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Spring Arts Preview 2016: Talks

Hear the debate on cliches or listen to readings from books and poetry

By Jim Demetre February 22, 2016

A group of people sitting in chairs in a room with bookshelves.
A group of people sitting in chairs in a room with bookshelves.

This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Seattle magazine.

Poetry

Jacqueline Woodson

4/12

Brooklyn-based poet Jacqueline Woodson reads and discusses her most recent book, Brown Girl Dreaming, which earned her the 2014 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. 7:30 p.m. Prices vary. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave.; 206.652.4255

Literature

Hugo Literary Series

4/15, 5/20

For this year’s Hugo Literary Series, Hugo House has asked writers to defend the use of clichés. On April 15, fiction writers Andrew Sean Greer, Claire Vaye Watkins and spoken word performer Roberto Ascalon will tackle “All’s fair in love and war.” On May 20, novelists Jenny Offill, Laura van den Berg, poet Maged Zaher and visual artist Dawn Cerny take up “The writing’s on the wall.” 7:30 p.m. Prices vary. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave.; 206.322.7030

Fiction

Teju Cole

4/21

The Nigerian-born novelist’s Open City recounts one man’s experiences in a post-9/11 New York, and in his latest novella, Every Day Is for the Thief, an unnamed protagonist reflects on his relationships and past upon his return to Nigeria after 15 years in New York. Cole will discuss how his heritage influences his work as a writer. 7:30 p.m. Prices vary. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave.; 206.652.4255

 

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