Fairhope Public Library Hosts Horror Author Greta T. Bates, Poetry Open Mic in October

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Readers and writers on the Eastern Shore have two free reasons to head to the Fairhope Public Library in the back half of October: a talk by Fairhope horror author Greta T. Bates on her new book, “Spare Nothing,” and a Poetry Open Mic Night hosted by local poet and author Deb Hackbarth.

Bates will speak from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the library’s Giddens Conference Room. The open mic follows from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. Both events take place at the library, 501 Fairhope Ave., in downtown Fairhope.

Greta T. Bates and ‘Spare Nothing’

Bates writes horror, and not only when the calendar turns to October. She embraces the genre year-round and has published more than 20 titles, including the novels “Wounded” and “Hazed.”

Her short fiction has appeared in a string of genre anthologies, among them “Horror Scope-A Zodiac Anthology,” “Pretty Girls Make Graves,” “Till the Yule Log Burns Out” and “Dolls in the Attic.” Her earlier work has also run in small-press horror and literary outlets, and she has described her short stories as exploring themes such as lost love, revenge and confronting one’s fears.

A Fairhope resident and a Mills College alumna, Bates has appeared at local book events before, including a signing at Page & Palette, the longtime independent bookstore on Section Street.

Her Oct. 20 appearance centers on “Spare Nothing,” her newest book. The hourlong program in the Giddens Conference Room gives local readers a chance to hear directly from an area author working in a genre that often gets attention only around Halloween.

Poetry Open Mic Night

Six days later, the library turns the microphone over to the public. The Poetry Open Mic Night on Monday, Oct. 26, will feature local poets and will be hosted by Hackbarth, a Fairhope-area poet and author.

The format is open-ended. Participants are invited to bring any poem they want to read, whether it is a famous work, an obscure one or something they wrote themselves. That makes the evening as suited to a first-time reader sharing a favorite poem as to a working poet testing new material.

The event is free and open to everyone, including people who only want to listen. Anyone planning to read, however, must register in advance at the Fairhope Public Library Reference Desk.

At a glance

• Author talk: Greta T. Bates discusses “Spare Nothing,” 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, Giddens Conference Room
• Poetry Open Mic Night: Hosted by Deb Hackbarth, 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26
• Where: Fairhope Public Library, 501 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope
• Cost: Free
• To read at the open mic: Register at the library’s Reference Desk

A busy season at the library

The two October programs are part of a steady calendar of free public events at the Fairhope Public Library, which uses its Giddens meeting space for talks, screenings and community gatherings in addition to its regular book, research and children’s services.

Among the programs already announced for later in the year, the library will host a free Lunch and Learn screening of the documentary “Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory,” about music and dementia, from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, with a community discussion afterward.

Fairhope’s literary scene extends well beyond the library’s walls. The city has long been known as a haven for writers and artists, and downtown is home to independent bookstores including Page & Palette and The Book Cellar, both of which regularly host signings and readings by local authors.

How to take part

No tickets or registration are needed to attend the Oct. 20 author talk or to sit in the audience at the Oct. 26 open mic. Poets who want a turn at the microphone should stop by the Reference Desk ahead of time to sign up. Questions about either program can be directed to the library’s Reference Desk.