Vegas Valley Book Festival and the Black Mountain Institute

I did not attend the Vegas Valley Book Festival 2016. I am terrible, I know. I had such a fun time last year. I am especially interested to know who one the Spark! poetry contest. If anyone here did attend, I would love to hear about it! You can email me at aliceparkerpoet@gmail.com.

I did not attend the Vegas Valley Book Festival 2016. I am; however, attending the Black Mountain Institute's 10 year anniversary event: "The Writer in the World". Black Mountain has sponsored the VVBF for years. This wonderful organization, based out of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, supports the local and global writing community. I look forward to getting to know other writers in the community, and learning more about "the writer in the world".


For 10 years, the Black Mountain Institute has brought writers—and the literary imagination—into the heart of public life. In an open, free public program featuring BMI’s long-time friend Wole Soyinka, a variety of luminaries will offer original talks on how writers impact the world around them. Is there a way in which literature can be political—in the broadest sense—without being partisan or ideological? What is the role of writers in society, and how does society shape the literature writers make? Also featuring Cheryl Strayed, Charles Bock, Tom Bissell, Olivia Clare, and Vu Tran. Hosted by Joshua Wolf Shenk.