Upcoming Events
June 5
Nook Farm Author Talk and Book Club
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
77 Forest Street, Hartford, CT
July 12-14, 2013
American History Weekend
Josephine Community Library
December 5, 2013
Visiting Writers
Hamilton College
Past Events
November 8, 2011 7:30 PM
Jewish Voices: Annual Reading by Jewish Writers and Poets
Oregon Jewish Museum
Portland, OR
November 7 — December 12, 2011, 6:30pm–8:30pm
Breaking the Yoke: The Anti-Slavery Literature that Changed America
Literary Arts
Portland, OR
Can literature really change society–start a war–set four million people free? Examine the political and emotional impact of great writing in this seminar on Uncle Tom’s Cabin and The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. As we read the most popular novel and the most powerful slave narrative of nineteenth-century America, participants will explore the social and cultural contexts that shaped, and were shaped by, these great works of literature.
December 8, 2011, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Artist Talk and Happy Hour
Portland Art Museum
Portland, OR
Discussion of the recasting of American history in contemporary art and literature, from The Secrets of Mary Bowser to the mixed-media sculpture of award-winning Native American artist Marie Watt.
January 30-February 1, 2012
Our Cup Runneth Over
Jewish Women's Theater
Los Angeles
Tickets are on-sale for this four-part series
I have a lot to give thanks for . . . including director Ellyn Gersh Lerner's invitation to write a theater script. I've just turned a 15-page comic prose memoir with 10 characters into a one-act play with four characters. Drama! Comedy! Learning how to format a script! The theme of the series is gratitude, and my twist is kind of gratitude with attitude. Hope you can catch this show about what happens to a group of college friends when the first of them has a baby. On Thanksgiving Day.
February 7, March 7, April 3, and April 24, 2012
Making History
Canby Public Library
Canby, Oregon
Don't you the love the library? I do. And I'm delighted to be leading this four-part series about history and the materials historians use to learn about the past.
Picturing History Examining portraits as historical evidence.
Mapping History Reading maps as historical evidence.
Posting History Examining correspondence of key historical figures as historical evidence.
The Story of History Explore how historians construct narratives out of historical evidence and how the choices a historian makes in selecting sources can shape what comes to be accepted fact about America's past.
Picturing History Examining portraits as historical evidence.
Mapping History Reading maps as historical evidence.
Posting History Examining correspondence of key historical figures as historical evidence.
The Story of History Explore how historians construct narratives out of historical evidence and how the choices a historian makes in selecting sources can shape what comes to be accepted fact about America's past.
February 21-March 13, 2012, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Everybody Reads: The Literary Lineage of Heidi Durrow’s The Girl Who Fell from the Sky
Literary Arts
Portland, OR
What can a coming-of-age story set in contemporary Portland tell us about hundreds of years of American and European art and literature—from the engravings of William Blake to novels of the Harlem Renaissance? As part of Multnomah County’s 2012 Everybody Reads program, this seminar offers readers an opportunity to share a deeper exploration of The Girl Who Fell from the Sky. The novel explores a young woman’s struggle to understand how her biracial lineage shapes who she is and what she does. Together, we’ll examine the literary and artistic lineage that shapes this powerful novel.
March 11, 2012
Poetry Out Loud
Oregon Arts Commission
Portland, Oregon
I am oiling up my trochees and polishing off my anapests in preparation for serving as a judge for Poetry Out Loud.
This wonderful program gives teens a chance to fall in love with poetry through performance.
This wonderful program gives teens a chance to fall in love with poetry through performance.
April 21, 2012, 3:45 p.m.
Oregon Poetry Association
Clackamas Community College
I'll be reading with other winners of a statewide poetry competition.
Sunday, April 29, 2012, 2:00 p.m.
Telling Secrets: Mary Bowser, Black Civil War Spy
Central Library
Multnomah County Library
801 SW 10th Avenue
Do you ever wonder how authors weave facts into fiction? As part of Multnomah County Library's commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, I'll be discussing the inspirational true story behind The Secrets of Mary Bowser.
May 18, 2012, 7:30 pm
Kick-Off Reading
Powells City of Books
Portland, Oregon
I'll be reading and signing copies of The Secrets of Mary Bowser.
May 22, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
Third Place Books
Lake Forest Park, Washington
Reading and book signing for The Secrets of Mary Bowser.
May 24, 7 pm
Books-A-Million
Birmingham, Alabama
757 Brookwood Village
May 31, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
St. Helens Book Shop
St. Helens, Oregon
Reading and signing for The Secrets of Mary Bowser.
June 9-10
Publishers Row
Chicago
June 19, 2012, 6:30-8:00 pm
Telling Secrets: Mary Bowser, a Black Civil War Spy
Canby Public Library
Canby, Oregon
Do you ever wonder how authors weave facts into fiction? Join me for a discussion of the inspirational true story behind The Secrets of Mary Bowser.
June 24, 2012
American Library Association
American Library Association
Anaheim, California
July 17, 2012, 7:00 pm
Broadway Books
Portland, Oregon
July 26, 2012, 7:00 pm
Books, Inc.
Berkeley
1760 4th St.
July 27, 2012
Napa Valley Writers Conference
Napa Valley Writers Conference
July 28, 2012, 2:00 pm
Telling Secrets: Mary Bowser, Black Civil War Spy
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Do you ever wonder how authors weave facts into fiction? As part of AAMLO's commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, I'll be discussing the inspirational true story behind The Secrets of Mary Bowser.
July 29, 2012, 2:00 pm
Telling Secrets: Mary Bowser, Black Civil War Spy
Museum of the African Diaspora
685 Mission Street (at Third)
San Francisco, California
Explore what the story of Mary Bowser reveals about black history.
August 3-5, 2012
Willamette Writers Conference
Willamette Writers Conference
September 13, 2012
Lewis and Clark College
Departments of English, Gender Studies, and Ethnic Studies
September 28-30, 2012
Historical Novel Society
University of Westminster
October 13
Wordstock
Wordstock is the Pacific Northwest’s premier venue for writers, books, and storytellers
Panel, There's Nothing Like Your First, 11:00 AM on the Faceout Studios Stage
Reading, 2:00 PM on the Work for Art Stage
Panel, Lives of Others, 4:00 PM on the McMenamins
Reading, 2:00 PM on the Work for Art Stage
Panel, Lives of Others, 4:00 PM on the McMenamins
Thursday, October 18, 2012, 7 pm
Seaside Library
Seaside, Oregon
October 25, 2012, 3:30-5:00
Writing So Good You Can Taste It
Lower Columbia College
Thursday, October 25, 2012, 7 pm
Northwest Voices
Longview Public Library
Library talk open to the public, 7:00
November 1, 2012
Jewish Book Month Speaker
Three Creeks Community Library
800-C NE Tenney Road
Vancouver, WA
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Lost and Found Stories: African Americans in Northern Virginia
George Mason University
Keynote speaker at the annual symposium on black history in Northern Virginia. This event is open to the public as well as the campus community.
November 9, 2012
From Academia to the End-Cap at Target: Putting Your Ph.D. to Work by Bringing Humanities Research
George Washington University
November 17, 2012
LiveWire!
Featured guest on LiveWire! radio program.
Attend the live taping of LiveWire! http://www.livewireradio.org/attend_a_live_show
Friday, November 30, 2012
Historical Fiction in the Pacific Northwest
Salem Public Library
December 18, 4-7 pm
Oregon Humanities
The Cleaners/Ace Hotel
1022 SW Stark Street
Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 7:30 pm
What Difference Does Difference Make? Race, Social Justice, and Jewish American Literature
Temple Beth Israel
Skokie, Illinois
This talk is part of Temple Beth Israel's yearlong exploration of the theme "Making a difference, one day at a time, one act at a time."
January 18, 2013
Pritzker Military Library
Pritzker Military Library
Chicago, IL
Lunchtime talk on Mary Bowser and Civil War espionage
January 23, 2013
Loyola University
Departments of English and Women's Studies
Chicago, IL
January 28, 4 pm
Telling Secrets: Mary Bowser, Race, Gender, and American History
DePaul University
Rosati Room 300, Richardson Library 2350, North Kenmore Ave., Chicago IL
February 12, 7 pm
Universit of Detroit-Mercy
Black History Month event
February 18, 2013
Giving Voice to Black History
Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
February 21 1pm-3pm
Bonneville Power Administration
Learning from Mary Bowser: Workplace Diversity Talk
February 23, 2013, 3:00 pm
Orca Books
Olympia, Washington
February 26, 2013
Luncheon Lecture
Oregon Area Jewish Committee
$15/person includes lunch and drinks
$5/person includes drinks only
The Law Offices of Miller Nash, LLP
111 SW Fifth Ave, 34th Floor, Portland, OR 97204
Parking Validation Provided
$5/person includes drinks only
The Law Offices of Miller Nash, LLP
111 SW Fifth Ave, 34th Floor, Portland, OR 97204
Parking Validation Provided
February 26, 4 pm
March 12, 4 pm
April 2, 6:30 pm
April 16, 6:30 pm
March 12, 4 pm
April 2, 6:30 pm
April 16, 6:30 pm
Civil War 150: A Community Comes Together to Understand a Nation Torn Apart
Canby Public Library
I'll be leading a series of community discussions about the Civil War and its legacy.
March 7
First Novel Panel
Pacific University
March 20, 7 pm
Sigma Tau Delta International Convention
International English Honor Society
I'm honored to be the kick-off speaker welcoming 900 faculty and student members of the international English honor society to their annual convention.
March 21, 2013
University of Portland
Departments of English and History
March 28, 2013, 6:30 pm
Women Hold Up Half the Sky
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 East Freedom Way
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati celebrates Women's History Month with a tribute to Mary Bowser.
As the country marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (NURFC) invites members of the public to a fascinating Women's History Month program about Mary Bowser, a Union spy who posed as a slave in the Confederate White House during the Civil War. Lois Leveen, author of THE SECRETS OF MARY BOWSER (HarperCollins/William Morrow) will share this little known history as part of NURFC's "Women Hold Up Half the Sky" exhibition, which tells stories of women from around the globe who have changed their lives through education, economics, and self-determination.
As the country marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (NURFC) invites members of the public to a fascinating Women's History Month program about Mary Bowser, a Union spy who posed as a slave in the Confederate White House during the Civil War. Lois Leveen, author of THE SECRETS OF MARY BOWSER (HarperCollins/William Morrow) will share this little known history as part of NURFC's "Women Hold Up Half the Sky" exhibition, which tells stories of women from around the globe who have changed their lives through education, economics, and self-determination.
April 3, 7 pm
Whose Civil War? Black History, Women’s History, and the Becker Collection Drawings
Reed College
Vollum Lecture Hall
Portland, Oregon
April 4, 11, 18, and 25
Do You See What I’m Saying? Carrie Mae Weems and Her Literary Sisters
Portland Art Museum
I'm delighted to be leading this program in conjunction with a major retrospective of Carrie Mae Weems. Born and raised in the heart of Portland’s African American community, Carrie Mae Weems is one of the most significant artists working today. In this four session series, participants will explore themes of race, family, and history in Weems’ art, and in work by contemporary black women writers.
April 6, 2013
The Future of Richmond’s Past
The Museum of the Confederacy
I'll be joining President of the University of Richmond Ed Ayers and Elizabeth Varon, author of *Southern Lady, Yankee Spy* the definitive biography of Bet Van Lew, for a discussion at the former White House of the Confederacy (aka the Gray House).
April 8, 11:30 am
Telling Secrets: Mary Bowser, Race, Gender, and American History
Randolph-Macon College
April 8, 5:00 pm
Telling Secrets: Mary Bowser, Race, Gender, and American History at VSU
Virginia State University
April 12, 2013
June Key Delta Community Center
Fundraiser for a wonderful Portland group.
April 20, 2013
Kalama Word Catcher
Featured author
Kalama, Washington
I'm delighted to participate in this benefit for the Kalama Public Library
May 15, 6:30 pm
Learning from History: a conversation with Lois Leveen, educator and author
Allen Temple CME Church (co-sponsored by City Club of Portland, the Urban League, and First Unitarian Church of Portland)
4236 NE 8th Ave, Portland, OR
The Secrets of Mary Bowser is based on the true story of a woman born into slavery, freed and educated in the North, who returned to the South and became a Union spy in the Confederate White House. Named one of the top 10 books of 2012 by The Oregonian, the novel is introducing readers across the country to little known aspects of American history, and to a real-life African American heroine. In this conversation, author and education expert Lois Leveen will discuss how the history behind the novel offers important lessons for the twenty-first century, particularly how Mary Bowser's journey from slavery to freedom can serve as a model as we work to achieve educational equity for all young people in Portland.
There is no need to read the book before the program, although copies are available at area bookstores and will be on sale at the event. The event is appropriate for middle school and high school students as well as for adults. Advanced RSVPs are appreciated but not required --Call City Club's Reservation Line 503-228-7231, Ext. 110
There is no need to read the book before the program, although copies are available at area bookstores and will be on sale at the event. The event is appropriate for middle school and high school students as well as for adults. Advanced RSVPs are appreciated but not required --Call City Club's Reservation Line 503-228-7231, Ext. 110
May 23, 6 pm
Meet the Author
Newberry Library
Chicago
Buy the Book
USA
UK
Norway
Target
Indie Bound
Powell's Books
Books-A-Million
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Your local bookstore
iTunes Store
Indie Bound
Powell's Books
Books-A-Million
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Your local bookstore
iTunes Store
UK
Norway
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