July 2, noon to 1pm. Award-winning journalist Ben Montgomery presents his gripping new book A Shot in the Moonlight: How a Freed Slave and a Confederate Soldier Fought for Justice in the Jim Crow South. Montgomery, founder of the narrative journalism website Gangrey and co-founder of the Southern writers’ collective Auburn Chautauqua, will discuss the story of George Dinning, the first Black person in America to win damages after a wrongful murder conviction. This event is sponsored by the Kentucky Historical Society; cost is free to KHS members, $5 to non-members. Virtual event.
July 6, 7pm. David Bell, bestselling author of The Request, discusses his new thriller Kill All Your Darlings, a tale of plagiarism that leads to much darker places. Bell, who directs the MFA program as an English professor at Western Kentucky University, will be joined at this event by Hank Phillipi Ryan, whose The Murder List won the coveted Anthony two years ago. Free virtual event via Zoom.
July 9, 7pm. Carmichael’s Bookstore presents Robert Gipe in a discussion of his new book Pop. Pop is Gipe’s third novel in his Canard County trilogy, which also includes Trampoline, winner of the 2016 Weatherford Award for Appalachian novel of the year, and Weedeater, a Weatherford finalist. Gipe, an arts organizer and co-founder of the Higher Ground community performance series, will be joined by Ed “Nardie” White and Albert Shumake, directors of Louisville’s River City Drum Corps. Free event; both in-person and virtual attendance are offered.
July 15, 7pm. Paul Griner’s new book The Book of Otto and Liam explores, incisively and compassionately, the aftermath of a school shooting. Griner, who teaches creative writing at the University of Louisville, is also the author of the novels Collectors and The German Woman and the story collection Follow Me. He’ll be in conversation with Ian Stansel, director of UofL’s Creative Writing Program. Free event; both in-person and virtual attendance are offered via Carmichael’s Bookstore.