UPCOMING EVENTS
1455 & PBF Present A Poetry Reading with Sean Murphy | October 5th
Join us at 5:30pm on Thursday October 5 for a poetry reading in the gardens of the Peter Bullough Foundation with poet, executive director of 1455 Literary Arts, and author of Rhapsodies in Blue, Sean Murphy.
1455 StoryFestLive | October 15th
Join us for this FREE EVENT! Authors, poets, artists, and storytellers from all walks of life are joining us LIVE for an afternoon of creativity, celebration and fun. Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and a full lineup of storytellers, poets, artists and more.
1455 AUTHOR SERIES FEATURING ALYSON WEINBERG | November 5th
1455’s Author Series continues with Alyson Gold Weinberg, who will read from Bellow & Hiss at The Potter’s House, D.C., at 2:00pm.
1455 AUTHOR SERIES FEATURING JENNIFER LANG | September 19
1455’s Author Series continues with Jennifer Lang, who will read from Places We Left Behind on Facebook Live at 7:00pm EST.
PAST EVENTS
1455 Author Series: Featuring Ben Purkert | August 15
1455’s Author Series continues with Ben Purkert who will discuss The Men Can’t Be Saved on Facebook Live at 7:00pm.
1455 Author Series: Featuring Dan Brady | June 4
1455’s Author Series continues with Dan Brady, who will read from Songs in E—— at The Potter’s House at 2:00pm.
1455 Wine & Words: Featuring David Hubbard | May 7
1455’s Wine & Words series continues at Kalero Vineyard with Wayne David Hubbard, who will read from Death Throes of the Broken Clockwork Universe at 4:00pm EST.
1455 Author Series: Featuring Susan Rich | April 27
1455’s will celebrate National Poetry Month with Susan Rich, who will read from her collection Gallery of Postcards and Maps and Demystifying the Manuscript: Essays and Interviews on Creating a Book of Poems at 7:00pm EST on Facebook LIVE.
1455 Author Series: Featuring Chuck Cascio, Danny Olmes & Sean Murphy | April 13
1455’s Author Series continues in-person at Red’s Table in Reston with three authors at 5:30PM EST
1455 Author Series: Gayle Brandeis | April 11
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Gayle Brandeis, who will read from and discuss Drawing Breath: Essays on Writing, the Body, and Loss on Facebook Live at 7:00PM EST
Movable Type Issue No. 14: Reading & Discussion | March 23
1455’s Movable Type contributors will go live to discuss their writing and artwork Facebook LIVE at 7:00PM EST
1455 Author Series: David Ebenbach | March 12
1455’s Author Series continues in-person at The Potter’s House with David Ebenbach, who will read from and discuss What’s Left to Us by Evening at 2:00PM EST
Wine & Words: Sarah Birnbach | December 4
Wine & Words continues with Sarah Birnbach reading from A Daughter’s Kaddish at Kalero Vineyard at 4:00PM EST
1455 Author Series: Lisa Rosenberg | November 17
The 1455 Author Series continues virtually with Lisa Rosenberg reading from Embers on the Wind on Facebook Live at 7:00PM EST
1455 Author Series: John Lingan | October 29
The 1455 Author Series continues with John Lingan reading from A Song for Everyone at Potter’s House Bookshop in Washington, D.C. at 1:00PM EST
1455’s StoryFest Live | October 14
Join us for an evening of LIVE storytelling, music, dance, and more, celebrating VA, DC, and MD creatives at Above ALX in Alexandri, Virginia 5:00PM EST
Wine & Words: FEATURING CONTRIBUTORS FROM IF THAT MOCKINGBIRD DON’T SING | August 21
1455 and Kalero Vineyard’s Wine & Words series continues with the contributors from If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing at 4:00PM EST
1455 Summer Festival | July 14-16
1455’s Fourth Annual Festival of Storytelling will offer both online and in-person programming.
Wine & Words: Featuring Constance Sayers | June 12
1455 and Kalero Vineyard’s Wine & Words series continues with Constance Sayers who will read from The Ladies of the Secret Circus at 2:00PM EST
1455 Author Series: Courtney Maum | June 1
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Courtney Maum, who will read from The Year of the Horses at 7:00PM EST
1455 Author Series: Lena Derhally | May 24
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Lena Derhally, who will read from The Facebook Narcissist at 7:00PM EST
Wine & Words: Featuring Sean Murphy | May 21
Escape to Northern Virginia’s wine country for a new event series presented by 1455 and Kalero Vineyard, featuring Sean Murphy at 2:00PM EST
1455 Author Series: Danielle Badra | April 14
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Danielle Badra, who will read from Like We Still Speak at 7:00PM EST
Writing in Your Life: Day by Day | March 14
Ron Hogan (Our Endless and Proper Work) and Lisa Tener (The Joy of Writing Journal) join in conversation with Sean Murphy about the joys and values of a consistent practice of writing in your life at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: Kris O’Shee | March 10
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Kris O’Shee, who will read from Our Last Blue Moon at 7:00PM EST
BLACKENED BLUES: POETRY AND MUSIC WITH SEAN MURPHY AND QUENTIN WALSTON | February 26
The Barns of Rose Hill is thrilled to partner with 1455 Literary Arts for a special reading with Sean Murphy, who will read from his new collection The Blackened Blues, accompanied by pianist Quentin Walston at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: Jenna Blum | February 24
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Jenna Blum, who will read from Woodrow on the Bench at 7:00PM EST
Movable Type Issue No. 9: Live Reading | February 15
Join 1455’s Executive Director Sean Murphy and the writers from Movable Type Issue No. 9 on Facebook LIVE for a special reading of features from this month’s issue at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: CHELSEA B. DESAUTELS | January 20
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Chelsea B. DesAutels, who will read from A Dangerous Place at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: CATHERINE PRENDERGAST | December 7
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Catherine Prendergast, who will read from The Gilded Edge at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: Sweta Vikram | November 17
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Sweta Vikram, who will read from A Piece of Peace at 7:00PM EST
1455 & The Potter’s House Present: A Poetry Reading Accompanied by Song | October 30
The Potter’s House is thrilled to partner with 1455 Literary Arts for a special reading with Sean Murphy, who will read from his new collection The Blackened Blues, accompanied by singer and actor Ayana (Reed) Ogunsunlade at 3:00PM EST
Sean Murphy Reads from The Blackened Blues at Shenandoah University | October 27
Join us for a special evening that will open with 3 student readings, a reading by Sean Murphy, then followed by an author Q&A starting at 6:00PM EST
1455 Author Series: David Drucker | October 21
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with David Drucker, who will read from In Trump’s Shadow: The Battle for 2024 and the Future of the GOP at 7:00PM EST
A Conversation with L. Renée & Sean Murphy | September 21
Join us on Facebook Live for a free-ranging conversation with Peter Bullough Foundation poet-in-residence L. Renée and 1455’s Sean Murphy at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: E. Ethelbert Miller | September 12
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with E. Ethelbert Miller, who will read from his latest collection When Your Wife Has Tommy John Surgery at 2:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: Sean Murphy | August 31
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Sean Murphy, who will read from his new poetry collection The Blackened Blues at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: Dax-Devlon Ross | August 24
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Dax-Devlon Ross, who will read from his latest title Letters to My White Male Friends at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: Women Writing Spirituality | June 15
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Joanna Eleftheriou, Claire McQuerry, Jessie van Eerden at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: BRIAN BROOME | May 27
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Brian Broome, who will read from his memoir Punch Me up to the Gods at 7:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: GINA FRANGELLO | April 22
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Gina Frangello, who will read from her memoir Blow Your House Down at 7:00PM EST
A READING AND CONVERSATION WITH LAURA MCCARTY | MARCH 21
Join 1455’s Sean Murphy and the Anacostia Swim Club for a special reading to celebrate the new collection Just One Swallow at 3:00PM EST
1455 AUTHOR SERIES: WHITNEY COLLINS | MARCH 18
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Whitney Collins, who will read from her collection Big Bad at 7:00PM EST
BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL: COURTNEY MAUM | MARCH 13
Join 1455 for a special Virginia Festival of the Book event featuring Courtney Maum and her book Before and After the Book Deal at 4:00PM EST
THIS IS WHAT AMERICA LOOKS LIKE, A READING & DISCUSSION | FEBRUARY 21
Please join 1455’s Founding Director Sean Murphy for a special reading to celebrate the new anthology This is What America Looks Like at 3:00PM EST
Potter’s House Event with Jeannine Ouellette | FEBRUARY 18
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Jeannine Ouellette, who will read from her memoir The Part That Burns at 7:00PM EST
Potter’s House Event with S.A. Cosby: PART 2 | FEBRuary 4
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with S.A. Cosby, who will read from Blacktop Wasteland, a 2020 New York Times Notable Book, at 6:00PM EST
Potter’s House Event with S.A. Cosby | January 25
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with S.A. Cosby, who will read from Blacktop Wasteland, a 2020 New York Times Notable Book, at 7:00PM EST
WRITTEN IN ARLINGTON, A READING & DISCUSSION | January 24
The Anacostia Swim Club and 1455 present a special reading to celebrate the new anthology Written in Arlington at 3:00PM EST
Potter’s House Event with Deesha Philyaw | December 8
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Deesha Philyaw, who will read from the National Book Award Finalist The Secret Lives of Church Ladies at 7:00PM EST
Author Series: Alone Together | December 3
Join us for a reading and conversation with the contributors of ALONE TOGETHER: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19 at 7:30PM EST
Potter’s House Event with Douglas Stuart | December 1
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Douglas Stuart, who will read from the National Book Award Finalist Shuggie Bain at 7:00PM EST
Art During a Pandemic | November 23
In partnership with the Barns of Rose Hill, 1455 is excited to announce a special panel discussion at 7:00PM EST
WINCHESTER WRITERS REUNION | November 19
1455 is happy to celebrate the recent release of our friend W. David Hubbard’s memoir Möbius: Meditations on Home at 7:00PM EST
Author Series: Crime Fiction Writers | November 9
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with crime fiction Writers E.A. Aymar, L.A. Chandlar, Jennifer Hillier, and Vanessa Lillie at 7:00PM EST
Alamo Drafthouse | October 19
Join 1455 and Alamo Film Club live on Facebook for a special interview with Dash Shaw, director of My Entire High School is Sinking into The Sea at 9:00PM EST
Author Series: Nathan Leslie | October 15
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Nathan Leslie, who will read from his story collection Hurry Up and Relax at 6:00PM EST
POTTER’S HOUSE Event with Phillipe Cousteau Jr. | October 13
1455 is very proud to partner with historic venue The Potter’s House for a special conversation with Philippe Cousteau Jr., author of The Endangereds at 7:00PM EST
Author Series: Carl Hoffman | September 9
1455’s Author Series continues virtually with Carl Hoffman, who will read from his new release Liar’s Circus at 7:00PM EST
Author Series: Chris Register | June 27
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Chris Register, who will read from his book Conversations With US. 3:00-4:00 PM
Summer Literary Festival | July 16 – 18
The Second Annual 1455 Summer Literary Festival will be held online this year and will provide the same interaction, engagement, and networking that participants have received at our in-person events—simply transferred to an online environment! Having established a robust programming schedule, including its successful inaugural festival in 2019, 1455 is looking to expand this momentum.
Author Series: Jeanne McCulloch | May 14
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Jeanne McCulloch, who will read from her memoir All Happy Families. 6:00-7:00 PM
Author Series: Justen Ahren | April 11
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Justin Ahren, who will read from his collection A Machine for Remembering. 4:00-5:00 PM
Author Series: Jessica Van Eerden & Thorpe Moeckel | March 7
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Jessica Van Eerden and Thorpe Moeckel. 3:00-4:00 PM
1455 Presents Series: STORYTELLING IN THE 21st CENTURY | February 29
In partnership with the Barns of Rose Hill, 1455 is excited to announce a series of panels, Storytelling in the 21st Century. The first program, “Why Words Matter: The Power of Storytelling”. 8:00-9:30 PM
Writing Race and Resistance | February 15
1455 is very proud to partner with historic venue The Potter’s House for our first program, WRITING RACE AND RESISTANCE. I’ll be joined by Ethelbert Miller, Holly Karapetkova, and Teri Cross Davis. This is a FREE event, but RSVP’ing is suggested. Spread the word and see you there on Feb 15! 6:30-8:00 PM
The Art & Business of Author Platform with Jane Friedman | February 8
A workshop offering hands-on guidance and discussion to help you better identify and grow a readership. 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Author Series: Nathan Leslie | January 18
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Nathan Leslie, who will read from his collection Hurry Up and Relax. 3:00-4:00 PM
Author Series: Jenn Segal | December, 7
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Jenn Segal, who will talk about her best-selling cookbook once upon a chef.
Author Series: Hannah Grieco & Kirsten Porter | November, 9
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Hannah Grieco and Kirsten Porter for a special panel entitled “Writing, Education, & Advocacy: How Writers Can Help Build Compassionate Communities Within Our Schools.
Author Series: Jeanne McCulloch | October, 22
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Jeanne McCulloch, who will read from her memoir All Happy Families.
Author Series: Ronnie Citron-Fink | September 26
1455’s Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Ronnie Citron-Fink, who will read from her book True Roots: What Quitting Hair Dye Taught Me about Health and Beauty.
1455’s Summer Literary Festival | July 18 – 21
The 1455 Summer Literary Festival is a celebration of writers, readers, creativity, and community, over four days: July 18-21.
1455’s first literary festival will take place July 18-21 in downtown Winchester, VA. The primary programming will occur at the Bright Box located on the historic walking mall, with other events at Winchester Brew Works, the Winchester Book Gallery, and Shenandoah University. The programs boast a diverse array of talent, including best-selling authors, local and award-winning writers, as well as authors whose first books were published in 2019. Media outlets represented include Time Magazine, The Washington Post, Reuters, and NPR. Highlights of this year’s participants include Angie Kim, Louis Bayard, Karen E. Bender, Howard Means, Jeanne McCulloch, E. Ethelbert Miller, and John Lingan.
AUTHOR SERIES WITH CINDY ROSS | July 11
The 1455 Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Cindy Ross, who will read from her latest book The World is Our Classroom.
AUTHOR SERIES WITH CLIFF GARSTANG | June 22
The 1455 Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Cliff Garstang, who will read from his latest book The Shaman of Turtle Valley.
VCLA’s First Open Mic, Featuring local author Jessi Lewis | May, 16
6:00 – 7:00 PM
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with a special Open Mic at the Winchester Book Gallery. Local writer Jessi Lewis will read from her novel-in-progress.
AROUND THE (PUBLISHING) WORLD IN 480 MINUTES | April, 27
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts Workshop Series
AUTHOR SERIES WITH E.A. AYMAR AND ANGIE KIM | April, 11
6:00 – 7:00 PM
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with E.A. Aymar and Angie Kim, who will read from their new books in a special performance accompanied by musicians.
AUTHOR SERIES WITH TIM DENEVI | March, 2
3:00 – 4:30 PM
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Tim Denevi, who will read from his latest book Freak Kingdom: Hunter S. Thompson’s Manic Ten-Year Crusade Against American Fascism.
THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY | March, 1
8 PM
Sean Murphy, Founding Director of the Virginia Center for Literary Arts (VCLA) will moderate a panel, “The Publishing Industry in the 21st Century.”
Building Your Authorial Presence with Bethanne Patrick | February, 23
10 AM – 4 PM
You are writing, have written, or perhaps even published your first book. Congratulations! Now, how do you get the word out?
Author Series – February, 2 | 2:00 – 3:30 PM
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Karen E. Bender and Robert Siegel.
VCLA’s Publishing Workshop with Jane Friedman – January, 26 | 10AM – 4PM
How to Get Your Book Traditionally Published
Learn the basics of how to get your book published, including how to research markets, write query letters, and understand the commercial value of your work. By the end of the class, you’ll know what it takes to capture the attention of a New York editor or agent, and what free and paid resources are available to help you.
The Music Industry in the 21st Century – January, 19 | 8:00 PM
Sean Murphy, Founding Director of the Virginia Center for Literary Arts (VCLA) will moderate a panel, “The Music Industry in the 21st Century.”
Author Series – January, 12 | 2:00-3:00 PM
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Egyptian novelist and journalist Ahmed Naji.
Author Series – December, 6th | 6:30-7:30 PM
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Howard Means and Harry Jaffe.
Author Series – November, 8th | 6:30-7:30 PM
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts Author Series at Handley Library kicks off with John Lingan, author of Homeplace: A Southern Town, a Country Legend, and the Last Days of a Mountaintop Honky-Tonk.
FUNdraising Bingo Night – 10/15
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts will be running a FUNdraising Bingo Night at Cafe Pizzaiolo (The Shirlington Location) with a game every 15 minutes!
Beer & Bingo Fundraiser – 9/21
Come enjoy amazing beer and play games for a GREAT cause.
The Virginia Center for Literary Arts will be running a FUNdraising Bingo Night at Winchester Brew Works with a game every 15 minutes!
The Shining
This FREE screening of THE SHINING is presented by Virginia Center for Literary Arts. Find out more details on the Alamo Website.