Presented in partnership with ASU Open Door as a public extension of the Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference, the Desert Nights, Rising Stars Literary Fair features over 20 talks, readings, and performances from authors, publishers, and other organizations from all over the Southwest.
Friday's programs take place inside the Piper Writers House. Exhibitors will be set up on the front lawn of Old Main. All events and activities are open to the public and free. You do not need to register for the conference in order to attend.
To view Friday's schedule, use the side menu or the view below. You can also view the full schedule, meet our exhibitors, RSVP for the fair or become an exhibitor yourself.
To learn more about the Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference, you can visit the conference page.
Join the graduate students of Arizona State University's Creative Writing program for a mixed-genre reading of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.
While encouraged, RSVPs are purely for the purposes of monitoring attendance, gauging interest, and communicating information about parking, directions, and other aspects of the event. You do not have to register or RSVP to attend this event. This event is open to the public and free.
Red Hen Press presents a reading from poet, editor and librettist Kate Gale at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 22, 2019.
Red Hen Press presents a reading from poet Douglas Manuel on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
While encouraged, RSVPs are purely for the purposes of monitoring attendance, gauging interest, and communicating information about parking, directions, and other aspects of the event. You do not have to register or RSVP to attend this event. This event is open to the public and free.
Join mentors and mentees from the Piper Center's Volta student programs for a mixed-genre reading of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. Mentors and mentees are graduate and undergradute students in Arizona State University's Creative Writing Program. In addition reading, students will be on hand to share their experiences in the creative writing and mentoring programs.
So you've written your book. How do you navigate the everchanging flow of the publishing world? Join local authors Susan Stoltz and Hayley Rose for "Up the Amazon River Without a Paddle," a talk about selling your book on Amazon.com on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. In this talk, Stoltz and Rose will share tips, tricks, and basic knowledge they've learned working as independent authors and publishers, as well as practical advice and expectations for making the most out of online sales.
Join editors and contributors from The Literary Review (TLR) for "The TLR Share Project," a mixed reading of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Published since 1957, The Literary Review (TLR) publishes the best new fiction, poetry, and prose from a broad community of international writers and translators, both emerging and established, whose commonality is literary quality and urgency of voice and artistic conviction. It is this genuine community of readers, writers, and publishers that distinguishes us.
Join Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference Fellow María Luisa Arroya for a reading from Destierro Means More than Exile, a collection of poems in Spanish and English, on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 3:30 p.m.
Local author Howard Gershkowitz shares The Operator, a novel of literary fiction with elements of science fiction and mystery, at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 22, 2019. In addition to readings, Gershkowitz will also discuss his creative and research processes.
While encouraged, RSVPs are purely for the purposes of monitoring attendance, gauging interest, and communicating information about parking, directions, and other aspects of the event. You do not have to register or RSVP to attend this event. This event is open to the public and free.
Join Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference Fellow Mike Conklin for a reading from Transfer U, a novel of fiction parodying college basketball and academia, on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.
Independent publishing can be both terrifying and exhilarating. Join local author and publisher Kay Hartford for her talk, "Going Indie" on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Hartford will discuss the skills, mindset, and expectations one should have for producing a book and finding readers—editing, design, marketing, and more—and will also explore what it means to be a 'real' author.
When you think of Las Vegas, your mind might not immediately land on poetry. However, the neon city brims with literary talent. Join authors from Tolsun Books and other presses for "Off Duty Elvis," a reading by Las Vegas poets on Friday, February 23, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. Featuring Jennifer Battisti, Heather Lang Cassera, and Elizabeth Quiñones-Zaldaña.
