• On Friday, May 9, author Jennifer Lowe-Anker discusses her book Forget Me Not: A Memoir. The book tells the story of Anker’s husband Alex Lowe, a mountaineer who died tragically in a Tibetan avalanche. Anker was interviewed by Tom Brokaw for Dateline, and musician Sting composed music for the tribute film, The Endless Knot. The event is held at Malaprops at 7 p.m. Info: 254-6734.
• Karen Dodd, author of Begin Again, Quinn (self-published, 2008), leads a discussion on self-publishing that will address finding a publisher, BooksInPrint, photograph usage, type setting and marketing techniques. The events takes place at the Corner Oak Manor B&B on Friday, May 9, 7 p.m. Info: 253-3525 (ask for Karen Dodd) or e-mail dkdodd1@suddenlink.net.
• On Friday, May 9, author and hiker Peter J. Barr presents a slideshow and discussion based on his new guidebook, Hiking North Carolina’s Lookout Towers (John F. Blair, 2008). The event takes place at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva at 7:30 p.m. Info: 586-9499.
• Pueblo dancer, artist and storyteller John Jaramillo performs at the upcoming Lake Eden Arts Festival on Saturday, May 10, at 2:45 p.m. and Sunday, May 11, at 3 p.m. Both appearances are at Lake Eden Hall. (Note: Tickets to LEAF are available only online, in advance, through Wednesday, May 7.) New Mexico-based Jaramillo is an international performer, flamenco and Aztec dancer and will appear in full warrior regalia. He leads a residency at CC Bell Elementary School as part of LEAF in Schools and Street.
• Peter Loewer, host of WCQS Public Radio show “The Wild Gardener,” recently published Loves Me, Loves Me Not: The Hidden Language of Flowers (Cool Springs Press, 2007). He reads from and signs copies of the book at Osondu Booksellers in Waynesville on Saturday, May 10, 3 p.m. Info: 456-8062.
• The Writers’ Workshop of Asheville is accepting entries for its 20th annual poetry contest through Saturday, May 31. All work must be unpublished, each poem should not exceed two pages, multiple entries are accepted and the writer’s name, address, phone and title of work should appear on a separate cover sheet. Entry is $20 ($15 for Workshop members) for every three poems. Mail to Poetry Contest, 387 Beaucatcher Road, Asheville, NC 28805 or e-mail WritersW@gmail.com (with online payment). First prize is $300.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
