If you like reading books more than buying them, a new Detroit group has a novel idea . . . so to speak.
A book swap Friday and Saturday in Hamtramck is the first event hosted by Literary Detroit, created four months ago to unite writers, readers, scholars, bookshops and publishers.
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Anna Clark
"We're cultivating Detroit as a literary city, igniting the imaginations of readers and bringing Detroit into conversation with the wider literary world," says lead organizer Anna Clark, a Detroit freelance journalist and writing instructor.
To build interest and freshen their bookshelves, members invite others to visit Cafe 1923 Coffeehouse, 2287 Holbrook Ave., between 3-6 p.m. April 26 and 27.
Bring as many or as few books as you like, and pick up new-to-you books in exchange.
Hang out with us to enjoy the coffee, meet other readers in the city, play with collaborative poetry and talk about your vision for building a vibrant literary culture in Detroit.
Literary Detroit was brainstormed by about 30 people -- "with lively spirits of all kinds at Motor City Brewing Works," as its website says -- "to cultivate Detroit as a literary city, ignite the imaginations of readers and create meaningful on-the-ground connections between readers and writers."
The two-day Hamtramck event is billed as "the first of a seasonal series of book swaps that will be at roving locations throughout Detroit."
Clark, a University of Michigan graduate and the group's main promoter, moved to Detroit from Boston in 2007. "One of the things I miss is the feeling of a living in a literary city," she says in an email about the book swap. "While extraordinary creators are here, there are enormous gaps. That's why we created Literary Detroit."
In addition to free-lance writing for magazines and newspapers, Clark is a creative writing instructor at Southeastern High and Osborn High in Detroit as part of the nonprofit InsideOut Literary Arts Project.
-- Alan Stamm