April 2022 Author Events and Community Dialogues Hosted in Person and Online by The Seattle Public Library
release date: April 1, 2022
The Seattle Public Library’s author programs, book discussions and community dialogues this April feature a wide range of authors and topics.
Three April events will be held at the Central Library’s Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium: Reyna Grande on April 12, Emily St. John Mandel on April 18, and Nicola Griffith on April 27. They are marked with an asterisk (**) below.
As these are the first in-person events at the Library since March 2020, some safety precautions are in place. Attendance at the in-person events will be limited to 50% of the auditorium’s capacity (125 people). Mask use, although not required, is strongly encouraged. More information about Library safety precautions can be found below.
The events will also be livestreamed via Zoom. Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance; check the event description at spl.org/Calendar for registration and links.
EVENTS SCHEDULE
- From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 7. One Second of Hate: A Story of Forgiveness – online. At this virtual event, Rais Bhuiyan, founder of the nonprofit World Without Hate, will deliver a presentation about what happened after he was shot by a white supremacist during a killing spree in Texas shortly after 9/11. The attacker had been hunting for “Arabs” and perceived Muslims, though not one of his victims turned out to be from the Middle East. Remarkably, not only did Bhuiyan forgive his attacker, but he also spent months trying to save him from death row. Part of the ‘Words, Writers & Southwest Stories’ series.
- From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 7. Local Author Reading with Calvin Gimpelevich and Chris Vargas – online. Join us for this virtual event featuring Calvin Gimpelevich and Chris E. Vargas reading and discussing trans/queer reinterpretations of historical figures. Calvin Gimpelevich is the author of "Invasions," as well as an NEA Fellow and the recipient of a Lambda Literary Award. Chris E. Vargas is a video maker and interdisciplinary artist.
- From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 10. Virtual Writers Read -- online. Join us at this virtual event monthly reading series featuring an open mic and selected author readings from local writers. This program is presented in partnership with African-American Writers' Alliance on the second Sunday of the month.
- **From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 12. Reyna Grande Discusses "A Ballad of Love and Glory” – in-person and online. Join us at the Central Library or online to hear this award-winning writer discuss her new novel about an unforgettable romance set against a forgotten war. Reyna Grande will appear in conversation with Kathleen Alcalá. It is presented in partnership with La Sala, El Centro de la Raza, and Third Place Books, and is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.
- From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 14. Virtual It's About Time Writers' Reading Series -- online. Join us at this virtual event by the Ballard Branch welcomes another meeting of the It's About Time Writers' Reading Series, featuring authors Nicole Hardina, Don Krieger and Larry Crist.
- From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, April 15. Clyde Ford discusses "Of Blood and Sweat" – Join us at this virtual event to hear about award-winning writer Clyde Ford’s new book, which examines how Black labor helped to create and sustain the wealth of the white one percent throughout American history. This event is presented in partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company, and is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.
- **From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, April 18. Emily St. John Mandel Discusses "Sea Of Tranquility" – in-person and Join us at the Central Library or online to hear the best-selling author of “Station Eleven” discuss her new book, a novel of art, time, love, and plague that takes the reader from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a dark colony on the moon 500 years later. She will appear in conversation with Kristen Millares Young. It is presented with Elliott Bay Book Company, and is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.
- **From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 27. Nicola Griffith discusses "Spear” – in-person and online. Join us at the Central Library or online to hear local writer Nicola Griffith, author of award-winning novels including “Hild” and “Ammonite,” discuss "Spear," a new take on Arthurian legends. It is presented in partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company, and is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation. There will be ASL interpretation and CART transcription for this event.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Limited in-person programming is being offered at the Central Library starting in April. These events will be restricted to 50% capacity and mask use is strongly encouraged. In-person programming is not yet offered at other Library locations. Additional safety precautions are in place: Library staff are fully vaccinated and continue to wear masks; the Library offers free masks and hand sanitizer to patrons at sanitation stations; and all Library locations have high-quality ventilation and air filtration.
MORE INFORMATION
The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community.
Visit the Library's Road to Reopening page for more information on current Library services and programs.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.