Lit Boston: What's Happening in November?
In the November 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: Roxane Gay, Tracy Lynne Oliver, and Rebecca Kirby, Sacrifice of Darkness
Monday, November 2nd, at 8:30 PM | Event Fee: $0 - $5 contribution
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a late night launch with Roxane Gay, Tracy Lynne Oliver and Rebecca Kirby for the release of their new graphic novel adaptation of Gay's short story, The Sacrifice of Darknes. This event is hosted on Crowdcast, and is free to attend. RSVP here.
Write Down the Street: Making Your Own Short Film with Zero Budget: Into Production (Remote)
Tuesday, November 3rd 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. In this session, we will discuss tips and considerations in directing, capturing imagery for your story, creating a shot list and recording audio. Learn more and register here.
Virtual: Tamara Payne on The Dead are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X
Thursday, November 5th, at 5:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by the Boston Public Library
Join the Boston Public Library together with the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Museum of African American History, and the GBH Forum Network for another virtual event in the American Stories, Inspiration Today author series. Learn about the epic biography produced from 30 years of research by the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne. RSVP here.
Virtual: Hafizah Geter in conversation with Tayari Jones
Thursday, November 5th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a wonderful conversation between Hafizah Geter and Tayari Jones about Hafizah's new book Un-American. RSVP here.
Virtual Event: Susannah R. Drissi
Thursday, November 5th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes award-winning poet, critic, and translator Susannah R. Drissi for a discussion of her debut novel, Until We're Fish. She will be joined in conversation by fellow poet Richard Blanco, author of the acclaimed poetry collection How to Love a Country. RSVP here.
Virtual: Where the Magic Carries Us with Emily X. R. Pan, Nova Ren Suma & Contributors
Thursday, November 5th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 - $5 contribution
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a virtual event with editors of new anthology Foreshadow Emily X. R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma, in conversation with contributors Linda Cheng, Nora Elghazzawi and Maya Prasad. Free and open to all and hosted on Crowdcast. RSVP here.
Virtual: Confessions of the Fox, a conversation with Jordy Rosenberg & Susan Stryker
Thursday, November 5th, at 8:30 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Mills Performing Arts
Jordy Rosenberg, author of the breakout novel, Confessions of the Fox, will be in conversation with Susan Stryker. This event is presented by We Are The Voices, the Mills College Trans Studies Speaker Series, and Contemporary Writers Series. RSVP here.
Virtual: Live, Write Workshop for Writers of Color with Poet Mai Der Vang
Saturday, November 7th, at 1:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Live, Write
This is an online poetry workshop for anyone interested in the literary expression of the lived experiences of communities of color. Come join in on this one-day Zoom discussion and writing in poetry, facilitated by poet Mai Der Vang, author of Afterland and instructor at Fresno State. Participants will produce and share their own creative writing during this workshop. This workshop is limited to 35 participants only. After you RSVP to the event, a Zoom link will be emailed before the event.
Virtual Event: Jubi Arriola-Headley
Friday, November 6th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes acclaimed poet Jubi Arriola-Headley for a discussion of his debut poetry collection, original kink. He will be joined in conversation with Allison Adair, creative writing professor at Boston College and author of the award-winning poetry collection The Gathering. RSVP here.
Write Down the Street: Grief & Beauty (Remote)
Monday, November 9th from 12:00 PM to 1:30 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. In this ninety-minute class, we will write our way through these questions and more in order to more fully understand ourselves, each other, and how we experience grief and beauty in this world. Learn more and register here.
Virtual Event: Claire Willis and Marnie Crawford Samuelson
Monday, November 9th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 - $27
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Claire Willis and Marnie Crawford Samuelson discuss their new book Opening to Grief, in conjunction with Brookline Booksmith. RSVP here.
Monday, November 9th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes Barry C. Lynn — Founder and CEO of the Open Markets Institute and author of the book End of the Line: The Rise and Coming Fall of the Global Corporation — for a discussion of his latest book, Liberty from All Masters: The New American Autocracy vs. the Will of the People. He will be joined in conversation by Zephyr Teachout, Associate Law Professor at Fordham Law School. RSVP here.
Virtual: Alison Jean Lester and Mary Ann Frye in conversation with Leah Hager Cohen
Tuesday, November 10th, at 6:30 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for the U.S. launch of Alison Jean Lester's new book, Absolutely Delicious: A Chronicle of Extraordinary Dying, as she, and illustrator Mary Ann Frye, discuss it with author Leah Hager Cohen. RSVP here.
Wednesday, November 11th, at 5:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes Martin Puchner — the Byron and Anita Wien Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Harvard University and author of The Written World — for a discussion of his latest book, The Language of Thieves: My Family's Obsession with a Secret Code the Nazis Tried to Eliminate. He will be joined in conversation by fellow Harvard professor Maya Jasanoff, author of the award-winning book The Dawn Watch: Joseph Conrad in a Global World. RSVP here.
Virtual: African American Language, Black Women, & the Teaching of Writing
Wednesday, November 11th, at 5:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by The Center for Literary and Comparative Studies at University of Maryland
The University of Maryland Center for Literary and Comparative Studies is sponsoring a year-long linked series of events, "Antiracism: Research • Teaching • Public Engagement," that support and act upon the statements of solidarity for Black Lives Matter issued by the Department, College, and University. RSVP here.
Virtual: Alan Shayne in conversation with Christopher Castellani
Wednesday, November 11th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books as Alan Shayne discusses his new book The Rain May Pass with author Christopher Castellani (Leading Men). RSVP here.
Wednesday, November 11th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $32 (Book included)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store and Harvard Hillel welcome writer Nicole Krauss — author of the acclaimed, bestselling novels The History of Love and Forest Dark — for a discussion of her widely anticipated story collection, To Be a Man. RSVP here.
Virtual: Author Talk With Leah Johnson, Author of You Should See Me In a Crown
Thursday, November 12th, at 4:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by the Boston Public Library
Join the Boston Public Library for a Zoom author talk with debut author Leah Johnson, whose YA novel You Should See Me in A Crown is the first young adult book picked for Reese Witherspoon's book club. RSVP here.
Virtual: The Phil Lind Initiative Presents: Ibram X. Kendi
Thursday, November 12th, at 6:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
Join Ibram X. Kendi, National Book award-winning author, as part of UBC's 2020 Phil Lind Initiative on “Thinking While Black.” RSVP here.
Virtual: Alena Dillon in conversation with Alison McGhee
Thursday, November 12th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a great discussion between Alena Dillon and Alison McGhee about Alena's book, Mercy House, which is in development as a CBS All Access TV series. RSVP here.
Virtual: Red Ink Series: Choices
Thursday, November 12th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Books Are Magic and Literary Hub
Books Are Magic and Literary Hub present Red Ink Series: Choices, featuring Eula Biss, emily m. danforth, Danielle Evans, Christa Parravani, and Sejal Shah, moderated by Michele Filgate. RSVP here.
Free Happy Hour Writing Session (Remote)
Friday, November 13th, 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, November 13th, from 5:30pm-6:30pm, grab a snack and/or your favorite after-work beverage, and log into GrubStreet Remote for some writing! RSVP here.
Friday, November 13th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes award-winning writer Becky Cooper — author of Mapping Manhattan: A Love (and Sometimes Hate) Story in Maps by 75 New Yorkers — for a discussion of her latest book, We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence. She will be joined in conversation by Patrick Radden Keefe, staff writer at the New Yorker and author of the National Book Critics Circle Award–winning book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. RSVP here.
Virtual: Kirun Kapur, Rachel DeWoskin, and Rosanna Warren - A Night of Poetry
Tuesday, November 17th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a night of poetry, with authors Kirun Kapur, Rachel DeWoskin, and Rosanna Warren as they read from their latest books. RSVP here.
Virtual Event: R.F. Kuang with Ken Liu
Tuesday, November 17th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $27 - $35 (Book included)
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
R.F. Kuang, in conversation with Ken Liu, launches The Burning God — the final book in the Poppy War Series. The first hundred tickets sold will come with a bookplate signed by R.F. Kuang. RSVP here.
Virtual: Poetry Reading and Discussion for "Call & Response: Structures"
Tuesday, November 17th, at 7:30 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Fenwick Gallery
Join Fenwick Gallery for a poetry reading and discussion with the poets participating in "Call & Response: Structures," on view at George Mason University. This event is presented as part of the Fall for the Book Festival. Learn more about the exhibition and view works online through the Fenwick Gallery website. RSVP here.
Free Brown Bag Lunch Writing Series (Remote)
Wednesday, November 18th, 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 GrubStreet on Wednesday, November 18th from 12:30pm-1:15pm. For 45 minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some cool writing exercises. RSVP here.
Virtual: Gabrielle Calvocoressi and Maya Phillips - Night of Poetry
Wednesday, November 18th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a night of poetry with authors Gabrielle Calvocoressi and Maya Phillips reading from their latest books. RSVP here.
Virtual: Welcoming Rage, Peace, & Joy in Our Writing with Instructor Dzidzor Azalgo (For Teens Only)
Thursday, November 19th from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Workshop Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by the Boston Public Library and GrubStreet
When life piles on the stresses, it’s hard to find stable and steady ground with our emotions and feelings. Teen writers, take a creative writing break with writer Dzidzor Azalgo and learn tips on using journal writing to express, emote, reflect, and vent feelings. Use creative writing to journey through embracing our rage, peace, and joy in the midst of uncertainty. Register here.
Virtual: Poetry for Black Lives: A Reading and Conversation
Thursday, November 19th, at 6:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by the Boston Public Library
Lesley University MFA Program in Creative Writing, the Boston Public Library, and the Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture present Poetry for Black Lives: A Reading and Conversation, which showcases contemporary elegies and critical ruminations from the recent volume Revisiting the Elegy in the Black Lives Matter Era (Routledge, 2020). RSVP here.
Virtual: Kristin Bair in conversation with Virginia Pye
Thursday, November 19th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a great conversation between Kristin Bair, author of Agatha Arch Is Afraid of Everything, and Virginia Pye, author of Shelf Life of Happiness. RSVP here.
Virtual: J.M. Hirsch, Shake Strain Done
Friday, November 20th, at 7:00 PM | Event Fee: $0 - $5 contribution
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a virtual cocktail hour with Milk Street's editorial director, J.M. Hirsch, and raise a glass to his new book Shake Strain Done. Revolutionize the way you drink at home with simple recipes and common ingredients. This event is free and open to all, and is hosted on Crowdcast. RSVP here.
Virtual: Fraser Valley Literary Festival
Friday, November 20th - Saturday, November 21st | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by University of the Fraser Valley - College of Arts
This two-day virtual Fraser Valley Literary Festival includes talks on writing and literature with some of Canada's most exciting voices. Keynote speakers include Andrea Warner (Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized Biography), David A. Robertson (The Evolution of Alice), and Amanda Leduc (Disfigured). RSVP here.
Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): FREE Saturday Sessions for Teens
Saturday, November 21st 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’re a young writer tired of watching the world go to sh*t, join us during this session of explorating activist poetry. If you dream of a tomorrow that reflects the richness of our plurality, join us in examining the work of imagining optimistic futures in engagement with Afrofuturist traditions and the emerging genre of Solarpunk. Learn more and register here.
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