Our things literary.
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
The exploration of Identity and Action continues with Writer Jeanne Larsen. With the poet, novelist, and essayist we explore how the written word shapes our sense of self and how we put that into work in the world around us. "You need to find the words that put who you are as you perceive yourself out… Continue reading ★ On writing and the word constructs we are, with Jeanne Larsen, writer (Podcast Episode 1.10)
Identity and Action: We continue our exploration of how the written word shapes our sense of self and how we put that into work in the world around us with a conversation with City of Roanoke Vice Mayor Joe Cobb. In this episode Joe discusses three books that weave through his way of being. We… Continue reading ★ Creating the space for ourselves and others with Vice Mayor Joe Cobb (Podcast Episode 1.9)
A conversation with the thoughtful and prolific Cathryn Hankla adds to our collective thinking around Identity and Action. In this season in the podcast, we're taking a look at our engagement with the written word—how it shapes our sense of self and how we put that into action in the world around us. Cathryn Hankla… Continue reading ★ Cathryn Hankla on roaming with the self through books and LOST PLACES (Podcast Episode 1.5)
Identity and Action: A conversation with Star City Reads' Marissa Mazek Blankinship continues season one of the BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke podcast. This season, we're taking a look at our engagement with the written word—how it shapes our sense of self and how we put that into action in the world around us. What we read,… Continue reading ★ I might as well be hugging a book: Star City Reads’ Marissa Mazek Blankinship (Podcast Episode 1.4)
Every summer, friendly seeming faces pop up on the Hollins campus. Some are those of returning students in the Children’s Literature and Children's Book Illustration Program. (The first program of its kind hosts writers, illustrators, teachers and lovers of children’s literature in a corner of the bucolic campus every summer.) As Tinker Creek tinkles… Continue reading ★ Familiar characters visit Hollins campus
Nothing seems to turn out as expected for the protagonist of The Substitution Order (Knopf, 2019). Roanoke attorney Kevin Moore has been disbarred. His wife has left him—with good cause. He's working at a Patrick County sandwich shop, "a Subway knockoff called SUBstitution," which sounds like rock bottom, but he's still got further to fall: he's being… Continue reading ★ Martin Clark brings THE SUBSTITUTION ORDER July 12th
Roanoke Arts and Culture Coordinator Susan Jennings is retiring at the end of July. She was the first person to take on the role, and indeed, it was built for her. Formerly the executive director of the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, Susan made the move from Arts Commission member to City staff member… Continue reading ★ Art for Everyone: Susan Jennings’ lasting impact
Erika Joyner is an active community building presence in the Roanoke Valley. A native of New York, Joyner has worked in a variety of efforts to create a just and equitable society through anti-war, anti-racism, and cooperative efforts in Detroit and Virginia. A transgender woman, she's been in Roanoke for seven years. During that time,… Continue reading ★ Erika Joyner on the Power of Women Poetry Presence
Being a real fan of something can make life a much richer experience. You study it and learn its intricacies. It's an opening to new worlds. Then when you get together with other like-minded folks, things really start to happen. The energy is infectious. We learn from each other in a common bond. Understanding leaps.… Continue reading ★ On pace with Blue Hippo Poetry Club’s Sam Lafaye
BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke 