Ten of us gathered for the Westport Writers’ Rendezvous on Wednesday, and applause was in the air, because that evening we celebrated the Ct Press Club Awards with a smashing party at the Delamar Hotel in Southport, CT. Novelist Jane Green, presented the awards, and kept the party moving. Among winning members and friends were: Alison McBain, Deborah Levison, Ann Lineberger, Megan Smith-Harris, Aline Weiller, Kate Mayer, Diane Lowman, Catherine Onyemelukwe, Heather Frimmer, Marlou and Laurie Newkirk, Gina Zammit, Lauren Busser, and Sarah Galluzzo. It was wonderful to be in such good company.
There’s a chance to meet several authors this month. On Friday, May 17 at 7pm, Armando Lucas Correa, author of the international bestseller, The German Girl, will discuss his new novel, The Daughter’s Tale, at the Fairfield University Bookstore.
Hartford’s first annual all-day Literary Festival is happening May 18, from 9:30 onwards. Members Zeb Appel and Alison McBain will be among the featured authors. The festival offers workshops, panel discussions, open mic, vending, book sales, local authors and live storytellers. Free.
This is a busy weekend, with CrimeCONN also scheduled on May 18. And the same day, in Avon, the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association (CAPA) is hosting a Talk and signing by Allia Zobel Nolan at From the Divine to the Feline to an Impossible Deadline.
And there’s the Memoir writing class at the Bridgeport Public Library May 18, from 10:30-12pm. Free
DON’T FORGET: This month’s WritersMic evening will be held on Tuesday May 21 at Panera in Westport from 7-8:45pm. Details on the Writers’ Calendar page.
And on Wednesday, May 22, from 6-8pm, the Weston Library is offering a class on Using Video in Social Media Marketing. Learn how to use video to grow your presence on social media. Register here. Free.
Bring your friends for a night out with food, wine and conversation when the Friends of The Ferguson Library host a special panel of thriller authors on Thursday, May 23 at 6:30pm.The featured authors are Lynne Constantine, co-author of The Last Time I Saw You, Wendy Walker, author of The Night Before and Kate White, author of Such a Perfect Wife. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a wine and appetizer reception. Program is at 7 p.m. Book sale and signing to follow. Register online. $15
Author Julie Orringer will be discussing The Flight Portfolio on Thursday, June 6, 7-8pm at the Westport Women’s Club. The book is a historical novel based on the true story of Varian Fry’s extraordinary attempt to save the work, and the lives, of Jewish artists fleeing the Holocaust. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
A week later, on June 13, from 6:30-8:30pm, the Pequot Library will be celebrating the Connecticut launch of New York Times bestselling author Jane Green’s latest novel, The Friends We Keep. Hear Jane Green speak with her friend, storyteller Lisa Lampanelli, about this captivating novel centered on friendship. The talk will be followed by a reception and book signing on the Great Lawn with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets for the launch party are $50 each. This includes the book talk and a copy of The Friends We Keep. The $100 V.I.P. Experience costs $100 pp and includes a meet-and-greet with Green before the main event, and a signed copy of The Friends We Keep. Proceeds benefit the Pequot Library.
On Friday, June 14, from 12-2pm, join the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Jennifer Weiner, to celebrate the release of Mrs. Everything. Tickets are $40 per person include a light lunch and reservations are required. Books will be available at the event for purchase and signing.
ThrillerFest takes place this year at the Grand Hyatt in New York City from 9-13 July. The blockbuster line-up features John Sandford, Harlan Coben, Margaret Marbury, Lisa Unger, Stephen Hunter and James Rollins. ThrillerFest includes workshops, Master Classes, CraftFest, PitchFest, ThrillerFest, and more. Registration here.
The Westport Writers Workshop begins summer classes in June. They include classes on memoir, fiction, children’s literature, playwriting and poetry. You can register here.
More news to follow on Monday…
