Histories of the FBI

Does the history of the FBI intrigue you?
What do you believe really happens behind closed doors?
Would you love to find out?

If so, you should attend the lecture of John F. Fox, Jr. held by Gonzaga University. Fox is an FBI historian, co-author of The FBI: A Centennial History, and his articles have appeared in the Journal of Government Information, Studies in Intelligence, the Law Enforcement Executive Forum, and the Journal of Cold War Studies.

What: William L. Davis, S.J. Lecture Series of Gonzaga University Presents: John F. Fox, Jr., FBI Historian, "Histories of the FBI: The Roles of Popular, Public, & Academic History in Understanding the Bureau"
Where: Cataldo Hall Globe Room @ Gonzaga University (502 E. Boone Ave., Spokane)
When: Tuesday, January 24th 2012 7:00 PM
Cost: FREE
More Information:
Gonzaga Univerity Presents: John F. Fox. Jr.

Naked Lunch Break Open Mic

Naked Lunch Break is a new literary open mic event sponsored by Eastern Washington University and the Riverpoint Campus Libraries. Every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., poetry, stand-up comedy, stand-up tragedy, fiction, nonfiction, and other such assemblages of words let loose into the air with the aid of a microphone at the rate of three minutes per reader. All are welcome to join in.

Naked Lunch Break will occasionally include a featured reader, and this week's special guest is 2012 Get Lit! Festival headliner Jess Walter, award-winning fiction writer, journalist, and author of six novels including The Financial Lives of the Poets and The Zero. Visit our website to read more about Jess.

What: Naked Lunch Break Open Mic
Where: Riverpoint Campus, Phase I auditorium (SCLS 122)
When: January 19, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Why: A chance to hear a new story by Jess Walter, or if you're a creative and brave writer yourself, a chance to read alongside him
Cost: Free (and there might even be free pizza as well)

"Rent" is due in North Idaho

Get Lit! is proud to support the Coeur d'Alene Lake City Playhouse's production of "Rent." Performances run January 13 to January 29.

"Rent," the seventh longest running Broadway show in history according to The New York Times, is a play applauded for its artistic representation of intimate human struggles. The protagonists, a group of artists living in New York City's East Village in the early 90s, struggle with addiction, poverty and AIDS, but the play gives equal weight to their struggle to maintain friendships, find love and create art. The play tackles complex issues but keeps the focus on the characters themselves, and the upbeat pop-rock songs with clever lyrics have proven to be a hit with audiences.

Shawn Vestal's recent article in The Spokesman-Review pointed out that the play is generating controversy in Coeur D'Alene, despite its long-running success and the pile of awards it has earned, including many Tony awards and even a Pulitzer Prize. The play was originally released in 1996 to immediate acclaim, and has since been performed across the world in over twenty languages. However, it seems that some citizens are objecting to the subject matter of the play, which includes references to sex and features gay characters struggling with AIDS.

But the show must go on. On behalf of artists everywhere, we're glad it will.

A benefit performance of "Rent" will be staged by the Lake City Playhouse on Jan. 12 to support INBA Outreach scholarships and the North Idaho Aids coalition. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at http://www.inbaoutreach.org/rent.

What: "Rent"

Where: Lake City Playhouse 1320 E. Garden in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

When: January 13-January 29

Cost: $19

More information at http://www.lakecityplayhouse.org

To read Shawn Vestal's article in the Spokesman, click here.

Are You Writing a Novel?

If you have a completed draft of your novel, we've got just the workshop for you. Cheryl Klein, the executive director of Arthur Levine Books/Scholastic, will be presenting a master class on plot in Spokane on March 3, 2012. The workshop is presented by the Inland Northwest chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, but the workshop's focus on plot and pacing will apply to all novel writers, not just those geared toward the YA/middle-grade market.

Here's the official description: "In this INTENSIVE master class, we will examine the care and feeding of a plot, including a number of techniques authors employ to control pacing, tension, character development and reader reaction. We'll look at the DNA of action and emotional development in a novel, and the uses of subplots. You'll learn methods for analyzing your own plot to identify its strengths and weaknesses, and tips for completing a thoughtful and effective revision."

Mari Hunt, member of the local SCBWI chapter, says that Cheryl Klein "is a gifted editor and phenomenal teacher...we're fortunate to have the opportunity to bring her to our area."

Registration for the class is open now, but the registration deadline of January 31 is already approaching.

More details can be found on the SCBWI Facebook page.