April blossoms with wide variety of book events
Though late March cold weather may have some of us doubting that spring is really here, there’s no doubt that as April begins. Our region is blooming with opportunities for writers, readers and literary lovers of all sorts.
Let’s start the roundup with congratulations to Yellow Springs mystery writer M. Ruth Myers; a short story featuring the PI from her Maggie Sullivan series was included in the recently published anthology from The Private Eye Writers of America, “Fifty Shades of Grey Fedora.” Myers’ series is set in Dayton from 1938-48.
The third book in the series won a Shamus Award last year. Learn more at www.mruth myers.com
For poetry lovers, as we head into April: National Poetry Month:
■ Today, 7 p.m., Dharma Center of Dayton (425 Patterson Road): Gem City Poetry Stage will open with a featured reading by celebrated poet and Dayton native Michael Earl Craig; open mic will follow.
■ Celebrate with Wright Memorial Public Library (1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood) with “Poetry in the Stacks” (deadline April 5): The library is now accepting poetry broadsides to be displayed throughout the library during National Poetry Month in April. A poetry broadside is a onesided decorative page that combines a poem and visual element. Choose a favorite poem or write one of your own. Anyone can participate. Guidelines can be found at www.wrightlibrary.org. Readers can enjoy: ■ A Free Book a Week From the Dayton Metro Library. “YOUR Weekend Read” is a new weekly feature on the Dayton Metro Library’s Facebook page. Each Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. a question will be posted, and a preview copy of a new book will be offered as a prize. On Thursdays at noon, a winner will be selected from correct answers received. Follow the Dayton Metro Library on Facebook to see the question and book of the week. For more information, call the library at 937-463BOOK (2665).
■ These readings and signings at Books & Co. at The Greene, Beavercreek:
Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Hal McCoy introduces his memoir, “The Real McCoy: My Half Century With the Cincinnati Reds.” Line numbers will be distributed beginning at 6 p.m.
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Discussion of our area’s 2015 Big Read title, “The Rosie Project” by Graeme Simsion.
Writers seeking instruction, consider these opportunities:
■ Today, 2-3:30 p.m. at Books & Co. at The Greene: The Antioch Writers’ Workshop will present a free “mini-seminar” focusing on upcoming spring and summer events including scholarship information for the summer program.
■ Friday, 7-8:30 p.m., Wright Memorial Public Library: The next First Friday Writers’ Café will take place. Free and open to all levels, this casual event is a chance to discuss craft, projects and the writing life. Learn more at www.wrightlibrary.org.
■ Registration is now open for “Story for All: Stage, Screen and Page,” a one-day seminar to be held April 25, 8:15 a.m.-5 p.m. at Antioch University Midwest. The event is co-sponsored by three area organizations, Antioch Writers’ Workshop (antiochwriters workshop.com), FilmDayton (filmdayton.com) and the Ohio Playwrights Circle (ohioplaywrightscircle. wordpress.com). The event focuses on the elements of story important in all mediums of storytelling, including short stories, novels, memoirs, stage plays and screenplays. The seminar will be led by Dara Marks, writer and leading international script consultant; Brad Riddell, who has written four produced screenplays and on assignment for MTV, Paramount and Universal; Erin Flanagan, author of two short-story collections and Wright State University creative writing professor; and Michael London, internationally produced playwright and founder of Ohio Playwrights Circle. To learn more about the program, schedule and registration, visit antioch writersworkshop.com/ spring-2015-seminar.html.