Cleveland Public Library Powers Up the Possibility of the Pen | The Library Kicks Off Writers & Readers in the CLE 2024

Start 2024 with fresh perspectives from Writers & Readers in the CLE at Cleveland Public Library. Enjoy a variety of candid conversations with popular writers, dynamic authors, and discussions about empowering all to thrive and the craft of writing in a post-pandemic world.

Through its Writers & Readers, Writers Unplugged and Ohio Center for the Book, Cleveland Public Library engages authors, academics and public figures in discussions surrounding the books and stories that have shaped their lives and how the craft of writing has evolved.

COMING TO CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

AUTHOR	SERIES	DATE	LOCATION
Reginald Dwayne Betts	Writers & Readers	Thursday, January 18 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.	Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium
Morris Ervin & Stephanie Bachman Mattei	Non-Violent Communications Conference	Thursday, February 1 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Louis Stokes Wing 2nd Floor
Susan Petrone	Writers Unplugged	Wednesday, February 7 7:00 p.m.	South Campus
Antwon Lindsey	Writers & Readers	Thursday, February 23 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.	Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium
Lisa Unger	Writers Unplugged	Friday, March 8 7:00 p.m.	Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium
Cara Black	Writers Unplugged	Monday, April 1 7:00 p.m.	Virtual
Samuel Burr	Writers Unplugged	Thursday, April 11 4:00 p.m.	Virtual
Noah Falck (Dayton) & Lindsay Turner (Shaker Heights)	Ohio Center for the Book, National Poetry Month	Saturday, April 20 4-5 p.m.	2nd floor, Main Library, in the Center for the Book area
Stephanie Ginese (Cleveland) & Taylor Byas (Cincinnati)	Ohio Center for the Book, National Poetry Month	Saturday, April 27 4-5 p.m.	2nd floor, Main Library, in the Center for the Book area
Heather Gudenkauf	Writers Unplugged	Monday, April 29 7:00 p.m.	Virtual

*Subject to change.

Poet, lawyer and 2021 MacArthur Fellow Reginald Dwayne Betts will kick off the 2024 season of Writers & Readers on Thursday, January 18

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Louis Stokes Wing of our Main Library.Advocate, author and director of Freedom Reads Reginald Dwayne Betts for a conversation addressing the impact of enriching reading materials and libraries within prisons at Libraries Without Limits: Access for Incarcerated Readers. Libraries offer connection, empowerment, and inspiration to individuals overcoming formidable obstacles. Yet incarcerated populations often face profound barriers to vital literacy access.

Certified trainers Stephanie Bachmann Mattei and Morris H. Ervin, Jr. will lead an interactive, city-wide workshop on The Heart of the Matter: Transforming Cleveland Through Nonviolent Communication on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Learning Commons of our Louis Stokes Wing. Leave uplifted with critical tools to infuse empathy into your daily communication as a neighbor, leader and Clevelander.

Susan Petrone talks about her latest book, The Musical Mozinskis, at the February installment of Writers Unplugged on Wednesday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the South Campus of Cleveland Public Library. Petrone has been published by Glimmer Train, Muse, Conclave, Cleveland Review, and Whiskey Island. Her short story, “Monster Jones Wants to Creep You Out” (Conclave, 2010) was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her non-fiction has appeared in CoolCleveland, Belt magazine, and ESPN.com.  She is also one of the co-founders and former president of Literary Cleveland.

Join us for a screening of the acclaimed documentary H.U.S.H. (Help Us Say Help) on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium. Breaking down stigma around mental illness, the film grippingly explores the Black community’s challenges through personal stories and expert commentary. Stay for a book signing and an impactful panel conversation with director Antwon Lindsey and local advocates discussing available resources and ways to support mental wellness and those struggling. Shades of pink, cognac, and white are gently encouraged in support.

Writers Unplugged continues featuring New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty novels, Lisa Unger, on Friday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium. Unger is promoting her latest book The New Couple in 5B, which publishes on March 5. With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense. Registration is required.

Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library celebrates National Poetry Month with two readings at Main Library featuring Ohio poets. On Saturday, April 20 at 4:00 p.m. enjoy readings with Noah Falck (Dayton, OH)and Lindsay Turner (Shaker Heights, OH) and on Saturday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m. enjoy poets Stephanie Ginese (Cleveland, OH) and Taylor Byas (Cincinnati, OH).

Celebrate authors, librarians, booksellers, illustrators, publishing professionals, and literary advocates in and from the state of Ohio with Page Count, an interview-format podcast presented by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. From internationally recognized and bestselling authors to professionals working on a grassroots level to improve access to books and literacy resources, new episodes are released every other Tuesday.