South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
‘Fifty Shades’ author to speak
Murder on the Beach store moves to new space at library
E.L. James’ latest novel is supposed to be many shades different than the controversial and so popular “Fifty Shades of Grey” that launched her publishing career. “The
Mister” is described as a “roller-coaster ride of danger and desire” that takes place in London, Cornwall and the Balkans. James will discuss her novel with Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan at8 p.m. May 1 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets cost $35-$55. VIP seating is $55, which includes a meet-and-greet with James as well as priority performance seating and a signed copy of “The Mister.” For details, visit BooksAndBooks.com.
‘One Amazing Thing’
This year’s One Book Boca communityreading selection is “One Amazing Thing” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, who will discuss her novel at 4 p.m. April 13 at the Boca Raton Public Library,
400 NW Second Ave., Boca Raton, 561-3937852, BocaLibrary.org. In “One Amazing Thing,” nine people trapped together by an earthquake share “one amazing thing” from their lives — personal tales they’ve never told anyone. A follow-up discussion will be held 7 p.m. April 18.
In addition, discussion guides for book groups will be available at the downtown Boca library; the Spanish River Library,
1501 NW Spanish River Blvd.; and online.
Bookstore on the move
Readers get a double bonus as Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore settles into its new site in the Delray Beach Public Library building,
104 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. The bookstore and the library will have separate entrances, but the goal of serving readers will be the same.
A bookstore in a library is rare, but not a new concept. With this move, store founder and manager Joanne Sinchuk said she hopes they will complement each other. “We’re hoping for a synergy between the two,” she said.
While the new space is slightly smaller than the current store, the parking lot is much bigger and should accommodate buyers and library patrons. Murder on the Beach’s phone number and hours of operation will remain the same. Contact 561-2797790, MurderOnTheBeach .com or email murdermb @gate.net for more information.
Murder on the Beach is a locally owned independent bookstore specializing in mystery, suspense and thrillers. It was founded in 1996 by Sinchuk and located in Sunny Isles Beach before moving to Delray Beach in 2002.
Florida’s WWII history
New York Times bestselling author Michael J. Tougias will discuss the details behind his nonfiction book “So Close to Home,” which chronicles how dozens of U-boats lurked off the Florida coast during WWII, at 2 p.m. April 13 at the Coral Springs Museum of Art,
2855A Coral Springs Drive,
954-340-5000. Tougias has written more than 25 books about maritime, travel and adventure topics. His 2009 book “The Finest Hours: The True Story Behind the US Coast Guard’s Most Daring Rescue” was adapted as a Disney film by the same name in 2016. Visit Ryan
MichaelTougias.com for more information.
Writers Live! wraps up
The Palm Beach Library System wraps up its annual Writers Live! event with two popular authors. Hank Phillippi Ryan juggles two careers — as an Emmy Award-winning on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s NBC affiliate (at last count she had won
34 Emmys) and author of
10 best-selling mysteries. She’ll discuss her latest novel, “Trust Me,” at 2 p.m. April 17 at the Glades Road Branch Library, 20701
95th Avenue South, Boca Raton, 561-482-4554. Maria Kuznetzova discusses her buzzed-about debut, “Oksana, Behave!,” which follows the maturation of a Russian-American girl, at 2 p.m. April 22 at the Jupiter Branch Library,
705 Military Trail, Jupiter,
561-744-2301. Visit PBC Library.org/writers-live
-2019 for more information.
The basics of poetry
The workshop “What Is a Poem?” lead by Gulf Stream Magazine poetry editor Chloe FirettoToomey begins at 1 p.m. May 4 at Old School Square Crest Theatre, Classroom 6, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, 561-243-7922. Cost is $10. The workshop will explore a wide scope of contemporary forms and practices, including reading, class discussion, free writing and the mechanics of poems. For more information, visit PalmBeachPoetryFestival .org.
Get smart about dating
Boca Raton marriage and family therapist Marni Feuerman’s new book, “Ghosted and Breadcrumbed: Stop Falling for Unavailable Men and Get Smart about Healthy Relationships,” is designed to help women navigate the quagmire of dating. She’ll discuss the book at 6:30 p.m. April 12 at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-442-4408. Hit the link for a short video about Fuerman and “Ghosted and Breadcrumbed.”
Is your novella a prize winner?
Working on a piece of fiction you are proud of? The Miami Book Fair has partnered with the de Groot Foundation to launch the Miami Book Fair/De Groot Prize to be awarded to an unpublished author for a novella. Deadline to submit the novella, which should be between 17,000 and 40,000 words, is May 10. Find out more at miamibookfair.com/ degroot.
Romance, mystery workshops
The timing is good for Coral Springs author Joyce Sweeney to discuss “The Plot Clock,” which explores a four-part approach for writers who get lost in their story, at 10 a.m. April 13 during the Florida Romance Writers meeting at the Tigertail Lake Recreational Center, 580 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach. Cost, which includes continental breakfast, is $15, $10 for members. Contact Janet Little at janetfrankslittle @gmail.com. Sweeney is an award-winning author of 14 novels for young adults.
Having a website seems like a basic requirement for anyone with a business, or an author who wants to build readership. Yet, even in 2019, some authors do not have one. Graphic designer and writer Tina Koenig will discuss how to build an online presence during a meeting of the Mystery Writers of America’s Florida at 11:30 a.m. April 13 at the Embassy Suites, 661 NW 53rd St., Boca Raton. Cost is $30, $25 for members. To register, email ray @rayflynt.com.