Pig Iron Literary seats board of directors

Pig Iron Literary seats board of directors

YOUNGSTOWN — Ten arts supporters met Jan. 26 at Pig Iron Press to organize a calendar of 29 programs for the Pig Iron Literary and Arts Works, Inc., and seated a board of directors for the forthcoming year.

Returning board members included Jim Villani of Boardman, editor at Pig Iron Press; Dr. Raymond Biersdorfer, Youngstown, professor of geology at Youngstown State University; Jack Slanina of Youngstown; Terry Esarco, Youngstown; and Philip Warren, Youngstown and Youngstown schools. Appointed to the board for 2009-2010 were Toni Essad of Struthers, and Dennis Fiddler, Poland.

Events coming up include an open poetry reading Tuesday at Pizza & More, 103 Federal Plaza West. Sign up at the door until 7:45 p.m.; reading begins at 8 p.m. Also, a writing workshop will take place from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Pig Iron Press, 26 N. Phelps St.

Free romance novels to iPhone, iPod Touch users

TORONTO — Harlequin Enterprises Limited, the global leader in series romance, and Lexcycle Stanza, developer of the popular electronic book reader for the iPhone and iPod Touch, announced the release of 16 free romance novels available for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

The giveaway is part of Harlequin’s observance of its 60th anniversary.For more about the celebration and the publisher’s goal of giving a free romance novel to every woman in America, visit www.HarlequinCelebrates.com. The total approximate retail value of the free books is $60.00.

Stanza for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch is available as a free download from the iTunes App Store or from www.lexcycle.com.

Michelle Obama’s brother working on a book

NEW YORK — Michelle Obama’s brother is working on a book, part tribute to his family and part inspirational guide.

“I’ve been privileged to know some extraordinary people in my life,” Craig Robinson, whose “A Game of Character” will be published next year by Gotham Books, said in a statement issued Jan. 29.

Robinson, who coaches men’s basketball at Oregon State University, introduced his sister last summer at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Gotham is an imprint of Penguin Group (USA).

Highly regarded editor hired by Riverhead Books

NEW YORK — Rebecca Saletan, a highly regarded publisher and editor who quit Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in December, has been named editorial director of Riverhead Books, where authors include Khaled Hosseini and Junot Diaz.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, struggling badly in a tight credit market, has undergone extensive layoffs and restricted acquisitions of new books. Saletan, 49, who has worked with Philip Roth and Peter Mattiessen among others, was the senior vice president and publisher of adult trade books and her departure was widely seen as a protest of Houghton’s policies. She will begin her new job in March.

Swayze memoir coming out this fall

NEW YORK — A “deeply personal memoir” by Patrick Swayze and his wife is coming out this fall.

“The currently untitled book will offer an intimate account of Patrick Swayze’s childhood, career and marriage, as well as his brave fight against a diagnosis of stage-four pancreatic cancer, from which he has gleaned wisdom and has remained resolutely optimistic,” according to a statement issued by Atria Books.

“Swayze’s wife of over 30 years, Lisa Niemi, will give insight into the intensity of her experience and the enormity of helping a loved one battle a life-threatening disease.” The 56-year-old actor, known for such films as “Ghost” and “Dirty Dancing,” stars in the new A&E drama “The Beast.”

Combined dispatches