Laurie Notaro Has a Hobo Problem

Laurie Notaro is an author, crafter, and expert at finding a good cocktail. She grew up in Phoenix, but is currently based in Eugene, Oregon. Each week, she’ll be joining us to share a crafting adventure, draw a flowchart, or remember a few of her favorite things about Phoenix. Today,…

10 Life Lessons from Gore Vidal (1925 – 2012)

Gore Vidal was an American author, screenwriter, playwright, and activist celebrated for his public political criticism and was often called an early champion of sexual liberation. Vidal was born in New York, was first published when he was 19 years old, and continued to write novels, essays, memoirs, and plays…

Am I a Book Snob? (A Flowchart)

From time to time, Jackalope Ranch contributors will provide a visual guide to every day and extraordinary situations … and Claire Lawton will illustrate them. This week: author Laurie Notaro answers a very important question: Am I a Book Snob? Welcome to Charted Territory. Laurie Notaro’s Summer Reading List for…

Tania Katan Kicks Off a Literary/Performance Series at SMoCA Lounge

When Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art announced it was bringing author, performer, and all-around-kickass entertainer Tania Katan on board, we knew things were about to get interesting. This month, Katan will launch her latest programed event, Lit Lounge. What Katan describes as a little rock’n’roll, a little This American Life,…

What Are You Reading, Marlene Tromp?

Dr. Marlene Tromp is the Director of the Division of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies and Professor of English and Women and Gender Studies at ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Her latest book, Untold Titanic, invites readers to learn the truth on the Titanic’s 100th Anniversary. A 50-page,…

Get Writing Tips from the Pros at Phoenix Comicon 2012

There’s a huge lineup of geeky cool writing workshops at this year’s Phoenix Comicon, where you can try your hand at writing dystopian fantasy, paranormal fiction, steampunk fiction, faerie lore, zombie erotica (to name a few).There’s plenty of books and authors programming to sink your teeth into throughout the four-day convention,…

What Are You Reading, Gregory Sale?

Gregory Sale, who won the Mid-Career Artist Award at last year’s Phoenix Art Museum Contemporary Forum, passed the baton at the 2012 awards ceremony last week with an art opening in the museum’s main hall. He describes the work as a proposal for an outreach effort aimed toward at-risk youth…

Maurice Sendak (1928 – 2012)

Maurice Sendak was a giant in the children’s literature world whose titles include Seven Little Monsters, Fantasy Sketches, Outside Over There and Where the Wild Things Are. He said his love for books developed when he was young and had health complications that confined him to his bed. And for…

What Are You Reading, Jenn McKinlay?

On Saturday, May 5, The The Poisoned Pen Bookstore  and the Phoenix Public Library are teaming up to present CozyCon, a mystery-writing conference with a dozen favorite mystery authors. Jenn McKinlay, author of both the Cupcake Bakery series (Sprinkle With Murder, Buttercream Bump Off, Death by the Dozen) and the Library…