Book nerds unite! Authors, indy booksellers and fans converge on Malaprop’s in Asheville

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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american_booksellers_association_winter_institute_asheville_2015The American Booksellers Association is holding its annual ABA Winter Institute in Asheville over the next week or so. It’s an event complete with literary stars, panels and much more. The meeting will give book nerds the chance to rub elbows with independent booksellers and publishers and see star authors including Stewart O’Nan and Azar Nafisi.

Description of the event from the ABA:

Booksellers, publishers, and authors are invited to scenic Asheville, North Carolina for the 10th anniversary of the ABA Winter Institute. This year features a lineup of new education topics and presentations; popular author receptions; unparalleled networking; marquee keynote speakers, including John Green, Steven Johnson, Sarah Lewis, and Azar Nafisi; an indie retail crawl in downtown Asheville; and parties at the Grove Park Inn. Guests can also enjoy local tours customized just for booksellers: the Asheville Historic Trolley Tour, the Biltmore Estate, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, as well as guided or self-guided tours of the Grove Park Inn.

Events listed on Malaprop’s site:

INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER’S NIGHT

Monday, February 9 from 5:30 to 7 pm

Join us for this unique opportunity to meet Morgan Entrekin, president and publisher of Grove Atlantic, Michael Reynolds, editor in chief at Europa Editions, and Craig Popelars, director of marketing and sales at Algonquin Books. These gatekeepers of independent publishing will discuss the origins of each press, their mission, and how they choose books. They will also highlight a few of their favorite books from the press and some new titles coming out in the spring and summer.

STEWART O’NAN READING & SIGNING

Monday, February 9 at 7:30 pm

In West of Sunset, Stewart O’Nan picks up the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald near its end, when he went to work as a screenwriter in Hollywood. In its fictionalized story, West of Sunset includes other real characters including Ernest Hemingway, Humphrey Bogart, and Dorothy Parker. George Saunders (The 10th of December) says, “O’Nan is an incredibly versatile and charming writer.” One brilliant American writer meditating on another; what’s not to love?” O’Nan is also the author of several works of fiction and nonfiction including The Odds, Last Night at the Lobster, Emily, Alone, Faithful (with Stephen King), and The Circus Fire.

LYNNE TRUSS READING & SIGNING

Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30 pm

The author of the famous book on punctuation, Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Lynne Truss gives us a sensational new mystery, Cat Out of Hell. Truss herself says, “It concerns the mystery of a missing woman, a talking cat called Roger, a remote seaside cottage, and a nice retired librarian with a dog called Watson.” The Times calls Cat Out of Hell, “Not unlike Sherlock Holmes solving The Master and Margarita with the help of Jeeves.” Truss has written several books on punctuation, Tennyson, cats, and one book on her obsession with sport called Get Her Off the Pitch. She lives in England.

READING GROUP CHOICES DISCUSSION & AUTHOR SPEED DATING

Wednesday, February 11 from 10:30 am to 12 pm

In partnership with Reading Group Choices, a morning of speed dating with Maureen Corrigan, Reif Larsen, Margaret Lazarus Dean, Mary Norris, Eli Gottlieb, Joni Tevis, and Chris Cander! There will also be giveaways, yummy snacks, and discounts for reading group purchases. Meet an author, have a book signed, and hang out with other book lovers! If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by February 6th to [email protected] or 608-572- 9496 or stop by the store. If you would like your group to sit at the same table, please let us know. We will post a notice when the event fills up.

AZAR NAFISI READING & SIGNING

Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 pm

The bestselling author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi has turned her passion for books and stories on the American experience, exploring the importance of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Babbitt, and The Heart is a Lonely Hunter in The Republic of Imagination: America in Three Books. Shelf Awareness says, “In elegant, insightful prose, she blends literary criticism, personal history and social commentary to create an enticing invitation to inhabit the Republic of Imagination.”

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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