Austin International Poetry Festival gets 24th year under way, April 7–10

Two of Texas’s best-known poets will join a group of headliners of internationally, nationally, and locally recognized poets at the 24th Annual Austin International Poetry Festival, April 7-10, 2016, in Austin.

Joaquin Zihuatanejo of Denton (above, right) is an Individual World Poetry Slam champion, a European World Cup of Poetry Slam championn and an HBO Def Poet. In his extensive journey as a poet, Zihuatanejo has shared a stage with Maya Angelou, Billy Collins, E. Lynn Harris, Saul Williams, and Alicia Keys, among others. The passion in his performance style and power of his writing has led many to consider him one of the most entertaining and compelling in the world.

Sarah Frances Moran of Waco (above, left) was born and raised in Houston. Writing, for her, came out of a desire to help others and has evolved into full-blown insistence on changing the world. Her aim is to poetically fight for love and harness the type of tender violence needed to push love forward. She strongly believes that words have immeasurable power. She was recently chosen as the featured poet for the Waco Poets Society and the Word Gallery. Her work has appeared in Catching Calliope, Elephant Journal, eFiction India, The Bitchin’ Kitsch, Digital Papercut, and more.

AIPF 2016 Schedule (updated 3/31/2016)

Thursday, April 7, 2016

10:00-6:00 Poet Check in at Nature’s Treasures/Crystal Auditorium

10:00-11:45 Classics Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

11:00-12:00 Open Mic at Nature’s Treasures/Crystal Auditorium

11:00-12:45 City Read at Malvern Books

11:00-12:45 City Read at Kick Butt Coffee

12:00-1:45 Humor Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

1:00-2:00 Workshop at Nature’s Treasures          Narrative         Anna Sandy

1:00-2:45 City Read at Malvern Books

1:00-3:00 Open Mic at Kick Butt Coffee

2:00-3:45 API Members Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

2:30-3:30 Open Mic at Nature’s Treasures/Crystal Auditorium

3:00-5:00 City Read at Malvern Books

4:00-5:15 API Emeritus Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

5:30-6:45 International Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

7:00 – 9:30 Poetry Caravan Poetry Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

Friday, April 8, 2016

10:00-4:00 Poet Check in at Nature’s Treasures/Crystal Auditorium

10:00-11:00 Open Mic at Nature’s Treasures/Crystal Auditorium

10:00-11:15  Classics Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Capitol Room

10:00-11:15 Social Justice Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

11:00-12:45 City Read at Malvern Books

11:00- 1:00 City Read at Kick Butt Coffee

11:30-12:30 Ekphrastic Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

11:30-12:30 Workshop Blanton Capitol Room   Social Justice   Amoja (The Mo-Man) Sumler

12:45-1:45 Beyond Austin (non-Austinite) Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

1:00-3:00 Workshop Blanton Capitol Room    Ekphrastic       D’Arcy Randall

1:00-2:45 City Read at Malvern Books

1:00-3:00 Open Mic at Kick Butt Coffee

2:00-3:15 International & National Feature Poets at Blanton Museum of Art-Auditorium

3:00- 5:00 Beauty in languages Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Capitol Room

3:00-5:00 City Read at Malvern Books

3:15- 4:45 State and Local Feature Poets at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

5:15-7:00 Lyrical Read at Blanton Museum of Art – Capitol Room

5:00- 6:45 Youth Anthology Launch at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

7:00-9:30 di-vêrsé-city Anthology Launch at Blanton Museum of Art – Auditorium

Saturday, April 9, 2016

(see Workshop Schedule for Workshop times on Saturday)

10:00-6:00 Poet Check in at Nature’s Treasures/Crystal Auditorium

10:00-11:45 City Read at Kick Butt Coffee

11:00-1:00 City Read at Malvern Books

11:00-12:45 City Read at New World Deli

12:00-1:15 City Read at Kick Butt Coffee

12:00-1:30 City Read Part 1 at Barnes & Noble at the Arboretum

12:00-2:00 Humor Read at Central Market North Lamar

1:00-4:00  Youth Workshop and Slam at Dougherty Art Center host: Jennine “DOC” Wright

1:00-2:45 City Read at New World Deli

1:30-3:00 City Read Part 2 at Barnes & Noble at the Arboretum

1:30-3:45 Man Read at Kick Butt Coffee

3:00-4:15 City Read at New World Deli

3:00-6:00 Mingle (Meet, Greet & Eat) at La Madeline at the Arboretum

4:00-6:00 Adult Slam at Kick Butt Coffee hosted by Joaquin Zihuatanejo

4:30-6:00 City Read at New World Deli

6:00-9:00 Woman Read at BookWoman

6:00-10:00 Music and Poetry Read followed by Open Mic at Baha’i Center

7:00pm Bilingual Read at Resistencia featuring Joaquin Zihuatanejo

7:00-9:00 City Reading at Westminster Manor

7:00-9:15 City Read at Strange Brew

9:30-11:45 City Read at Strange Brew

12:00-6:00 Midnight to Dawn Open Mic at Strange Brew

Sunday, April 10, 2016

10am  Special Guest Poet Brunch at New World Deli hosted by Linda Marie Cossa

10:00-11:30 City Read at Kick Butt Coffee

11:30-12:30 Haiku Read at Kick Butt Coffee

12:30-1:00 Haiku Death Match at Kick Butt Coffee

1:00-4:00 Youth Workshop and Read at Huston-Tillotson  D-L Auditorium

2:00-4:45 City Read at Threadgill’s North Lamar

5:00-5:45 Annual API Membership Meeting at the Baha’i Center

6:00-8:00 LGBT Read at BookWoman

6:30-7:30 Remembrance Reading at the Baha’i Center

(Information from AIPF and media reports)

Lone Star College celebrates National Poetry Month with two poets laureate Apr. 21

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Writers in Performance will present the Poet Laureate of Texas and the Poet Laureate of Houston together for a very special evening of readings, discussion and book signings, with poets Carmen Tafolla and Robin Davidson.

The free event will be held Thurs., April 21, 2016, at 7 p.m. at Lone Star College-Montgomery, Building G-102. Introducing these outstanding poets will be 2011 Texas poet laureate Dave Parsons.

Carmen Tafolla, 2015 Texas poet laureate, is loved throughout the world for her moving theatrical performances and poetry readings. A poet, storyteller, performance artist, motivational speaker, and university professor, Tafolla is author of more than twenty books. Her work appears internationally in textbooks, newspapers, journals and magazines, and elementary school readers.

Chosen in 2012 as San Antonio’s first poet laureate, Tafolla presented at more than 300 schools, universities, professional conferences, and community arts centers during her two-year tenure. Called by Roots author Alex Haley a “world-class writer,” Tafolla has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Americas Award presented at the Library of Congress in 2010. She also is recipient of five International Latino Book Awards, two Tomás Rivera Book Awards, two ALA Notable Books, a Charlotte Zolotow Award, the Art of Peace Award, and Top Ten Books for Babies.

Tafolla has been recognized by the National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies for her work in giving “voice to the peoples and cultures of this land.”

The current poet laureate of Houston, Robin Davidson (left), was born in Trieste, Italy, to American parents. Her collection titled Luminous Other (Ashland Poetry Press, 2013) won the 2012 Richard Snyder Memorial Prize. She is also author of two chapbooks: City That Ripens on the Tree of the World (Calypso Editions) and Kneeling in the Dojo (Finishing Line Press).

Davidson co-translated, with Ewa Elzbieta Nowakowska, The New Century: Poems, from the Polish of Ewa Lipska (Northwestern University Press). Among numerous prestigious awards, Davidson received a National Endowment for the Arts translation fellowship and a

a Fulbright professorship at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. She holds a BA in French from the University of Texas at Austin and MA and PhD degrees in creative writing from the University of Houston. She teaches creative writing as associate professor of English for the University of Houston-Downtown.

All events are free to the public and made possible through the partnership of Montgomery County Literary Arts Council, Lone Star College-Montgomery, SWIRL magazine of literature and art, Conroe Commission on Arts and Culture and Conroe Arts Alliance.

For more information, contact Dave Parsons, 936-524-6537, or email Cliff Hudder at clifford.w.hudder@lonestar.edu.

(Information from organization’s press release)

Texas Library Association to be held Apr. 19–22 in Houston; featured speakers include LeVar Burton,
Al Roker, Dav Pilkey, Gene Luen Yang

 AUSTIN – Librarians from around the state are preparing for the 2016 TLA Annual Conference, taking place in Houston, April 19 – 22, where more than 7,500 industry professionals will gather over four days, with 200 information and library leaders, policy experts, and authors to cover topics including technology trends, makerspaces, literacy initiatives, advocacy, information and data management sessions, among numerous of today’s most pressing information and education issues.

The convention features a talented selection of experts and leaders in all areas of information and library services. Some of the keynotes authors include Emmy award winner, host, and executive producer of the PBS series Reading Rainbow LeVar Burton, nationally-acclaimed newsman and author Al Roker, Caldecott Honor Award-winning author and illustrator Dav Pilkey, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (2016-17) Gene Luen Yang, and many others. A full list of the 200 plus speakers as well as session details on the over 300 programs and events is available through the show’s website: www.txla.org/annual-conference. Most authors will be available for signing autographs in the exhibit hall.

The exhibit hall will also feature the largest state library trade show in the nation. Continuing its tradition of serving as the premier marketplace of ideas and information services, the showcase will also feature close to 500 companies, publishers, media outlets, and professional library services organizations.

The gathering will serve as the official launch of “Ideas Powered: It’s What We Do” ® – a campaign showcasing the modern library learning environment and community-based service offered through the state. School, public, and university libraries throughout our state serve millions of Texans and support education, business and entrepreneurship, innovation, workforce development, and much more.

Conference program

Selected Conference Event Highlights by Day

Tuesday, April 19

• Tech Creation Institute: Beyond Text (Ticketed) | 9:00am – 4:30pm

TLA’s inaugural Academic Preconference (ticketed event) will take place on Tuesday, April 19th, from 9:00am – 4:30pm. This event is for librarians interested in moving their practice forward and in need of additional technological know-how.

• Tech Camp (Ticketed) | 10:50am – 3:30pm

TLA’s acclaimed TECH Camp returns with new content to equip participants with skills and knowledge to maximize social media platforms, web applications, digital content, and tech tools that wow students, teachers, and administrators.

• The Internet of Everything – Wearable, Embedded Technology – What Does it Mean for Us? | 2:00pm –2:50pm

The Internet is embedded in everything from hoodies to home appliances – all via mobile apps and remote access. What is the Internet of Everything? What does this mean for library security, wifi, and other management concerns?

• Great Ideas Poster Session | 4:30pm – 6:00pm

TLA members open minds by presenting their innovative ideas in the form of Poster Sessions. See the showcase of how open libraries open opportunities for people of all ages; new ideas that empower our profession and our customers; and tools with an immediate impact. Leave with takeaways to implement in your library.

• Launch Party: Ideas Powered: It’s What We Do | 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Join TLA for the launch of Ideas Powered: It’s What We Do ®, a public awareness campaign showcasing innovation and technology-centered work being done in today’s libraries. The event will feature an interactive “Ideas Wall” with award-winning illustrators, the campaign video trailer, and giveaways while supplies last.

Wednesday, April 20

• GENERAL SESSION I with LeVar Burton | 8:30am – 10:00am

LeVar Burton has created some of television’s most memorable characters – Kunta Kinte in Roots and Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation.  For legions of children, Burton is most recognized for his award-winning PBS program, Reading Rainbow, which has promoted reading for over two decades. Recently, Burton turned to Kickstarter to bring Reading Rainbow to children everywhere, especially to classrooms in need. The campaign met its 35-day goal of raising $1 million in less than 11 hours and became the most popular Kickstarter campaign a final tally of over $6.4 million. As a result, in 2015 RRKidz introduced Reading Rainbow EDU. This literacy advocate will share his professional and personal story with you. Burton’s first children’s book, The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, was published last year.

• Miles From Tomorrowland | 10:15am – 11:50am

Disney Junior’s Miles from Tomorrowland is an intergalactic adventure series for kids 2-7 that charts the outer space missions of young adventurer Miles Callisto and his family. Hear from the show’s creator and the space, science, and technology experts who consult on the series, which is designed to encourage kids to explore their natural curiosity in STEM fields.

• Opening Author Session (Ticketed Luncheon) | Noon – 1:50pm

Powerful women telling stories: now that’s a true fast of narrative and performance talent. Two-time Grammy winner Rita Coolidge and acclaimed writers Carolyn Haines, Paulette Jiles, and Laura Lippman discuss their recent works, life, and creative inspiration.

• Open Access: What You Need to Know | 2:00pm – 3:50pm

Open access for academic journals and other scholarly publications is reshaping the university in the broader world. The panelists represent a diverse group of opinions in open access.

• On Our Own: eBook Platforms by and for Libraries | 2:00pm – 3:50pm

Libraries are working together to build eBook platforms that allow users to borrow immediately and read anywhere and anytime. Spearheaded by New York Public’s Library Simplified, Amigos’ eShelf, and CALIFA’s Enki, this technology is available. Explore plans for delivering econtent from the Big Five publishers with three clicks or less convenience on a national, federated scale through an open source app.

• Spanish Language Books: International Vendors and Publishers | 4:00pm – 5:20pm

Vendors and publishers of Spanish language books will help librarians discover up-and-coming authors and illustrators.

• Children’s Book Illustrators Ultimate Sketch-Off | 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Back by popular demand, renowned children’s book illustrators will compete in an ultimate sketch-off! Can these gifted and award-winning artists, confined by time and pressure, sketch a masterpiece better than their peers? Contestants: David Gordon, Tad Hills, Frank Morrison, Greg Pizzoli, Adam Rubin, Dan Salmieri, and Sara Varon.

Thursday, April 21

• Data Management Basics and Best Practices | 9:00am – 9:50am

Data management, data lifecycle, and data management plan are just a few of the data-related buzz words being discussed among librarians across the country. Learn the basics of these terms, data management best practices (that can also be used to improve how we, as librarians, work with data), and ways in which the library community can support the data management needs of researchers.

• Copyright and Digital Collections: Lessons from Astrodome Memories | 10:00am – 11:20am

Five Houston archives have partnered with each other and the public to create an online exhibit for Astrodome history and memories. This IMLS-grant funded project includes creating a model for managing copyright concerns. Learn about issues, progress, and a copyright manual that resulted from this work.

• Texas Bluebonnet Award (Ticketed Luncheon) | Noon – 1:30pm

This nationally-recognized children’s book award program selects a top winner every year. Voted on by over 100,000 Texas children, the TBA award is among the most coveted literary honors in the nation.

• Keeping the Doors Open: Service in Times of Strife | 2:00pm – 3:50pm

Panelists share their experiences keeping the library doors open and providing services to the community during times of unrest and upheaval, including during community rioting and natural disasters. Attendees will hear about challenges and practicalities related to such service.

• GENERAL SESSION II with Al Roker | 4:00pm – 5:30pm

What do you get when combine your world class talents on meteorological reporting, suspenseful writing, and documenting historical events? A can’t-put-down read on the Gulf Coast storm of 1900. Acclaimed NBC weatherman Al Roker’s latest book, The Storm of the Century, is a riveting look at history and the impact of one of the greatest natural disasters of all time. Roker is the author of several books – including a murder mystery series as well as a personal account of his own life and challenges with health issues. Roker provides a unique perspective on the news, weather, history, writing, and using all of one’s strengths and struggles to craft a meaningful life and work experience. Join him for a truly singular conference experience.

• Book Cart Drill Team Competition | 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Talented librarians show of their skills around those tried and true library tools – book carts. You can do much more with them than move books around! Teams of librarians dance to choreographed numbers as they vie for the title of Book Cart Drill Team Champions!

Friday, April 22

• Role of Makerspaces in Curriculum and Assessment | 9:00am – 9:50am

Makerspaces are highlight engaging for students and can stretch learners to use higher levels of thinking and problem solving as well as provide opportunities to collaborate the speakers will demonstrate how they employ makerspaces to challenge students, integrate the TEKS, and assess student learning.

• Open Libraries on the Front Lines | 9:00am – 9:50am

Baltimore erupted in protests on April 27, 2015 primarily outside the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Pennsylvania Avenue Branch, after the funeral of Freddie Gray, an African American man who died in police custody. Come hear branch manager Melanie Townsend Diggs discuss the decisions she and CEO Dr. Carla Hayden made to keep the library open during the unrest and the outpouring of support from the community and donors from across the country

• Diverse & Digital: eBooks, Bilingual Books, and More from Independent and Multicultural Publishers | 10:00am – 11:20am

Independent publishers share information about availability of their materials for libraries, whether through econtent providers or traditional book wholesalers. Publishers will be joined by a multimedia selection librarian, who will shed light on acquiring eBooks from the library perspective.

• Poetry for the Public | 10:00am – 11:20am

This program will focus on a variety of poetry programs launched at the Houston Public Library. These include “Public Poetry,” a monthly program featuring readings by local and student poets, poetry workshops, and the Poet Laureate Program, which was partly inspired by the success of poetry programs at the library. Featuring: Robin Davidson, Houston Poet Laureate; Jack McBride, Writers in the Schools; Fran Sanders, Public Poetry; Jennifer Schwartz, Houston Public Library; and Gwendolyn Zepeda, Houston Poet Laureate (2013-2015).

• Closing Author Session with Gene Luen Yang (Ticketed) | Noon – 1:20pm

Yang will travel nationwide as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature to promote his platform, “Reading Without Walls.” Yang’s goal at TLA will be to raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

• GENERAL SESSION III with Dav Pilkey | 1:30pm – 2:10pm

New York Times bestselling author Dav Pilkey is the creator of the wildly popular Captain Underpants series, among other critically-acclaimed works. Beyond his own tremendous writing success, Pilkey is a respected voice on many of the issues of concern to the literary and information community. A champion of intellectual freedom and passionate advocate for reading, Pilkey offers insight on and off the page.

The Association also develops reading lists for all ages. These lists are created to promote a love of reading. Conference will feature authors and educators discussing the diverse 2015 lists.

• Lone Star Reading List (for sixth through eighth grade), Thursday, April 21, 10am

• Tayshas List (High School), Thursday, April 21, 10am

• Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner (list for third through sixth grade), Thursday, April 21, noon

• Lariat List (Adult Fiction), Tuesday, April 19, 4pm

• Spirit of Texas Reading Program: (for middle school), Wednesday, April 20, 2pm

• Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List  (for K-5), Friday, April 22, 10am

• Maverick Graphic Novel List (for sixth through 12th grade), Friday, April 22, 9 am

• Texas 2X2 Reading List (for ages two through second grade), Thursday, April 21, 8am

• Tejas Star Book Award (for grades K-6 to promote bilingualism and multilingualism), Tuesday, April 19, 4pm

Houston Writers Guild presents three-day annual conference April 29–May 1, with authors Jamie Ford and Pamela Fagan Hutchins

The 2016 Houston Writers Guild annual conference will be held April 29–May 1, 2016 at the Marriott Houston Westchase, 2900 Briarpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042. Registration and event times vary each day.

Friday night, April 29, the HWG Press will hold a Book Launch/Cocktail Reception. Conference attendees will be entertained by guest speaker Jay Asher. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served along with cash bar. The main event on April 30 will begin with keynote speaker Jamie Ford, followed by one-hour breakout sessions. In addition, there will be an opportunity for writers to pitch their work, in ten-minute sessions with agents and editors.

Sunday, May 1, there will be a full0day workshop presented by guest speaker Pamela Fagan Hutchins.

Sign up before April 1, 2016, to receive the Early Bird Special 3-Day Pass discount. Critiques and pitch sessions require additional charges. The Houston Marriott Westchase offers a discounted lodging rate to HWG Conference Attendees. When calling for a reservation, please reference the HWG event. Marriott, 713-978-7400.

Questions: info@houstonwritersguild.com

More information and sign-ups: www.houstonwritersguild.org

(From organization’s press release)

Dallas Book Festival,
Apr. 30, Expands With
Best-selling Novelists, Award Winners

Several nationally prominent authors — including best-selling novelists and winners of both a Pulitzer and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize —  are headed to the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library for an expanded Dallas Book Festival.

Among those just announced for the free, all-day, April 30, 2016, event:

Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, which won the 2015 Dayton prize in nonfiction; Lawrence Wright, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower; Jessica Knoll, best-selling author of  Luckiest Girl Alive; Historian/analyst Andrew Bacevich, who is about to release America’s War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History; Adam Mansbach, famous for that picture book that is known in its polite form as Seriously, Just Go to Sleep; Ghostwriter to the stars David Ritz, whose books include Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin, and Curtis Sittenfeld, the American Wife author who is about to release her newest book, Eligible, in April.

Local authors taking part will include Karen Blumenthal, Nancy Churnin, Tim Cowlishaw, AG Ford, Sarah Hepola, Don Tate and Merritt Tierce.

The festival itself iwas founded in 2006 as the Dallas International Book Fair and renamed in 2014. For more information contact Ronnie Jessie at: ronnie.jessie@dallascityhall.com or call 214-670-7809.

(From organization’s press release and website)

Sachse Author Con accepting author applications for May 21 event

SACSHE—Authors looking for an opportunity to promote their books are invited to apply for the upcoming Sachse Author Con event at the Sachse Public Library. The event, sponsored by the Sachse Public Library, is set for Sat., May 21, 2016, from noon to 4 p.m.

The event, which is free to the public, is designed to showcase local Texas authors. Each author will be provided an individual table to display and sell books and mingle with the reading public.

Library staff are searching for a variety of authors of fiction genres. Authors who write for children, young adult, and adults are encouraged to participate in this showcase event.

Interested authors should submit an application, along with one of their published books for review, no later than February 5, 2016. Contact Mignon Morse, Library Manager, for more information and to request an application. Authors who are selected to attend will be notified of their acceptance no later than March 1.  If accepted, a $30 registration fee will be required no later than March 15 to be included in publicity. Lunch will be provided for each author.

Download the application at www.cityofsachse.com/library

Mignon Morse, Sachse Public Library, 3815 Sachse Road, Building C, Sachse, TX 75048; mmorse@cityofsachse.com, 972-530-8966.

(Information from organization’s press release)

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