Open poetry reading booked at gallery

Open poetry reading booked at gallery

NILES

Pig Iron Literary and Art Works has scheduled a 2nd Tuesday Open Poetry Reading event for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Art Outreach Gallery in Eastwood Mall, 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road.

The event is planned in conjunction with the observance of National Poetry Month, and readers are invited to sign up at the gallery by 6:45 p.m.

Novel signing set by author

Niles

Robert Spirko, former Howland resident, will sign copies of his best-selling novel, “The Palestine Conspiracy,” from 2 to 4 p.m. May 1 at Borders Books, 2102 Niles-Cortland Road S.E.

A geo-political analyst, Spirko turned his attention to the Middle East in 1987. After analyzing the situation in that part of the world, he felt he had a solution to the quagmire and a story to tell.

In his book, Spirko contends there can be peace in the Middle East and a Palestinian state can be created, and says it should be done.

Christian book coming soon

NILES

The inspirational Christian book “Issues of the Soul” will be signed by the author, Derik Overly, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Borders, 2102 Niles-Cortland Road S.E.

Based on the principles of the Bible, the book goes beyond surface hurt and despair and addresses dealing with past hurts and forgiving those who have caused pain, and it presents the keys to moving to a place of true freedom.

Jackson Poetry Prize

NEW YORK

Harryette Mullen was named the winner of the Jackson Poetry Prize by Poets & Writers Inc., a nonprofit literary organization. It is the fourth year for the award, which carries a prize of $50,000.

The 56-year-old Mullen has written such books as “Recyclopedia,” “Muse & Drudge” and “Sleeping With the Dictionary.” Her socially and politically conscious verse is influenced by the feminist- and civil-rights movements.

Condoleezza Rice, Jon Stewart team up

NEW YORK

How about this for a comedy team: Jon Stewart and Condoleezza Rice?

Stewart will host an author breakfast in May at BookExpo America, the publishing industry’s annual national convention. Rice, the former secretary of state who has a memoir out this fall, will be among the speakers.

The three-day convention will be in New York from May 25-27. Other speakers will include John Grisham, Christopher Hitchens and Sarah Ferguson.