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Discussing The Dark Library with Mary Anna Evans

Books & Bites Podcast, Ep. 106

JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.

On this episode, we talk to Mary Anna Evans about her book, The Dark Library.

Want to discuss the book in person? Join us at Book Club: The Dark Library on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 pm. The first 10 people to register may pick up a free copy of the book at the Customer Service Desk.

Reading The Dark Library (or another book set in a library) is one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge.

Plus, if you read the book and 1) attend our Book Club discussion of it or 2) listen to this episode of the Books & Bites podcast, you’ll earn a free square of your choice!

more: Discussing The Dark Library with Mary Anna Evans

Prompt to Page with Kevin Holm-Hudson

A JCPL librarian interviews published writers about their favorite writing prompts. These exercises can help inspire, focus, and improve your creative writing.

Brought to you in partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

Listen to Episode 48

Don’t think your writing is important? Singer-songwriter and music professor Dr. Kevin Holm-Hudson disagrees.

“I think that’s  a positive contribution to the atmosphere, to society, to the planet,” he says, “to create something where there had been nothing.”

On this episode, Kevin discusses his songwriting process. Whether you write songs, prose, or poetry, Kevin’s favorite writing prompts will inspire you to create something new.

more: Prompt to Page with Kevin Holm-Hudson

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more: Get Live, Online Tutoring with HelpNow

Prompt to Page with Fenton Johnson

A JCPL librarian interviews published writers about their favorite writing prompts. These exercises can help inspire, focus, and improve your creative writing.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a novelist, essayist, or poet, you’ll find motivation to keep writing. 

Brought to you in partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

Listen to Episode 47

Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame author Fenton Johnson doesn’t believe in writer’s block.  ”Fighting with the white page over a week, a month, a year, sometimes 10 years,” he says, “that’s what we call writing…. That’s just part of the process.”

Fenton shares several writing prompts that can help you move beyond the blank page. He also discusses his most recent book, At the Center of All Beauty: Solitude and the Creative Life. Listen below!

more: Prompt to Page with Fenton Johnson

Feel-Good Fiction

Books & Bites Podcast, Ep. 104

JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.

On this episode, we discuss feel-good fiction. It’s one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge!

Our picks include two summer-soaked novels set in New England; a classic mystery; and a cozy fantasy so good, it busted Michael out of his reading slump. Listen below!

more: Feel-Good Fiction

Prompt to Page with Leatha Kendrick

A JCPL librarian interviews published writers about their favorite writing prompts. These exercises can help inspire, focus, and improve your creative writing.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a novelist, essayist, or poet, you’ll find motivation to keep writing. 

Brought to you in partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

Listen to Episode 46

Poet Leatha Kendrick believes that creativity is a habit. “To exercise your creativity is to keep it active and alive,” she says. “You have to get up and walk to the library and then something can happen.”

Exercise your creativity with Leatha’s favorite writing prompt. It will help you turn off your conscious mind and remember forgotten details. Listen below!

more: Prompt to Page with Leatha Kendrick

Prompt to Page with Christopher McCurry

A JCPL librarian interviews published writers about their favorite writing prompts. These exercises can help inspire, focus, and improve your creative writing.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a novelist, essayist, or poet, you’ll find motivation to keep writing. 

Brought to you in partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

Listen to Episode 45

 ”A teacher giving a prompt is the same as the world nudging you to write something,” says poet and educator Christopher McCurry.

On this episode, Christoper shares two prompts that will inspire you and help build your writing skills. Consider them a nudge to create something new.

more: Prompt to Page with Christopher McCurry