Your guide to free virtual literary events happening in September.
If you miss the feeling of going back to school, consider these free virtual literary events like a kind of literary lecture hall.
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In Conversation: Jonathan Escoffery and Nicole Dennis-Benn
September 7 @ 7pm EST
To celebrate the release of If I Survive You! This event is being held in person at Books Are Magic, but luckily it’s also free to stream here.
Building Imaginary Worlds: A Workshop with Nur Ibrahim and Usman T. Malik
September 17 @ 10am EST
This 2.5 hour session is for writers of science fiction, fantasy, and any imaginative genre, developing their worlds with a particular and fantastical eye toward myths, legends, and folktales that we grew up with. Students will learn how to adapt and twist classic worlds to suit their stories, as well as build new settings from scratch. Hosted by the Salam Award (Pakistan’s first imaginative and science fiction writing competition) and the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, this event is free to all and particularly encouraging of students who are interested in exploring non-Anglocentric narratives and settings; just register here.
In Conversation: Remica Bingham-Risher and Dr. Tara Betts
September 20 @ 7pm EST
In Soul Culture, acclaimed Cave Canem poet and essayist Remica Bingham-Risher interweaves personal essays and interviews she conducted over a decade with 10 distinguished Black poets, such as Lucille Clifton, Sonia Sanchez, and Patricia Smith, to explore the impact of identity, joy, love, and history on the artistic process. Join her in conversation with poet and teaching artist Dr. Tara Betts. Hosted by Semicolon Bookstore, you can register for the event here.
In Conversation: Simone White and The Friend
September 20 @ 6pm EST
Poet and critic Simone White and George Washington author The Friend discuss White’s forthcoming book or, on being the other woman (Duke University Press, 2022), aesthetic interests, and the climate of American poetry. Hosted by Cave Canem, this event is free with registration.
Banned Books, Fahrenheit 451, and the Division Censorship Creates
September 21 @ 8pm EST
Join PEN Across America, Mount Vernon Public Library, and Banned Book Week Chairs Alyssa Gómez Lawrence and Debbie Nabubwaya Chambers for an online discussion of Ray Bradbury’s classic novel, Fahrenheit 451 and the issues the book raises around censorship and free expression. Register for the virtual event here.
Bystander Intervention: How to Be an Ally When You Witness Online Abuse
September 28 @ 1pm EST
If you’re any bit as online as we are, you’ve probably seen your fair share of online abuse. PEN America is hosting an hour-long interactive training on identifying harassment and what to do about it. Register here.
