Lone Star Literary’s Tour of Texas, Fall 2016
Walking the sidewalks of a world-class city and coming upon the treasure-house of a literary bookstore like Paris’s Shakespeare & Company, San Francisco’s City Lights, or Denver’s Tattered Cover stirs a particular thrill of discovery. That’s how it was when we pulled up to the curb around the corner from Deep Vellum Books, the bookseller-cum-publisher situated on the main drag of Dallas’s storied Deep Ellum quarter. (We weren’t the only journalists stopping by, either—the Dallas Morning News was just departing from their visit as we were arriving for ours.
Anne Hollander (above left; co-founder with Will Evans, who was out of town) and Tanya Wardell (right) gave us the lowdown: Deep Vellum Bookstore’s carefully curated shelves are arranged by publisher, not author or genre, allowing readers to follow the lists of the dedicated houses that specialize in literary translations, as well as get to know newcomers.
But for those patrons who like to take a chance, Deep Vellum also runs a monthly book club and a mystery-wrapped “Blind Date with a Book.” We only wish we were closer to this laudable enterprise—located in the home of blues legend Leadbelly—and its rich slate of bookish events.
Also in Big D, we wish we were able to take advantage more often of the classes and readings served up by the Writer’s Garret, and to browse the maze of bookshelves housed by its neighbor, Lucky Dog Books/Lochwood. (But since the word is out that this longtime Dallas favorite may be moving again soon from its Garland Road location, how about just bringing it on out to Lubbock?!)
Next week: Back home in West Texas for a stint, before we take off for Austin again, and the Texas Book Festival!
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Austin Book Arts Center celebrates one-year milestone with successful fund-raiser
The Austin Book Arts Center board of directors has announced that their First Birthday Bash at the North Door on September 28 raised almost $4,000 in funding. ABAC celebrated its first year of operation with letterpress printing, tiny books, music by Ruby and the Reckless, cupcakes, champagne, and a silent auction. Greg Ciotti of KOOP Radio was the Master of Ceremonies.
Below: Randy and the Reckless provides entertainment for the event.
The event was to celebrate the accomplishments made by the Austin Book Arts Center in the first year of operation, including the expansion of the ABAC studio into a larger space at the Flatbed Building. Since September 2015, 57 workshops have been offered to engage people in creative, interpretive, and educational experiences related to the arts of the book.
Below: Participants made miniature books as part of the event’s festivities.
Of the almost $4,000 raised, 100% goes directly towards ABAC’s programming and to help fund the Center’s recent expansion, which increases the facility’s square footage by 70%. ABAC now has a fully-equipped letterpress printshop, with 4 new printing presses, significantly increasing our capacity to offer workshops and to fulfill our mission. We are also pleased to announce that for the first time this fall, Open Studio times are scheduled, enabling students and artists from central Texas to create books and prints the old-fashioned way. No batteries required!
ABAC opened its doors to all book lovers in Austin and central Texas in September of 2015. In its inaugural year, ABAC has offered 57 workshops and participated in numerous outreach events throughout the region, spreading the good news of the book arts to thousands. The mission of Austin Book Arts Center is to engage people of all ages in creative, interpretive, and educational experiences related to the arts of the book. ABAC regularly offers workshops in letterpress printing, bookbinding, papermaking, typography, book history and design, and various arts of the book. In addition, ABAC is pleased to provide access to the traditional tools and equipment used in book production through its Open Studio program.
(From organization’s press release; photos provided)
Paragraphs on Padre Island hosts San Antonio Romance authors Oct. 22 during group’s fall retreat
Paragraphs on Padre Island Meet the Author Series presents “An Afternoon of Romance at the Bookstore” Sat., Oct. 22, 2–5 pm, with San Antonio Romance Authors members Roe Valentine, J. D. Favor, Jolene Navarro, Jaye Garland, Terri Wilson, Karen Kinna, and Susan LeMiles.
The book signings and discussion are being held in conjunction with San Antonio Romance Authors’ Fall Writer’s Retreat, taking place on South Padre Island October 21–23. This event will be a casual, relaxed affair with a chance for our guests to meet one on one with the authors.
San Antonio Romance Authors is a chapter of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), a nonprofit trade association whose mission is to advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy.
This event is free and open to the public. Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard is located at 5505 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island, TX. For information call 956-433-5057.
(From organization’s press release)
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