Center for Fiction: The Big Read, Oct. 5-26

[Ellen Kushner]

An exciting collaboration with NYC's wonderful Center for Fiction
(formerly the Mercantile Library) in their fine old building on on E.
47th Street!

I'll be participating in the events on October 19th, 20th & 24th.
Delia Sherman moderates a panel on Oct. 13th.

I can also offer you (see, there is a reason for you to be on my e-
list!) comps to the Margaret Atwood event (at John Jay, not the
Center) on October 12th. To be on the Guest List for the Atwood event,
go to this page:
http://www.centerforfiction.org/calendar/big-read-margaret-atwood-in-other-worlds-sf-and-the-human-imagination
Click on RSVP there, and in the Messages box type in code: EKSF

To RSVP for other events (which are free), please go to:
http://www.centerforfiction.org/events/the-big-read/
and click on individual dates in the "Big Read Events" box.


* * * * *

As part of The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the
Arts, The Center for Fiction is pleased to present a series of science
fiction and fantasy events during the month of October centered on a
celebration of Ursula K. Le Guin's novel A Wizard of Earthsea.

The Center for Fiction will be honoring Ursula K. Le Guin and
celebrating science fiction and fantasy with panel discussions
featuring authors such as Margaret Atwood, Kelly Link, Lev Grossman,
N.K. Jemisin, Ellen Kushner, Charles Yu, John Wray and more.

WHEN: Evenings in October
WHERE: The Center for Fiction (unless otherwise noted)
17 E. 47th Street
New York, NY
212-755-6710
http://centerforfiction.org/events/the-big-read/

Events:

Wednesday, October 5th - 7:00 PM
Why Fantasy Matters: Acclaimed authors Kelly Link, Felix Gilman, Naomi
Novik, and Lev Grossman take a look at why fantasy matters in our
lives and imaginations. This panel, moderated by Laura Miller, will
dive into the genre and go beyond the subject of elves and wizards.

Wednesday, October 12th - 7:00 PM
Margaret Atwood, In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination: As the
keynote event for the Big Read, award-winning author Margaret Atwood
will discuss her new book In Other Worlds: SF and the Human
Imagaination, and the impact that science fiction has had on her life
as a reader and a writer. (***This event will held at the Lynch
Theatre at John Jay College.***)
http://www.centerforfiction.org/calendar/big-read-margaret-atwood-in-other-worlds-sf-and-the-human-imagination

Thursday, October 13th - 7:00 PM
Before and After Harry Potter: YA and Fantasy: While J.K. Rowling's
work may have popularized fantasy for mainstream readers, there has
always been a strong tradition of such stories for young readers in
British and American fiction. And it is these lesser-known but beloved
works, as much as Rowling's and even Tolkien's fantasy, that inspired
today's generation of successful fantasists. Hear some of today's most
popular YA writers discuss what came before — and what's coming next!
Authors Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, Justine Larbalestier, Chris
Moriarty, and moderator Delia Sherman join us for this panel.

Wednesday, October 19th - 7:00 PM
The Wave in the Mind: A Tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin: Authors John
Wray, N.K. Jemisin, Ellen Kushner, Michael Swanwick, and moderator
David G. Hartwell discuss Ursula K. Le Guin's legacy from the Earthsea
books to her influence on today's new writers.

Thursday, October 20th - 7:00 PM
Earthsea Group Read: Join NYC's best known writers, actors,
celebrities, and activists as we all read the Earthsea Cycle aloud.
(And see how far you can get in five hours!) Plenty of refreshments
will be on hand, as well. Feel free to drop in and listen at any time!
Stay tuned for a list of participants.

Friday, October 21st - 7:00 PM
The Lathe of Heaven: The Center for Fiction is screening the 1980
movie adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin's book The Lathe of Heaven,
starring Bruce Davison as George Orr, a man whose dreams can change
reality.

Monday, October 24th - 7:00 PM
Outsiders In/Of Science Fiction and the Fantastic: From Le Guin's own
ground-breakingThe Left Hand of Darkness — which swept both the
genre's two great awards, the Hugo and the Nebula — to Samuel R.
Delany's gritty masterpiece Dahlgren and beyond, readers have found
science fiction challenging preconceptions of gender and race. This
panel will look at "outsiderness" in the world of science fiction and
fantasy. Panelists include Steve Berman, Carlos Hernandez, Andrea
Hairston, Alaya Dawn Johnson, and Samuel R. Delany with moderator
Ellen Kushner.

Wednesday, October 26th - 7:00 PM
From Urdu Epic and Tibetan Sorcerers to Today: Presented in
partnership with the Rubin Museum of Art, this special panel of
writers and scholars will discuss the earliest form of fantasy
storytelling through the novels of today. Panelists include John
Crowley, Hamid Dabashi, Paul Witcover and Elizabeth Hand. (This event
will take place in the Rubin Museum of Art, tickets on their website.)

For more information: http://centerforfiction.org/events/the-big-read/

About the Big Read
The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts,
designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA
presents The Big Read in partnership with Arts Midwest. The Big Read
brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for
pleasure and enlightenment.