Literary Offerings: OutWrite LGBT Book Festival
The OutWrite Book Festival provides a forum for diverse perspectives in writing and publishing
“I always say that the reason a community center like us does arts events is because it’s important to tell our stories,” says David Mariner, executive director of The DC Center. “Celebrating who we are is important.”
And the Center hopes its upcoming OutWrite LGBT Book Festival can serve as a public forum for those stories. Now in its fifth year, the annual two-day event showcases various LGBT literary works and authors.
Things kick off on Friday, July 31, with a tribute to James Earl Hardy, whose bestselling B-Boy Blues series is celebrating its 20th anniversary. On Saturday, there will be two separate series of workshops, one focused on the writing process, the other featuring readings or spoken word performances by authors and artists. A used-book fair featuring more than 25 different vendors selling thousands of LGBT-themed books, some for as little as a dollar, will run throughout the day.
Other events over the weekend include Trans* Self-Publishing, a Black Writer’s Forum (an annual favorite), and “Fade to Hot,” which deals with how to write literary sex scenes.
Mariner is especially excited about a children’s workshop co-hosted with the D.C. Public Library. “They’re going to have readings of books that are targeted to LGBT families,” Mariner says. “So we’re super excited about that, because we haven’t had quite as many events where you can bring your kids to the Center.”
The 5th Annual OutWrite LGBT Book Festival will take place on July 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Aug. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW. Admission is free. For more information, visit thedccenter.org/outwritedc.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.