Literary Enthusiasts of All Ages Hit the Streets of Reno for the Sixth Annual Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl

RENO, Nev. – “Unabridged,” the sixth annual Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl, will take place Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Reno, featuring an exploratory day of over 40 fiction, non-fiction, and poetry readings, as well as panel discussions, book signings, and workshops.

The adventure begins for families at 11 a.m. with an iSpy family reading and scavenger hunt at the Downtown Reno Library. Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy: An American Memoir, will kick off the Literary Crawl with the keynote address at noon at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno (160 W Liberty Street). An afternoon of Literary Crawl events follows the keynote, taking place at venues throughout the California Avenue corridor in Reno. Access to all events and venues is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome to participate at a variety of family-friendly readings and activities.

“We have something for everyone,” said Christina Barr, executive director of Nevada Humanities. “The Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl is one of the most exciting events we produce each year. The pairing of literature with engaging and interactive activities appeals to people of any age and really brings the written word to life. We truly appreciate the tremendous support and collaboration this event elicits from numerous community partners. The Literary Crawl wouldn’t happen without them.”

Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl participants will enjoy readings from both recognized and emerging authors and poets as they take to the streets of Reno armed with an “Unabridged” guidebook. Event guide books will be available to download in advance of the Literary Crawl online at nevadahumanities.org/literarycrawl, and printed copies will be available at Sundance Books and Music a few days before the Literary Crawl. They will also be available at each venue throughout the day.

Some featured Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl events include:

The keynote address will feature acclaimed writer Kiese Laymon. The keynote that kicks off the Literary Crawl will take place in the Nightingale Sky Room at the Nevada Museum of Art at 12:00 p.m. and will be followed by a question and answer session with a book signing. This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For tickets, visit nevadaart.org.

Family-friendly events include an “iSpy” scavenger hunt that will lead children on a hunt across the Literary Crawl for objects, sightings, and prizes. “Go to the Dogs” and read a story with furry friends of the Reno/Sparks Pet Therapy BowWow Book Club. Become a part of the story in a role-playing game with Dungeons & Dragons specialist Ashley Warren. Join Young Adult authors Naseem Jamnia and Ellen Klages in a conversation about writing for young adults and retelling stories to make the old new again. Artist Bobbie Ann Howell will lead a workshop to create your own Nevada-inspired drawing.

Joanne Millari, Nevada Humanities Poet-in-Residence, panel discussion “Crossings”—is an invitation to explore the ways in which poetry allows us to break away from rigid dichotomies of race, religion, gender, and sexuality. Millari is at work on her first collection of poems, Daughter Tongue.

Willy Vlautin, 2019 Nevada Reads author, holds a jam session, reading, and conversation
about his newest book, Don’t Skip Out On Me.

Edible Reno-Tahoe’s panel discussion focuses on what goes into developing and producing a magazine that reflects the region, supports local food-and-drink producers and purveyors, and makes people hungry.

Grammar Girl and New York Times best-selling author, Mignon Fogarty, will host a grammar-themed Q&A session.

Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl events will take place along the California Avenue corridor in Reno. For a full listing of all authors, poets, and artists participating and all venues in the 2019 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl visit: nevadahumanities.org/literarycrawl.

Cap the afternoon with the Epilogue After Party at Sundance Books and Music, featuring book signings and a musical performance by Tariq Hussain. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks and the Bibo Freddo gelato cart. The Epilogue will begin at 6:15 p.m. and conclude around 8:00 p.m.

This program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the City of Reno, Sundance Books and Music, the College of Liberal Arts and the Core Humanities program at the University of Nevada, Reno, The Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute, and our community partners.

For more information about the Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl, or to support Nevada Humanities, visit nevadahumanities.org or call 800-382-5023 in Reno or 702-800-4670 in Las Vegas.

About Nevada Humanities: Nevada Humanities is one of 56 independent, nonprofit state and territorial humanities councils affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. With offices in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada Humanities creates public programs and supports public projects statewide that define the Nevada experience and facilitate the exploration of issues that matter to the people of Nevada and their communities. For more information about Nevada Humanities visit nevadahumanities.org.