8 Not-To-Miss Virtual Author Events From The Seattle Public Library This Fall
release date: September 1, 2021
The Seattle Public Library has a stellar lineup of online readings and discussions this fall that you can participate in from the comfort of your living room. Here are eight highlights from September and October:
- Sept. 17: Sandra Cisneros discusses “Martita, I Remember You/Martita, Te Recuerdo.” The bestselling author will talk about her new book, a dual-lingual novel that is a tribute to the life-changing power of youthful friendship. She will appear in conversation with author Manuel Muñoz. Presented in partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company and La Sala. From 6 to 7:15 p.m., Friday, Sep. 17.
- Sept. 18: Conversation Hearts: Bisexual Romance Panel Discussion. Queer romance is booming, but sometimes these romances are billed as lesbian or gay romance even when one of the leads is bi or pan. This discussion is moderated by New York Times romance fiction columnist Olivia Waite and featuring panelists Alyssa Cole, Alexandria Bellefleur, Katrina Jackson, Casey McQuiston and Rebekah Weatherspoon. Presented in partnership with The Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America and Third Place Books. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Saturday, Sep. 18.
- 23: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz with Mahmood Mamdani. Esteemed historian Dunbar-Ortiz, author of “The Indigenous People’s History of the United States,” will discuss her latest book, “Not ‘A Nation of Immigrants,’” with writer Mahmood Mamdani. Presented in partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company. The book is also a Peak Pick. From 6 to 7:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23.
- Sept. 29: Radical Self-Acceptance for the Post-Pandemic Era with Olaiya Land. As the first in a five-part series on radical self-care, community guest curator Olaiya Land talks with Dr. Devon Price about their book “Laziness Does Not Exist.” In the series, Seattle writer and activist Land, founder of the online journal and community Lionesse, will talk with authors and activists, focusing on the experiences of marginalized groups as they push back against Western beauty standards, patriarchy and white supremacy, and carve out spaces to feel accepted and whole. From 6 to 7:15 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 29.
- Sept. 30: Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore and contributors discuss “Between Certain Death and a Possible Future.” Join us for the launch of a collection of essays, edited by Seattle writer and Lambda award winner Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, which examines the ongoing impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis in queer lives. Contributors include E.J. Colen, Laura LeMoon, Patrick Milian and Eddie Walker. Presented in partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company, the AIDS Memorial Project and Gay City. From 7 to 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30.
- Oct. 6: Seattle Reads presents Brit Bennett, author of “The Vanishing Half.” The 2021 selection for Seattle Reads, the Library’s annual citywide book group, is Brit Bennett’s “The Vanishing Half,” her bestselling novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds — one Black and one white. Bennett will read and discuss the book with Jazmyn Scott, program manager of LANGSTON. The Library’s catalog has more than 700 physical and digital copies of “The Vanishing Half,” and it is also a Peak Pick. From 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 6.
- Oct. 10: Seattle Reads presents African-American Writers Alliance showcase: As part of Seattle Reads, join us for a celebration of the poetry and prose of the African-American Writers’ Alliance, a diverse and dynamic collective of Seattle-area writers of African descent. From 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10.
- Oct. 20: Josephine Ensign discusses “Skid Road: On the Frontier of Health and Homelessness in an American City.” Informed by her experience of being homeless and many years providing primary health care to homeless people, Seattle nurse practitioner and professor Ensign wrote a book that looks at the historical roots of poverty and homelessness, digging through layers of Seattle history to reveal the stories of overlooked and long-silenced people who live on the margins of society. From 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Library events are free and everyone is welcome. Registration is required. Events are recorded, captioned and posted to the Library’s YouTube channel after the event. Find out more at www.spl.org/calendar.
MORE INFORMATION
All events are supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, with the Seattle Times as a media sponsor. All events except Conversation Hearts are supported by the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation. Seattle Reads is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, the Wallace Foundation, Riverhead Books and the Seattle Times.
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