February Events for Writers
Inside Buffalo: An African-Italian Story
February 13, 2020, 5 PM East Pyne Building Room 010
The Department of French and Italian presents a film screening of Inside Buffalo followed by Q&A with director, Fred Kuwornu. Cosponsored by the Lewis Center for the Arts.
Sheila Heti and Joy Harjo
February 12, 2020, 7:30 PM, Donald G. Drapkin Studio
Fiction writer, playwright, and journalist Sheila Heti and 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate, memoirist and musician Joy Harjo read from their work as part of the Althea Ward Clark W’21 Reading Series.
C.K. Williams Reading Series: Aaron Robertson ’17
February 21, 2020, 6:30 PM. Forum, Lewis Arts complex
Fiction translator and Princeton alum Aaron Robertson ’17 reads from his work along with creative writing seniors Liza Milov, Abbie Minard, Richard Peng, Rasheeda Saka, and Destiny Salter. Book sales and signing will follow the readings.
Writing Workshop
Tuesday, February 11, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Recurring Event (See all)
Writers who are working on book-length works are invited to receive constructive critique from peers. The group is designed so that writers can help other writers of fiction and book-length non-fiction to strengthen characters and story structure. Participants range from published authors to those looking to improve their skills. Don Donato leads the workshop.
Historical Fiction Book Group: “The Fortunes” by Peter Ho Davies
Wednesday, February 12, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
The Historical Fiction Book Group features scholar-led book discussions about the fictional elements and nonfictional historic and regional context of selected books.
In this session, Princeton University Associate Professor of History Beth Lew-Williams discusses “The Fortunes” by Peter Ho Davies. The book explores a century of American history through the lives of four Chinese Americans: a 19th-century laundry worker, a Chinese film star, a friend of someone killed in a hate crime and a half-Chinese man looking to adopt a Chinese baby.
Registration is requested but not required through the Historical Society of Princeton website.
Donna Rifkind: “The Sun and Her Stars: “Salka Viertel and Hitler’s Exiles in the Golden Age of Hollywood”
Thursday, February 13, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
The author discusses her biography of unsung Hollywood screenwriter Salka Viertel whose fascinating and complex life and career took her from prewar Vienna to Hollywood. In the 1930s and ‘40s, Viertel hosted salon-like gatherings that were a refuge for a multitude of writers, actors, composers and musicians who had escaped the worsening political situation in Europe and World War II.
Book Brunch Featuring Kelly Simmons, Amy Impellizzeri and Kate Moretti
Sunday, February 16, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Three award-winning authors who are part of the Tall Poppy Writers group converse with the audience and each other about their most recent books, life, publishing and more. Writers include:
Kelly Simmons: “Where She Went”
Amy Impellizzeri: “Why We Lie”
Kate Moretti: “In Her Bones”
Doors open for this event at 11 a.m. when tea and pastries will be served. The discussion begins at 11:30 a.m. Snow date will be Feb. 23.
Book Discussion: “Why We Can’t Wait” by Martin Luther King Jr.
Sunday, February 16, 11:45 am – 1:30 pm
Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, 124 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ 08542 United States
“Why We Can’t Wait,” Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1964 book about the nonviolent movement against racial segregation and injustice in the United States is discussed. The book expands on the ideas introduced in King’s widely
published “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” The discussion will be in the second-floor Meeting Room of the church building. Please use the Quarry Street entrance. Co-presented with the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, 124 Witherspoon Street, Princeton.
Author Marjan Kamali: “The Stationery Shop”
Sunday, February 23, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
The author speaks at the paperback release of her acclaimed novel, a love story about a young couple living amidst the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran. When violence erupts on the eve of their marriage, a result of the coup d’etat that forever changes their country’s future, the couple is separated it and it seems they will never see each other again.
Born in Turkey to Iranian parents, Marjan Kamali studied English Literature at UC Berkeley and received her MBA from Columbia University and an MFA from New York University. Her debut novel was “Together Tea.”
Library Live at Labyrinth: Susan Stewart: “The Ruins Lesson: Meaning and Material in Western Culture”
Wednesday, February 26, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.
Susan Stewart, the Avalon Foundation University Professor in the Humanities and professor of English at Princeton University, discusses her most recent book in which she explores how ruins have become so valued in Western culture and central to our art and literature.
Presented in partnership with Labyrinth Books.
Library Live at Labyrinth: Edward Posnett: “Strange Harvests: The Hidden Histories of Seven Natural Objects”
Thursday, February 27, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
The author discusses his book that traces the harvesting, processing and trading of seven uncommon products that originate in some of the most remote areas of the world.
Presented in partnership with Labyrinth Books.
Mystery Book Group
Monday, March 2, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The group discusses “Suspect” by Robert Crais.