Sonoma County Literary Update

May 2026 Calendar of Literary Events

The monthly calendar reflects announcements that literary folk from the area have sent to us. To get a more complete list of author-events and workshop schedules, addresses and directions to the event locations, as well as bios of the presenters, you can use the links below.   Please send your calendar announcements, text only (no attachments or PDFs please), no later than noon on the last day of each month. Calendar entries are easier to include if they follow the format you see here (Day, date, time: event, cost, location, contact). Events should be within an hour’s drive of Sonoma County. Send your announcements to editor@socolitupdate.com. NOTE: Lengthy announcements will be edited. Where possible, please provide a link to a web page with complete details.

Book Passage www.bookpassage.com*
Copperfield’s Books www.copperfieldsbooks.com*
Petaluma Writers’ Forum and Jumpstart Writing Workshops: www.thewritespot.us
Readers’ Books www.readersbooks.com
Redwood Writers www.redwoodwriters.org
Sebastopol Center for the Arts www.sebarts.org
Sitting Room Library www.sittingroomlibrary.org

*NOTE: Book Passage and Copperfield’s Books have archived their virtual events. For Book Passages Conversations With Authors, go to: https://bookpassage.extendedsession.com/archive/ Copperfield’s Books’ Virtual Event Library may be found on YouTube.

Friday, May 1, 6:00 p.m. Blue Light at the Gallery: New book Showcase. On Zoom. Featuring: Monica Volker, Senryu for the Soul; Shawna Swetech, Standing in Their Fire; Tobey Hiller, DESCENT IN FIVE (motions);and Brian Martens, Three Raven Gate. More details: bluelightpress.com/events.php. For the Zoom link, e-mail: Bluelightpress@aol.com

Monday, May 4, 12:00 p.m. Point Reyes Books presents a virtual reading with Jackie Morris, celebrating the UK release of Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane’s The Book of Birds, a field guide with a difference: It shows readers not just how to identify birds, but also how to identify with them. Free Zoom event. For details and Zoom link: ptreyesbooks.com/event/2026-05-04/jackie-morris-book-birds

Monday, May 4, 6:00 p.m. New River Town Poets and Aqus Cafe present Guy Biderman and Melanie Perish via Zoom, followed by open mic (the list is full now). Email: rivertownpoet@gmail.com. Join meeting: us06web.zoom.us/i/6508887879

Wednesday, May 6, 7:00 p.m. Live storytelling: Redwood Nights: Storytelling Under the Stars at Deer Park Villa in Fairfax. Hosted by award-winning NPR storyteller Don Reed. THEME: MOTHER (Mother’s Day Week Show). Treat mom to an evening of premium storytelling or simply sit back and let the true tales invite memories of mom. Enjoy an enchanting redwood grove, beautiful gardens, full-service bar, and free parking, ensuring a perfect backdrop for a night of stories and stars. $35-$75. Details and tickets: eventbrite.com/e/redwood-nights-storytelling-under-the-stars-at-deer-park-villa-tickets-945373817537

Thursday, May 7, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Sonoma County Library presents a virtual reading and exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali discussing her New York Times bestselling novel, The Lion Women of Tehran. More details and registration: libraryc.org/sonomalibrary/155129/register

Thursday, May 7, 7:00 p.m. Brian R. Martens: Reading and Reflection. Join Brian for an hour shaped by image, story, and transformation. We begin in the dim enclosure of Rainer Maria Rilke’s “The Panther,” followed by a reading of his personal response. In the second half, we shift into storytelling with the ancient Native American tale of the Old Woman and the Black Dog, a story that moves like a shadow through memory, asking each listener: where do you stand within it, and what has it come to teach you? At Many Rivers Books & Tea, 130 South Main St. Sebastopol.

Friday, May 8, 8:00 p.m. Copperfields Books presents An Evening with David Sedaris, at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. David Sedaris is one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. His book, The Best of Me, collects 42 previously published stories and essays. Tickets: lutherburbankcenter.org/event/david-sedaris26/

Saturday, May 9, 4:00-5:30 p.m. North Bay Letterpress Arts presents: An Afternoon of Poetry with Robert Hass & Forrest Gander. Together, Hass and Gander bring decades of writing, translation, friendship, and literary engagement to this special reading. Light refreshments and fantastic poetry served in equal measure. Beautiful letterpress broadsides of poets’ work available with a donation to NBLA. At 925-D Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol. Free event. RSVP required. More details and registration link at: northbayletterpressarts.org/events-calendar/2026-hass-gander

Saturday, May 9, 4:00 p.m. Book Passage Corte Madera presents Fernwood Press Poetry Readings featuring: Patricia Nelson (Monster Monologues), David Kann (​Ishmael on the Farm), Suzanne Maxson (Movement), and Dan Alter (Hills Full of Holes). More details at: bookpassage.com/event/fernwood-press-poetry-readings-corte-madera-store

Tuesday, May 12, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sonoma County Library virtual author talk: How to Robot-Proof Your Kids and Yourself with Dr. Vivienne Ming. In Robot-Proof, Dr. Ming helps readers grasp the ugly and the amazing of how individuals, companies, and societies will respond to the changes that are already taking hold due to the advent of AI. Robot-Proof is a book about people, exploring what it means to be human in an increasingly automated world. Register here: libraryc.org/sonomalibrary/155764/register

Thursday, May 14, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Napa Bookmine presents an author event: The Gentleman Farmer by Garret Thomas Murphy. Hosted by Vintner’s Collective, 1245 Main Street, Napa. The Gentleman Farmer is a work of literary fiction set in Napa Valley. Threaded throughout the novel is a vibrant cast of supporting characters—winemakers, consultants, business owners, vintners, patrons, and power brokers—many inspired by real figures and places in Napa Valley. Details: napabookmine.com/event/2026-05-14/author-event-gentleman-farmer-garret-thomas-murphy

Thursday, May 14, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Donna Emerson will read from her new book, Daphne Lifts Up, joining poets Catherine Clark-Sayles, Tina Denetclaw, and Francesca Bell at Rebound Bookstore in San Rafael (1611 4th Street). Refreshments will be served.

Thursday, May 14, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Brian R. Martens will read a few poems from his new book Merlin’s Wing and then share a new venture into storytelling with an interactive presentation of an ancient Native American tale about an Old Woman and a Black Dog. The audience will be asked to respond to portions of the story and to share their learnings. It’s a wonderful and timely tale that reflects on how to react to chaos (which is prevalent in our world right now), and how to bring a new perspective into your own life with creativity. Please bring friends and family because it’s a teaching story. At Santa Rosa Arts Center, 312 S A St., Santa Rosa.

Friday, May 15, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Online Literary Open Mic. Share a short story or poetry. Email johnnybodega1@gmail.com for Zoom link. Hosted by John Christian, flyingchairproductions.weebly.com.

Saturday, May 16, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Redwood Writers Meeting & Potluck with Lisa Manterfield: Small But Mighty—Crafting a Winning Elevator Pitch. “So, what’s your book about?” It’s a simple question that strikes terror in many writers. How do you condense your 300-page masterpiece into a few sentences without making your audience’s eyes glaze over? In this class, you’ll learn how this short piece of sales copy forms the foundation of your query letter, book jacket copy, and more. $10-$15. Details and registration: redwoodwriters.org/may-2026-lisa-manterfield

Sunday, May 17, 2:00-4:30 p.m. Travel Writers: Meet Isabelle Eberhardt with Bridget Hayes, at the Sitting Room Library (2025 Curtis Drive, Penngrove). Discover the fascinating work of Isabelle Eberhardt, a lesser-known European/Algerian travel and journal writer. We’ll explore her life, read excerpts together, and discuss her voice/style/themes. You will then have the chance to try your own hand at writing a short piece inspired by her style and perspective. Free. Sign up on Eventbrite.

Sunday May 17, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Comics and Visual Story Telling: Occidental Center for the Arts Literary Series hosts two award winning graphic novelists, Paige Braddock and Mary Shyne. Paige and Mary will discuss creating graphic novels for young adults, including character and story development, followed by a Q&A forum with the audience. Book sales and signing in lobby. Free admission, all donations gratefully accepted.  Refreshments for sale. OCA: 3850 Doris Murphy Way, Occidental. OCA’s facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. For more details and bios: occidentalcenterforthearts.org

Tuesday, May 19, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sonoma County Library virtual author event: Beyond Belief by Nir Eyal. Grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and unforgettable case studies, Eyal introduces the Three Powers of Belief: Attention, Anticipation, and Agency. Mastering these powers transforms how you see challenges, feel about the future, and act when it matters most. More details and registration: libraryc.org/sonomalibrary/157034/register

Tuesday, May 19, 3:00-4:30 p.m. North Bay Poetics presents When Inspiration Comes, an online afternoon with San Francisco poet Daniel Brady. Hosted by Karen Pierce Gonzalez. Followed by an open mic (12 spots, 4 minutes each). For Zoom link, email: info@northbaypoetics.net

Wednesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m. Dave Pokorny presents West Side Stories: Every month there is a theme, hopefully that sparks a memory for you. You put your name in a hat and 10 people’s names are drawn at random. When your name is pulled you get 5 minutes to tell your personal true story. At the end of the evening, everyone votes by text for their favorite story of the night. The winner gets $50. May’s theme is “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait.”  Details and ticket ($21.50) purchase: davepokornypresents.com/west-side-stories

Thursday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. Join Eric Johnson, Journeyman’s Dues, A Book Of Jobs, judi goldberg, Common Currency, The Shape Of Words, and Pat Nolan, Ode To Sunset, A Year In The Life Of American Genius to celebrate their recent literary publications and engage in a lively conversation about memoirs, fiction, and art at Russian River Books & Letters, 14045 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville.

Friday, May 22, 11:00 a.m. Point Reyes Books and The New School at Commonweal present David Haskell, joined by Susan Grelock Yusem, for a conversation about his new book, How Flowers Made Our World, an exquisite exploration of the power of flowers, placing them at the center of the story of how evolution created the world we know today. At The New School at Commonweal, 451 Mesa Rd., Bolinas. Details: ptreyesbooks.com/event/2026-05-22/david-haskell-how-flowers-made-our-world

Sunday, May 24, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Memoir Workshop with Ianthe Brautigan, at the Sitting Room Library (2025 Curtis Drive, Penngrove). During this memoir workshop, we’ll be exploring different structures and approaches to writing about one’s life with a literary lens. We will also have time to practice the art of memoir; you will have the opportunity to write about a moment or circumstance in your life that resonates with you in a memorable way. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore this powerful genre. Required materials: a notebook and a pen. All other materials provided. Free. Sign up on Eventbrite.

Tuesday, May 26, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Barrel Proof Lounge and host Timothy Williams present African-American Writers of Sonoma County, featuring Dr. Andrea Hall, Enid Pickett, Morris Abashé Turner, N’Game Gray, Joanna Wheeldin and musicians Sarah Baker and Geoffrey Whyte. Barrel Proof Lounge, 501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa at 7th Street.

Wednesday, May 27, 6:00 p.m. Book Passage Corte Madera celebrates Caro Claire Burke and her debut novel, Yesteryear! A traditional American woman, a beautiful wife and mother who sells her pioneer lifestyle of raw milk and farm-fresh eggs to her millions of social media followers, suddenly awakens cold, filthy, and terrified in the brutal reality of 1855—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister. More details: bookpassage.com/event/caro-claire-burke-yesteryear

Saturday, May 30, 11:00 a.m. Book Passage Corte Madera presents a multi-author event celebrating Cole Swensen, Forrest Gander and Gillian Conoley. In Veer, award-winning poet Cole Swensen examines the everyday splendor of California’s landscapes. Mojave Ghost by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Forrest Gander is a “a novel poem,” taking us to his birthplace in the Mojave Desert and his current northern California home. In Notes from the Passenger by Gillian Conoley, poems open portals where the living and the dead find one another in new communication. More details: bookpassage.com/event/cole-swensen-forrest-gander-gillian-conoley-veer-mojave-ghost-notes-passenger-corte-madera

Saturday, May 30, 4:00 p.m. Point Reyes Books presents a reading and conversation with John Freeman and Greg Sarris about their new books, both published by Heyday Books: Freeman’s California Rewritten: A Journey Through the Golden State’s New Literature and Sarris’ The Last Human Bear. At Point Reyes Presbyterian Church, 11445 CA-1, Point Reyes Station. Free event. No registration required. More info: ptreyesbooks.com/event/2026-05-30/john-freeman-greg-sarris

Mark Your Calendar for June 2026

Monday, June 1, 6:00 p.m. The New River Town Poets reading, live at the Aqus Cafe, will be a celebration of New River Town’s thirteenth anniversary with Sixteen Rivers Press poets Dane Cervine, Carolyn Miller and Lenore Myers, hosted by Terry Ehret. The cafe’s address is 189 H Street in Petaluma. See Facebook page for details. Email: rivertownpoet@gmail.com.

Wednesday, June 3, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sonoma County Library presents a virtual talk with Mary Savig author of State Fairs: Growing American Craft. State Fairs features more than 100 photos of extraordinary and unconventional crafts from state and tribal fairs, including needlework, basketry, jewelry, ceramics, crop art, butter sculpture, and saddles. More details and registration: libraryc.org/sonomalibrary/160960/register

Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7. Green Room Creative Writing Course: Dominican University’s MFA in Creative Writing program is offering a three-day writing course that dovetails with the program’s summer residency. This is a non-credit course that is also open to the public with a reduced course fee for Literary Update readers. See Workshops page for details.

Friday, June 5, 7:00 p.m. Copperfield’s Books welcomes Amelia Davis and Joel Selvin back to Petaluma in celebration of their new deluxe volume, The Beatles by Jim Marshall: Live at Candlestick Park 1966. Relive The Beatles’ last live public concert through the eyes of the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll photographer Jim Marshall. This deluxe volume collects over 150 photos and proof sheets, half of them never before seen. The conversation will be moderated by local radio personality Mindi Levine, Program Director at 95.9 KRSH and host of both the Get Lit podcast and Mindi in the Morning. At Copperfields, 140 Kentucky Street, Petaluma. More details and RSVP: copperfieldsbooks.com/event/2026-06-05/amelia-davis-joel-selvin

Saturday, June 6, 2:00-6:00 p.m. The Sitting Room Birthday Party (2025 Curtis Dr., Penngrove). Copies of the Sitting Room’s latest anthology: Who is She? Remarkable Women You Want to Know will be available along with past issues, samplers, free books, and all sorts of lovely “merch.” Come one, come all to our annual birthday celebration. Tours of the always surprising library and archives will be offered, and there will be cake! No need to rsvp, but if you have any questions, email us at sitting.room.library@gmail.com. Please park in the church parking lot adjacent or on the street. Those needing assistance should park in the driveway.

Saturday, June 6, 4:00 p.m. Book Passage Corte Madera celebrates Ayelet Waldman and her funny and captivating new novel, A Perfect Hand. A richly drawn, captivating, and endlessly amusing novel of love and subterfuge between a lady’s maid and her clandestine lover, set in the country estates of nineteenth-century England. Ayelet will be joined by Lise Saffran, the author of Juno’s Daughters. More details: bookpassage.com/event/ayelet-waldman-perfect-hand

Tuesday, June 9 and 16, 7:00 p.m. Summer: Solstice Stars and Strawberries, an online writing workshop facilitated by Karen Pierce Gonzalez. This free two-zoom session (1 hour each) will focus on writing to, about and for the season which includes a summer solstice, select constellations and a full Strawberry Moon. Sponsored by Cloverdale Community Arts Alliance.

Wednesday, June 10, 7:30 p.m. Dave Pokorny presents West Side Stories: Every month there is a theme, hopefully that sparks a memory for you. You put your name in a hat and 10 people’s names are drawn at random. When your name is pulled you get 5 minutes to tell your personal true story. At the end of the evening, everyone votes by text for their favorite story of the night. The winner gets $50. May’s theme is “If It Ain’t Broke.”  Details and ticket ($21.50) purchase: davepokornypresents.com/west-side-stories

Friday, June 12, 7:00-8:00 p.m. 7MInMAX Open Mic Night at Occidental Center for the Arts. Bring your original poems, prose or storytelling to our open mic night. We’ll pick 7 performers from the hat. Come share your work: Read aloud or memorized, just keep it to 7 minutes or less. 2nd Fridays of the month. Cost is $5 OCA members/$10 non-OCA members. Pay at the door. More details: occidentalcenterforthearts.org

Monday, June 15, 1:00 p.m. Book Passage presents a virtual conversation between #1 New York Times-bestselling author Ann Patchett and Elaine Petrocelli as they discuss Patchett’s new book, Whistler. The acclaimed author returns with a moving and luminous novel that explores the sweetness and impermanence of life, as well as the power of connection to defy time. Ticketed: $34 ticket includes signed book. More details and tickets: bookpassage.com/event/ann-patchett-elaine-petrocelli-whistler

Wednesday, June 17, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Writers Forum presents: A Change of Heart: A Writing Workshop with Susan Bono. Through guided prompts, reflective discussion, and storytelling tips, we’ll learn techniques to shape personal experiences into narratives that strive for clarity, connection, and emotional release. Free on Zoom. Hosted by Marlene Cullen. Details: thewritespot.us/forum

Thursday, June 18, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sonoma County Library presents a virtual conversation with storyteller and popular blogger Ted Page as they chat about his book Good Grandpa: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood. More details and registration: libraryc.org/sonomalibrary/162196/register

Friday, June 19, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Online Literary Open Mic. Share a short story or poetry. Email johnnybodega1@gmail.com for Zoom link. Hosted by John Christian, flyingchairproductions.weebly.com.

Saturday, June 20, 10:30–11:30 a.m. West Marin Climate Action Local Food Resilience members will host a book discussion of Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present, and Future of the Self-Provisioning City by Kate Brown. Each chapter includes contemporary stories of people from all walks of life who, in their gardens, are continuing a great tradition of mutual aid, political resistance, and bold experiments in sustainability. At Marin County Free Library, 11431 State Route One, Point Reyes Station. More details: marinlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69ea7769129f1274383a6c4e

Saturday, June 20,2:00-5:00 p.m. MovingWriting: Embodied Expressive Writing workshops with Loretta Mijares, combining movement/dance with expressive writing. At a private studio in Sebastopol. $75 per afternoon. To register, go to MovingWriting.com or email: loretta@movingwriting.com.

Sunday, June 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m. North Bay Letter Press Arts will host an afternoon of readings with poets Cole Swensen and Kit Robinson. Light refreshments and fantastic poetry served in equal measure. Beautiful letterpress broadsides of poets’ work available with a donation to NBLA. Free and open to the public. More details: northbayletterpressarts.org/events-calendar/2026-swensen-robinson

Sunday, June 28, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Café Frida Poetry Festival at Little Deer Cafe, formerly named Café Frida, at 300 South A St., Santa Rosa. Listen to 8 outstanding poets, 1 accompanied by a musician.