Head to Wine Madonna on Monday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m., and Get Lit! Keep St. Pete Lit presents an evening of literature, word games and drinking. Part game night, part evening at the bar, plenty of word-minded games will be on hand so attendees can feel like getting lit makes them, well, more lit!
Pinellas Park Library offers a free two-part class How to Write Your First Novel Tuesdays, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.
Meet author Rebbie Macintyre at the North Tampa Branch Library Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Macintyre brings a set of diverse experiences to her work, providing it with a realistic texture that enriches her stories. Her first book, Cast the First Stone, is a historical mystery set in rural America. Her second book, A Corner of the Universe, is a suspense story set in current day Chicago. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Authors Guild.
Roger Stone will discuss his book Nixon’s Secrets: The Truth About Watergate and the Pardon Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m., at Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood.
From creation to critical thinking, from the flood to feminism, and from genealogies to genocide, the book of Genesis is one of the most enduring and influential stories in human experience. Eckerd College offers a panel entitled “Reading Genesis, Reading Culture: Then and Now,” Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Genesis not only describes human journeys, but also has had a long journey of its own, as its afterlives throughout history have been as influential as the text itself. Join this panel of expert biblical scholars from liberal arts colleges and ask questions about this enduring text, its ancient contexts, its histories of interpretation, and its various roles in contemporary society.
Laura McCullough will read as part of the University of Tampa’s Writers at the University series on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7 to 8 p.m. McCullough is the author of five books. Her most recent is the 2013 poetry collection Rigger Death & Hoist Another. Last year, she also published The Smashing House, a fiction chapbook, and her edited anthology, The Room & The World: Essays on the Poetry of Stephen Dunn. Her essays, criticism, poetry, creative non-fiction and short fiction have appeared in numerous publications. McCullough will also read at the University of South Florida's GraphicStudio Thursday, Oct. 2, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Award-winning author Leslea Newman will read from her new book October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard at USF's Tampa Library Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2 to 3 p.m. Later that evening, at 7 p.m., she’ll head over to Barnes & Noble in Brandon. A novel in verse, October Mourning offers readers a masterful, poetic exploration of the October 1998 murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard. Newman is the author of 60 books, including A Letter to Harvey Milk, The Boy Who Cried Fabulous and Heather Has Two Mommies.
USF hosts its inaugural Diversity Lecture Series and Book Signing on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 3 to 4:30 p.m., in the Marshall Student Center. Dr. Tamara Bertrand Jones, assistant professor of higher education at Florida State University, will speak on “Black Women in the Academy.” This event is free and open to the public.
The end is nigh! At least a few local writers seem to think so. Find out what kind of demise they think is in store for the world at Wordier Than Thou’s Wednesday, Oct. 1 Doomsayers event at The Studio@620, St. Petersburg. Readings begin at 7 p.m. and include stories by John Henry Fleming, Heather Jones, Jeff Strand, Lynne Hansen, Bett Correa and more. A portion of proceeds will benefit Edible Peace Patch and books and other items will be raffled off in an opportunity drawing
Wordier Than Thou brings its Storytelling and Prose Open Mic to Tampa's Florida Avenue Brewing Company Thursday, Oct. 2. Come share your finest prose, or if you’re just in the mood for listening, catch some tales from our area’s talented wordsmiths. This month’s featured reader is Deborah Frethem, historian, storyteller and author of Haunted Ybor. Suggested $5 donation at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Readings begin at 7 p.m.
Tampa’s Inkwood Books presents A Night with Kristen Hare and Ernest Hooper Thursday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. Hare, an online reporter for the Poynter Institute, compiled a great to-do list of Tampa sights and scenes not to be missed in her book 100 Things to Do in Tampa Bay Before You Die. Tampa Bay Times columnist Hooper wrote the introduction to the book.
Melissa Carroll and others read from Going OM: Real Life Stories from the Yoga Mat at St. Pete’s Wilson’s Book World, Friday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. Free beer and wine. After party to be announced.
Make the submission process fun. Join literary consultant Heather Jones and Wordier Than Thou for a Fall Submission Party Saturday, Oct. 4, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Creative Soul Studio in St. Pete. Grab some coffee, share tips with other writers and submit your work for publication.
Get started on your memoir. Teacher Lark Underwood offers a three-part workshop, Memoir Writing 101, at the Bruton Memorial Library in Plant City, beginning Saturday, Oct. 4, 2 to 4 p.m. Participants are asked to pre-register and to bring a notebook, pen or pencil, and 3” x 5” cards.
Screenwriters unite! The Clearwater Actor’s Studio Meetup groups hosts a gathering for anyone who loves to write. The group will meet Saturday, Oct. 4 at Denny’s, 26489 U.S. Highway 19 N., Clearwater.
Arts2Action Inc. and Sacred Grounds Coffee House in Tampa present its monthly Veterans Community Open Mic on Sunday, Oct. 5, 6:30-9 p.m. This creative space is open not only to veterans, but also to families, community supporters, caregivers and allies.
Calling all musicians, poets, storytellers and comedians! Inkwood Books' monthly Sunday Nite Open Mic meets Sunday, Oct. 5, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Join host/poet Diana Browning and sound guy Moe St. Evergreen for an exciting evening, as some of the best talent in Tampa Bay perform at this adults-only open mic. There’s a suggested donation of $5 for beer, wine or other beverages.
