Wordcraft – Set a course for summer literary destinations

Events for writers – and readers – crowd the summer calendar. And in Texas, summer starts in May! I’m concentrating on conferences, reading clubs, and reviews in North Texas, plus a couple elsewhere too good to miss.

May 16-September 13: Arts & Letters Live at the Dallas Museum of Art. Yes, this series about books and writers begins early in the year, but it doesn’t slow down when temperatures rise. Inspired by the DMA’s annual hosting of a naturalization ceremony, the museum presents Oral Fixation – Destination America: True Stories of Immigration this Saturday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for the public, discounts for DMA members. Most events are at the museum, 1717 N. Harwood, but see www.dallasmuseumofart.org for details.

May 19: Friends of the Sachse Public Library sponsor Author.con, a celebration of local authors. Free, at the library, 3815 Sachse Road. Books available for purchase (check or cash only). See www.cityofsachse.com/index.aspx?NID=457 for complete list of authors and genres.

June 3-July 29: Rejebian Summer Series each Wednesday in June and July, with author readings and reviews at 7 p.m. Free, or $12 to add a dinner reservation. Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas. See www.hpumc.org/rejebian for list of programs.

June 6-August 1: Mayor’s Summer Reading Club at Dallas Public Library branches. It’s not just for kids! Sign up at https://dallaslibrary2.org/childrenCenter/summerReadingProgram or any of the Dallas Library's 29 branches for fun and prizes. See the website for guidelines.

June 26-28: Writers’ League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference, Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Road, in Austin. This is the biggest general interest conference for writers in the state. Lots and lots of agents, craft workshops and panels. Registration is $489 through June 5 or until sold out (which can happen). See www.writersleague.org/Calendar/2015conference for registration, details, agent list.

July 17-19: Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference, Hilton DFW Lakes Conference Center, 1800 Highway 26 East, in Grapevine. Basic registration $425, additional charges for contests and sessions with agents. See www.cvent.com/events/2015-mayborn-literary-nonfiction-conference/event/ for details and schedule.

July 17-19: LexiCon Writers Conference in Denton. My Writers Guild newsletter states that WGT members (membership $25) may attend LexiCon for $100 instead of the new attendee price of $150. See www.Lexi-ConwritersConference.com for details.

July 24-26: DFW Writers’ Conference moves to the Wyly Theater, 2400 Flora Street, in the Dallas Arts District. Agents, workshops, and inspirational speakers. One agent pitch session and catered lunches are included in the registration cost of $399. See http://dfwcon.org for details and schedule.

July 24-26: ArmadilloCon37, Omni Southpark Hotel, 4140 Governors Row, in Austin. A literary convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, with art, animation, science and gaming. Add a daylong writing workshop with critique of your work for $79.50. (Writing entries due June 15!) See http://armadillocon.org for details.