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Literary Events Calendar
Editor: Cathy Allen

also see Ongoing Writing Classes and Groups

2008: July • August • September • October

July

7/3/2008 8 PM: Lyric Ave’s Chat Room. Poetry discussion group and open mic. $5 admission. At Cosmo Lounge, 1500 E Ridge Rd. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond

7/5/2008 5 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Workshop. Admission $5. At ArtSpace Gallery, Zero E 4th St, 232-6464. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond.

7/5/2008 8 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Show. $5 admission. At ArtSpace Gallery, Zero E 4th St, 232-6464, http://www.artspacegallery.org/aboutus.htm. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond or email slamrichmond@gmail.com.

7/6/2008 2 – 4 PM: Richmond author J.R. Jones discusses and signs Noodles to the Next Level: A Survival Guide to Quick and Easy Steps to Food Preparation. At Book People, 536 Granite Ave, 288-4346.

7/6/2008 3 – 5 PM: Book Swap. Meet, greet and talk books with fellow book lovers. At Book People, 536 Granite Avenue, 288-4346.

7/8/2008 12 – 1 PM: Elli Morris discusses and signs her book Cooling the South: The Block Ice Era 1875-1975. Free and open to the public. Limited free parking under the library. At The Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St, 692-3500, http://www.lva.lib.va.us/.

7/8/2008 6:30 PM: Elli Morris signs her book Cooling the South: The Block Ice Era 1875-1975. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

7/8/2008 8 PM: “Tuesday Verses”. Admission $7. At Tropical Soul Café, 314 N. 2nd St.

7/10/2008 12 PM: Dr. Laura Croghan Kamoie presents a talk on her book Irons in the Fire: The Business History of the Tayloe Family and Virginia's Gentry. Part of the Banner Lecture Series. Admission $5 Adults/$4 Seniors/$3 Children & Students/Free to VHS members. Free parking available. At The Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard, 358-4901, http://www.vahistorical.org/news/lectures.htm.

7/10/2008 6 PM: Virginia author Martin Clark signs his novel The Legal Limit. Sponsored by Fountain Bookstore. At TapHouse Grill (next to Richbrau), 1214 E. Cary St, 644-3018, http://www.richbrau.com/.

7/10/2008 8 PM: Lyric Ave’s Chat Room. Poetry discussion group and open mic. $5 admission. At Cosmo Lounge, 1500 E Ridge Rd. For more details visit  http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond.

7/10/2008 9 PM: Elli Morris signs her book Cooling the South: The Block Ice Era 1875-1975. Part of “Ice Extravaganza” with Amaranth Dance Company. $5 cover. At Infuzion Ice Lounge, 1401 Roseneath Rd, 804-249-COOL, http://www.infuzionlounge.com/.

7/12/2008 9 AM – 12 PM: “Return to Narnia” A behind the scenes glimpse into the world of C.S. Lewis. This “Long Ago and Far Away” production features Prince Caspian and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. $15 tickets include fun activities. Recommended for ages 7 and up. At ComedySportz Improv Theatre, 7115 Staples Mill Rd, http://www.comedysportzrichmond.com/. Call 804-266-9377 to register.

7/12/2008 5 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Workshop. Admission $5. At ArtSpace Gallery, Zero E 4th St, 232-6464. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond.

7/12/2008 8 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Show. $5 admission. At ArtSpace Gallery, Zero E 4th St, 232-6464, http://www.artspacegallery.org/aboutus.htm. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond or email slamrichmond@gmail.com.

7/13/2008 2 – 4 PM: Shockoe Poets Open Mike Readings (2nd and 4th Sundays) at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery, 104 Shockoe Slip. Contact Shann Palmer for information (335-9403 or shannp@gmail.com).

7/13/2008 4 PM: Author Elli Morris reads and signs her latest book Cooling The South. At Chop Suey Books, 1317 W. Cary, 497-4705.

7/14/2008 7 – 9 PM: The Richmond Playwright's Forum holds its monthly meeting at the Barksdale Theatre Willow Lawn conference room. Members will share works in progress and discuss the play writing process.  RPF is open to all interested persons, and welcomes your participation as voice actors or active listeners. For more information, you may contact Margie Langston at margie.langston@yahoo.com.

7/15/2008 12 PM: Singer-songwriter Susan Greenbaum performs! Presented by the Friends of the Richmond Public Library, a non profit organization. Pack a picnic lunch and bring a friend. Free and open to the public. At Library Park, corner of Second and Main. For more details contact Susan Davenport, 230-2590, susandavenport@comcast.net.

7/15/2008 8 PM: “Tuesday Verses”. Admission $7. At Tropical Soul Café, 314 N. 2nd St.

7/16/2008 12 – 1 PM: John Atkinson discusses and signs his coming-of-age novel Timekeeper. Free and open to the public. Limited free parking under the library. At The Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St, 692-3500, http://www.lva.lib.va.us/.

7/16/2008 6:30 – 8:30 PM: Sherry Morris discusses her new book Hundred Dollar Bill. At the July meeting of Virginia Writers Club/Richmond Chapter. Free and open to the public. At Barnes and Noble, Short Pump, 11640 W. Broad St, 360-0103. For further details, please contact Susan Schwartz at Ncc17lu@aol.com or 457-9058.

7/17/2008 6:30 PM: Congressman and TV star Ben “Cooter” Jones appears. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

7/17/2008 7 PM: Fantasy author Naomi Novik signs her new book Victory of Eagles.  $22.50 admission includes book. Call 340-0277 or email info@cncbooks.com for reservations. At Creatures ‘n’ Crooks Bookshoppe, 3156 W. Cary Street (Cary Court), 340-0277.

7/17/2008 8 PM: Lyric Ave’s Chat Room. Poetry discussion group and open mic. $5 admission. At Cosmo Lounge, 1500 E Ridge Rd. For more details visit  http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond.

7/19/2008 9 AM – 12 PM: “Return to Narnia” A behind the scenes glimpse into the world of C.S. Lewis. This “Long Ago and Far Away” production features Prince Caspian and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. $15 tickets include fun activities. Recommended for ages 7 and up. At ComedySportz Improv Theatre, 7115 Staples Mill Rd, http://www.comedysportzrichmond.com/. Call 804-266-9377 to register.

7/19/2008 5 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Workshop. Admission $5. At ArtSpace Gallery, Zero E 4th St, 232-6464. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond.

7/19/2008 8 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Show. $5 admission. At ArtSpace Gallery, Zero E 4th St, 232-6464, http://www.artspacegallery.org/aboutus.htm. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond or email slamrichmond@gmail.com.

7/20/2008 3 – 5 PM: “Bend Your Ear”. Open mike poetry, every 3rd Sunday. At art6, 6 E. Broad Street, 343-1406, http://www.art6.org/.

7/22/2008 8 PM: “Tuesday Verses”. Admission $7. At Tropical Soul Café, 314 N. 2nd St.

7/24/2008 6 PM: Author Jonathan Miles celebrates his novel Dear American Airlines with a special book party. Sponsored by Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594. Location TBA. For further details please contact the bookstore.

7/24/2008 8 PM: Lyric Ave’s Chat Room. Poetry discussion group and open mic. $5 admission. At Cosmo Lounge, 1500 E Ridge Rd. For more details visit  http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond.

7/25/2008 8 PM: Lyric Ave’s Fifth Anniversary Show “Kiss and Tell”. Poetry, comedy, music and so much more. Admission $20 in advance. At Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Broad St. Doors open at 7 pm. For more information visit http://lyricave.com/Home_Page.php

7/26/2008 9 AM – 12 PM: “Return to Narnia” A behind the scenes glimpse into the world of C.S. Lewis. This “Long Ago and Far Away” production features Prince Caspian and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. $15 ticket includes British tea and other fun family activities. Recommended for ages 7 and up. At ComedySportz Improv Theatre, 7115 Staples Mill Rd, http://www.comedysportzrichmond.com/. Call 804-266-9377 to register.

7/26/2008 11 AM – 12 PM: Scientist, author and photographer Dr. Arthur V. Evans discusses and signs What’s Bugging You? A Fond Look at the Animals We Love to Hate. Free and open to the public. Reservations required for this program and begins July 12. Register online at http://www.library.chesterfield.gov/ or by calling 320-2461. At Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Rd.

7/26/2008 5 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Workshop. Admission $5. At ArtSpace Gallery, Zero E 4th St, 232-6464. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond.

7/26/2008 8 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Show. $5 admission. At ArtSpace Gallery, Zero E 4th St, 232-6464, http://www.artspacegallery.org/aboutus.htm. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond or email slamrichmond@gmail.com.

7/27/2008 2 – 4 PM: Shockoe Poets Open Mike Readings (2nd and 4th Sundays) at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery, 104 Shockoe Slip. Contact Shann Palmer for information (335-9403 or shannp@gmail.com).

7/29/2008 6:30 PM: Civil War historian Kate Clifford Larson signs The Assassin’s Accomplice: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

7/31/2008 12 – 1 PM: Virginian-Pilot staff writer Earl Swift presents his book The Tangierman’s Lament and Other Tales of Virginia. Free and open to the public. Limited free parking under the library. At The Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St, 692-3500, http://www.lva.lib.va.us/.

7/31/2008 6:30 – 8:30 PM: James River Writers Presents “Good Guys Gone Bad” at this month’s Writing Show. Join JRW as they discuss the anti-hero. Panelists include novelist C.S. Friedman, playwright Doug Jones, and RTD film critic Dan Neman. Hosted by fantasy author Bill Blume. Admission $10 in advance/$12 at the door/$5 student with valid ID includes refreshments. At the Eureka Theater, Science Museum of Virginia, 3rd floor, 2500 W Broad St.  Please visit http://www.jamesriverwriters.com/jrw_programs/workshops/writing_show/index.htm to register.

August

8/2/2008 The Hanover Writers Club Presents Their Third Annual Book Festival. Meet authors, a publisher and an agent! At the Mechanicsville VFW Post 9808, 7168 Flag Lane. For details and registration visit http://www.hanoverbookfestival.com/ or contact Joanne Liggan at 804-779-2660 or jliggan@comcast.net.

8/10/2008 2 – 4 PM: Shockoe Poets Open Mike Readings (2nd and 4th Sundays) at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery, 104 Shockoe Slip. Contact Shann Palmer for information (335-9403 or shannp@gmail.com).

8/11/2008 7 – 9 PM: The Richmond Playwright's Forum holds its monthly meeting at the Barksdale Theatre Willow Lawn conference room. Members will share works in progress and discuss the play writing process.  RPF is open to all interested persons, and welcomes your participation as voice actors or active listeners. For more information, you may contact Margie Langston at margie.langston@yahoo.com.

8/14/2008 6:30 PM: Mystery writer N.M. Kelby signs Murder at the Bad Girl’s Bar and Grill. FREE BARBECUE SAUCE WITH PURCHASE OF BOOK, while supplies last. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

8/17/2008 3 – 5 PM: “Bend Your Ear”. Open mike poetry, every 3rd Sunday. At art6, 6 E. Broad Street, 343-1406, http://www.art6.org/.

8/18/2008 6:30 PM: National bestselling author Lesley Kagen signs her new novel Land of a Hundred Wonders. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

8/19/2008 6:00 PM: Civil War historian/NPR producer Noah Andre Trudeau signs Southern Storm: Sherman’s March to the Sea. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

8/24/2008 2 – 4 PM: Shockoe Poets Open Mike Readings (2nd and 4th Sundays) at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery, 104 Shockoe Slip. Contact Shann Palmer for information (335-9403 or shannp@gmail.com).

September

9/1/2008 Early bird registration DEADLINE for the James River Writers “Getting It Write” conference scheduled for October 10 – 11, 2008. Presented by Dominion. For further information and registration please visit http://www.jamesriverwriters.com/jrw_programs/conference/index.htm.

9/1/2008 Early bird registration DEADLINE for the “Supercharge Your Writing” conference held November 8, 2008. Presented by Virginia Romance Writers and Chesapeake Romance Writers. For details and registration visit http://www.virginiaromancewriters.com/Conferences/conference.html.

9/2/2008 6:30 PM: Pushcart prize nominee Jayne Pupek discusses and signs her new volume of poetry Tomato Girl. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

9/4/2008 6:30 PM: Bestselling Science Fiction author Terry Brooks signs The Gypsy Morph. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

9/8/2008 7 – 9 PM: The Richmond Playwright's Forum holds its monthly meeting at the Barksdale Theatre Willow Lawn conference room. Members will share works in progress and discuss the play writing process.  RPF is open to all interested persons, and welcomes your participation as voice actors or active listeners. For more information, you may contact Margie Langston at margie.langston@yahoo.com.

9/10/2008 5:30 – 7:30 PM: Writers Wednesday. Looking for fellow writers? JRW hosts a casual “meet and greet” every second Wednesday. At Richbrau Brewing Company’s Taphouse Grill, 1212 E Cary St. Parking after 4 pm is only $3 behind The Tobacco Company (enter the deck from 12th Street between Canal and Cary Streets).

9/13/2008 12 PM: Award-winning journalist and author Chip Jones signs Red, White or Yellow?: The Media and Military at War in Iraq. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

9/14/2008 2 – 4 PM: Shockoe Poets Open Mike Readings (2nd and 4th Sundays) at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery, 104 Shockoe Slip. Contact Shann Palmer for information (335-9403 or shannp@gmail.com).

9/21/2008 3 – 5 PM: “Bend Your Ear”. Open mike poetry, every 3rd Sunday. At art6, 6 E. Broad Street, 343-1406, http://www.art6.org/.

9/24/2008 6:45 – 9 PM: The Virginia Screenwriters' Forum meets once a month (except July, August and December this year) at Art Works in downtown Richmond. VSF brings screenwriters together and offers support and constructive feedback to member's scripts in progress. Throughout the years, member scripts have been made into movies and a PBS documentary and have been optioned by major production companies. Aspiring screenwriters are welcome. To attend email vsf@comcast.net.

9/25/2008 6:30 – 8:30 PM: The Writing Show. At the Eureka Theater on the third floor of the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street.  Sponsored by James River Writers.  Details coming soon.

9/27/2008 2 – 5 PM: Book Party for author Brooklen Borne to launch his novel The Write Lover. At The Black History Museum and Cultural Center, 00 Clay St, 780-9093, http://www.blackhistorymuseum.org/. For further details please contact Savannah J at 804-514-0219.

October

10/8/2008 5:30 – 7:30 PM: Writers Wednesday. Looking for fellow writers? JRW hosts a casual “meet and greet” every second Wednesday. At Richbrau Brewing Company’s Taphouse Grill, 1212 E Cary St. Parking after 4 pm is only $3 behind The Tobacco Company (enter the deck from 12th Street between Canal and Cary Streets).

10/10 – 10/11/2008: James River Writers presents their sixth annual conference “Getting It Write”! Presented by Dominion. Featuring prominent authors, screenwriters, agents, and editors. Registration is $140 prior to September 1, $155 after September 1st. At The Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad Street, 804-692-3500, http://www.lva.lib.va.us/. For further details and registration please visit http://www.jamesriverwriters.com/jrw_programs/conference/index.htm.

10/12/2008 2 – 4 PM: Shockoe Poets Open Mike Readings (2nd and 4th Sundays) at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery, 104 Shockoe Slip. Contact Shann Palmer for information (335-9403 or shannp@gmail.com).

10/13/2008 7 – 9 PM: The Richmond Playwright's Forum holds its monthly meeting at the Barksdale Theatre Willow Lawn conference room. Members will share works in progress and discuss the play writing process.  RPF is open to all interested persons, and welcomes your participation as voice actors or active listeners. For more information, you may contact Margie Langston at margie.langston@yahoo.com.

10/19/2008 3 – 5 PM: “Bend Your Ear”. Open mike poetry, every 3rd Sunday. At art6, 6 E. Broad Street, 343-1406, http://www.art6.org/.

10/22/2008 6:45 – 9 PM: The Virginia Screenwriters' Forum meets once a month (except July, August and December this year) at Art Works in downtown Richmond. VSF brings screenwriters together and offers support and constructive feedback to member's scripts in progress. Throughout the years, member scripts have been made into movies and a PBS documentary and have been optioned by major production companies. Aspiring screenwriters are welcome. To attend email vsf@comcast.net.

10/26/2008 2 – 4 PM: Shockoe Poets Open Mike Readings (2nd and 4th Sundays) at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery, 104 Shockoe Slip. Contact Shann Palmer for information (335-9403 or shannp@gmail.com).

10/28/2008 6:30 PM: Author Katherine Neville signs her latest novel The Fire. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

10/29/2008 6:30 PM: “Southern Chick Humor” Award-winning journalist and columnist Celia Rivenbark signs Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

10/30/2008 6:30 – 8:30 PM: The Writing Show. At the Eureka Theater on the third floor of the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street.  Sponsored by James River Writers.  Details coming soon.

10/31/2008 12:30 PM: “Brush Your Fangs”. Author Diane Whiteside signs Bond of Darkness: A Novel of Texas Vampires. At Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 788-1594.

10/31 – 11/1/2008: “Weekend with a Writer”, with Alan Pell Crawford (Twilight at Monticello). Package deals available at The Essex Inn. Sponsored by The Friends of Essex Public Library and Essex Inn. At The Essex Inn, 203 Duke St, Tappahannock, http://www.essexinnva.com/. For information visit www.weekendwithawriter.com.

Email calendar@jamesriverwriters.com with literary calendar listings. Please submit at least two weeks in advance.