Heads up. If you're a Kindle, Nook, Apple, Google Play, or Kobo user, you can download a free short excerpt of The Lager Queen of Minnesota (and many other upcoming books) through this #BuzzBooks2019 promotion. More information here.
My second novel, The Lager Queen of Minnesota, about a family split over an unfairly divided inheritance, set against the backdrop of Minnesota beer culture from the 1950s to today, is out on Pamela Dorman Books/Viking this July 23rd.
Check back here for updates regarding the tour schedule and other non-tour events in 2019 and beyond.
Beyond Baroque was a literary staple of my years living in Venice Beach. I’m honored to return there on Saturday, December 8th to help them celebrate their 50th anniversary.
From Beyond Baroque’s website:
Each installment of the NEW Series features original work commissioned from authors on a single theme.
The changes Beyond Baroque has undergone over a half-century have brought us to reflect on our past and our present. That's why we chose Innocence and Experience as the theme for the final installment of the NEW Series. Join us as acclaimed writers Harryette Mullen and J. Ryan Stradal read wholly original work that has never been published or presented elsewhere. Other guests to be announced soon!
This program is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.
For more info, and advance tickets, visit here.
I’m grateful to be a part of the South Sound Reading Foundation's summer event. From their website:
A fantastic summer evening with authors Nancy Pearl & J. Ryan Stradal, live music by Pinniped, champagne, delicious food, silent auction, Raise the Paddle for the South Sound Reading Foundation and a few delightful literary diversions!
Friday, August 3, 2018 6:00-9:30pm
Terrace on the Green Restaurant at the Olympia Country & Golf Club, Olympia, WA
Join us for lunch with four accomplished authors to hear first-hand about their experiences in the publishing world. Craig Tomashoff (MSJ '85), J. Ryan Stradal (Northwestern '98), Toni Gallagher (Northwestern '87) and Thomas Greanias (BSJ/MSJ '87) will discuss their most recent works and offer advice to aspiring writers.
Seating is limited. Admission includes a buffet lunch. More information and advance tickets here.
Sponsored by the Medill Club of Southern California.
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, an anthology of "real reviews of fake movies" I co-edited with Adam Cushman, comes out today via Rare Bird Lit. It's available through Powell's, IndieBound, Amazon, and elsewhere. Special thanks to the great Jay Kovacs for the movie poster design on the inside covers.
My three-part short story "Time in a Bottle," about a young woman whose life is changed at the intersection of legendary wine and unspeakable grief, is up in full on the CNET website, as the final installation of their "Technically Literate" series.
Read the full story here.
I'm honored to appear with authors Cecil Castellucci, Rico Gagliano, Meg Howrey, Lilliam Rivera, and Chris Terry on Saturday, December 9th at 826LA's Holiday Lit Mart. Come on by, listen to some stories, and enjoy a festive Saturday afternoon with us!
Two events coming up this week in western South Dakota:
A reading & signing with a traditional Lakota meal at 5:00 pm on Wednesday 9/20 at Racing Magpie.
The One Book South Dakota keynote address at 11:00 am on Saturday 9/25 as part of the South Dakota Festival of Books.
If you're local or in the area for the festival, I hope you can swing by.
It's been a hell of a year and all of the events so far in South Dakota have been wonderful. Huge thanks to the South Dakota Humanities Council and the Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau for their support.
Next month at Edgemere Farm in Far Rockaway, New York, Fork Monkey and Edible History are collaborating to recreate a version of Eva Thorvald's "The Dinner" from the final chapter of Kitchens of the Great Midwest. Interested in attending? Inquire here.
This Sunday, August 20th, I'm joining this lineup for an afternoon of readings & music at The Pop-Hop bookstore in Highland Park.
Readings from:
J. RYAN STRADAL
MURIEL LEUNG
JESS ARNDT
DOUGLAS KEARNEY
Music from:
PINE FAMILY
For more information, and to RSVP, check out the Sumarr Reading Series FB event page , or visit the Pop-Hop site.
This Thursday, I'm reading with Why There Are Words Los Angeles (and four amazing local writers) at Kaffebarren in downtown LA. If you're here in southern California, I hope you can come by.
If you're in the Indianapolis area this weekend, I hope you can join me this Saturday at my first ever book-related stop in Indiana, at the Hamilton East Public Library in Fishers. I'll be talking, reading a little bit, answering as many questions as possible, and signing books.
More info and advance ticket sales here.
The South Dakota Humanities Council, as part of selecting Kitchens of the Great Midwest for their One Book South Dakota program, is sponsoring three food & reading events with me this month, in Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Pierre. Here's information on all the events, and advance tickets .
There's also a brand new interview with me about "Kitchens" and my personal love for South Dakota, by Ryan Woodard of the South Dakota Humanities Council.
If you're in or close to eastern and central South Dakota, I hope to see you next week -- until then, thank you, as always , for the support!
Looking forward to this year's Author Fair in El Segundo, where I'm sharing a panel with the brilliant Meg Howrey. Sunday, June 11th at 3:00 pm -- if you're nearby, I hope to see you there.
Extremely excited to be part of this panel in this year's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. If it's convenient to you, I hope to see you there -- I adore this moderator and this topic.
I'm deeply honored to have my debut novel chosen by the South Dakota Humanities Council as the state's One Book selection for 2017.
Looking forward to coming out to South Dakota for events this summer and fall. If you can join us, check the SDHC's website (linked above) or my tour schedule calendar for details when they become available.
Thursday, December 1st, 7:00 pm:
Third Kirchner Lecture featuring Beth Dooley and J. Ryan Stradal
At the Cowles Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, The University of Minnesota (Twin Cities campus)
Sunday, December 4th, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm:
Linden Hills Winter Market book sale, signing, and meet & greet, sponsored by Excelsior Books
At Sunnyside Gardens, 3723 W. 44th St. Minneapolis, MN 55410
Tuesday, December 6th, 7:00 pm:
Conversation with Susan Straight (and dessert bars contest, judged by me)
At The Last Bookstore, 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Next week begins my Kitchens of the Great Midwest tour in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. If you'll be near any of these places, or know someone who may be, here are the dates/times/venues:
Tuesday 11/8:
8:00 PM Reading of Kitchens of the Great Midwest in English language
German reader/host: Bartholomäus Sailer
Buch & Café Lentner Balanstraße 14 D-81669 München
Wednesday 11/9:
6:00 PM Reading of Kitchens of the Great Midwest in English language only
Host: Ms. Gesa Schneider (director literature house Zurich)
Café BANK, Helvetiaplatz CH-8004 Zürich
Thursday 11/10:
7:30 PM Reading of Kitchens of the Great Midwest in English language
German reader: Steffen Nowak Host: Ms. Pat Götz
Buchhandlung Lesebar Schloßstraße 8/2 D-88416 Ochsenhausen
Friday 11/11:
8:00 PM Reading of Kitchens of the Great Midwest in English language
German reader: Steffen Nowak; Host: Ms. Pat Götz
Ehinger Buchladen, Hauptstraße 46 D-89584 Ehingen (Donau)
Saturday 11/12:
8:00 PM Reading of Kitchens of the Great Midwest in English language
German reader: Robert Gwisdek
Backfabrik Clinker Lounge, Saarbrücker Straße 36-38 D-10405 Berlin
Monday 11/14:
7:00 PM Reading of Kitchens of the Great Midwest in English language with a culinary setting
German reader: Mr. Heinrich Baumgärtner
Buchhandlung Heyn, Kramergasse 2-4, A-9020 Klagenfurt
Tuesday 11/15:
8:00 PM Reading of Kitchens of the Great Midwest in English language
German reader: Mr. Moritz Stöpel
Buchhandlung Bollinger, Hohemarktstraße 151, D-61440 Oberursel
I'm completely floored. I can't tell you what it means to win this award from my local booksellers, whose recommendations and community have actively made me a better reader and writer over my seventeen years in Los Angeles.
Huge thanks in particular to Skylight Books, {pages}: a bookstore, Warwick's, Vroman's, Diesel Bookstore, Small World Books, Stories, The Last Bookstore, Chevalier's, and the deeply missed Dutton's for the support over the years. I would not be the writer or person I am without you.