Fall literary events in Texas – a hurricane can’t stop ‘em!

The last post about the storm of fall literary events in North Texas only had room for August-September events. But fall’s barely started, and festivals, author tours, and workshops are sprouting like mushrooms after a deluge, starting with:

image: pixabay

September 7: If you loved Finn Murphy’s truck driving memoir, The Long Haul, as much as I did (or if you haven’t been introduced to Murphy’s book), truck over to Dallas’ newest independent bookstore, Interabang Books, 10720 Preston Road (Preston at Royal), at 7 p.m. this Thursday, September 7, to meet him and even buy a signed copy of his book.

September 9-11: It’s almost here – the grand opening of Interabang culminating in a party September 11, from 6-9 p.m. with guest of honor Ann Patchett. Patchett is expected to speak at approximately 7 p.m. September 11. Although she will not be able to personalize books, signed copies of her works will be available for sale.

September 24: I said it before, and I’ll say it again – bestselling author Ken Follett’s appearance to open this season’s Arts & Letters Live of the Dallas Museum of Art is a must-hear. He will speak at 7:30 p.m. in First United Methodist Church of Dallas, 1928 Ross Avenue (across from the DMA). Tickets start at $60 for the public, and include a copy of Follett’s latest book. 

October 4: Art Garfunkel appears at the Authors LIVE!  presentation of Friends of SMU Libraries and Friends of the Highland Park Library, to discuss and sign his book, What is All But Luminous. In Wesley Hall of Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, 7 p.m. Unlike most Authors LIVE! events, this one is ticketed, $28, which includes a copy of the book. See the site for details, and preview more of its coming authors.

October 7: The Writers Guild of Texas hosts New York Times bestselling author Cindy Dees as instructor for its fall writing workshop, 9 a.m. – noon in the Richardson, Texas, Civic Center, 411 West Arapaho Road, Richardson. Visit the site for details. Online tickets: $25 for WGT members, $35 for nonmembers. Tickets at the door: $35 for members, $40 for nonmembers at the door, as space is available.

October 7: The Texas Teen Book Festival, 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., at St. Edward’s University, 3001 S. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas. It’s free and so is parking (even for buses). Keynote address by New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu. Costume contest, book signings, dozens of authors! See the site for details and complete author list.

October 10: The Writers League of Texas visits Interabang Books, 10720 Preston Road, Dallas, for a panel discussion: Turn a Mess of Pages into a Book. Something to think about, considering:

November 1-30: November’s month-long run of NaNoWriMo events. (More to come on this topic!)

Vincent Villafranca (file photo)

November 2-5: World Fantasy Convention, Wyndham Riverwalk, 111 East Pecan Street, San Antonio. Yes, THE annual fantasy convention will be in Texas! (Aren't you glad it's not in Houston?) Winner of the design for the WFC Award is Texas sculptor Vincent Villafranca, who some readers may remember from last year's ArmadilloCon in Austin. I mentioned the WFC in an earlier post, then forgot until I saw a post at a literary agency website saying responses may take longer if they happen to be at the WFC. Oops! See the site for details and memberships.

November 4-5: The Texas Book Festival – the BIG ONE! In and around the grounds of the state capitol in Austin. Authors include Dan Rather, Jeffrey Eugenides, Angie Thomas, Claire Messud, and many, many more. See the site for details.

November 10-12: Readers & ‘ritas, Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South, Allen, Texas. is a weekend-long binge of parties with favorite romance authors, panels, and food. Guests of honor are Sherrilyn Kenyon, Cathy Maxwell and Marie Bostwick. See the site for details and pricing, including a weekend pass option which includes a writers workshop November 10, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

November 13: Anne Lamott provides the keynote address for the fall convocation of Perkins School of Theology: The Power of the Story, on the SMU campus. Lamott will read and discuss her latest book, Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, from 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at McFarlin Auditorium on the SMU campus. Books will be available for signing from 9-9:30 p.m. Her appearance is free. See the site for information on the full schedule of convocation events and pricing.

December 1: Texas Book Festival goes to Houston for Reading Rock Stars. Currently, the festival is scheduled to bring six authors to four elementary schools in Houston. See the site for updates as the situation in Houston progresses.