Los Angeles Literature Events: 10/10/22 – 10/16/22

Peter Merts & Ex Crucible: The Passion of Incarcerated Artists at Chevalier’s Bookstore – In-Person Event

Prison Arts collective will have an art auction and author and photographer Peter Merts will present and discuss Ex Crucible: The Passion of Incarcerated Artists. The photographs of Ex Crucible show incarcerated men and women creating artworks with a talent, passion, and authenticity that illuminate the humanity of the artists. These intimate photographs demonstrate the importance that creativity can have in these bleak, controlled spaces.

Peter Merts has been a photographer for 40 years, focusing on documentary, portrait, and fine arts projects. Peter has documented California’s Arts in Corrections program, both as a volunteer, and under contract with the California Arts Council. He has photographed in all 36 of California’s adult state prisons and serves on the advisory board of the Prison Arts Collective, a provider of prison arts programming. Peter co-published, with Dr. Larry Brewster, the book Paths of Discovery: Art Practice and Its Impact in California State Prisons (now in its 2nd edition); in 2022, he published a monograph of his prison arts work, Ex Crucible: The Passion of Incarcerated Artists (Daylight Books).

NOTE: See site for free tickets, guidelines, and details.

Where: Chevalier’s Bookstore

Date: Monday the 10th

Time: 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Address: 133 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004

Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-auction-book-talk-ex-crucible-by-peter-merts-tickets-428745418087

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 10/10/22 – 10/16/22”

Los Angeles Literature Events: 09/26/21 – 10/03/21

Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

Sheetal Sheth, with Nazanin Boniadi, & Bravo Anjali! via Diesel Bookstore – Online Kids IG Live Event

Join us to hear author Sheetal,in conversation with Nazanin Boniadi, present and discuss her new children’s book, Bravo Anjali!

Playing the tuba comes naturally to Anjali. When the boys in her class give her a hard time for being better than them, she messes up on purpose. It’s her dream to win the upcoming music contest, so she will need a lesson in confidence to hit the right notes. This is an important story for to remind children to never dim their light.

NOTE: See Site for details and Eventbrite registration.

Where: Diesel Bookstore – Online IG Event

Date: Monday the 27th

Time: 12 pm – 1 pm PT

Address: Online (see site)

Website: https://www.dieselbookstore.com/event/virtual-event-monday-september-27th-1200-pm-sheetal-sheth-conversation-nazanin-boniadi

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 09/26/21 – 10/03/21”

Los Angeles Literature Events: 09/13/21 – 09/19/21

Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

Daniel Barban Levin, with Selina Fillinger, & Slonim Woods 9: A Memoir via Book Soup – Online Event

Join us to hear Danile Barban Levin, in conversation with actress and playwright Selina Fillinger, discuss his book, Slonim Woods 9: A Memoir.

In September 2010, a sophomore named Talia Ray asked her roommates at Sarah Lawrence College if her father could stay with them for a while. No one objected,

Talia’s father. Larry Ray, was just released from prison after three years for a custody dispute. He arrived from a communal house called Slonim Woods and stayed for the whole year.  Over time, the forceful and intense Ray convinced the young women he alone could help them “achieve clarity,” and eventually they moved to an apartment in Manhattan, beginning years of manipulation and abuse.

Danile Barban Levin was one of the original residents of Slonim Woods 9, and Ray coached him through a difficult break-up, slowly drawing him into his web. After two years of escalating physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, Daniel found the strength to break away.

In April 2019, a New York Magazine story, “The Stolen Kids of Sarah Lawrence,” exposed Ray’s crimes to the world, and in February 2020 he was finally indicted on charges of extortion, sex trafficking, forced labor, and money laundering.

This brave, lyrical and redemptive memoir spans the two years Daniel Barban Levin spent in the grip of a megalomaniac, and reveals how a group of friends were led from a campus into a cult without the world even noticing.

NOTE: See Site for details and registration.

Where: Book Soup – Online Event

Date: Monday the 13th

Time: 6 pm

Address: Online (see site)

Website: https://www.booksoup.com/event/daniel-barban-levin-conversation-selina-fillinger-discusses-slonim-woods-9-memoir

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 09/13/21 – 09/19/21”

Los Angeles Literature Events: 09/06/21 – 09/12/21

Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham & Friends Forever at Once Upon a Time Bookstore – In-Person Kids Event

Join us to meet children’s authors Shannon Haleand and LeUyen Pham, as they present their book, Friends Forever.

Shannon Haleand is the New York Times best-selling author of over thirty children’s and young adult novels, including graphic novel memoirs Real Friends and Best Friends, and multiple award winners The Goose Girl, Book of a Thousand Days, and Newbery Honor recipient Princess Academy.

LeUyen Pham is a children’s book illustrator and author. She has illustrated and written more than 80 books. In 2020, she won a Caldecott Honor for her illustrations in the book Bear Came Along.

This is a meet and greet event to sign books and visit with fans of all ages. Graphic novel readers will enjoy the third book in the Friendship series, and picture book readers will be thrilled with the cuteness of Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn.

NOTE: See site for details and guidelines for this event.     

Where: Once Upon a Time Bookstore – In-Person Kids Event

Date: Monday the 6th                         

Time: 11 am

Where: 2207 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020

Website: https://www.shoponceuponatime.com/event/friends-forever

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 09/06/21 – 09/12/21”

Los Angeles Literature Events: 08/30/21 – 09/05/21

Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

Vroman’s Live: Local Author Day with David W. Reed & Lin Nelson Benedek via Vroman’s – Online Event

Join us to hear local authors David W. Reed & Lin Nelson Benedek discuss their new books: Uphill and into the Wind and Singing Lessons, respectively.

David W. Reed’s Uphill and into the Wind is set in 1973, when our nation was torn apart by the Vietnam War, and the massacre of unarmed students at Kent State. Disenchanted with his future, he author set out with two new friends to cross the United States with just their bicycles and cameras to truly see America. They get more than they bargained for, with menacing animals, extreme weather, and astonishing encounters. Through it all they are changed forever, in ways they did not expect, by their long journey into the unknown.

Lin Nelson Benedek’s Singing Lessons  is a poetic collection that is both  grand and intimate. Michelle Bitting calls it a “…sumptuous repast for ear and imagination as Benedek pulls us in close to her contemplated world of things and sings us through.”

NOTE: See Site for details and registration.

Where: Vroman’s – Online Event

Date: Monday the 30th             

Time: 6 pm

Address: Online (see site)

Website: https://www.vromansbookstore.com/event/vroman%E2%80%99s-live-presents-local-author-day-featuring-david-w-reed-lin-nelson-benedek-and-louise

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 08/30/21 – 09/05/21”

Los Angeles Literature Events: 08/16/21 – 08/22/21

Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

Jordan Ifueko & Redemptor Book Launch via Once Upon a Time Bookstore – In-Person/ Outside Event

Celebrate an In-Person book launch for Redemptor, by Jordan Ifueko, the sequel to the New York Times bestseller Raybearer.

In this story Empress Redemptor sits on Aristar’s throne, but must appease the sinister spirits of the dead. Tarisai must now anoint a council of her own, coming into her full power. She must then descend into the Underworld, a sacrifice to end all future atrocities. She is determined to survive, but fears the pressure may consume her. Now she must decide to die for justice…or to live for it.

For health and safety reasons, this event will take place both inside and outside the store, per guidelines available at website.

NOTE: See Site for details and book purchase.

Where: Once Upon a Time Bookstore

Date: Monday the16th             

Time: 5 pm

Address: 2207 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020

Website: https://www.shoponceuponatime.com/event/redemptor

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 08/16/21 – 08/22/21”

Los Angeles Literature Events: 08/09/21 – 08/15/21

Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

Maggie Smith, with Victoria Chan, & Goldenrod via Skylight Bookstore – Online Event

Join us to hear author Maggie Smith, in conversation with award-winning poet Victoria Chang (Obit), discuss her new poetry book, Goldenrod.  

Award-winning poet Maggie Smith returns with a powerful collection that looks at parenthood, solitude, love and memory by taking unique looks at modern life to explore with empathy and honestly.

NOTE: See Site for details and registration.

Where: Skylight Bookstore

Date: Monday the 9th             

Time: 5:30 pm

Address: See Site

Website: https://www.skylightbooks.com/event/live-crowdcast-maggie-smith-discusses-goldenrod-victoria-chang   

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 08/09/21 – 08/15/21”

Los Angeles Literature Events: 07/26/21 – 08/01/21

Another busy week in the Los Ángeles literary community, with in-person and virtual events. In=person events are at local bookstores, Re/Arte in Boyle Heights, Sims Library of Poetry in South Central. etc. Some local writers reading this week: poet Daniel Jose Ruiz, Brendan Constantine, Tommy Domino, V. Kali, Hiram Sims, October BLU and more. Continue reading Los Angeles Literature Events: 07/26/21 – 08/01/21

Los Angeles Literature Events: 07/19/21 – 07/25/21

Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

Treehouse Event:  & Ziggy Marley & My Dog Romeo via Skylight Books & LA Public Library – Online Kids Event   

Skylight Treehouse and the LA Public Library present an interactive kids event celebrating author Ziggy Marley’s new picture book, My Dog Romeo. Illustrations are beautifully done by Ag Jatkowska. This event is presented in partnership with the band Punk Rock Marthas.

This vibrant picture book follows a child and dog throughout their days, sharing their love of music and play. A children’s album of the same title is also available.

Where: Skylight Bookstore Online Kids Event (see site)

Date: Monday the 19th            

Time: 11 am

Address: Skylight Books Online (see site)

Website: https://www.skylightbooks.com/event/treehouse-and-la-public-library-present-ziggy-marley-author-my-dog-romeo

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 07/19/21 – 07/25/21”

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

Website: https://www.booksoup.com/event/howard-parr-conversation-denise-hamilton-discusses-top-rankin%E2%80%99-punkska-noir-novel

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 06/28/21 – 07/04/21”