GrubWrites

Lit Boston: What's Happening in December?

In the December 2020 edition of "Best of Boston," we bring you our top Boston lit events this month, taking place virtually. See below for our list of local literary happenings.

Virtual: A Room with a View: Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore and Jordy Rosenberg

Tuesday, December 1st at 6:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by BOMB Magazine

Join BOMB Magazine as they celebrate the forthcoming release of Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore’s new book, The Freezer Door, published by Semiotext(e). The evening will be hosted by the author of Confessions of the Fox, Jordy Rosenberg. RSVP here.

Virtual: Racing The Essay

Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by the Asian American Writers’ Workshop

Featuring longtime poets and fiction writers with debut essay collections out this year, this conversation will take an intersectional look at Asian American identity, genre, gender, race, publishing, and the way the essay form allows writers to dance, dodge, spar, and move through time and nature to tell important stories. Featuring Cathy Park Hong, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Sejal Shah, and moderated by Piyali Bhattacharya. RSVP here.

Virtual: Ann Goldstein in conversation with Crystal King

Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Belmont Books

Join Belmont Books and translator of Elena Ferrante's The Lying Life of Adults, Ann Goldstein, who will discuss the translation process with author Crystal King. RSVP here.

Virtual: Sam J. Miller with Andrea Hairston

Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 - $36.99

A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith

Join Brookline Booksmith as author Sam J. Miller launches The Blade Between, a ghostly novel of upstate New York, with Master of Poisons author Andrea Hairston. RSVP here.

Virtual: Karen M. McManus with Stephanie Garber, The Cousins

Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books

Join Porter Square Books for the virtual launch of the highly anticipated newest novel from bestselling author Karen M. McManus, The Cousins. Karen will be joined in conversation by Stephanie Garber (Caraval). This event takes place on Crowdcast, and is free and open to all. RSVP here.

GrubStreet’s Spring Remote Open House and Info Session

Wednesday, December 2nd at 5:30 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by GrubStreet

Love to write but don't have anywhere to get feedback on your work? Want to meet fellow writers and work under the guidance of published authors? GrubStreet is here to help! On Wednesday, December 2nd, we will be hosting a Remote Open House to talk about upcoming Spring 2021 classes! RSVP here.

Write Down the Street: Making Your Own Short Film with Zero Budget: Post-Production Tips (Remote)

Wednesday, December 2nd from 5:45 PM to 7:45 PM | Workshop Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by GrubStreet

As part of GrubStreet's Write Down the Street community program, writers based near the Egleston or Mattapan Branches of the Boston Public Library can take this drop-in class. It is often said that one can completely change their film around during post-production. During this session, we will discuss the powerful art of editing and you will leave with useful tips on how to edit your footage into a cohesive, impactful piece. Learn more and register here.

Virtual: Holiday Romance Panel With the Three Jennys

Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Belmont Books

Join Belmont Books for a Holiday Romance Panel with Jenny Bayliss, Jenny Holiday, and Jenny Colgan. Three Jennys from three different countries, three Christmas books, lots of fun and holiday cheer! RSVP here.

Virtual: Michael Holley: The Big Three

Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 - $28

A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith

Join Brookline Booksmith as author Michael Holley launches his book The Big Three: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and the Rebirth of the Boston Celtics. RSVP here.

Virtual: Becky Cooper: We Keep the Dead Close with Paige Williams

Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 - $37.50

A Virtual Event by Books Are Magic

Becky Cooper talks about her new book We Keep the Dead Close, in conversation with Paige Williams! RSVP here.

**Virtual: Lauren Wilkinson (American Spy) in conversation with Tiffany Griffin**

Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Proper Topper

American Spy author Lauren Wilkinson in conversation with foreign policy expert and trailblazer Tiffany Griffin, founder of Bright Black. RSVP here.

Virtual: The Last Sailor & The Wanting Was a Wilderness

Thursday, December 3rd at 6:00 PM | Event Fee: Donation

A Virtual Event by East End Books Ptown

Join East End Books Ptown as they welcome Sarah Anne Johnson (The Last Sailor) and Alden Jones (The Wanting was a Wilderness) for a riveting evening discussion with audience questions. RSVP here.

Virtual: Marie Myung-Ok Lee Launch, in conversation with Mary H.K. Choi

Thursday, December 3rd at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Belmont Books

Join Belmont Books as they celebrate the launch of Marie Myung-Ok Lee's book Finding My Voice, which she will discuss with Mary H.K. Choi, author of Permanent Record. RSVP here.

**Virtual: Rosanna Warren (So Forth) with Rachel Galvin**

Thursday, December 3rd at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by the Seminary Co-op Bookstores & the Program in Creative Writing at UChicago

Rosanna Warren discusses So Forth: Poems. She will be joined in conversation by Rachel Galvin. A Q&A will follow the discussion. RSVP here.

GrubStreet’s FREE Remote Happy Hour Writing Session

Friday, December 4th at 5:30 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by GrubStreet

Maximize that Friday feeling and kick off your writing weekend. Leave work behind on Friday, December 4th, from 5:30pm-6:30pm, grab a snack and/or your favorite after-work beverage, and log into GrubStreet Remote for some writing! In 60 jam-packed minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some great writing exercises. RSVP here.

Virtual: True Conversations with Yiyun Li

Sunday, December 6th at 4:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by The Mount-Edith Wharton's Home

Yiyun Li joins Heidi Pitlor for True Conversations, where Pitlor asks leading contemporary writers questions not typically asked to women writers. This is not your average book talk! RSVP here.

Virtual: Hafizah Geter & Ricardo Alberto Maldonado

Monday, December 7th at 8:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by The Poetry Project

Join The Poetry Project as they celebrate Hafizah Geter's Un-American and Ricardo Alberto Maldonado’s The Life Assignment, two works that trace the elements and sources of persistent inequity and state violence, while also mapping new visions for sovereignty and liberation. RSVP here.

Virtual: Christopher Golden Launch, in conversation with Alma Katsu

Tuesday, December 8th at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Belmont Books

Join Belmont Books for a great conversation between Christopher Golden and Alma Katsu as they celebrate the launch of Golden’s new book, Red Hands. RSVP here.

Virtual: Ernest Cline: Ready Player Two

Tuesday, December 8th at 7:30 PM | Event Fee: $39

A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith & the Wilbur Theatre

Join Brookline Booksmith and the Wilbur Theatre as author Ernest Cline returns to the world of Ready Player One with the dazzling sequel. The first 500 purchasers will receive a signed First Edition of Ready Player Two & a limited edition enamel pin. All ticket purchases after this cutoff will receive an unsigned copy of Ready Player Two. This is a one-night-only virtual event. It will not be recorded or posted online at any time after the event takes place. Register here.

GrubStreet’s FREE Remote Brown Bag Lunch Writing Session

Wednesday, December 9th at 12:30 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by GrubStreet

Looking for some virtual midweek writing community? Or do you have a schedule that gives you free afternoons instead of evenings? Join our FREE Brown Bag Lunch Writing Series live via easy to use video conferencing. For 45 minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some cool writing exercises. RSVP here.

Virtual: Doing the Work: Writers Coming Together in Times of Crisis

Wednesday, December 9th at 4:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by New York Foundation for the Arts and PEN America

Join the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and PEN America for a panel discussion with Ariana Brown, Francisco Gutierrez, and Marwa Helal, all of whom have been doing the work at this most critical time—whether through providing prompts, offering free workshops, or otherwise bringing writers together—to be moderated by Alejandro Heredia of PEN America. RSVP here.

Virtual: Margaret Randall in conversation with Lynne Elizabeth

Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Belmont Books

Join Belmont Books for a fascinating conversation between Margaret Randall and Lynne Elizabeth as they discuss Randall’s memoir My Life in 100 Objects. RSVP here.

Virtual: Our Words, Our Power – Activist Writing for Teens: With Maria Pinto

Thursday, December 10th from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Workshop Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by the Boston Public Library and GrubStreet

Marching and protesting are powerful and necessary ways to promote change, and writing has also been a force for change for centuries across the globe. Learn how to shape your outrage through writing that uncovers, explores, calls out, and spotlights issues that you want to advance in this world to make it better in this workshop with author Maria Pinto. Register here.

Virtual: Zerlina Maxwell in conversation with Karyn Miller-Medzon

Thursday, December 10th at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Belmont Books

Join Belmont Books for this amazing conversation between Zerlina Maxwell and Karyn Miller-Medzon as they discuss Maxwell’s book The End of White Politics. RSVP here.

GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator Remote Open House

Saturday, December 12th at 11:00 AM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by GrubStreet

Interested in taking your novel to the next level? Join us for an informal Q&A session on our Novel Incubator program. Instructor Michelle Hoover will answer any questions you have about the Novel Incubator program. We'll give you all the information you need to know about the application process, what the program entails, the schedule, the philosophy behind our approach, and anything else on your mind. RSVP here.

Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): FREE Saturday Sessions for Teens

Saturday, December 12th from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM | Workshop Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by GrubStreet

If you love storytelling, have always wanted to write a novel, and are keen to turn off that inner editor who might be holding you back, then sign up for NaNoWriMo: YAWP Edition. If you want to explore basic elements of screenwriting, as well as understand the stages of a film production, then sign up for Storytelling Through Film. If you’re looking to bring your unique experiences and emotions to your writing, then sign up for Zero to Slam Poet! Learn more and register here.

Virtual: Book Chat - Parable of the Sower

Saturday, December 12th at 5:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by PRONTO

Book Chat is a mini-series in which Kathryn H. Ross discusses inspiring works of literature and their influence on race, culture, and writing. In this episode, Kathryn H. Ross focuses on Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. RSVP here.

COUNTERpult: A Roots. Wounds. Words. End of Year Storyteller Showcase

Saturday, December 12th at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: Donation

A Virtual Event by Roots. Wounds. Words.

Featuring some of today's best emerging and established poets & writers, the COUNTERpult Storyteller Showcase is an end-of-year celebration that places on the mainstage OUR storytelling traditions. All proceeds raised from this sacred container will be used to support Roots. Wounds. Words. literary arts pedagogy, publication and performance opportunities for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+POC, and justice-involved storytellers. RSVP here.

Virtual: Author Talk with Christina Baker Kline

Tuesday, December 15th at 6:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by The Friends of the North Castle Public Library

The Friends of the North Castle Public Library welcomes Christina Baker Kline who will talk about her book The Exiles. RSVP here.

Virtual: Lev Grossman

Wednesday, December 16th at 6:30 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Belmont Books

Join Belmont Books for an exciting event with Lev Grossman, author of the Magicians trilogy, to hear about his middle-grade book, The Silver Arrow. RSVP here.

Virtual: Carol Hay in conversation with Shelby Devlin

Thursday, December 17th at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0

A Virtual Event by Belmont Books

Join Belmont Books for a fascinating conversation with Carol Hay, in conversation with Shelby Devlin, about Carol's book, Think Like a Feminist: The Philosophy Behind the Revolution. RSVP here.