Get the latest in news from BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke in the Phase 1 Newsletter. Reading lists, virtual events, podcast episode directory, poems from local poets, desert island reads and more.
Author: Douglas Charles Jackson
Roanoke VA based writer and community coach.
★ More homegrown poetry for National Poetry Month from RoCo Public Library
Here are more links to poems from local poets in Roanoke Public Library's celebration of National Poetry Month. The project is spearheaded by Sarah Vecere at the Glenvar branch. "Poetry can be a voice of wisdom, comfort, and unity in troubling times," says Vecere. "It's an especially good time to share poetry that is uplifting or… Continue reading ★ More homegrown poetry for National Poetry Month from RoCo Public Library
★ RoCo Public Library celebrates National Poetry Month with local poets on YouTube
Get your fill of local poetry with special YouTube videos featuring local poets reading their work. The project has been spearheaded by Sarah Vecere at the Glenvar branch. "Poetry can be a voice of wisdom, comfort, and unity in troubling times," says Vecere. "It's an especially good time to share poetry that is uplifting or hopeful… Continue reading ★ RoCo Public Library celebrates National Poetry Month with local poets on YouTube
★ Reading RoCo gathers book lovers virtually – PRIDE AND PREJUDICE April 27
Roanoke County Public Library is offering a virtual book discussion series, and the first book will be Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Shake the dust off your copy or check out a copy from OverDrive with the Libby app. Join neighbors online on Monday, April 27 at 7 PM for the conversation. Sign up by… Continue reading ★ Reading RoCo gathers book lovers virtually – PRIDE AND PREJUDICE April 27
★ Bender writing workshop to benefit Feeding Southwest Virginia
Novelist and short story writer Karen E. Bender will offer an online creative writing workshop in support of area feeding efforts on April 25th. The workshop will focus on writing sensory detail and will take place from 2 to 3:30 PM. The workshop will benefit Feeding Southwest Virginia, an organization founded in 1981 to fight… Continue reading ★ Bender writing workshop to benefit Feeding Southwest Virginia
★ Kris Spisak on the podcast: Empowerment in the editing process (Episode 2.11)
Roanoke native Kris Spisak writes, edits, and coaches writers through professional services, a podcast, a blog, two books, and creative workshops. In this conversation with BOOK CITY Roanoke's Douglas Jackson, Spisak discusses the thought process, common mistakes made by beginning writers, why grammar matters, and how it just might be fun. "Everyone has a voice… Continue reading ★ Kris Spisak on the podcast: Empowerment in the editing process (Episode 2.11)
★ Bestselling author Roland Lazenby captures human stories
Salem-based sports journalist Roland Lazenby is the author of numerous books, including the best-selling Michael Jordan, The Life, a biography of the basketball star published by Little, Brown in 2014. It has subsequently been translated into 15 languages and remains an evergreen best-seller among basketball books. Other works include Showboat, The Life Of Kobe Bryant, also published… Continue reading ★ Bestselling author Roland Lazenby captures human stories
★ April is National Poetry Month
Now's a great time for some poetry. April is National Poetry Month, and while our gatherings might have been reduced, there are a lot of great ways to share and even create poetry together remotely. Here's NPR Poet-in-Residence Kwame Alexander's crowd sourced poem "Social Distance" Check out NPM resources at the Academy of American Poets,… Continue reading ★ April is National Poetry Month
★ Behind the scenes at Book No Further with Doloris Vest (Podcast Episode 2.10)
In the most recent podcast episode, we caught up with Doloris Vest, proprietor of Book No Further, the independent book store on Roanoke's historic city market to get a glimpse behind the scenes. She talks about the area reading community, the strength of local authors, the support of Southern Independent Booksellers Association, and most recently… Continue reading ★ Behind the scenes at Book No Further with Doloris Vest (Podcast Episode 2.10)
★ THE REVIVALIST’s Mark Lynn Ferguson: Roanoke in the Appalachian South (Podcast episode 2.9)
Celebrating 10 years of "Word from the Appalachian South," The Revivalist's Mark Lynn Ferguson reflects on Appalachian craft, food and literature in a conversation with BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke's Douglas Jackson. Ferguson is co-owner of Crafteria in downtown Roanoke. The vendor-filled space celebrates contemporary makers of Southern Appalachia craft and includes a retail presence for… Continue reading ★ THE REVIVALIST’s Mark Lynn Ferguson: Roanoke in the Appalachian South (Podcast episode 2.9)
BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke 