< previous month  |  show all OCTOBER  |  next month >

5 OCTOBER 2024 — saturday

• Strawberry Creek Walk, led by Nevada County Poet Laureate emerita Chris (J.C.) Olander, with poetry and nature commentary on an easy walk along beautiful Strawberry Creek, meet at Center and Oxford, on the edge of the UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, free, 10:00 am PDT (510/525-5476; for updates, see: Poetryflash.org)
  event page
• Celebrate Writers, Nature and Community at the 29th annual Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival, featuring poetry from the NCBA Fred Cody Award-winner for Lifetime Achievement, Jane Hirshfield, The Asking; San Francisco Poet Laureate, Genny Lim; James Cagney, James Laughlin Award-winner/Academy of American Poets; Cintia Santana, winner of the Northern California Book Award in Poetry, The Disordered Alphabet, and much more, Also featuring We Are Nature Open Mic, (enter the drawing for eight spots at noon) and live jazz from The Barry Finnerty Trio, guitarist Finnerty has played with Miles Davis, The Crusaders, Brecker Brothers, and Hubert Laws, alongside the Ecology Center's Berkeley Farmers' Market; to exhibit, email info@poetryflash.org, Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Park, Berkeley, free, Noon to 4:30 pm PDT (For more information and updates, visit: www.poetryflash.org/programs/?p=watershed_2024)
  event page
• Apogee Press welcomes all for a celebration of their 25th anniversary with food, drinks, books for sale, and books for free; two sessions feature, 2:00 pm poetry reading: Barbara Tomash, Elizabeth Robinson, Laura Walker, Maxine Chernoff, and Paul Hoover, followed by the 4:00 pm poetry reading: Alice Jones, Edward Smallfield, Denise Newman, Stephen Hemenway, Truong Tran, and Valerie Coulton, Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda, free, 1:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/events/815420510428764/?paipv=0&eav=AfZGTyXmNe7FbTK1NAguR0VFCAHTkM6kjX46hUDJ5OWLMcqxS0b6LmM49MbwdycP2Ng&_rdr)
  event page
• Point Reyes Books welcomes poet Brenda Hillman to discuss her new collection of lectures, Three Talks: Metaphor and Metonymy, Meaning and Mystery, Magic and Morality, in conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Hass, Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes Station, free, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/brenda-hillman-and-bob-hass)
  event page
• Beyond Baroque welcomes poet Jacqueline Berger, The Day You Miss Your Exit, to launch her new collection, Left at the Ruin, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 2:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/la-book-launch-left-at-the-ruin-by-jacqueline-berger-tickets-1015866733747?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Rare Books LA presents their two-day (October 5 to 6, 2024) Union Station book fair featuring antiquarian booksellers, ephemera, map dealers, exhibitors, panels, and author talks, Los Angeles Union Station, 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, $15-$30, 10:00 am PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/rare-books-la-union-station-2024-tickets-909552364607?aff=abaa)
  event page

6 OCTOBER 2024 — sunday

• Come celebrate the 26th annual Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair and explore radical literature, read zines, and participate in a political dialogue related to anarchist principles and radical politics, Humanist Hall, 411 28th Street, Oakland, 10:00 am-5:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/events/463462886134724/?active_tab=discussion)
  event page
• Emery Arts welcomes Sarah Kobrinsky, the 2013-2015 Poet Laureate of Emeryville, for a generative writing workshop where participants compose poems in response to artwork in this year's Celebration of the Arts Show, 38th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, 5905 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, free, 2:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/ekphrastic-poetry-workshop-with-sarah-kobrinsky-2024-tickets-1021188220457?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page
• "Writing Toward the Light" online workshop will be led by author Maggie Smith, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, and poet Danusha Laméris, Bonfire Opera, four Sundays in October (October 6, 13, 20, and 27); Workshop sessions will include a craft discussion, a Q&A period, and an in-class writing session, Virtual on Zoom, $250, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.danushalameris.com/offers/xFozUZVF/checkout)
  event page
• Rare Books LA presents their two-day (October 5 to 6, 2024) Union Station book fair featuring antiquarian booksellers, ephemera, map dealers, exhibitors, panels, and author talks, Los Angeles Union Station, 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, $15-$30, 10:00 am PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/rare-books-la-union-station-2024-tickets-909552364607?aff=abaa)
  event page

7 OCTOBER 2024 — monday

• No events listed for this date. Find out how to submit your event listing.

8 OCTOBER 2024 — tuesday

• Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center's "Second Tuesday Poetry" welcomes Patricia Caspers, author of The Most Kissed Woman in the World and editor/founder of West Trestle Review and Molly Fisk, Nevada County Poet Laureate 2017-2019 and author of the forthcoming collection, Walking Wheel, Artist Lab at the Prospect Theater Project, 1214 K Street, Modesto, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.mostpoetry.org/event/2024oct)
  event page
• City Lights and Graywolf Press celebrate the publication of Dobby Gibson's newest poetry collection, Hold Everything: Poems, in conversation with writer and poet Sam Sax, Yr Dead, Virtual, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/dobby-gibson-with-sam-sax-tickets-989659788067?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page

9 OCTOBER 2024 — wednesday

• City Lights, in conjunction with Stanford University Press, celebrates the publication of Stanford Humanities professor Adrian Daub's newest title, The Cancel Culture Panic: How an American Obsession Went Global, virtual, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/adrian-daub-tickets-989738794377?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite)
  event page
• San Francisco Public Library presents "Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home," a panel on the discussion of "home," eco-consciousness, and gentrification, featuring discussions from Salvadoran poets/writers Claudia Castro Luna (Seattle), MK Chávez (Oakland) and Alexandra Lytton-Regalado (El Salvador), moderated by Leticia Hernández-Linares, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, HUM 133, San Francisco, 12:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: sfpl.org/events/2024/10/09/celebration-latino-poetry-places-we-call-homears-topografica)
  event page

10 OCTOBER 2024 — thursday

• Poetry Flash presents a poetry reading by Jan Beatty, Dragstripping, Kim Addonizio, Exit Opera, and Brittany Perham, Double Portrait, Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, two blocks north of Ashby BART, refreshments, free, 7:00 pm PDT (poetryflash.org).
  event page
• Womb House Books welcomes Nina Renata Aron, Good Morning Destroyer of Men's Souls, and Summer Brenner, Dust, for a discussion on writing memoir, Womb House Books, 470 49th Street, Temescal Alley, Oakland, 6:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.wombhousebooks.com/events)
  event page
• San Francisco Public Library welcomes Nalo Hopkins for a discussion of her new book, Jamaican Ginger and Other Concoctions, in conversation with Michele Tracy Berger, Doll Seed: Stories as a part of the Sistah Scifi Series, African American Center, Third Floor, Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: sfpl.org/events/2024/10/10/author-nalo-hopkinson-conversation-michele-tracy-berger)
  event page
• Litquake presents their opening event, the "Booksellers' Ball," an evening featuring cocktails, drag performances, music, and booksellers including Adobe Books, Bird and Beckett, Black Bird Books, Book Castle, Books Inc., Book Passage, The Booksmith, City Lights, Comix Experience, Dog Eared Books, Et al., Fabulosa Books, Green Apple Books, Isotope Comics, Medicine for Nightmares, Silver Sprocket, and Telegraph Hill Books, Club Fugazi Experiences, 678 Green Street, San Francisco, $75-$100, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/litquake-opening-night-booksellers-ball-tickets-1000797581507?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Book Passage and Dominican University of California welcome author Malcolm Gladwell, Talking to Strangers, for a discussion of his recent release, Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering, in conversation with broadcast journalist Michael Krasny, Dominican University of California, 20 Olive Avenue, San Rafael, $45, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.bookpassage.com/event/malcolm-gladwell-revenge-tipping-point-dominican-university-california)
  event page
• San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita Kim Shuck, Pick a Garnet to Sleep In, celebrates the late and beloved Native American poet and storyteller Mary TallMountain, featuring poetry readings from special guests; San Francisco Main Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/performance-kim-shucks-poem-jam-celebrates-mary-tallmountain-tickets-924077529767?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
  event page
• National Book Award and Northern California Book Award-winner Sabaa Tahir to celebrate the release of her new romantic fantasy novel, Heir, presented offsite by Linden Tree Books, at the Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, $35, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.lindentreebooks.com/events-calendar)
  event page

11 OCTOBER 2024 — friday

• North Bay Letterpress Arts presents "The Wonder of Insects and Other Small Lives," an evening of poetry with Catherine Jagoe reading from her recent collection, Praying to the God of Small Things; North Bay Letterpress Arts, 925-D Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.northbayletterpressarts.org/upcoming-events-1/2024/10/11/the-wonder-of-insects-and-other-small-lives-poetry-reading-with-catherine-jasgoe?mc_cid=6fe0d3adf7&mc_eid=c91c6d51fb)
  event page
• Litquake presents a launch party for the Fall 2024 issue of the LGBTQ+ literary magazine, Foglifter, featuring Amal Amer, Amalee Beattie, Sienna Caputo, Eden Nobile, and more, Strut, 470 Castro Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/foglifter-issue-launch-party-tickets-1000883939807?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Litquake presents "Sweet and Lowdown: Poets at the Bar," an evening of poetry featuring poets Kim Addonizio, Sarah Ghazal Ali, Charif Shanahan, Zeina Hashem Beck, and Danusha Laméris, The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco, $12-$15, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/sweet-and-lowdown-poets-at-the-bar-tickets-1000894009927?aff=ebdsoporgprofilel)
  event page
• Litquake and Feldman's Books welcomes veteran and author Joe Lamb along with members of "Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace," a writing community led by writer Maxine Hong Kingston, to present The Literature of War and Peace, a collection of creative works by veterans, readers include Maddie Aliah, Bonnie Bonner, Sean McLain Brown, Bob Golling, Geneffa Jahan, Martin Lesinski, and Zoe Sameth, featuring a series of musical performances from artists of Redtone Records, Feldman's Books, 1075 Curtis Street, Menlo Park, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-literature-of-war-peace-a-symposium-part-i-tickets-974129225737)
  event page
• Litquake presents Paul Lynch for a discussion of his new novel, Prophet Song, in conversation with Irish writer Ethel Rohan, Sing, I, Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-booker-prize-winner-paul-lynch-registration-1003390256267?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Beast Crawl Literary Festival and Sistah SciFi welcome writer Michele Tracy Berger, Doll Seed: Stories, for a conversation about feminism, Afrofuturism, and Berger's work, Chapter 510 & The Dept. of Make / Believe, 546 9th Street, Oakland, free, 6:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.beastcrawl.org/blog/michele-tracy-berger)
  event page
• The Tahoe Literary Festival will be a two-day event celebrating Tahoe literary artists and will feature author panels, an open mic night, sessions on topics for writers, author readings, and reading and storytelling for children; more information to be announced; Various locations, 2300 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, Ticket price TBA, 6:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/events/1875028486260301/?ref_source=NEWS_FEED&paipv=0&eav=AfbGCDrMTmDXb09ROmiP-V2Id3DrPG1LHzeJLL4PsGtnNXQwNNmc8ChLJV-2I2s-F4A&_rdr)
  event page

12 OCTOBER 2024 — saturday

• The Garlicky Group of Poets welcomes all for their monthly poetry reading and open mic; Come perform and listen to poetry in a relaxed, judgment free environment, Gilroy Library, 350 West Sixth Street, Gilroy, free, 3:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/65691a42067df23e0029839b)
  event page
• The Great Valley BookFest is a family-friendly festival celebrating literacy in California's Central Valley; Event includes more than thirty author talks on six stages, a costume parade, slam poetry performances, street performers, cooking demos, self-publishing seminars, writers' workshops, new and used booksellers, scavenger hunts, arts & crafts, plus gourmet food and beverage vendors, free, The Promenade at Bass Pro, 280 Lifestyle Road, Manteca (For more information, visit: gvbookfest.org)
  event page
• Litquake welcomes Felice Laverne, Hilary Swanson, and Annie Tucker for a discussion on the craft of ghostwriting, San Francisco Public Library, Saroyan Gallery, 100 Larkin Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, free, 12:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/behind-the-veil-ghostwriting-101-registration-1003392001487?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Litquake presents the SF Neo-Futurists who will perform their flagship show "The Infinite Wrench," featuring thirty original short plays, personal storytelling, poetry, dance, audience participation, and more, 447 Minna Street, San Francisco, admission starts at $10, 9:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-infinite-wrench-tickets-764199149227)
  event page
• Litquake presents a panel featuring Ellen Barry, Andrea Canaan, Lisa Clapper, Natalie Devora, Juli C. Lasselle, Jessica Millett, and Suma Nagaraj focused on writing exercises using the Radical Creative Womanist Workshopping and Reflection in Community (RCWWRC) workshopping model, San Francisco Public Library, Saroyan Gallery, 100 Larkin Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, free, 2:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/radical-creative-womanist-workshopping-and-reflection-in-community-registration-1003393164967?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Litquake presents "Black Poetics, Black Worldbuilding," a discussion with panelists Darius Simpson and Nefertiti Asant on how they use poetry to dissect and analyze the worlds of white supremacy, settler-colonialism, and heteropatriarchy, San Francisco Public Library, Saroyan Gallery, 100 Larkin Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, free, 3:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/black-poetics-black-worldbuilding-registration-1003397517987?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse/a>)
  event page
• Litquake presents "Irregular Feedback: Writers on Music," an evening of writers writing about music inspired by the music criticism and archival work of writer Hanif Abdurraqib, featuring Hieu Minh Nguyen, Phoebe Cakes, Safia Elhillo, José Vadi, and Anna Shults Held, led by cultural critic and essayist Micheal Foulk, The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco, $14-$18, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/irregular-feedback-writers-on-music-tickets-1000903648757?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Poetry Nap in collaboration with Litquake presents "The Enchanting Secret of the Opalescent Moon," an evening of poetry and music at the Chabot Planetarium, Telescopes open for use after the show, Chabot Space and Science Center Planetarium, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, $30-$40, 8:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: poetrynap.com/tickets)
  event page
• Beyond Baroque welcomes Walton Well Press for the debut of three books: David St. John's poetry collection, Prayer for my daughter, Sarah Maclay's collection, The H.D. Sequence—A Concordance, and Chuck Rosenthal's Beyond Baroque-inspired novel, Awake For Ever in a Sweet Unrest, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-new-series-mimi-tempestt-janet-fitch-natalie-shapero-tickets-1017116411567?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page
• The Tahoe Literary Festival will be a two-day event celebrating Tahoe literary artists and will feature author panels, an open mic night, sessions on topics for writers, author readings, and reading and storytelling for children; more information to be announced; Various locations, 2300 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, Ticket price TBA, 6:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/events/1875028486260301/?ref_source=NEWS_FEED&paipv=0&eav=AfbGCDrMTmDXb09ROmiP-V2Id3DrPG1LHzeJLL4PsGtnNXQwNNmc8ChLJV-2I2s-F4A&_rdr)
  event page
• Beyond Baroque presents The New Series, a series of programs debuting new commissioned writing from nine authors through Fall 2024, poet Mimi Tempestt, novelist Janet Fitch, and poet Natalie Shapero will respond to the theme, "Querencia," Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-new-series-mimi-tempestt-janet-fitch-natalie-shapero-tickets-1017116411567?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page

13 OCTOBER 2024 — sunday

• Avenue 50 Studio presents "Defining Our Legacies Ancestor to Ancestor," a poetry reading featuring Pat Alderete, Xochit-Julisa Bermejo, Olga Garcia, Liz Gonzalez, Frankie Hernandez, Lupe Montiel, and a special surprise guest poet, hosted by Consuelo Flores, Avenue 50 Studio, 131 North Avenue 50, Los Angeles, free, 2:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: avenue50studio.org/upcoming)
  event page
• International Women's Writing Guild presents "Find me in the Fiction District," a ninety-minute workshop with poet Kate Copeland focused on learning about how the brain hemispheres handle fiction while touching upon theories re: syntax, semantics and the folk model of the mind, Virtual on Zoom, $45-$55, 11:00 am EDT (For more information, visit: iwwg.org/event-5871997)
  event page
• "Writing Toward the Light" online workshop will be led by author Maggie Smith, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, and poet Danusha Laméris, Bonfire Opera, four Sundays in October (October 6, 13, 20, and 27); Workshop sessions will include a craft discussion, a Q&A period, and an in-class writing session, Virtual on Zoom, $250, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.danushalameris.com/offers/xFozUZVF/checkout)
  event page
• Litquake presents "Is Nonfiction Literature? Exploring the Intersection of Fact and Art," writers Tom Barbash, Lindsey Crittenden, Glen David Gold, and Rachel Howard, with moderator Jason Roberts, a discussion about nonfiction and its categorization within the literary arts, San Francisco Public Library, Saroyan Gallery, 100 Larkin Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, free, 2:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/is-nonfiction-literature-exploring-the-intersection-of-fact-and-art-registration-1003401590167?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Litquake welcomes writers Eirinie Carson, Christopher D. Cook, Sabina Khan-Ibarra, Jesus Francisco Sierra, and Rowena Leong Singer for "Celebrating Defiance, Resisting Silence," a discussion of identity, activism, and the pursuit of justice, to give insights into how American culture and politics impact their daily lives as members of under-represented communities, SAGRADA, 4926 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-defiance-resisting-silence-registration-1003981073417?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Litquake and Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. (PAWA) present The Filipino American International Book Festival (FilBookFest), a festival celebrating diverse voices and Filipino authors featuring keynote speaker Elaine Castillo, How to Read Now: Essays, San Francisco Public Library, Saroyan Gallery, 100 Larkin Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, free, 12:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.filbookfestival.org)
  event page
• Litquake welcomes writers Susan Kiyo Ito, Margaret Juhae Lee, Grace Loh Prasad, and Leslie Absher for "Subterfuge and Secrets: Memoirists Who Go Undercover to Learn the Truth," a discussion about using creative nonfiction to write imagined scenes, and lying, eavesdropping, and/or employing subterfuge to gain access to off-limit material for their memoirs, San Francisco Public Library, Saroyan Gallery, 100 Larkin Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, free, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/subterfuge-and-secrets-memoirists-who-go-undercover-to-learn-the-truth-registration-1003402623257?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Litquake and The Lost Church present "Modern Magic" featuring writer Michelle Tea, Modern Magic, and its companion Modern Tarot, in conversation with Diana Helmuth, The Witching Year, during intermission author Rana Tahir's will share her "Choose Your Own Adventure"-inspired tarot deck, and Julia Halina Hadas's WitchCraft Cocktails will be served, moderated by MK Chavez, The Lost Church, 988 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, $18, 8:15 pm PDT (For more information, visit: thelostchurch.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FTU00000AFhN52AL)
  event page
• Litquake presents "How Mighty Is the Small, Independent Press?" a panel moderated by Tania Malik with Nina Schuyler, Grace Loh Prasad, and Carol LaHines who will share a frank discussion about their experiences being traditionally published by small, independent presses, San Francisco Public Library, Saroyan Gallery, 100 Larkin Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, free, 1:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/how-mighty-is-the-small-independent-press-registration-1003400677437?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Poetry Flash presents a poetry reading featuring Patricia Caspers, The Most Kissed Woman in the World, and Annie Stenzel, Don't misplace the moon, Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, two blocks north of Ashby BART, refreshments, free, 3:00 pm PDT (poetryflash.org).
  event page

14 OCTOBER 2024 — monday

• No events listed for this date. Find out how to submit your event listing.

15 OCTOBER 2024 — tuesday

• Litquake and City Lights present a reading by novelist Caro De Robertis, The Palace of Eros, and Navid Sinaki, Medusa of the Roses, a queer literary noir, Virtual, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/caro-de-robertis-and-navid-sinaki-tickets-995563616577?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page
• Litquake and Telegraph Hill Books welcome Kemi Ashing-Giwa, This World is Not Yours, Evette Davis, The Others, Hana Lee, Road to Ruin, and Julia Vee, Blood Jade, for "New Encounters of the Weird Kind: Fresh Voices in Sci-Fi and Fantasy," a discussion on contemporary science fiction and fantasy writing moderated by author Isaac Fellman, Dead Collections, Telegraph Hill Books, 1501 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/new-encounters-of-the-weird-kind-fresh-voices-in-sci-fi-and-fantasy-tickets-1004186347397?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Books Inc. Berkeley welcomes documentarian Stephen Most for a discussion of his book, River of Renewal, detailing the history of the Klamath Basin; Books Inc., 1491 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/stephen-most-at-books-inc-berkeley-tickets-961710210127)
  event page

16 OCTOBER 2024 — wednesday

• Point Reyes Books presents Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Hernan Diaz, Trust, for a discussion of his book, In the Distance, Venue TBD, Fairfax, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/hernan-diaz)
  event page
• Litquake presents "Are Writers of Color Allowed to Not Write About Race?" a discussion on the subject of what writers of color are permitted to write about, with Pia Chatterjee, Vanessa Hua, Dominic Lim, and Preeti Vangani, Clio's, 353 Grand Avenue, Oakland, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/are-writers-of-color-allowed-to-not-write-about-race-tickets-1004291471827?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Litquake presents "Savoring Stories: How Food Writing Cooks Up Culture, Advocacy, and Healing," a World Food Day event featuring writers Viola Buitoni, Maria Finn, Soleil Ho, Tu David Phu, and Dr. Linda Shiue in discussion on the role of food writing in advancing food justice, sustainability, equitable access to nutritious meals, and how narratives can drive change and advocacy in the food system, Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street, San Francisco, $15, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/savoring-stories-how-food-writing-cooks-up-culture-advocacy-and-healing-tickets-911405868487?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page
• The South Pasadena Public Library presents a free interactive poetry writing workshop led by City of South Pasadena Poet Laureate Ron Koertge, Shakespeare Bats Cleanup, South Pasadena Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro Street, South Pasadena, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/poetry-writing-workshops-with-south-pasadena-poet-laureate-ron-koertge-tickets-778003127297?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
  event page

17 OCTOBER 2024 — thursday

• Warwick's welcomes novelist Louis Bayard, The Pale Blue Eye, to discuss his latest book, The Wildes: A Novel in Five Acts, Virtual on Zoom, free, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.warwicks.com/event/bayard-2024)
  event page
• City Lights Booksellers & Publishers welcomes author Steve Wasserman for a reading to celebrate the publication of, Tell Me Something, Tell Me Anything, Even If It's a Lie: A Memoir in Essays, In conversation with author Adam Hochschild, King Leopold's Ghost, Online, Free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/steve-wasserman-in-conversation-with-adam-hochschild-tickets-998674320777?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite)
  event page

18 OCTOBER 2024 — friday

• Beyond Baroque presents "A Night of Ghazals," a celebration of two new Urdu to English ghazal translations, translator Bilial Shaw's The Plague of Love: Selected Sufi Love Poems of Mir Taqi Mir, and Tony Barnstone and Bilial Shaw's co-translation, Faces Hidden in the Dust: Selected Ghazals of Ghalib, with a reading by the two translators and more ghazals and original work by Anthony Lee, Scott Noon Creley, Terry Wolverton, Sarah Maclay, Yvonne Estrada, and Douglas Manuel, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-of-ghazals-tony-barnstone-bilal-shaw-and-friends-tickets-1041335852567?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page

19 OCTOBER 2024 — saturday

• Litquake in collaboration with KQED Fest presents "The Rise of the Book Ban & the Freedom to Read," a discussion on book banning with San Francisco City Librarian Michael Lambert, Becka Robbins from Books Not Bans, Authors Against Book Bans member Maggie Tokuda-Hall, and Maia Kobabe, award-winning author of Genderqueer, in recent years the most banned book in the U.S., The Commons at KQED, 2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, free, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-rise-of-the-book-ban-the-freedom-to-read-tickets-1001455409087?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Beyond Baroque presents "California Dreaming? Writing the Golden State: The New Literary Terrain," a discussion from the contributors to Writing the Golden State: The New Literary Terrain of California, Ramón Garcia, Cassandra Lane, David Helps, Kenji Liu, and Carribean Fragoza will read excerpts from their essays, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/california-dreaming-writing-the-golden-state-the-new-literary-terrain-tickets-1024539012767?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page
• The Ina Coolbrith Circle welcomes poet Louise Moises for a reading from her first chapbook, Peace Is a Pelican, Virtual on Zoom, free, 2:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.coolpoetry.org/meetings.html)
  event page
• Litquake presents "Poetry World Series," an improvisational poetry challenge where audience members have an opportunity to give award-winning poets freestyle topics, featuring poets Armen Davoudian, Luiza Flynn-Goodlett, Cindy Ok, Joseph Rios, Mimi Tempestt, and Dashaun Washington, Daniel Handler returns as emcee, Andrew Sean Greer, and Brynn Saito will score, The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco, $17-$20, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/poetry-world-series-litquake-edition-tickets-1004310789607?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page

20 OCTOBER 2024 — sunday

• "Writing Toward the Light" online workshop will be led by author Maggie Smith, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, and poet Danusha Laméris, Bonfire Opera, four Sundays in October (October 6, 13, 20, and 27); Workshop sessions will include a craft discussion, a Q&A period, and an in-class writing session, Virtual on Zoom, $250, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.danushalameris.com/offers/xFozUZVF/checkout)
  event page
• Sixteen Rivers Press Fall Benefit and 25th Anniversary Celebration features a poetry reading by Dorianne Laux, Life on Earth: Poems and Finger Exercises for Poets, craft essays, and Joseph Millar, Shine and Dark Harvest: New and Selected Poems, 2001-2020, wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction, Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, Berkeley, free, Donations encouraged, 2:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/sixteen-rivers-press-fall-benefit-and-25th-anniversary-celebration-tickets-1016910766477)
  event page
• Litquake in collaboration with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents "Out Loud: A Celebration of Queer Poetics," a reading featuring queer poets MK Chavez, Hilary Cruz Mejia, Jessica Ke'mani Hairston, Syd Staiti, Yeva Johnson, and Evelyn Donji, Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens, 700 Mission Street, San Francisco, free, Noon PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/out-loud-a-celebration-of-queer-poetics-tickets-1001461507327?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Village Well Books presents a celebration of What Books Press's Fall lineup, featuring a panel with readings by Holaday Mason, Cameron Walker, Paul Lieber, Kevin Allardice, and David Quiroz, Village Well Books and Coffee, 9900 Culver Blvd. #1b, Culver City, free, 4:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/what-books-press-fall-2024-launch-tickets-1030174428447?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page
• Beyond Baroque welcomes poet Jose Oseguer, The Milk of Your Blood, for the L.A. book launch of his second full-length poetry collection, And This House is Only a Nest, featuring performances in the Wanda Coleman Theater by poets Elizabeth Metzger, The Spirit Papers, Charles Jensen, Instructions Between Takeoff and Landing, Tamara Miller, and jimmy vega; Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/la-book-launch-and-this-house-is-only-a-nest-by-jose-oseguera-tickets-964096658057?aff=oddtdtcreator)
  event page

21 OCTOBER 2024 — monday

• The City of El Cerrito presents a drop-in poetry circle with El Cerrito Poet Laureate Tess Taylor, Rift Zone, Hana Gardens Senior Center, 10870 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.el-cerrito.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=9395)
  event page
• City Lights Bookstore, as part of the Litquake Festival, welcomes Jonathan Lethem to discuss his new book, Cellophane Bricks: A Life in Visual Culture, in conversation with fiction writer Rita Bullwinkel, Headshot, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, also online via Zoom, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: citylights.com/events/jonathan-lethem-in-conversation-with-rita-bullwinkel)
  event page

22 OCTOBER 2024 — tuesday

• City Lights Bookstore, as part of the the Litquake Festival, welcomes Josh Mohr to discuss his new novel, Saint the Terrifying, joined by his band Slummy, The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street (near Mission), San Francisco, $12-$15, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: citylights.com/events/launch-party-josh-mohr-with-slummy)
  event page

23 OCTOBER 2024 — wednesday

• Graywolf Press presents a literary salon featuring an introduction by poet Dana Gioia, Interrogations at noon, followed by a reading and conversation with Maggie Nelson, Like Love: Essays and Conversations, Solmaz Sharif, Customs, Graywolf director and publisher Carmen Giménez, and Graywolf editorial director Ethan Nosowsky; All attendees will receive a custom tote bag; Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, The Store House, 2 Marina Blvd, Landmark Building C, San Francisco, starting at $50, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: graywolfpress.salsalabs.org/50thanniversarysalonsanfrancisco/index.html)
  event page
• Linden Tree Books welcomes Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin to discuss their new Middle Grade historical adventure, The Bletchley Riddle, presented off site at Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.lindentreebooks.com/events-calendar)
  event page
• City Arts and Lectures presents Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between The World & Me, to discuss his new essay collection, The Message, Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, tickets start at $54, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.cityarts.net/event/ta-nehisi-coates-4)
  event page

24 OCTOBER 2024 — thursday

• City Lights and and Litquake as part of Litquake 2024 present Forrest Gander reading from Mojave Ghost: Poetry, and Jane Hirshfield reading from The Asking, Virtual, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/forrest-gander-with-jane-hirshfield-tickets-1001288880997?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• Beyond Baroque presents a Halloween special from their "Skulls and Stairs" reading series featuring poet Adam Stutz celebrating two new books out from White Stag Press, Sham Tapestry and COMPUNCTIONS + THEFTS, former Ventura County Youth Poet Laureate Genesis Perez, and Beyond Baroque intern, multimedia artist, and writer Nicholas Wilder Forman, live musical performance by The Martian Sunset keyboardist Ryan Madariaga aka Celestial Cyclops, costumes encouraged, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/skulls-stairs-adam-stutz-nick-forman-genesis-perez-celestial-cyclops-tickets-1048931491327)
  event page

25 OCTOBER 2024 — friday

• "Creepy Crawly Soil Critters," a Halloween performance that combines poetry, storytelling, and performance with ecology, featuring poets Linda Ravenswood, Bernadette McComish, Christina Cha, Brian Sonia Wallace, and Tom Laichas, nonfiction author and poet Diana Dinerman, musician Rusty Perez, educator Mick Lorusso, ecologist Lynn Fang, and Planet Earth Observatory's Team, the Typewriter poet will be available to commission poems, Patagonia, 47 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, $10-$20, free entry with themed costume, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/creepy-crawly-soil-critters-a-poetic-halloween-performance-tickets-1028822605107?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
  event page
• Point Reyes Books welcomes Obi Kaufmann to discuss his newest book, The State of Fire: Why California Burns, with watercolor maps and paintings, Red Barn Classroom, 75 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.ptreyesbooks.com/state-of-fire-kaufmann)
  event page

26 OCTOBER 2024 — saturday

• Fourth Saturdays: Poetry at the Claremont Library presents Lory Bedikian, Jagadakeer: Apology to the Body, and Anna Leahy, If in Some Cataclysm, Claremont Library, 208 North Harvard Avenue, Claremont, free, 2:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/fourthsaturdayspoetry)
  event page
• Christian Georgescu's multimedia production House of The Highest and Most Pious (HOTHAMP) "depicts a prosperity preacher's search for meaning as he contends with modern life amid late stage Capitalism", Featuring spoken word performance from S.A. Griffin, Rich Ferguson, Kathleen Florence, and Christine Jordan, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, Free, 2:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/house-of-the-highest-and-most-pious-tickets-962479872207?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)
  event page
• City Lights Bookstore presents "Making Democracy Real: Encouraging an Active Citizenry," a discussion about a citizen's duty of political engagement with Martha S. Jones, David Daley, Paul Pierson, Eric Schickler, Amanda Becker, and Erin Geiger Smith, Virtual on Zoom, free, 11:00 am PDT (For more information, visit: citylights.com/events/making-democracy-real-encouraging-an-active-citizenry)
  event page
• Litquake presents its annual literary pub crawl "Lit Crawl," with literary events all day and 250+ featured authors, multiple locations, San Francisco, free, 2:45 pm PDT; the last event takes place at 9:00 pm PDT (For more information and the full schedule of events, visit: www.litquake.org/litcrawl)
  event page
• In celebration of his debut poetry collection, Motherlands, Weijia Pan reads with poet Dare Williams and writer/artist Sara Ellen Fowler, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/motherlands-weijia-pan-dare-williams-sara-ellen-fowler-tickets-1039328598817)
  event page

27 OCTOBER 2024 — sunday

• Village Poets welcomes Lory Bedikian, Jagadakeer: Apology to the Body, and Mary E. Torregrossa, My Zocalo Heart, for a poetry reading followed by an open mic, refreshments, The Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Avenue, Tujunga, free, 4:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: villagepoets.blogspot.com/2024/09/village-poets-presents-lory-bedikian.html)
  event page
• Small Press Traffic and the Belladonna* School for Feminist Practice and Poetics presents "Reading and Writing through Hoa Nguyen", a four session (October 27, November 10, November 24, and December 8) workshop centered around discussion of Nguyen's work and generative writing exercises, Hosted by author Zoe Tuck, Bedroom Vowel, Virtual on Zoom, $80-200, 1:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.smallpresstraffic.org/event/reading-and-writing-through-hoa-nguyen)
  event page
• This house concert will feature the Ursonate, an experimental sound poem composed by the German Dada artist and poet Kurt Schwitters in 1924, and phonetic poetry by Antonin Artaud, Hugo Ball, Raoul Hausmann, and Theo van Dousburg, as well as works composed by Jaap Blonk, held at a private residence in Berkeley, admission $40 via Venmo @harry-bernstein, 5:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.jaapblonk.com/Pages/ontour.html, or email, harry@fullplatemedia.com)
  event page
• "Writing Toward the Light" online workshop will be led by author Maggie Smith, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, and poet Danusha Laméris, Bonfire Opera, four Sundays in October (October 6, 13, 20, and 27); Workshop sessions will include a craft discussion, a Q&A period, and an in-class writing session, Virtual on Zoom, $250, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.danushalameris.com/offers/xFozUZVF/checkout)
  event page
• Poet William O'Daly reads from his book, The New Gods, with poet and publisher Bob Stanley, accompanied by bassist Terry Cobb, followed by an open mic, Chateau Davell Winery, 3020 Vista Tierra Drive, Camino, free, 4:00 pm PDT (For directions, visit: chateaudavell.com)
  event page
• Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center presents the Dos Rios State Park Nature Poetry Walk, a two-and-a-half mile poetry walk featuring special guest poet Salvatore Salerno, Dos Rios State Park, 3559 Shiloh Road, Modesto, 9:00 am PDT (For more information, visit: www.mostpoetry.org/event/dos-rios-state-park-nature-poetry-walk)
  event page
• In celebration of her new poetry collection, Father Elegies, poet Stella Hayes reads from her new book and engages in conversation about its meaning, Village Well Books and Coffee, 9900 Culver Blvd. #1b, Culver City, free, 4:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/poetry-book-launch-with-stella-hayes-tickets-1042314951077?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
  event page

28 OCTOBER 2024 — monday

• No events listed for this date. Find out how to submit your event listing.

29 OCTOBER 2024 — tuesday

• In celebration of his memoir, Roman Year fiction author André Aciman, Call Me By Your Name, will be in conversation with novelist Michael David Lukas, Books on the Park on 9th Avenue, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, also on YouTube, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: greenapplebooks.com/event/2024-10-29/9th-ave-andre-aciman-michael-david-lukas)
  event page
• City Lights Bookstore presents "The Dopamine Variety Show," a celebration of the queer literary organization, DOPAMINE, Books and Printed Matter, and the publication of The Sluts Anthology, edited by Michelle Tea, and fiction writer Clement Goldberg's new book, New Mistakes, featuring reading and discussion from Vera Blossom, Clement Goldberg, Brooke Palmieri, Naz Riahi, Shawn Stewart Ruff, and L Scully, hosted by Michelle Tea, Virtual on Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: citylights.com/events/the-dopamine-variety-show)
  event page
• Hammer Museum welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Forrest Gander for a reading from his anticipated collection, Mojave Ghost, Hammer Museum; 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, free, 7:30 pm PDT (For more information, visit: hammer.ucla.edu/programs-events/2024/poetry-forrest-gander)
  event page

30 OCTOBER 2024 — wednesday

• Grace Feuerverger, Oasis of Dreams, reads from her memoir, Winter Light: The Memoir of a Child of Holocaust Survivors, book signing follows, Books Inc. Berkeley, 1491 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For directions, visit: booksinc.net/event/2024-10-30/grace-feuerverger-books-inc-berkeley)
  event page
• In celebration of her new poetry collection, Estelle Meaning Star, Sarah Rosenthal reads with poets Nathalie Khankan, Hazel White, and Maw Shein Win, Books on the Park on 9th Avenue, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, also on YouTube, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: greenapplebooks.com/event/2024-10-30/9th-ave-sarah-rosenthal-nathalie-khankan-hazel-white-and-maw-shein-win)
  event page
• Lyrics and Dirges is a monthly reading series featuring a mix of prominent, emerging and beginning poets and writers, hosted and curated by East Bay poets MK Chavez and Sharon Coleman, Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.pegasusbookstore.com/ld-oct24)
  event page
• Poetry at the Claremont Library presents 2024 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award winner Paisley Rekdal, Nightingale, for a special Wednesday evening poetry reading, Claremont Library, 208 North Harvard Avenue, Claremont, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/fourthsaturdayspoetry)
  event page
• Poetry reading by poet and classical guitarist Steven Rood, Music from Behind a Stone Wall, introduced by Richard Silberg with a brief reading of his own, homemade cookies will be served, sponsored by Temple Sinai's Fine Arts Committee on Culture and Community, Temple Sinai chapel, 2808 Summit, at 28th Street between Webster and Summit, enter at gate in parking lot, Oakland, free, 7:00 pm PDT
  event page
• City Lights Bookstore welcomes Eleni Stecopoulos to discuss her new book of essays, Dreaming in the Fault Zone: A Poetics of Healing, in conversation with Miranda Mellis, Demystifications, City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, and online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: citylights.com/events/eleni-stecopoulos)
  event page
• Los Angeles reporter Rosanna Xia will be discussing her new environmental nonfiction book, California Against the Sea, with Tyrone Jue, Director of San Francisco Environment, Environmental Center Exhibit Space, Fifth Floor, San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: sfpl.org/events/2024/10/30/author-rosanna-xia-conversation-tyrone-jue)
  event page

31 OCTOBER 2024 — thursday

• Writers Read Ukiah monthly poetry reading series takes place on the last Thursday of the month, their Halloween special welcomes the "Voice of Sonoma Valley's Poet on the Beat," Lin Marie Vincent reading from Sky Fishing and haiku in honor of the Ukiahhaiku Festival, an hour-long open mic session follows the featured reading, six-minutes maximum time for each reader, Grace Hudson Museum, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah, free, 7:00 pm PDT (For more information, visit: www.gracehudsonmuseum.org/new-events/2024/10/31/writers-read-ukiahs-literary-salon)
  event page

< previous month  |  show all OCTOBER  |  next month >