of Homeboy Industries, Father Gregory Boyle, discuss and sign his new book Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship.

The author of Tatoos on the Heart leads the largest gang intervention program in the world, and his first book was hailed as an astounding literary and spiritual feat. Now, in a nation deeply divided and plagued by poverty and violence, he offers a snapshot into the challenges and joys of life on the margins in Barking to the Choir. This book is guaranteed to shake up our ideas about God and about people with a glimpse at a world defined by more compassion and fewer barriers.

NOTE: You must RSVP at website link to eventbrite to pay $34 for admission for two and one copy of book.

Where: All Saints Church

Date: Monday the 11th

Time: 7 pm – 8:30 pm

Address: 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101

Websitehttp://www.vromansbookstore.com/event/vroman’s-presents-father-gregory-boyle-discussing-and-signing-barking-choir-power-radical

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