Fellow Austin writer Susan Rogers Cooper finds Susan Wade’s debut Walking Rain “So compelling you will be waking up in the middle of the night just to read one more chapter.” If you already own the book and have fallen victim to the above occurrence, muster the energy to join Wade at Borders for their June mystery discussion group on June 11 at 7:30pm.
While there, you might want to pick up a copy of Big Red Tequila by Rick Riordan, onetime Austin resident. Publisher’s Weekly calls the book a “stand-out,” but then they also call it “hard-boiled Tex-Mex,” proof of the old adage that even in book reviews you have to take the good with the bad. Regardless, the mystery is set in San Antonio and is the beginning of the Tres Navarre, P.I. series.
Copious Cooper
Cooper is popping up everywhere: At Mysteries & More (11139 N. I-35) Sunday, June 8, from 1-2:30pm; she’ll be signing Home Again, Home Again, her latest installation in the E.J. Pugh series. Jean Hager, Nancy Bell, and Lynda Robinson will be signing The Spirit Caller, Biggie and the Mangled Mortician, and Eater of Souls respectively. Judging from the titles, I’d carry a big stick and speak very softly.
Workers Unite(d)!
We’re so busy here writing and talking about books, authors, and bookstores that it’s easy to forget about the basics… like how books are made. That’s where a group of novices and professionals dedicated to promoting the appreciation, practice, and study of ancient and modern book design called the Austin Book Workers steps in. On Sunday, June 22, the Workers will be holding a Book Arts Fair from 1-5pm at the Art School of the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th Street. The highlight will be an exhibit that presents a comprehensive look at publishing and producing a book and more than 14 exhibitors will exhibit production topics such as printing from letterpresses, decorating books with gold and leather, and Japanese Suminagashi papermaking. Attendees can participate in calligraphy, paper marbling, paste papermaking, and how to bind pamphlets. Having problems with that nasty Lepsima saccharina (aka silverfish)? Learn how to combat it at the fair. What’s more, book doctors will be on call and the group encourages young readers bring their sick books to visit to the Children’s Book Hospital.
Bedtime Stories
Half Price Books has published the 1997 edition of Say Goodnight to Illiteracy, a book of bedtime stories intended to raise money for literacy programs. This third volume of the collection, retailing at HP locations for $2.98, highlights the 25th anniversary of the Dallas-based chain with 25 stories selected from over 1,000 entries in a contest earlier this year.
Among the winners are two Austinites: 9-year-old Hahna Muehlberger wrote “The Ladybug That Came to Tea” and Grand Prize Winner Lynn Brooks, is the author of “Goodnight Sleepy Jungle Animals.” Brooks and the two other Grand Prize winners received $500 gift certificates, and Muehlberger and her fellow winners won $50 gift certificates.
Writers wishing to submit stories for possible inclusion in next year’s edition should look for forms at Half Price locations this fall. Stories will be due by December 31, 1997.
ONGOING: The exhibit The Life and Films of Warren Skaaren: Screenwriter shows in the seventh-floor gallery of the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, UT Campus, through June 27.
Book news for “Post Scripts” must be received at least one week before the issue date. Mail to The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765; fax 458-6910; or e-mail to clay@auschron.com.
This article appears in June 6 • 1997 and June 6 • 1997 (Cover).