NH Writers' Project - Literary Calendar

Edited by Susan Kennedy

August 21, Effingham: Poets David Surette and Suzanne Simmons will be the featured reader at Writer’s Night, an open mike, 7 p.m. at Effingham Public Library (539-1537; http://effingham.lib.nh.us).

August 22, North Conway: Novelists Rick Davidson, author of Catamount, A North Country Thriller, and Mark Okrant, author of I Knew You When, will discuss and sign their books, 6 p.m. at White Birth Books (356-3200).

August 23, Madison: The Friends of Madison Library annual Book and Author Luncheon will be held. Novelist Julia Spencer-Fleming, author of the Clare Fergusson/Russ van Alstyne mysteries, will be the special guest. At 12:30 p.m. at Madison Library (367-8545).

August 23, Exeter: Author and NPR commentator Heather King will read from and sign her newest memoir, Redeemed, 11 a.m. at Water Street Bookstore (778-9731).

August 24, Hanover: Bestselling novelist Jodi Picoult will discuss and sign her latest book, Change of Heart, 2 p.m. at the Dartmouth Bookstore (643-3616).

August 25, North Conway: Civil War Historian Bill Marvel will discuss and sign his new book, Lincoln’s Darkest Year, 6:30 p.m. at White Birch Books (356-3200).

August 27, Plaistow: Poet Taylor Mali, author of What Learning Leaves and three spoken-word CD’s, will read from his work, 7 p.m. at Timberlane Performing Arts Center (sargentpress@gmail.com).

August 28, North Conway: The Thursday Night Book Club will meet to discuss The Post Birthday World by Lionel Shriver, 7 p.m. at White Birch Books (356-3200).

August 28, Portsmouth: Co-editor Owen King and authors Kelly Braffet and David Yoo will read from a new anthology of original superhero stories, WHO CAN SAVE US NOW? Brand-New Superheroes and Their Amazing (Short) Stories. Dress as your own superhero and be eligible to win a fun prize! At 7 p.m. at RiverRun Bookstore (431-2100; http://riverrunbookstore.com).

August 29, Concord: Memoirist Susan Richards will read from and sign her new book, Chosen Forever, 7 p.m. at Gibson’s Bookstore (224-0562; www.gibsonsbookstore.com).

August 29, Hillsborough: Art on the Porch, an evening of music, film, storytelling or poetry, will be held, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Gallery at Well Sweep (464-6585).

September 2, Moultonborough: Poets of the Tamworth Learning Circles will read from their work, 7:30 p.m. at Moultonborough Public Library (476-8895).

September 4, Concord: Carol Leonard visits with her book, Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart: A Midwife’s Saga, 7 p.m. at Gibson’s Bookstore (224-0562; www.gibsonsbookstore.com).

September 4-7, Isles of Shoals: Former Portsmouth Poet Laureate Mimi White and songwriter Cosy Sheridan will be instructors at the fourth annual Writers in the Round Songwriters and Poets Creative Retreat. White and Sheridan will lead participants in daily classes and workshops, and will collaborate with each other. For more information and a registration form please visit www.witrhome.org or call 205-0552.

September 5, Portsmouth: Seacoast Local, RiverRun Bookstore, and South Church’s Green Sanctuary program will present Alan Weisman, author of The World Without Us, as part of the “Making the Connection” series, 7:30 p.m. at RiverRun Bookstore (431-2100; www.riverrunbookstore.com).

September 8, Portsmouth: Yael Goldstein Love will read from her novel, The Passion of Tasha Darsky, with live music accompaniment by local violinist Sam Goodall, 7 p.m. at RiverRun Bookstore (431-2100; www.riverrunbookstore.com).

September 9, Portsmouth: Best selling author John Elder Robison will kick off the paperback tour of his memoir, Look Me In The Eye: My Life With Asperger’s, 7 p.m. at RiverRun Bookstore (431-2100; www.riverrunbookstore.com).

September 10, Cambridge, MA: Poet Barbara Helfgott Hyett will read from and sign her new book, Rift, 6:15 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Hotel Marlowe (617-349-8113).

September 10, Portsmouth: Pen/Faulkner winner Kate Christensen will host a book group style discussion at 6 p.m. followed by a reading from her new novel, The Great Man, at 7p.m. at the Portsmouth Public Library. Free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required for the discussion (431-2100).

September 11-14, Isles of Shoals: Former Boston Globe staffer and freelance photographer Ulrike Welsch will be the special guest for the eleventh annual photographers’ retreat. Limited to thirty-five participants. For more information please visit http://www.nhspa.org/si08/si08.shtml or call 431-5667.

September 13, Chichester: Yoga instructor and writer Karen Kenney will lead the workshop “Movement, Stillness, and Self-Expression: Yoga and Writing.” Registration is $50, space is limited. At 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Quest Yoga Studio (798-5885).

September 13, Worcester, MA: Susan Elizabeth Sweeney will lead a nature poetry workshop. Participants will learn how to find inspiration for your poems by discovering, observing, and listening to nature. The workshop will feature firsthand advice on writing about nature from John Hodgen and Susan Edwards Richmond, 1 – 4 p.m. at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (508-753-6087).

September 14, Derry: Writer and Yankee humorist Rebecca Rule will read from her new book, Live Free and Eat Pie: A Storyteller’s Guide to New Hampshire, 2 p.m. at the Robert Frost Farm (432-3091; www.robertfrostfarm.org ).

September 14, Portsmouth: Award-winning writer Tom Piazza, author of Why New Orleans Matters and Understanding Jazz: Ways to Listen, will read from his newest novel, City of Refuge, 5 p.m. at RiverRun Bookstore (431-2100; www.riverrunbookstore.com).

September 15, Portsmouth: Novelist Michael White will read from his novel The Soul Catcher, 7 p.m. at RiverRun Bookstore (431-2100; www.riverrunbookstore.com).

September 18, Londonderry: The Leach Library will host “Murder on the Isles of Shoals,” a presentation by former Portsmouth Poet Laureate John Perrault, author of Here Comes the Old Man Now and most recently, The Ballad of Louis Wagner and other New England Stories in Verse, 7 p.m. at the Leach Library (432-1132).

September 18, Plymouth: The Eagle Pond Authors’ Series celebrates Donald Hall’s eightieth birthday and the publication of Unpacking the Boxes, his memoir, with a reading and books signing by Hall. Free and open to the public. At 7 p.m. at the Silver Center for the Arts, Plymouth State University (535-ARTS; www.silver.plymouth.edu).

September 19, Milford: Novelist P.D. LaFleur will read from and sign Mill Town, his latest book, 4 p.m. at Toadstool Bookstore (673-1734; www.toadbooks.com).

September 19, Portsmouth: Kathleen Norris will read from her latest book, Acedia & Me, 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church (436-8842; www.christepiscopalchurch.us/).

September 24, Exeter: Dan Boyne, the author of Kelly: A Father, A Son, An American Quest, will sign his newest book about Jack Kelly and his extraordinary life and family, 7 p.m. at the Water Street Bookstore (778-9731, http://waterstreet.booksense.com).

September 25, Henniker: Martha Carlson-Bradley, Martha Andrews Donovan,
and Maura MacNeil, three poet friends, will read from their work, discuss the nature of literary friendships and how they influence the writing process, and answer audience questions. Informal discussion and refreshments to follow. At 7:15 p.m., New England Room at the Danforth
Library, New England College (428-2344; www.nec.edu/library).

September 25, Keene: Poets Rodger Martin and Jeff Friedman will read from their work, 4 p.m. in the Student Union, Keene State College (358-2688).

September 25, Portsmouth: Local author Felicia Donovan will read from her book Spun Tales, 7 p.m. at the Portsmouth Public Library (427-1540; www.cityofportsmouth.com/Library/).

September 26, Exeter: Join Kate Braestrup in a discussion of her bestselling memoir, Here if You Need Me, 7 p.m. at the Water Street Bookstore (778-9731; http://waterstreet.booksense.com).

September 26, Plymouth: The Eagle Pond Authors’ Series presents a reading by Lucie Brock-Broido, the director of poetry at Columbia University and the author of three poetry collections, followed by a book signing. Free and open to the public. At 7 p.m. at the Silver Center for the Arts, Plymouth State University (535-ARTS; www.silver.plymouth.edu).

September 28, Portsmouth: Local Poets Elizabeth Kirschner, author of My Life As a Doll, and Kate Leigh, author of Dances With Light: Isles of Shoals Poems, will read from their books, 5 p.m. at the RiverRun Bookstore (431-2100; www.riverrunbookstore.com).

September 29, Portsmouth: Margaret Shepard will give a talk on Art of the Personal Letter, 7 p.m. at the RiverRun Bookstore (431-2100; www.riverrunbookstore.com).

October 2-10, Tuscany, Italy: On this guided tour of Tuscany, writer and teacher Deborah McKew and American Impressionist Heidi Coutu will lead writing and drawing workshops inspired by their surroundings. For more information call 724-3609 or visit www.wordsinplay.net.

October 4, Exeter: Ben Rose will read from and sign his new book, John Stark: Maverick General, 7 p.m. at the Water Street Bookstore (778-9731, http://waterstreet.booksense.com).

ONGOING

Berlin, Every Thursday: Children’s Story Hour, 10-11 a.m. at Berlin Public Library (752-5210; inez@ncia).

Concord, every Wednesday: Open mike at the Green Martini, 7 p.m. (Isaac Harris, xheartlessnothingx@yahoo.com).

Concord, Third Wednesday of the Month: Featured authors read, followed by an open mike at Borders Books, 7 p.m. (frisella@worldpath.net).

Deerfield, Fourth Tuesday of the Month: Open mike at The Lion Café, 463-7374, on Rt. 107, 7 - 9 pm except December (lindseycoombs@gmail.com or 463-7226).

Dover, Every Fourth Wednesday: Poetry hoot hosted by Matt Gallant and John-Michael Albert, 7 p.m. at Café on the Corner (749-4711).

Dublin, Sundays: Fall and spring readings followed by an open mike at Del Rossi's Trattoria, 2:30 p.m. (563-7195).

Effingham, Third Thursday of the Month: Writer’s Night with featured readers followed by an open mike, 7 p.m. at the Effingham Public Library (539-1537; katiemccarthy@adelphia.net).

Exeter, One Sunday a Month: Water Street Bookstore hosts a book group discussion held at the Loaf and Ladle. For more information and current book selection call 778-9731.

Exeter, Every Monday: Tina Bruce hosts story time and leads children in a craft project. Free and open to the public, children from preschoolers on up are welcome, 10 a.m. at Time of Wonder Bookstore (778-9731).

Haverill, MA, Second Thursday of the Month: Open mike in the Crescent Dragon Café, 8 p.m. (978-372-5441).

Kittery, ME, First Tuesday of the Month: Enjoy an open mike, tea, and coffee at the Rice Public Library, 7–9 p.m. (207-439-0199).

Lawrence, MA, Second Tuesday of the Month: Poetry Hoot sponsored by the Frost Foundation of Lawrence, 7-9 p.m. Venue varies so call ahead. (978-725-8828).

Manchester, Every Other Friday: Open mike and featured reading or slam hosted by Russian Roulette Productions at the Bridge Street Café, 7pm (647-9991 or bridgepoetry@gmail.com).

Milford, Second Thursday of the Month: Teen Galley Group, a reading group where teens become the critics! Discuss free books, make friends, enjoy refreshments. Please sign up to reserve your place. At 7 p.m. at Toadstool Bookshop (603-673-1734; http://toadbooks.com).

Milford, Third Thursday of the Month: The Classics Group, a reading and discuss group. New readers are always welcome. Please contact us for information about current and future reading selections. At 7 p.m. at Toadstool Bookshop (603-673-1734; http://toadbooks.com ).

Milford, Last Thursday of the Month: Book Buzz for Kids! A book club for children encourages critical thinking while making reading fun and exciting. Snacks will be offered, sign-up required. At 7 – 8 p.m. at Toadstool Bookshop (673-1734; http://toadbooks.com).

Moultonborough, First Tuesday of the Month: Featured authors read, followed by an open mike, in the Moultonborough Public Library, 7:30 p.m. (476-8895).

Nashua, Sundays: Sunday Family Storytime-each week tales from different countries and cultures are featured, followed by a puppet show in the Children's Room, Nashua Public Library, 2 p.m. (589-4610 or carol.eyman@nashua.lib.nh.us).

Nashua, Second Friday of the Month: Poets Corner featured readers followed by an open mike at Unitarian Universalist Church, 8 p.m. (saffronmuse@msn.com).

New London, Wednesdays: In September 2008, the Writers Lounge will open its doors. A place to gather, write, think or just be with other writers, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at New London Writers Studio (526-7755).

Newmarket, Second Thursday of the Month: There is an open mike (no invited readers) at Crackskulls Books from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (659-8181).

Peterborough, Third Saturday of the Month: Monadnock Writers' Group Speakers Series, 9:45 a.m. at Peterborough Town Library (lindaj.thomas@verizon.net, 547-2781).

Plaistow, Third Monday of each month: Poetry reading with one featured reader, followed by an open mike, 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Plaistow Public Library (Matthew Gallant at 887-0151; matthewp.gallant@gmail.com).

Plymouth, Second Wednesday of Each Month: Open mike, 7 p.m. at Mandarin Taste restaurant (535-2492).

Portland, ME, Every Tuesday: Spoken Word Hip Hop Night followed by an open mike at Acoustic Coffee, 7-10 p.m. (207-774-0404).

Portland, ME, Second Tuesday of the Month: Slam poetry at Acoustic Coffee, 7–10 p.m. (207-774-0404).

Portland, ME, First, Third and Fifth Thursday of the Month: Poetry Group at Borders South Portland, 7 p.m. (207-775-6110).

Portland, ME, Last Thursday of the Month: Open poetry reading at Geno’s, 8:30 p.m. (207-772-7891).

Portsmouth, First Wednesday of the Month: Poetry Hoot sponsored by Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program in Café Espresso, 7 p.m. Does not meet July and August (772-4345).

Portsmouth, Second Monday of the Month: The “Stone Pigeon” poetry readings are held at Breaking New Grounds followed by an open mike, 7–9 p.m. (Gary Widger, gmofo@hotmail.com).

Portsmouth, Third Thursday of the Month: "Beat Night" at the Press Room, 7-9 p.m. (431-5186).

Rochester, Every Friday: Open mike hosted by Mike White at The Governor’s Inn Café, 7 p.m. (332-0107).

Thetford, VT, First Tuesday of December, February, March, and April: PEN North’s “Whining and Dining” has found a new home at Isabell's Cafe. Dinner will feature a hearty soup, salad, bread, wine, beer, dessert, and coffee. After dinner, local authors Mary Hays, Barbara Dimmick, and Sally Brady will lead a discussion. Isabell's Café, 6 p.m. PEN Members $16, non-members $20. (Please RSVP to John Palladino: johnandtyre@juno.com or 802-785-2901)

Warner, Wednesdays: Storytelling by the Fireplace with Simonds teachers at MainStreet BookEnds, 6:30 p.m.

Wolfeboro, Fourth Thursday of the Month: Poets in the Attic will read, followed by an open mike, 7-9 p.m. at The Country Bookseller (Gordon or Cheryl Lang, 539-4472 or glang11@earthlink.net).

WSCA-LPFM Radio, Wednesdays: Deidre Randall hosts "Writers in the Round," a showcase of songwriters and poets, 7-8 p.m. (listen at 106.1FM. Interested readers should contact Deidre at www.witrhome.org or talk@witrhome.org for booking.