September 2023 Author Readings and Community Events With The Seattle Public Library
release date: August 29, 2023
Join The Seattle Public Library in September for events including discussions with authors Emile Pitre, James McBride and Isabel Cañas; and the first program in a series guest-curated by Frank Abe to honor the centennial of the birth of John Okada, celebrated author of “No-No Boy.”
Events requiring registration are noted below. All Library events are free and open to the public. Find information and registration through the event links below or at www.spl.org/Calendar.
The Library offers a range of other free events and workshops in August, including story times and business workshops and consults.
AUTHOR OR COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Emile Pitre presents “Revolution to Evolution” in conversation with Angela King. From 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9. Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave.), Level 1 Auditorium. Join celebrated educator, activist, and author Emile Pitre for a discussion of his book, “Revolution to Evolution: The Story of the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity at the University of Washington,” in conversation with award-winning journalist Angela King. Registration is not required. Partners include UW Press, University Bookstore and The UW Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity. Registration is not required.
- James McBride and Sadiqua Iman discuss "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.” From 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12. Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave.), Level 1 Auditorium. Bestselling author James McBride and Langston’s Sadiqua Iman discuss McBride’s new book “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.” Partners include Langston Seattle, Third Place Books and the Seattle Times; the event is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation. Registration is required.
- Isabel Cañas discusses “Vampires of El Norte” in conversation with Sadie Hartmann. From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13. Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave.), Level 1 Auditorium. Clarion West presents Isabel Cañas discussing “Vampires of El Norte” – a supernatural western from the author of “The Hacienda” about Vampires and vaqueros who face off on the Texas-Mexico border – in conversation with Sadie Hartmann, aka “Mother Horror”. The event is presented in partnership with Clarion West, Third Place Books, and Consulado de México en Seattle. Registration is not required.
- Show Talks with the 5th Avenue Theatre: “What’s Under the Wig Cap.” From 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16. Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave.), Level 1 Auditorium. “Disney's The Little Mermaid” will open our eyes to a life "under the sea," and this event will take us on a journey into the realm of hair and makeup designer, Kelley Jordan, visiting from Atlanta, Georgia to share her expertise. Jordan will demonstrate the various stages in creating personalized wigs for our fishy friends on stage and even transform one of our lucky audience members. This event will also feature a short performance and free ticket drawing and swag bag giveaway. Registration is not required.
- The John Okada Centennial: A Celebration of his Life and Work. From 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26. Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave.), Level 1 Auditorium. The author of the seminal Japanese American novel, “No-No Boy,” John Okada was born at the Merchants Hotel in Pioneer Square on September 22, 1923. We celebrate the centennial of his birth with a series of three programs. In this first one, Okada biographer Frank Abe presents still-unseen images and stories from Okada’s life, and novelist Shawn Wong shares the rediscovery and republication of “No-No Boy” and the story of Okada’s unfinished second novel. Moderated by Karen Maeda Allman. Presented in partnership with University of Washington Press and the North American Post, and supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation. Registration is required.
WRITING EVENTS AND BOOK CLUBS
- Virtual Writers Read. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 10. Online. Join us for a monthly reading series featuring an open mic and selected author readings from local writers. Registration is required.
- El Club Latino. From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave.), Level 4, Room 6. Únase al Club de Lectura de la Biblioteca Central. El libro de este mes es: "Niebla ardiente" de Laura Baeza. Join the Central Library Spanish Reading Club. This month's book is "Burning Fog" by Laura Baeza. This event will take place in Spanish.
- Write with Hugo House: Seattle Writes @ Fremont Branch. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12. Fremont Branch (731 N. 35th St.). A drop-in writing circle for adults of all experience levels. All genres of writing welcome. Registration is not required.
- Low Vision Book Group @ Central Library. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave.), Level 4 - Room 6. Join our Low Vision Book Group for a discussion of the book “This Tender Land" by William Kent Krueger. Registration is not required.
- Virtual It's About Time Writers' Reading Series. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. Online. The Ballard Branch welcomes the 406th meeting of the It's About Time Writers' Reading Series with readings by Danielle Hayden, Lana Hechtman Ayers, and Risa Denenberg.
MORE INFORMATION
The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.