Live From The Library Podcast

Earlier this year, a piece inThe Chicago Tribune summed up the world of bookstagram as "addicting, charming, informative and increasingly, a wellspring for the book industry."

Not a bad way to describe this literary and social media phenomenon.

About much more than colorful covers, perfectly positioned photos and engaging captions,#bookstagram, #bookstragramming and #bookstragrammers are changing the way we find and talk about books, and how publishers and authors connect with readers.

On this episode Live From The Library, we learn from D.C.'s Lupita Aquino (@Lupita.Reads) and Jamise Harper (@SpinesVines):

• How they use Instagram to successfully share and communicate their love for reading, creative writing, and authors of color.
• What they love most about using social media to connect with other readers.
• The impetus and mission of @LitonHSt -- their in-person and online bookclub with Solid State Books.

Women of color have a unique presence in Washington, D.C.'s cultural landscape ascreators ofthough-provoking nonfiction, soul-stirring poetry, and leaders of innovative spaces like Duende District.

This group of literary purveyors includes model, writer and artistNicole Capó Martínezof Duende District and Natalie Hopkinson, Ph.D., an award-winning essayist, critical-cultural scholar and asst. professor in the doctoral program in Howard University’s Department of Communication, Culture and Media Studies.

Capó Martínez and Hopkinson recently visited "Live From The Library" to share their thoughts on:

• Using writing as an art of resistance.
• What inspires their writing and published work.
• And how outlets like Duende District and the political arena, respectively, create opportunities for writers of color to reach a wider audience and use their pen for exploration and change.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary later this month, Little Salon DC has built quite a following and fanbase in the nation's capital and beyond.

Founder Chris Maier created the monthly gathering in May 2014 as a one-of-a-kind experience curated to give Washingtonians a non-pretentious dose of the amazing creative talent that surrounds them.

Ahead of Little Salon DC's milestone birthday, Chris visited "Live From The Library" and gave us the deets on:

• How his creative writing background inspired him to create Little Salon DC.
• Little Salon DC's curation process, evolution over five years and future plans.
• His favorite places to read around the District, connection to Florida's literary culture, an interesting documentary film project he has in the works, his current reading list/recommendations, and more.

The MahoganyBooks & Very Smart Brothas Book Club started in October 2018with "the specific intention to have fun, open, and sometimes controversial book inspired conversations in a culturally inspiring location in the heart of Anacostia, Washington, D.C."

Months later, the program has becoming a lively monthly gathering for book lovers who reside east of the Anacostia River and all eight wards of the District of Columbia.

In this episode of "Live From The Library" we sit down with the creators of the book club -- Derrick Young, co-founder and co-owner of MahoganyBooks,and Panama Jackson, co-founder and senior editor of Very Smart Brothas-- to chat about:

• The book club's evolution and importance to its surrounding community.
• MahoganyBooks' first year as a brick and mortar store after existing online for a decade.
• Very Smart Brothas efforts to share the joy of reading with its community of followers.

On February 28, 2019,The Washington City Paperpublished workfrom its first-ever essay contest focused on the unique stories of Washington, D.C. natives.

This debut episode of"Live From The Library"explores the art of the personal essay, why featuring the voices of diverse and native residents is important to local storytelling, how does one craft a compelling essay, and the ways in which this art form shapes today's literary world.

Featured and interviewed guests includeChristina Sturdivant Sani, freelance writer and editor of the WCP seriesHome Rulers: D.C. Natives Speak on Their City, andKyle Dargan, Director of Creative Writing at American University.