By Sam Warren, copyright 2017

August 19, 2017 (San Diego) – From a happy hour adventure with a New York Times best-selling author to the San Diego Festival of Books, you’ll find many local events for literary lovers coming up across our region.

East County News Service

August 10, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker will visit the Lemon Grove Library on Saturday, September 30 at 2:00 P.M. to promote his new novel The Room of White Fire. Parker will read excerpts from the book, discuss themes from the story, answer questions from the audience, and sign copies of the book.

Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren



July 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- Like a zombie rising from the grave, Crown Books has come back to life. Like Borders and a number of other book sellers who were killed off by the likes of Amazon, they bit the dust in 2001 after being the third largest bookstore in the country. But the spirit was still alive and was bought lock stock and barrel including the loco and name by Rancho Penasquitos businessman Andy Wiess and reincarnated in Encinitas. They now sell used books at low prices.

But if you want to find a book more current and even meet the authors, look below and give an author some support by visiting one of the following book signings.

By Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2017 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Adventurer Dana Law will present a travelogue about the West Coast’s national scenic trail on Tuesday, July 18 at the Jacumba Library (44605 Old Hwy 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934 at 6 p.m. On 31 separate journeys over 13 years, Law completed all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, which begins in California at the Mexican border and ends at the Canadian border in Washington.

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (Lakeside) - The Barona Cultural Center & Museum invites kids in grades K-2 and their parents to listen to the book Way Out in the Desert and take an exciting musical tour of the Sonoran Desert as part of the latest Keyip! Kechuw! (Listen! Make!) Native American themed story time and craft event on Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Keyip! Kechuw! is a free monthly program designed to inspire young children to read, have fun learning, and get creative. The events are held at the Lakeside Library located at 9839 Vine Street.

East County News Service

March 28, 2017 (Crest) -- Why do more than 3 million Americans practice an ancient healing art of Qigong from China?  Find out on April 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Crest Library (105 Juanita Lane, El Cajon).

By Sam Warren, copyright 2017

March 4, 2017 (San Diego) – From readings of Irish poetry and prose to Society of Professional Journalists’ Report Card on the Media, you’ll find many events of interest for both readers and writers in this week’s calendar of local literary events.

Source: San Diego Professional Editors Network

February 26, 2017 (San Diego) — On Thursday, March 16, 2017, three seasoned technical editors and writers—Sara Feldman, Mark Fogg, and Elizabeth Gray—will participate in a panel discussion at the next program meeting of the San Diego Professional Editors Network (SD/PEN). The panel, “Technically Speaking: The Nuts and Bolts on Technical Editing and Writing,” will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the San Diego County Health Services Complex.

East County News Service

February 9, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Karamu, a celebration of  Black History Month, will be held February 25^th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the county library in Spring Valley at 836 Kempton Street from 1 to 3 p.m.  This event will include speakers, art, live entertainment, children’s activities and refreshments.

By Victor Contreras

February 4, 2017 (San Diego) -- The Descendants of Early San Diego (Formerly known as the Old Town San Diego Descendants Group or Committee), announces that they are soliciting submissions of short monologues for presentation specifically for TwainFest to be held at Old Town San Diego State Park in August annually. 

East County News Service

January 13, 2017 (San Diego) – Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) invites you to join her in honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day by participating in a Day of Reading Around the Region on Monday, January 16. This is a program championed by the national sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., an organization of educators that I have been a member of for four decades.

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2016 (San Diego) – Each year, over 300 aspiring writers from around the world attend the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference. This year, the conference will be held January 20^th through 22^nd at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley.   The conference was the first to pioneer one-on-one appointments for writers with editors, agents and other top-tier publishing professionals who can provide direct feedback on your writing.

East County News Service

Photo: Peter Sokoloski

November 15, 2016 (San Diego) – The San Diego Press Club will host its inaugural “Spelling Bee for Grownups” starting at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 16, at the San Diego Central Library, Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., Downtown San Diego. The public is invited to attend. Cost to compete as a speller is $10 per person. There is no cost to attend and watch.

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Local author and La Mesa Historical Society President James Newland will make a presentation based on his book "Around Mt. Helix" at the La Mesa branch of the county library (8047 Allison Ave.) in La Mesa on Saturday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Edited by Sam Warren. Please send all notices to: SDWriteWay@gmail.com

August 29, 2016 (San Diego) – Upcoming literary events including open Shakespeare readings, author book signings, book discussions, writing workshops, confessions of a writing coach, and a Star Trek anniversary celebration.