BETTENDORF, IOWA – November 20, 2023 – December’s Community Connections at the Bettendorf Public Library will offer a taste of the beer and brewing history of the Quad Cities. The authors of Quad Cities Beer: A History will share the heady heritage of the region on Friday, December 8th at 1:30 PM at the library located at 2950 Learning Campus Dr. in Bettendorf. The event is free, and registration is not required. Community Connections is sponsored by The Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library. Local authors Kristin DeMarr and Michael McCarty are both Midwest Writing Center award winners.... Read More

Change. We undergo transformations every day of our lives, in ways small and significant, in ways good and bad. Sean Leary’s “Does The Shed Skin Know It Was Once A Snake?” offers 11 award-winning short stories dealing with the life changes many of us face, and the positive ways in which our lives can transform, even in difficult times. “Shed Skin” is available in bookstores and webstores worldwide  as a print book and eBook for every eReader format. It is also available direct from the author at seanleary@seanleary.com and Leary will be signing copies of the book from noon... Read More

Join local author Isis Covington as she discusses different ways to go about writing a book, as well as how to engage in self-publishing on Saturday, March 12th at 2:00 pm. Born and partially raised in Davenport, Iowa, Covington’s love of reading and writing began at a very young age. After taking second place in a poetry contest at just 10 years old, she kept writing short stories and poems in a spiral notebook she took with her wherever she went. She continued to write leisurely after marrying and starting a family, never losing sight of her dream, and has now self-published two novels.... Read More

Aspiring authors of all levels are invited to share their work and deepen their skills at the Bettendorf Writing Club hosted by the Bettendorf Public Library. On Thursday, November 11th, the club will meet at the library located at 2950 Learning Campus Dr. in Bettendorf. The free event does not require registration and starts at 6:30 PM. The Bettendorf Writing Club is designed to give writers the chance to share short pieces of their work and includes writing exercises along with a brief lesson from seasoned authors. The club is designed for adults and takes place on the second Thursday of each... Read More

There are over 475,000 stories in the six-county Quad-City region, but just 45 people will have their reflections of 2020 published in a new anthology – edited by the busy author/editor Misty Urban of Muscatine – called “These Interesting Times: Surviving 2020 in the Quad Cities.” It will be released (full disclosure: I’m one contributor) in late September by the Midwest Writing Center Press. Urban, a three-year member of the Rock Island-based MWC board, is an award-winning writer who has two new books out (including her first novel), and is teaching a new MWC series, “Crafting the... Read More

Which is more powerful, love or friendship? That question is at the heart of Raza Moe’s charming, funny and good-hearted debut novel “Sharing Love.’’ “Sharing Love’’ tells the story of two friends who find their loyalties to one another tested by the siren song of an intriguing, beautiful woman. Which man will win out for her attentions? And when the competition ramps up, can anyone win? “Sharing Love’’ is a light, sweet romance in the vein of classic romantic comedies like “Some Like It Hot.’’ It features a fun, engaging style and a breezy tale, making... Read More

A real-life literary scream queen of horror could be haunting a book store near you. Prolific local author Connie Corcoran Wilson has written dozens of books in various genres, although the ones that have scared up the most attention, sales and awards have been those in the horror genre, particularly her “Color of Evil” series, which is available worldwide in bookstores and online stores. “I’ve written the books as novels and screenplays, which have won multiple awards, and I’m in the process of pitching them around trying to get them made into films,” Wilson... Read More

The discussion over mental health challenges can be a difficult one. Admitting concerns can be daunting and treatment options and social stigmas surrounding the issue are often intimidating to those suffering from this disease, as well as those whose lives are touched by those suffering. The issue of mental health and the facilitation of discussion about its perspectives is the driving force behind the inspirational book “Courage To Rise Above,” by Quad-Cities author Jennifer Sergeant. Sergeant’s book, which is available at the Davenport Book Rack store as well as online at all retailers,... Read More

Salvatore Marici and Davenport Public Library invite you to a bold and rising celebration of place, elements, smells, taste, a transformation of mundane into magic. Join us Monday, February 1st at 6:30 pm and board into an evening of intermingling fantasy, nightmares, science, good times, and the realities of our journeys through enhanced senses as Sal performs poems from his collections of three books along with newer works in his upcoming 2021 collection. This program will be held virtually using GoToMeeting. Information about how to join is listed below. Local Author: Salvatore Marici Mon,... Read More

It was a cold and stormy day. We met at Elly’s. Little coffee joint down by the river. My associate and I walked in, took a look around. Waitress smiled her way over. “Hi. What can I get you?” “Nothing right now, doll, thanks,” I said. “I got business.” He was waiting at a corner table. Back to the hard brick wall, mafia style, eyes on the door, like a guy who doesn’t want to get hit without a chance to go down with some cold steel in his mitts. He wore dark shades. Dark shirt. Drank coffee black as the devil’s heart. Gave us a nod. Yeah. He was the guy we were there to meet. The... Read More