Author Peggy Fisher to discuss ‘Daddy Came Home’ at Monroeville Library
A Pitcairn native is scheduled to read from and discuss a book she wrote to memorialize her father, who survived being a prisoner of war during World War II. Peggy Fisher, 70, now living in Grove City, still gets emotional talking about what her father – and countless other soldiers...
George Takei’s new book precedes Steel City Con appearance
There is a lot more to George Takei than just his iconic portrayal of “Star Trek” helmsman Sulu in the television show and subsequent movies. Takei, 82, is also known as an activist, author and Internet superstar. On Facebook, he has 9.5 million followers and 2.9 million followers on Twitter....
9 Western Pa. authors to sign books at Hempfield Barnes & Noble
A group of Western Pennsylvania authors will discuss and sign their books from 1-3 p.m. July 21 at Barnes & Noble, 5155 Route 30, Hempfield. Featured writers include Scott Brown, Jennifer Delozier, Michele Dulas, Lorraine Helena, Linda Hoffman, John Jamison, Paul LaViolette, Stephen Nagy and Lisa Pellegrene. The store offers...
Ben Folds will hit Pittsburgh for concert, event for new book
Fans of Ben Folds will have two opportunities to see the singer-songwriter in the Pittsburgh area. On Aug. 5, the multi-platinum-selling musician will display another kind of writing talent, appearing at an event in support of his new memoir, “A Dream About Lightning Bugs,” from 7-9 p.m. at the First...
George Takei talks Pittsburgh, new novel, Hollywood and John Wayne
George Takei has led a most unique, extraordinary life. He spent part of his childhood years imprisoned with his family and then grew up to become a science fiction icon, activist, author and internet superstar. Best known as “Star Trek” Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu, Takei just published a graphic novel,...
Connecticut investigating Wally Lamb’s inmate writing program
The state of Connecticut is investigating an inmate writing program run by author Wally Lamb after a lawsuit was filed this spring by participants. The lawsuit alleges the inmates have not been paid for their contributions to Lamb’s third anthology of writings designed to give female prisoners a public voice....
Metallica kids book about the band coming in the fall
“Exit light / Enter night / Take my hand / We’re off to never-never land” If you’re looking for a different bedtime story book for your kids, Metallica might have something for you. The heavy metal heavy-weights announced last week that they are releasing “The ABCs of Metallica” in November...
Pittsburgh cartoonist collaborates on comic book series
Joe Wos often takes photos of paper napkins when he’s having a meal. He saves the pictures on his smartphone. Why? “Some of the best ideas are drawn on a napkin,” says Wos, an acclaimed cartoonist and founder of Pittsburgh’s Toonseum, a museum devoted to the cartoon arts. “If you...
Author of paranormal, horror stories to discuss new book in Greensburg
Ronald Murphy Jr., who has penned books on the paranormal and strange creatures, will discuss and sign his new book, “On Faeries,” at Craftique Collections, 770 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. The 1-3:30 p.m. July 13 event is free and open to the public. A regional author, Murphy will address fairies,...
Greensburg author Scott Brown recounts heartfelt tales of region’s opioid epidemic
If the stories in Scott Brown’s new book, “Hope and Heartbreak: Beyond the Numbers of the Opioid Epidemic,” sound familiar, it might be because they are. Brown, a Greensburg native and former sports reporter for the Tribune-Review, ESPN and Philadelphia Inquirer, mined a decade of reports on the epidemic to...
MAD Magazine leaving newsstands
MAD Magazine is folding — but not for fun this time. The highly influential humor magazine — famous for its gap-toothed mascot Alfred E. Neuman, social satire and fold-in back covers — is due to stop publishing newsstand issues after its upcoming October edition, multiple people close to the title...
‘Walking Dead’ comic series ending with latest issue
The end has finally come for “The Walking Dead.” And no one saw it coming. Entertainment Weekly reports writer Robert Kirkman broke the news on the last page of the latest issue — No. 193 — of the long-running horror comic. “This is the end of The Walking Dead,” Kirkman...
Book club meeting, discussion set at Historic Hanna’s Town
The Westmoreland Historical Society’s history book club will hold an open discussion in the newly opened Westmoreland History Education Center at Historic Hanna’s Town. The noon-2 p.m. July 16 program in the Education Room at 809 Forbes Trail Road, Hempfield, will focus on “Washington’s General.” According to education coordinator Pam...
‘Hunger Games’ prequel novel coming in 2020
NEW YORK — A decade after seemingly wrapping up “The Hunger Games,” Suzanne Collins is bringing readers back to Panem. A prequel, set 64 years before the beginning of her multimillion-selling trilogy, is coming next year. The novel, currently untitled, is scheduled for release on May 19, 2020. Collins said...
WQED brings ‘Inquire Within’ to Scottdale LibraryVideo
WQED is bringing its “Inquire Within” program, in partnership with local libraries, to the Scottdale Public Library. The partnership empowers librarians to create innovative, imaginative programming using researched-based, parent-trusted content from PBS, according to the broadcast station. The library, at 106 Spring St., will kick off the June 17 program...
‘Makeover’ star Ty Pennington stops in McCandless to promote new book on managing his ADHD
Ty Pennington, the Emmy Award winning star of the shows “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and “Trading Spaces,” was on hand at Riverstone Books in McCandless on June 7 to talk about and sign copies of his new book “Life to the Extreme.” The humorous book focuses on difficulties Pennington encountered...
Ex-defense secretary Jim Mattis has book coming this summer
Former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has a book coming out this summer, but he warns that it will not be a “tell-all” about President Donald Trump. “Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead” will be published July 16, Random House announced Tuesday. Co-written with Bing West, the book will be...
Edmund Morris, known for his biography of Reagan, dies at 78
DANBURY, Conn. — Presidential biographer Edmund Morris, best known for writing a book about the life of Ronald Reagan, has died. He was 78. Morris died Friday in a hospital in Danbury, Conn., a day after suffering a stroke, his wife, Sylvia Jukes Morris, told The Associated Press on Monday....
Lower Burrell’s Trinity United Christian Church pastor pens ‘The Call’
The printed word will be there for future generations. “I wanted a written record of this church, a first-hand account of the history here,” says the Rev. Cletus L. Hull III, pastor of Trinity United Christian Church in Lower Burrell since Jan. 1, 1996. Hull penned the 189-page “The Call,”...
Asian, Asian American heroes to power Marvel comics series
Asian superheroes — assemble. Marvel Comics is giving ink to an unprecedented team-up of its mightiest Asian and Asian American heroes, also known as the new Agents of Atlas. Established icons like martial arts master Shang-Chi and newbies like Wave, the newest Filipino superhero, will team up in a stand-alone,...
Author George RR Martin: ‘Game of Thrones’ finale was ending, also beginning
NEW YORK — What’s next for “Game of Thrones?” The author, whose work was adapted into the HBO series that drew a record-setting numbers of viewers for Sunday’s finale, says it’s “been a wild ride.” George RR Martin wrote on Monday that it “was an ending, but it was also...
Writers to collaborate with musicians at Hampton’s Steamworks Creative
Six writers and musicians will take the stage Friday at Steamworks Creative in Hampton to perform works based on each other’s work. “Words and Music – An evening of writers collaborating with musicians,” will be held from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at Steamworks, 4967 Route 8, Suite 6. Tickets are...
‘Caine Mutiny,’ ‘Winds of War’ author Herman Wouk has died
Herman Wouk, the versatile, Pulitzer Prize winning author of such million-selling novels as “The Caine Mutiny” and “The Winds of War” whose steady Jewish faith inspired his stories of religious values and secular success, died on Friday at 103. Wouk was just 10 days shy of his 104th birthday and...
Ligonier Valley Writers hold annual flash fiction contest
Ligonier Valley Writers is seeking submissions for its 15th Flash Fiction Contest. Deadline is midnight Aug. 15. No fees are charged and cash prizes are awarded, according to publicity director Judith Gallagher. Flash fiction means under 1,000 words. For submission guidelines, visit LVWonline.org. The stories are performed for Halloween, and...
Barack Obama’s book not expected to be released in 2019
Former President Barack Obama’s post-White House memoir isn’t expected to be released this year, setting up the likelihood that the highly anticipated book will drop during the 2020 campaign. Publisher Penguin Random House started alerting foreign partners and others about the status of Obama’s book on Tuesday. The former president...
