BookSwell

A reading with former & current Francisco Homes residentsJoin us for a reading with the writers of the Francisco Homes, a collection of transitional homes for formerly incarcerated communities. These writers come together on Thursday nights for writing workshops where they share stories, laughs, challenges, feedback, and life lessons. The pieces they share (and the writers who penned them) come out of various contexts. Some authors composed these pieces while incarcerated; other work has come from the time the group spends together each Thursday—particularly during their sacred twelve-minute free writes. Many of the authors' pieces can be found in the Francisco Homes anthology Free Writers: A Collection of Our Truths.Regardless of the writing's provenance or destination, these authors are united through their participation in the Francisco Homes Writing Workshop at some point between 2019 and 2023, and the collection of pieces chosen for this reading showcase the writers' experiences, ideas, and talents. The event will feature readings by current and former residents of The Francisco Homes: John Njoroge Charles Mebane Daryl Thompson
 Ronnie NodayRill AlexanderGilbert SalazarRonald PattersonJohn SanchezJessie Garciaand the participation of USC professors Ben Pack, Zen Dochterman, Emily Artiano, and Stephanie Bower. About the organization: The writers of The Read More ...

A book launch and reading to celebrate the newest release by Tom LaichasIn this extraordinary collection, Tom Laichas is our Vigil, guiding us through Venice, California, and its ancient namesake. Throughout Laichas shape-shifts from resident, to historian, to social critic, to ghost, moving among one neighborhood’s heavens and hells. A work of poetry, prose, and memoir, Three Hundred Streets of Venice is masterful, provocative, and unforgettable. To celebrate Laichas’s third poetry collection, poets-travelers Susan Suntree, Beth Ruscio, & Mike Sonsken will be reading their selected works. A reception will be held before and after the event with food & light refreshments. The authors will also be signing books. Doors open: 6:30 p.m. Readings: 7:00 p.m. About the authors: Tom Laichas is the author of Sixty-Three Photographs from the End of a War and Empire of Eden. A recipient of the Nancy Hargrove Poetry Prize, his work is widely published. He lives with his wife Donna in Venice, California. Susan Suntree is an award-winning poet, performer, and essayist whose recent books of poetry included Dear Traveler and the updated paperback and audiobook release of her non-fiction epic poem Sacred Sites: The Secret History of Southern California which won the Southern California Read More ...