exlibrislarsen

The third annual Elgin Literary Festival book signing returns to the Hemmens Cultural Center on January 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where I’ll be signing copies of my ghosts and gangsters novel, THE BLACKENING OF FLESH. But it’s more than a book signing. Fest-goers will also enjoy panel discussions, lectures, and children’s activities.

The festival begins at 5:00 p.m. Friday in the Rehearsal Room of the Hemmens Cultural Center with a panel discussion entitled “Harry Potter and the Eternal Franchise” with panelists Karly Kirkpatrick, Bart Scott, Elizabeth Melvin, and Melissa Franic. Panels and discussions continue until 10:30 that evening.

On Saturday, enjoy the “The World of Publishing” presentation by Sourcebooks vice president and editorial director Todd Stock on the Exhibit Hall stage or the “Master the Author Autobiography” panel with Elizabeth Melvin, Liliana Escobedo, and Melissa Franic in the Green Room. Both sessions run from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Then, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., shop the exhibit hall for that next great find. Participating authors and featured speakers will be personalizing copies of their latest, and I’ll be signing copies of my novels THE BLACKENING OF FLESH and LOSING TOUCH, as well as anthologies with my name shuffled into the table of contents.

The past won’t stay buried.

Panels and presentations continue until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, including “Confessions of a Successful Novelist” by Sara Donati and Rosnia Lippi, a “Writers’ Tales” panel discussion with Callista Buchen, Pat Verducci, Christopher Castellani, Sara Donati and Karly Kirkpatrick, and “The Art of Perspective” with Christopher Castellani.

And those are just the afternoon events on the Exhibit Hall stage. Click here for a full program of events, and make plans to stop by for some or all of this free two-day event sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the Hemmens Cultural Center, Bravo Magazine, and Side Street Studio Arts.

Christian A. Larsen is the author of the novels LOSING TOUCH and THE BLACKENING OF FLESH, now available from Post Mortem Press.

Sales, sales everywhere, and all the budgets shrank. If you’re like me this time of year, all these Black Friday sales mean you’re spending way more money than you’re used to, so you don’t have any money to spend on yourself. If you’re a reader (and why would you be here if you weren’t), Amazon’s got a book sale going on that could help you with your holiday shopping list, or maybe just help you with your reading list.

Now through November 28, 2016 at 12:59am CST, Amazon is offering $10 off print book purchases of $25 or more when you enter “HOLIDAYBOOK” in the “Gift cards & promotional codes” field at checkout. I’m going to quickly plug my novels, because THE BLACKENING OF FLESH and LOSING TOUCH together, at regular price, would cost you $32 at Amazon.com. But now you can get both for $22. There. That didn’t feel dirty at all.

Now stop reading this and get back to shopping.

Christian A. Larsen is the author of the novels LOSING TOUCH and THE BLACKENING OF FLESH, now available from Post Mortem Press.

More than 60 writers are coming to this year’s Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books, and I’ll be there, too, with copies of THE BLACKENING OF FLESH in tow. This Saturday, come to UW-Waukesha from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a whole day chock-full of art, expression,  and letters as the university celebrates it’s 50th anniversary with current and retired faculty and alumni gathered for this special event. In other words: if you’re a fan of books and storytelling, you should definitely be there.

The day starts at 9:00 a.m. with a breakfast session with bestselling novelist Jane Hamilton and hosted by former festival keynote speaker Kathie Giorgio. Then, enjoy the rest of the day by taking in panel discussions, enjoying an original cabaret inspired by TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, or appreciating the works of Shorewood High School’s AP art students. And don’t forget the Writer’s Marketplace. That’s where I’ll be hunkered down for most of the day, signing copies of THE BLACKENING OF FLESH.

In THE BLACKENING OF FLESH, Jared Dix, a freshly-minted high school graduate who’s happy just to be free of the social anxiety high school brought, finds out that his house has a dark past. Half a century earlier, it was used as a rum-running station for a Capone rival. Blood was shed, and bodies were buried. But now, in the summer of 1984, the skeletons are  coming out of the closet, and when Jared learns the truth about what’s happening to his family, he knows he’s the only one who can stop it.

Horror enthusiast Justin Hamelin will be signing copies of his short story collection, THE DARKEST CORNER, in the Writer’s Marketplace, too. Hamelin is also a notable non-fiction writer, having won a 2016 Rondo Hatton Award for his essay, “Remembering Christopher Lee” published in RAVENOUS MONSTER MAGAZINE. The Rondos honor the legacy of Rondo Hatton, who parlayed his unique facial structure into starring roles in THE PEARL OF DEATH (1944), HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946), and THE BRUTE MAN (1946).

Brought to you, in part, by All Writers Workplace, Books & Company-Oconomowoc, BMO Harris Bank, Century Fence Company, Country Springs Hotel, Greater Waukesha Literacy, Holiday Inn-Pewaukee, Literacy for All, Meli Bar & Restaurant, Waukesha Reads! and Waukesha State Bank, the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books happens Saturday at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha at 1500 N. University Drive. Admission and parking are free, but bring a few bucks for books. You’ll be glad you did.

Christian A. Larsen is the author of the novels LOSING TOUCH and THE BLACKENING OF FLESH, now available from Post Mortem Press.