Writers Live! series fills the libraries

Writers Live! continues its 10th anniversary as the flagship author series sponsored by the Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System. Admission is free to all events, but reservations are required as the venues quickly fill. Information on the series is at pbclibrary.org/writers-live-2018.

Events this month include: Craig Grossi, author “Craig & Fred,” the true story of a soldier who meets a stray dog on an Afghan battlefield and how they saved each other, at 2 p.m. March 4 at the Wellington Branch Library, at the Wellington Library, 1951 Royal Fern Drive, Wellington, 561-790-6070

Mira T. Lee, author of “Everything Here Is Beautiful,” a family drama told from different perspectives that was selected as a Winter/Spring 2018 Top 10 Debut title by the American Booksellers Association, at 2:30 p.m. March 6 at the Lantana Road Branch, Lantana Road Branch Library, 4020 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, 561-304-4500

Brit Bennett, author of “The Mothers,” which follows three characters from high school to adulthood in a contemporary black community in Southern California, at 6:30 p.m. March 7 at the Palm Beach Gardens Library, 11303 Campus Drive. Bennett was selected as one of the National Book Foundation’s 2016 “5 Under 35” honorees.

Ronald H. Balson, author of “The Trust,” about a private investigator returning to Northern Ireland for an uncle’s funeral, at 2 p.m. March 8 at the Lantana Road Branch, Lantana Road Branch Library, 4020 Lantana

Road, Lake Worth, 561-304-4500, and at 2 p.m. March 11 at the Hagen Ranch Road Library, 14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach, 561- 894-7500

Andrea Lawlor, author of “Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl,” a speculative history of early 1990s identity and gender politics, at 6 p.m. March 12 at the Lantana Road Branch, Lantana Road Branch Library, 4020 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, 561-304-4500

Brad Parks, author of “Closer Than You Know,” a domestic suspense thriller, at 2 p.m. March 13 at the West Boca Branch Library, 18685 State Road 7, Boca Raton, 561-470-1600.

Peter Edelman, author of “Not a Crime to Be Poor: The Criminalization of Poverty in America,” which looks at the inescapable cycles of poverty, at 2:30 p.m. March 29 at the Mounts Botanical Garden Auditorium located at the front of the garden, 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach.

Double the authors in Plantation

Charles Todd, author of the mystery “The Gate Keeper,” and Barbara Martin Stephens, author of “Don’t Give Your Heart to a Rambler,” will be the guests of honor during the Author Luncheon and Fashion Show for the Friends of the Helen B. Hoffman Library in Plantation. The event begins at 11 a.m. March 24 at the Jacaranda Country Club, 9200 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Cost is $45. For information, contact Connie Practice at cpracht0@gmail.com or 754-900-6568 or Stephanie Mullin at stephschmidtmullin@yahoo.com or 817-703-9038.

Going to the dogs, and cats

Authors often weave in aspects of their own lives into their novels. David Rosenfelt has spent decades rescuing dogs and finding them permanent homes when possible, or offering them forever homes with him. Just take a look at his website davidrosenfelt.com. Rosenfelt’s mysteries about attorney Andy Carpenter deftly weave in his character’s sideline of rescuing dogs. Rosenfelt will be one of the guests during the fundraiser Doggie & Kittie Ball beginning at 5:30 p.m. March 24 at the Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton. Tickets begin at $275. For more information, call 561-482-8110, email sienna@tricountyhumane.org or visit TriCountyHumane.org. Rosenfelt is known for his witty talks about rescuing dogs and living with up to 10 large but loving dogs.

Dive into research

Setting a novel in the Florida Keys isn’t unusual, but making the underwater scenes a vital part of the story presents many challenges. Retired police captain, professional dive master and author Micki Browning will discuss how to unravel an underwater scene, including the basics of underwater crime scene investigation, evidence collection and equipment requirements beginning at 11:30 a.m. March 17 during the meeting of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers, Embassy Suites, 661 NW 53rd St., Boca Raton. Cost is $25 for members; $30 for non-members. For reservations, email Harriet at harriet@ottenheimer.com. Browning’s debut novel, “Adrift,” is nominated for a 2017 Agatha Award for best first novel.

Brunch without stress

Laurie A. Watkins will offer tips from her book “Go From Stressed to Strong: Health and Fitness Advice from High Achievers” during the Broward County Library Foundation’s Book With Brunch at 10:30 a.m. March 8 at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Free for members of $50 level and above; cost is $25 for guests; To register, call 954-357-7382.

Page turning workshop

Alison McMahon will lead the workshop “How To Make Your Book A PageTurner” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 10 at the Tigertail Lake Recreational Center, 580 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach. Sponsored by the Florida Romance Writers, the workshop will touch on pacing, plot, character and dialogue. Cost is $55 for members; $65 for nonmembers. For more information, contact janetfrankslittle@gmail.com.

Buried treasure and pirates

Randy Wayne White’s mysteries about marine biologist and part-time secret agent Doc Ford showcase Florida, its history and legends. In “Caribbean Rim,” White wraps his plot around the search for sunken treasure and pirates. White will talk about “Caribbean Rim” at 7 p.m. March 16 at Murder on the Beach, 273 Pineapple Grove Way, Delray Beach, 561-279-7790, murderonthebeach.com.

Women in the literary landscape

Author and historian, Doris Weatherford will speak about publishing and the contributions of women booksellers, editors, publishers and writers at the Women's National Book Association at 6:30 p.m. March 21 at Murder on the Beach, 273 Pineapple Grove Way, Delray Beach, 561-279-7790, murderonthebeach.com. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers; to register, email programs.wnbasofla@gmail.com. Weatherford has written 11 books about Florida women and women in American history.

A coffee break with author

Author and playwright Carol White discusses her work, including her short story collection “Coffee Breaks,” during the next meeting of the National League of American Pen Women’s Fort Lauderdale Branch beginning at 11:30 a.m. March 8 at Café Vico, 1125 N. Federal, Highway, Fort Lauderdale, 954-565-9681. Cost is $25. For reservations, call 954-812-1860.

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