ASTORIA — The writers and readers of Queens will get to rub elbows next week at the borough's first literary town hall.
The event, to be held Oct. 18 at the Queens Council on the Arts' headquarters in Astoria, aims to bring together several factions of the local Queens writing scene, which now includes a literary journal, several reading series and two new independent book stores.
"There is definitely something happening — a push happening right now," said Audrey Dimola, a Long Island City-based poet who is organizing the event.
Nearly a dozen Queens-based literary organizations will participate in the town hall, where they'll discuss what they do, read some of their works and engage in a conversation about the changing cultural community and potential collaborations.
"It's going to be part performance and reading, part soapbox and part networking," Dimola said.
"I kind of wanted to have an informal feel, where even the audience can talk and feel free to ask questions."
The town hall is being presented as part of the Queens Council on the Arts' 3rd Space Series, which gives local artists and cultural groups the opportunity to host events and network at the organization's new headquarters at 37-11 35th Ave. in Astoria, which opened this spring.
Dimola said the local writing scene had been in need of venues and events spaces, a void that's now being filled by QCA and two new bookstores, Enigma Bookstore and The Astoria Bookshop, which have been hosting a flurry of events since they debuted this summer.
"Now we have spaces for book signings and book launches and writers groups," she said.
The Queens Literary Town Hall will take place Friday, Oct. 18 at the Queens Council on the Arts at 37-11 35th Ave. Registration is required, and admission is $5 at the door.
