Literary briefs

LOCAL

hMark Peyko launches book about Youngstown

BOARDMAN — Metro Monthly Editor Mark Peyko and his co-authors, all writers for the Metro Monthly, are launching a new book, “Remembering Youngstown: Tales from the Mahoning Valley.”

The book is a compilation of tales of industrious steel workers, famous politicians and baseball players made hometown heroes, among others.

Peyko and the other writers will appear from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 381 Boardman Poland Road.

Peyko has been published in numerous publications, including the New York Times, and has taught writing classes at Youngstown State University. He is a trustee of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and president of the North Side Citizens’ coalition for Community Development.

The paperback book is available for $19.99.

Writing workshop

YOUNGSTOWN — A writing workshop is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Pig Iron Literary and Art Works, 26 N. Phelps St. Jim Villani is the facilitator. For information, call (330) 747-6932.

Book details history of Mercer Co. blacks

MERCER, Pa. — The Mercer County Historical Society announces it has added the new title “African Americans in Mercer County,” by Roland Barksdale Hall, to its collection of books about Mercer County history that are for sale.

The book is newly released in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series. It details the legacy of blacks in Mercer County over the past two centuries, including more than 200 photos and chapters on Liberia (Stoneboro) Pandenarium, the Twin City Elks, Zion’s Hill Campground and more.

The book is for sale at $21.99 plus tax and will be available at the MCHS headquarters at 119 S. Pitt St. Call (724) 662-3490 for more details.

REGIONAL

Best-selling author to appear at church

AKRON — William Paul Young, author of the best-seller “The Shack,” will appear at 1 and 7 p.m. Thursday at the first Congregational Church of Akron, 292 E. Market St.

Young will share the compelling story that led him to write “The Shack” as well as address the timeless question: Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain? An hourlong question-and-answer session will follow his 45-minute presentation.

A book signing and opportunity to meet the author will follow.

Tickets are $15 plus $1.88 handling and are now available at the church or by calling (330) 253-5109.

ContestS

‘Too Tall Alice’ publishers sponsoring essay contest

GLEN ROCK, N.J. — Alice, the plucky fourth-grade heroine of Barbara Worton’s new book, “Too Tall Alice,” discovered that being 4 inches taller than her classmates was just the right height for her.

Her story received such an overwhelmingly positive response that the book’s publisher, Great Little Books LLC, wants to give other fourth-graders an opportunity to share what they think makes them special in its “Stand Tall With Too Tall Alice,” a national essay writing contest.

In a short essay, students are asked to tell Alice the three coolest things about themselves. The essays must be signed by a parent, a guardian or a teacher and must be received by Aug. 31.

Seventy-five winners will receive a copy of “Too Tall Alice,” plus a bookmark and an “I’m just right for me” wristband.

Complete contest rules are available at www.tootallalice.com/contest.html.

Book deals

Another book by an Obama

NEW YORK — Another Obama relative has a book deal. A memoir by George Obama, the president’s 27-year-old half-brother and a resident of Huruma, Kenya, will be published by Simon & Schuster in January.

Little is known about George Obama, who is the youngest son of the senior Obama’s seven children and was born six months before his father died. He and his famous brother — 20 years apart in age — did not grow up together and never met as children.

Combined dispatches