Funny Bunny
The Historic New Orleans Collection’s latest biography profiles iconic New Orleans cartoonist and writer Bunny Matthews. “Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions” prominently features the characters Vic and Nat’ly, Matthews’ drawings of everyday life in the city, critiques of local culture and more. Authors Alison Fensterstock and Michael Tisserand have compiled a touching treasure trove of material dedicated to the late artist in this, the first monograph collection of Matthews’ work. To celebrate the publishing of the book, the HNOC will have a companion exhibition kicking off on Sept. 18 featuring four decades of Matthews art, drawings, photographs and more.
The Write Stuff
The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival is accepting submissions now through Oct. 15 for writers in a variety of literary genres. Authors with a one-act play, works of poetry and fiction, and best very short fiction are invited to submit for consideration. Winners receive a cash prize, a VIP festival pass, recognition in the organization’s newsletter and more. Plus, literary bragging rights for the year. Visit the festival website for more information on guidelines and contest rules. tennesseewilliams.net/contests/
Coffee Klatsch
New Orleans is a coffee town. From the city’s unique blend of chicory to café au lait with beignets and frozen Irish coffee, we love a great cup of joe any time of day. In “Coffee Culture New Orleans, writer Marielle Songy explores our history of coffee, the business of the bean, the proliferation of local coffee brands and cafes and the evolution of coffee from its early days as a way to start the day to today’s embrace of coffee as a way of life.
Events
Aug. 4
The New Orleans Public Library’s Virtual Author Talk (1 to 2 p.m.) series hosts Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of “Julia Child’s Kitchen,” to discuss the legacy of the TV chef, cookbook writer and cultural icon. Register in advance to submit questions and receive the virtual link. nolalibrary.org
Aug. 8
Octavia Books Science Fiction Book Club meets at 10:30 a.m. to discuss “Dead Astronauts: A Novel” by New York Times best-selling author Jeff VanderMeer. octaviabooks.com
Aug. 12
The New Orleans Public Library Latter hosts Author Night at the Latter branch, featuring Lori Downs, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Downs will discuss her book “Second Nature: How to Build Ecohabits That Stick,” as well as techniques and step-by-step ideas to counter climate change in your home and community. nolalibrary.org
Aug. 18
Author Katy Simpson Smith celebrates the launch of her new novel “The Maltese Version,” 7 to 9 p.m. at Blue Cypress Books on Oak Street. The writer will be joined in conversation with C. Morgan Babst. bluecypressbooks.com
Aug. 27
Author Lucy Foley joins the New Orleans Public Library’s Virtual Author Talk (1 to 2 p.m.) to discuss “Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel,” the latest Miss Marple mystery novel. Register in advance to submit questions and receive the virtual link. nolalibrary.org
