Wednesday Night: Fiction at Blood Jet Reading Series & Mystery Writers Mix and Mingle Uptown

The Blood Jet Poetry Series will host fiction writers Kalamu ya Salaam and Laurie Cedilnik on Wednesday, September 14, at 8 p.m. at B.J.’s (4301 Burgundy). Tom Andes will host.

Kalamu ya Salaam is a poet, author, filmmaker, and teacher from the 9th Ward of New Orleans. A well-known activist and social critic, Salaam has spoken out on a number of racial and human rights issues. For years he did radio shows on WWOZ. Salaam is the co-founder of the NOMMO Literary Society, a weekly workshop for Black writers.

Laurie Cedilnik earned her MFA in fiction from the University of Houston and a PhD in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University. Her work has appeared in the Colorado Review, Hobart, Black Warrior Review, West Branch, and was selected for the 2013 Masters Review by writer A.M. Homes. A native of Queens, NY, she teaches alarmingly talented students at Loyola University.

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The Bouchercon World Mystery Convention is hosting a benefit reception for the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library at the Milton H. Latter branch (5120 St. Charles) at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15.

Writers scheduled to attend include R.L. Stine, Heather Graham, Alexandra Sokoloff, and Harley Jane Kozak. Tickets are $30 per person, and delicious desserts and fine wines will be served. The attire is dressy casual, and all of the event proceeds will be donated to the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library.