The 2015 Northern Arizona Book Festival: Return of the Writer is fast approaching! Check out the schedule below and attend as many of these awesome events in Flagstaff as you can…

Mon, Sept. 7
Narrow Chimney Reading
The Viola Award-winning series kicks off the week
Featuring Susan Briante, Farid Matuk and Jesse Valencia
7–8 p.m.
Uptown Pubhouse, 114 N. Leroux St.

Tue, Sept. 8
The Peaks and Valleys of Being a Small Scale Book Publisher:
Tom Martin and Hazel Clark (Vishnu Press Editors) discuss book publishing.
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Uptown Pubhouse, 114 N. Leroux St.

Tue, Sept. 8
Poet’s Den
Hosted by Molly Wood, this bi-monthly celebration of the written word spotlights the life and work of a celebrated author with an open reading of their collective works. All are encouraged to read. Rumi will be the featured poet this evening.
7:30–9 p.m.
Uptown Pubhouse, 114 N. Leroux St.

Tue, Sept. 8
Author Tom Martin will present on Otis “Dock” Marston’s From Powell To Power: A Recounting of the First One Hundred River Runners through the Grand Canyon. This presentation includes historic film footage of Marston and other river runners from the 1940s through the 1960s. Martin will touch on who Dock Marston was, and look at some of the highlights of Marston’s review of the First 100 Grand Canyon river runners. Book sales will benefit the Friends of the Flagstaff Public Library.
7–8:30 p.m.
Flagstaff Public Library (downtown), 300 W. Aspen Ave.

Wed, Sept. 9
The Bard at the Bar
Northern Arizona University Emeritus Professor, Loren Reser discusses King Lear. This pubhouse lecture is sponsored by Northern Arizona University’s College of Arts & Letters.
6–7 p.m.
Uptown Pubhouse, 114 N. Leroux St.

Wed, Sept. 9
Firecreek Poetry Slam
Literary dynamo John Quinonez hosts this lively poetry slam.
Sign up at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
Firecreek Coffee Co., 22 E. Rte. 66

Thu, Sept. 10
Uncontrollable Elements: Writing Workshop with Lydia Paar
In this workshop, participants will discuss how identity is shaped in the world and how we as writers can mimic this process in how we approach our fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Following a lecture on “uncontrollable elements” and surprise, writers will be directed to write on a series of mutually-invented prompts, using the idea of a “surrender box” to bring out the hidden or subconscious behavioral tendencies, motives, desires and fears of their characters (or, if writing poetry, of their own “mind as character”). Writers should be willing to share their compositions and discuss the differences in what is revealed by each writer’s unique characters and interests, as well as how to move the action of narratives forward to defining “hingepoint” climactic moments.
5–6 p.m.
Firecreek Coffee Co., 22 E Rte. 66

Thu, Sept. 10
The Bitsui Open Mic
Visionary writer and editor Eric Bitsui hosts this open mic.
8 p.m.
Firecreek Coffee Co., 22 E. Rte. 66

Fri, Sept. 11
The Return of the Writer Reading
Readings followed by book signings from Chelsea Burden, Emma Canning, Nicole Walker, Shonto Begay and Alberto Rios.
7–9 p.m.
Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen

Sat, Sept. 12
Writing From Place
Mary Sojourner, author of the novel 29 and memoir Solace: Rituals of Loss and Desire, will lead a two hour hands-on writing workshop in Buffalo Park. “Most of my writing has begun from a place on this earth—a Mojave wash, a Utah canyon, a desert river, a midnight city street or dawn highway.” In the workshop, writers will work with experiencing Place as a multiple-sense, three dimensional reality, then bring the Place through in their writing. Paper and something to write with, and the willingness to leave behind one’s preconceptions about writing are required.
10 a.m.–noon
Buffalo Park, 2400 N. Gemini Road

Sat, Sept. 12
Long Lasting Legacy of Jim Simmerman: Jim Simmerman Tribute and Discussion.
Simmerman Literary Executor, James Jay leads this tribute of Simmerman’s colleagues and students, including Terry Wilson, Jesse Sensibar and Erin Stalcup.
10–11 a.m.
Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen
Sat, Sept. 12
Writing for Children: A Mini-Workshop
Children’s author and Professor Monica Brown will offer a short workshop on the craft (and business) of writing for children. This workshop will pack a great deal of information into a short time, giving a unique perspective on writing and publishing in this genre, from picture-books to chapter books to middle-grade and (slightly) beyond. Depending on size, Monica will offer feedback on a few specific pitches at the end of the workshop.
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Uptown Pubhouse, 114 N. Leroux St.

Sat, Sept. 12
BOOK RELEASE EVENT: GOING DOWN GRAND: Poems from the Canyon.
A gathering of poets whose work appears in the just-published Lithic Press anthology will share their canyon-centered words. Scheduled to read are Thea Gavin from Orange, Calif., Rick Kempa from Wyoming, Janet Eigner from Santa Fe, N.M., Ryn Gargulinski from Tucson, and northern Arizona poets Ann Weiler Walka, Heidi Blankenship and Seth Muller.
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen

Sat, Sept. 12
Reading and Book Signing:
Authors Warren Perkins, Emily Regan, and Laura Walker read their latest.
1–2 p.m.
Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen
Sat, Sept. 12
Letter from Home Reading:
Flag Live’s Letter from Home columnists Tony Norris, Laura Kelly and Darcy Falk read their latest work.
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen

Sat, Sept. 12
Waxwing Authors Reading and Book Signing: Caitlin Horrocks and W. Todd Kaneko.
4–5 p.m.
Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen

Sat, Sept. 12
Reading and Book Signing: Kama Shockey, Stephanie Balzer, Orlando White, Melanie Madden, Bill Wetzel, Ian Ellasante, Eddie Chuculate and Denise Chavez.
7–9 p.m.
Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen

Sun, Sept. 13
The Literacy Volunteers Reading
Hosted by Davey Latour and Ian Keirsey of Barley Rhymes, this reading will feature poems and performances written by TLC’s very own learners and volunteers, as well as members of Flagstaff’s growing literary scene. Attendees will also learn about programs and volunteer opportunities that TLC has to offer. Please come and join us in the effort to raise awareness for adult literacy education.
11 a.m.–noon
Firecreek Coffee Co., 22 E. Rte. 66

Sun, Sept. 13
Waxwing Literary Publishing and Diversity Workshop
Featuring Waxwing Co-Editors Todd Kaneko, Erin Stalcup and Justin Bigos.
This panel-style workshop will feature Waxwing magazine’s co-editors, who will discuss the online landscape of literary publishing, focusing on the issue of cultural inclusivity. The editors will also invite questions and conversations from audience members.
Noon–1 p.m.
Uptown Pubhouse,114 N. Leroux St.

Sun, Sept. 13
William E. Cordiero and Megan Coe Present the Eggtooth Editions Reading
Eggtooth Editions will be unveiling their inaugural chapbook contest for any genre of writing. Contest deadline is December 15th; see eggtootheditions.tumblr.com for more information or come by this event to find out more. This event will feature readings by two of the contest judges, Tacey M. Atsitty and Cybele Knowles.

2–3 p.m.
Firecreek Coffee Co., 22 E. Rte. 66

Sun, Sept. 13
Northern Arizona Book Festival Board Members Reading
At Starrlight Books, the longest running independent book seller in northern Arizona, Jesse Sensibar, Nicole Walker, Andrew Wisniewski, Bonnie Estes and James Jay read some of the literary work that inspires them.
Come by and enjoy some literature and meet the board.
3–4 p.m.
Starrlight Books, 15 N. Leroux St.

Sun, Sept. 13
The Thin Air Magazine Open Mic
Northern Arizona University’s award winning Thin Air magazine hosts this eclectic open mic.
4–6 p.m.
Firecreek Coffee Co., 22 E. Rte. 66