Greetings!  

Get ready to write! October at Kent District Library brings you a series of programs aimed for inspiring writers of all genres and skill levels. The Write Michigan Short Story Contest, Writers Conference: Craft Edition and Michigan Authors Night will provide a well-rounded experience covering everything from brainstorming ideas to finding publishers.

This fall we welcome our fourth annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest, the competition that drew over 700 Michigan writers in its third year! Together with Schuler Books & Music, we are calling for submissions from all Michigan writers. The categories include Youth (11 and under), Teens (12-17) and Adults (18 and up). The top honor in each category will receive a $250 cash prize and their winning entries will be published by Chapbook Press. For details, please visit www.writemichigan.org.
 
Looking to brush up on your writing and editing skills? Come join our new spin-off of the annual KDL Writers Conference, the Writers Conference: Craft Edition at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch on Saturday, October 24. Michigan authors and publishers will be leading the morning conference and afternoon workshop sharing advice and insight on the craft. Pre-registration for the two sessions is required.
 
Showcasing the success of our local authors, Michigan Authors Night welcomes Priscilla Atkins, Elizabeth Marie Kauffman, Joe Koenig and Kathleen McGookey to the East Grand Rapids Branch to read passages of their books on Thursday, October 22.

Happy writing, we hope to see you soon!  

Lance Werner, Director
A.S. King Comes to KDL!
Kent District Library and Consumers Energy are proud to present A.S. King, the extraordinary writer of provocative teen novels.
 
The Michael L. Printz Award-Winning author will talk about her life as an author and her latest title I Crawl Through It, the surrealist fiction trailing four teenagers on the verge of exploding from dealing with traumas, anxiety and PTSD. Already hailed as "ambitious and affecting" by Horn Book, new release I Crawl Through It has been garnering rave reviews. Fans of King will be able to purchase her books at the event and have them signed by the author after her talk.
 
This free event is for teens and adults. The Friends of Cascade Library are generously providing refreshments.

Thursday, October 15, 7:00 PM
Cascade Township Branch
2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE
Grand Rapids 49546
Literary Libations Highlights

From left: Lance Werner, Laura Lippman, Ron Rash,

Paula McLain, Christopher Moore and Linda Krombeen

A huge thank you goes out to all the businesses and individuals who made the inaugural Literary Libations a smashing success! With your help and support, we raised over $58,000 for KDL programs.

 

"The evening was well-planned and the program very interesting. There was great variety in the style and content of the authors' talks. Everyone that I talked to was enthused and I am sure will look forward to next year's event," said attendee Craig Wilson.

KDL Gives Back
Since 2010, libraries across Michigan have participated in Michigan Libraries for Life, a simple and effective campaign to educate patrons about organ, tissue and eye donation and to encourage them to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. This collaborative effort has inspired more than 2,400 people to sign up as donors!
 
KDL staff will be manning tables at all 18 branches October 5-9 to register and educate patrons on organ donation.

 

               Social Media Smackdown
During the month of October, the KDL branches are going into battle, social media battle that is! Stepping up their Facebook game, the branches are competing to get the most new likes on their page. The winning branch will receive a gorgeous trophy to display, eternal glory and KDL bragging rights. Help your branch clinch the win by liking today!

Sunday Afternoon Live Concerts for Adults
Vox Vidorra, an Indie Rock/Soul group featuring the soaring vocals of lead singer and lyricist Molly Bouwsma-Schultz, will hit the stage on Sunday, October 25 at 2:00 PM at the Cascade Township branch. With songs inspired by experiences in Grand Rapids and social themes like religion, racism and oppression, Vox Vidorra aims to move their audience to action.

Thank you to sponsors Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall Foundation, Cascade Charter Township, Friends of the Cascade Library, David & Michelle Bottrall and the Cascade Township Downtown Development Authority for providing this free entertainment to the public. Tickets are not necessary.
Program Highlights for Fall

Clear your calendars for these boredom busters:

   

For Kids - Awesome Autumn Adventure, Play Grow Read with Katie L., Gustafer Yellowgold Concert  
 
For TeensHot Jobs of 2020, Halo Tournament, Kent County Teen Film Workshops
 
For Adults - Al Eicher Presents the Orphan Train in Michigan, Strange, Spooky, Wicked Michigan, KDL Uncorked

 

Curl Up With a New Favorite!
  
Staff Picks 
Stuff We Like
        
Click here to search all programs at our branches.
Click here to find the KDL branch nearest you.