TUESDAY
(Photo: Courtesy of The Prose Bowl)
The Prose Bowl XII
July 19, 6:30pm at Pete’s Candy Store, 709 Lorimer Street at Richardson Street, Williamsburg.
The Prose Bowl (billed as “one part literature, one part bloodsport, one part American Idol”) is a sort-of nerdy battle royale for writers to win fame, glory, recognition… or just a free drink. On the third Tuesday of each month, four writers compete to see who has the best short story. Since it’s an open-mic affair, the writers’s names are randomly picked from a hat beforehand and are then subjected to the scrutiny of a panel and the audience. Each story is about five minutes long, and can include poetry or prose. Then there’s the lightning round, where the panel picks two of the competing writers, who then have to come up with quick stories, after which a winner is selected. It’s rowdy, it’s fun, it’s often hilarious, and it’s during happy hour, if you need any other incentives.
WEDNESDAY
(Photo: Courtesy of Housing Works)
Listen To Me with Hannah Pittard, Kaitlyn Greenidge, Kathleen Donohue, Liz Moore & Arianna Rebolini
July 20, 7pm at Housing Works Bookstore, 126 Crosby Street.
Hannah Pittard will be reading from her new novel Listen To Me, which puts a chilling twist on your typical road trip novel. A married couple on the rocks confronts stranger danger and their own deep secrets as they’re stuck together in a remote roadside inn during an upcoming storm that disrupts their travels. Pittard will be joined in conversation by Kaitlyn Greenidge (We Love You, Charlie Freeman), Kathleen Donohue (Ashes of Fiery Weather), and Liz Moore (The Unseen World). The panel will be moderated by Arianna Rebolini, who is the senior editor at BuzzFeed.
(Photo: Courtesy of Strand Bookstore)
Sarah Anderson: ADULTHOOD IS A MYTH
July 20, 7pm at Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway at 12th Street.
Sarah Anderson is well-known for her hilarious, adorable, and 100-percent-accurate depictions of modern adulthood and womanhood. Her webcomics tackle everything from body image issues, procrastination, crippling self-consciousness, relationships, and the day-to-day struggles of simply trying to function as this weird thing known as an “adult.” Her first book, which is a collection of these comics, portray relatable dilemmas such as the guilt of staying in all weekend in front of a laptop despite spectacular weather, being rendered completely useless every time a gorgeous object of affection walks by, and trying to make intelligent choices at the supermarket and spending $50 on chips, wine, and ice cream instead. At Wednesday’s reading, Anderson will talk about the inspiration for her character and her stories, and her own struggles with modern young adulthood. $14.99 will get you admission and a signed copy of the book.
SATURDAY
(Photo: Courtesy of GAMBAzine)
Summer Writes with Nomadic Press and GAMBA Magazine at The Hollows
July 23, 5pm at The Hollows, 151 Bedford Avenue at N 9th Street, Williamsburg.
Nomadic Press and GAMBA Magazine are getting together this Saturday to present an evening filled with various writers and poets who will be presenting their work through spoken word, music, visual installations, and a host of other styles. Sound artist Jon Eckhaus will be adding sound effects to each of the readings, and The Hollow’s new outdoor space, where the readings will take place, will also have performances by saxophone players, acoustic guitarists, singer-songwriters, and more. After the reading, which finishes at 8pm, there will be an after-party at Hell Phone (247 Varet Street), which will continue with a number of musical performances.