Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Wordcraft – Fall literary events: turning another leaf

Last Tuesday I offered a list of fall literary events in North Texas, but only managed to get through mid-September before my screen filled up. So, here’s a continuation. I’ll admit, though all of these are in Texas, they’re not all necessarily in North Texas. And these are personal suggestions; more opportunities are sure to pop up later!

September 19: Dallas Area Writers Group (DAWG) holds its first ever writing workshop, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the DeSoto, Texas, Civic Center. Eight pros (including several from the local chapter of Mystery Writers of America) discuss writing from the standpoints of both new and published authors. Seating is limited. Cost includes lunch, $75 ($50 for DAWG members) online, $80 the day of the convention, if seats are still available.

September 25-26: Indiepalooza Conference, sponsored by Houston Writer’s Guild at Crowne Plaza Houston Galleria Area, 7611 Katy Freeway, Houston. Cost: $120 both days for HWG members, $150 for nonmembers, single day passes and select classes available separately. See HWG’s site for registration as well as selling events for authors, including tables at the Texas Book Festival in Austin.

September 25-28: FenCon literary science fiction/fantasy convention, at The Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport, 4545 W. John Carpenter Freeway, in Irving. (Note: this is a new location.) Cost is  $40 for regular registration, $55 for “Friend of Fen” registration, discounts for children and youth memberships. FOF and online registration close September 1 (that’s today, folks!) but walk-up registration available during the convention. Entries for the convention’s young writers story contest accepted through September 10 (although adult story contest is now closed).

October 5: Dallas Arts & Letters Live continues at the Dallas Museum of Arts, 7:30 p.m. Joyce Carol Oates and Natasha Trethewey, Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry and former US poet laureate. Tickets $35, discounts for DMA members and students. At DMA, 1717 N. Harwood, Dallas.

October 9-10: Greater Dallas Metro Postcard and Paper Postcard& Paper Show. Can’t resist the look (and smell) of real paper? Check out this collectors’ paradise of vintage postcards, author and celebrity autographs, prints, maps, and every imaginable kind of paper ephemera. At Southfork Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expressway (exit 29, east side), in Plano. Admission $3 for regular admission both days (opening 10 a.m.), $5 early bird admission (opening 9 a.m.).

October 17-18: Texas Book Festival. The big one, in Austin, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 17), 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 18). More than 250 nationally and critically recognized authors at more than 20 venues, including the State Capitol, Congress and 11th Streets. Free.

October 19: Authors LIVE!, a presentation of Friends of the Highland Park Library, Friends of the SMU Library, and Highland Park United Methodist Church. Betty Carroll discusses her book, Lady Bird and Lyndon, at 7 p.m. in Wesley Hall of HPUMC, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas. Free, or reserve a signed book and place at an author’s reception for $30. The Authors LIVE! Series continues October 29 with James Kaplan and his book, Sinatra: The Chairman.

November 11: Amitav Ghosh, author of Sea of Poppies and other award-winning books, will discuss his latest, Flood of Fire, at 7:30 p.m. in the Jonsson Performance Hall of the University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson. Free. Seating is first come, first served, beginning 30 minutes ahead of the appearance.

November 13-15: Readers & ‘ritas: romance readers and authors mingle, Hilton Garden Inn, Allen. Readers regular registration $140.

November 17: Farina Lecture Series, Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 S. Harwood, Dallas. Baseball historian Talmage Boston, author of 1939: Baseball’s Tipping Point and Baseball and the Baby Boomer, discusses American’s favorite pastime, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Free.

Is that enough for now? Let me know what incredible thing I left out and I’ll consider posting it another day. 

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