Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family in the United States! We will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 24 in observance of the holiday, and then back to our regular Holiday Hours on Friday, November 25. We wish everyone safe travel and a good time with their friends and family. And we are very thankful for ALL of you! We will reopen at 9:00 AM on Friday, November 25.
Remember, our extended Holiday Hours start THIS SUNDAY, November 20:
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thank you to everyone who came out to our grand Annual Doctor Who Celebration this Saturday.
And congratulations to the winners of the National Book Awards, which were announced last week:
Fiction: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday)
Nonfiction: Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi (Nation Books)
Poetry: The Performance of Becoming Human by Daniel Borzutzky (Brooklyn Arts Press)
Young People’s Literature: March, Book 3 by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell (Top Shelf Productions)
THIS WEEK, we have three most excellent events for you!
THIS FRIDAY, November 25, from 7:00 – 8:30, settle your feast-filled stomach with the great readings of Worcester Storytellers, featuring Nicole Waybright. Join us for our regular open mic followed by featured reader! Nicole recently finished her narrative nonfiction work in which she tells the true story of her coming-of-age struggles while deployed as an officer on a U.S. Navy destroyer.
And then we have another SPECIAL EVENT on Saturday, November 26, going ALL DAY. Join us for Small Business Saturday with Worcester Writers Collaborative! ABSW teams up woth local author group, Worcester Writers Collaborative, to bring you a day full of readings, signings, and talks with local authors from all genres. Support your local businesses; support your local autors!
Here’s a look at who you can expect to meet!
Lisa Shea is a fervent fan of honor, loyalty, and chivalry. She brings to life worlds where men and women stand shoulder to shoulder, steady in their desire to make the world a better place for all. Most of her profits are donated to support battered women’s shelters. She currently has over 300 published works on Amazon.
Michael Bailey has been a working writer since 1998. After 15 years with the Falmouth Enterprise, Michael left to focus on his creative and freelance writing career. He is the author of Action Figures, a YA superhero adventure series; and The Adventures of Strongarm & Lightfoot, a humorous fantasy series.
Paula Freda, wife, mother, grandmother, and publisher of a non-profit electronic online magazine, The Pink Chameleon, has published thirty-six books and ebooks, as well as novellas, novel, short stories, articles and poetry, in several genres. Her stories have been described as heartwarming, gentle, deep, and refreshing.
Brian McKeown was born and raised in Birkenhead, England. He attended St. Anselm’s College and did a stint with the RAF and the Merchant Navy. After being hired by an American computer company, he relocated to central Massachusetts. His novel, Hannah’s Left Hook, takes place in England and is loosely based on the life of his somewhat dangerous grandmother.
In the eighth grade, Cameron Garriepy wrote her first romance on an antique typewriter, using a stack of pink paper. Detours between that draft and publishing her first novel included a BA in Music from Middlebury College, a professional culinary education, and twelve years in the child-wrangling industry.
H.L. Dancler is a former adjunct professor of English, newspaper editor and a member of the U.S. Navy; he holds a BA degree in Journalism from SUNY Albany. The father of two sons, he’s spent years advocating the parental rights of non-custodial and custodial parents. He lives in Gardner, Massachusetts.
Trisha J. Wooldridge writes short stories and weird poetry for anthologies and magazines that occasionally win awards. She’s also edited two anthologies, over forty novels, three online college courses, and the online role playing game Dungeons & Dragons: Stormreach. As child-friendly T.J. Wooldridge, she’s published three scary children’s novels.
And then THIS SUNDAY, November 27 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM… Author and Secular Horrorist Bracken MacLeod is Stranded at ABSW Acclaimed horror and thriller author, Bracken MacLeod, reads, takes Q&A, and signs at ABSW.
Bracken MacLeod has worked as a martial arts teacher, a university philosophy instructor, for a children’s non-profit, and as a trial attorney. His short fiction has appeared in various magazines and anthologies including Shotgun Honey, Sex and Murder Magazine, Femme Fatale: Erotic Tales of Dangerous Women, Ominous Realities, Eulogies III, Wicked Tales, Beat to a Pulp, Protectors 2: Heroes, ThugLit, LampLight, Splatterpunk, and Shock Totem Magazine. He is also the author of the highly-praised novel Mountain Home and the novella White Knight.
Stranded is a horror thriller about the crew of the Arctic Promise, who are battered by an apocalyptic storm and sale blindly into unfamiliar waters and an ominous, thick fog. A mysterious illness takes each of the crew, one by one, except for deckhand Noah Cabot. When the fog clears, revealing a faint shape in the distance that may or may not be their destination, Noah leads the last of the able-bodied crew on a journey where they must fight for their lives against the elements, the ghosts of the past and, ultimately, themselves.
And a peek at some of our December events…
Saturday, December 10, 6:00 – 8:00 – Rainbow Readers Book Group reads Winter Oranges by Marie Sexton.
Sunday, December 11, 1:00-3:00 – Linda McCarthy Song and Story Time.
Saturday, December 17, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Put Some Scares into…: Horror Authors Pete Kahle and Tom Deady.
Thursday, December 22, 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Doctor Who Discussion Group: Holiday Adventures.
Friday, December 23, 7:00 – 8:30 PM – Worcester Storytellers
Monday, December 26, 12:00 – 2:00 PM – Donna E. Hart, Children’s Author.
Tuesday, December 27, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Harry Potter Wand Making Craft.
Wednesday, December 28, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Astronomy Coloring Craft.
Also, watch our blog for our featured holiday gift posts all December long!
As a reminder, here are our regular events…
Spinning Yarns Craft and Audiobook Social, every Monday 7:00 PM (except for when the Free People’s Artists Workshop meets the fourth Monday of the month). Bring a craft and enjoy an audiobook or audio drama with other crafty booklovers!
Worcester Storytellers, the fourth Friday of every month from 7-8:30 PM. The November 25 event features Nicole Waybright, a narrative non-fiction author. For the complete updates and schedules, follow Worcester Storytellers on Facebook!
The Free People’s Artists Workshop, the fourth Monday of each month from 7:00-9:00 PM. Networking and feedback from other artists and creators of all types. Co-sponsored by the Worcester County Poetry Association. Next meeting is Monday, November 28.
Doctor Who Talks, the third Thursday of every month from 7:00 – 8:00 PM. Join us for a discussion of our favorite science fiction serial. Every month will have a different topic! Next meeting, December 22.
Rainbow Readers Youth of Massachusetts is an LGBTQIA book club specific to teens. On hiatus for December with more details to be announced. Further information on the Rainbow Readers Youth page.
The Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts is an LGBTQIA book club that will meet once a month on third Saturdays from 6:00-8:00 PM. Next meeting December 10.
As always, keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
May your world be filled with wonderful words!
Annie's Book Stop of Worcester 