Each year the Library hosts readings, lectures, and discussions by authors and other public figures. You may watch video recordings of recent programs on our YouTube channel. Our archive of audio recordings goes back more than 10 years and includes thousands of memorable Library events.
Thrilling Tales: October 2, 2017
In "The Ebony Frame" by Edith Nesbit, an old fashioned Victorian tale of ghostly love, a man falls instantly in love with a woman he sees in the ebony frame that he finds in his attic. Recorded on Oct. 2, 2017.
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(00:33:14)
| View transcription (pdf)
How Can We Increase Seattle's Climate Resilience?
Learn from international and local experts how homeowners, new development and local government all play a role in improving Seattle's climate resilience. Recorded on September 19, 2017.
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(01:18:18)
Barbara Johns discusses "The Hope of Another Spring"
Art historian Barbara Johns will discuss Takuichi Fujii, a Japanese artist who was incarcerated during WWII. After her presentation, Johns will appear in conversation with Densho's Tom Ikeda. Recorded on September 13, 2017.
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(01:02:41)
| View transcription (pdf)
Nancy Pearl discusses "George and Lizzie"
Join us for the launch of local rock star librarian Nancy Pearl's debut novel, an emotionally riveting story about an unlikely marriage at a crossroads. Recorded on September 5, 2017.
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(01:00:05)
| View transcription (pdf)
What Every American Should Know
Join us for an interactive community event about civics, culture and American identity. Recorded on August 30, 2017.
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(01:32:39)
| View transcription (pdf)
Seattle Urban Book Expo Author Showcase
Join us for a showcase of authors who will be participating in the Seattle Urban Book Expo: include Zackery 'Shuja De'Peace' Driver, Nyree Ausler, Kenneth Martinez, and SUBE founder, J.L. Cheatham II. Recorded on August 23, 2017.
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(00:41:06)
| View transcription (pdf)
Seattle Writes – Conflict: The Machine of Fiction with Karen Finneyfrock
Join Karen Finneyfrock as she discusses the ways conflict drives novels. Explore the types of conflict present in a story, and participate in exercises to help you tease out the conflicts in your story, setting, characters, and dialogue. A poet and writer of young adult fiction, Finneyfrock has taught Seattle Writes workshops on character, scene, the hero's journey, and much more. Recorded on Aug. 21, 2017.
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(00:26:18)
| View transcription (pdf)
Seattle Writes – 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Self Publish with Beth Jusino
Beth Jusino dispenses five crucial pieces of advice for any author considering self-publishing. Learn how to approach publishing your novel as a business, including when and how to hire people to help you. Beth Jusino is the author of The Author's Guide to Marketing and has taught numerous Seattle Writes classes on the craft of marketing for the self-publishing writer. Recorded on Aug. 17, 2017.
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(00:23:13)
| View transcription (pdf)
Tom Perrotta discusses "Mrs. Fletcher"
From one of the most popular and bestselling authors of our time, a penetrating and hilarious new novel about sex, love, and identity on the frontlines of America's culture wars. Recorded on August 17, 2019.
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(00:52:55)
| View transcription (pdf)
The Detroit Rebellion and Global Resistance Movements
Join a provocative history talk with authors Adrienne Maree Brown (Emergent Strategy), Michael Hardt (Assembly), and Scott Kurashige (The Fifty-Year Rebellion). Recorded on August 16, 2017.
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(01:34:49)
| View transcription (pdf)