How ‘Summertime’s’ young L.A. poets transformed ‘Raya’s’ Carlos López Estrada
By Carlos Aguilar
FROM: L.A. Times
Spoken word poetry transmits messages through a singular language: deft prose molded into a visceral performance by rhythm, intonation and physicality. The delivery turns words into daggers of truth, for soul-searching or external confrontation.
Continue reading “How ‘Summertime’s’ young L.A. poets transformed ‘Raya’s’ Carlos López Estrada”
Long Beach State’s Gerald Locklin, Bukowski’s Drinking Pal, Left A Lasting Mark On Writing — and Writers
By John Penner
FROM: Los Angeles Times
A Cal State Long Beach classroom, 1985 or so. Gerald Locklin looks every bit his nickname “Bear,” with bushy salt-and-pepper hair and beard, thick glasses, rumpled polo shirt, jeans and Birkenstocks with socks. He leans heavily on the lectern, and opens class the way he always did, asking in his Rochester accent, “What’s haaappening?”
Continue reading “Long Beach State’s Gerald Locklin, Bukowski’s Drinking Pal, Left A Lasting Mark On Writing — and Writers”
Los Angeles Literature Events: 07/05/21 – 07/11/21
Another busy week in Los Ángeles literature. More and more events are returning to in person gatherings. Check the list to find out which events are in person. Also, local authors featuring this week are: Yesika Salgado, Janet Fitch and Steph Cha is in conversation with Rosecrans Baldwin, among others. Continue reading Los Angeles Literature Events: 07/05/21 – 07/11/21
Grand Opening of New L.Á. Literary Space
By Brian Dunlap
Saturday in Boyle Heights. Cesar Chavez Ave. The grand opening for South Central poet and Dryland founder Viva Padilla’s literary arts venue Re/Arte.
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They Tried Every Trick In The Book
After a year of pivoting to online sales, virtual readings, gofundme pages and even book mobiles, local bookstores reopen with a little trepidation.
By Dorany Pineda
FROM: L.A. Times
For the first time since the pandemic swept through the United States, Jazzi McGilbert saw glimmers of normalcy last month.
Continue reading “They Tried Every Trick In The Book”
Los Angeles Literature Events: 06/28/21 – 07/04/21
Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Howard Paar, with Denice Hamilton, & Top Rankin’: A Punk/Ska Noir Novel via Book Soup – Online Event
Author Howard Paar, in conversation with author Denise Hamilton, will present and discuss his book, Top Rankin’: A Punk/Ska Noir Novel.
Top Rankin’ captures the spirit of LA in 1980, and is populated with real-life characters from the music world in Los Angeles, New York and London, when everything’s changing, from the decadent, diverse punk rock scene to the violent, hard-core scene. Although club owner James Dual wants no part of that, his efforts are thwarted from every direction.
NOTE: See site for details, and to register for this free event.
Where: Book Soup – Online Crowdcast event
Date: Monday the 28th
Time: 6 pm
Where: Online event
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 06/28/21 – 07/04/21”
As Bookstores Struggled With COVID-19, This Culver City Shop Was Just Opening
A new Culver City bookstore opened it’s doors in January, as others struggled with COVID-19. Continue reading As Bookstores Struggled With COVID-19, This Culver City Shop Was Just Opening
LA poet laureate Lynne Thompson on the ‘kernels of poems’ inside all of us
By Kathryn Barnes
FROM: Greater L.A.
Lynne Thompson is LA’s 2021 poet laureate. The program is a partnership between the Department of Cultural Affairs and the LA Public Library that aims to enhance the city’s appreciation of the literary arts and reach people who have limited exposure to creative writing.
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Los Angeles Literature Events: 06/21/21 – 06/27/21
Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Kathy Freston & Gene Stone & 72 Reasons to Be Vegan via Book Soup – Online Event
Authors Kathy Freston & Gene Stone will present and discuss their book, 72 Reasons to Be Vegan: Why Plant-Based. Why Now.
72 Reasons to Be Vegan: Why Plant-Based. Why Now informs us that if we adopt a vegan diet you can enjoy better sex, save money, ward of diseases, and help save the planet, etc. This book answers all the questions about a vegan diet from the perspective of what one would gain, rather than what one would give up.
NOTE: See site for details, and to register for this free event.
Where: Book Soup – Online Crowdcast event
Date: Monday the 21st
Time: 6 pm
Where: Online event
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 06/21/21 – 06/27/21”
Los Angeles Literature Events: 06/14/21 – 06/20/21
Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Lisa Taddeo, with Stephanie Danler, & Animal via Book Soup – Online Event
Author Lisa Taddeo, in conversation with author Stephanie Danler, will present and discuss his new book, Animal.
Animal illustrates one woman’s exhilarating transformation for prey to predator, in this debut novel from the author of Three Women. Lisa Taddeo presents the story of Joan, who has spent a lifetime enduring the cruelties of men. It’s a depiction of female rage at its rawest, and a visceral exploration of the fallout from a male-dominated society.
NOTE: See site for details, and to register for this free event.
Where: Book Soup – Online Crowdcast event
Date: Monday the 14th
Time: 6 pm
Where: Online event
Website: https://www.booksoup.com/event/lisa-taddeo-conversation-stephanie-danler-discusses-animal
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 06/14/21 – 06/20/21”
Los Angeles Literature 