All library locations will be closed December 24 & 25 as well as December 31 & January 1.
We would like your suggestions for next year’s community-wide reading program. The One Read Reading Panel is looking for books that have a broad-based appeal to readers of different backgrounds and reading levels, that are available in paperback and other formats, and that address themes and issues that will encourage and sustain spirited discussion.
As part of this year’s One Read program, we invited you to take inspiration from Charlotte McConaghy’s “Migrations,” by telling a tale of climate fiction in 250 words or less. Climate fiction explores climate change and its impact on Earth and on society, and is generally speculative in nature.
Thank you to everyone who entered and shared your works of flash fiction.
Our two winners are Xander Kennedy and Kim Wade. Honorable mentions go to Philip Shearrer and Josh Ray.
We are excited to share these stories with you! Continue reading “Winners: Climate Flash Fiction Contest”
“In their own private ways they were all grieving the end of this life, knowing it must come to an end, not knowing how they’ll survive that.”
~Charlotte McConaghy “Migrations”
In this year’s One Read selection, author Charlotte McConaghy tells a story of a world not so different from our own, a story of one potential, not-so-far-away future. Taking inspiration from “Migrations,” we invite you to write a story of climate fiction in 250 words or less. Climate fiction explores climate change and its impact on Earth and on society, and is generally speculative in nature. Your piece can be set at any point in time, be it past, present or future, and its tone can be hopeful, pessimistic or anywhere in between.
Starting September 3, entries may be submitted using this form, mailed or dropped off at any library or bookmobile. (See full rules below for details.) Winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on this site and in the Columbia Missourian, and winners will receive a $25 bookstore gift card.
Participants must be age 16 or older and residents of Boone or Callaway Counties. Read on for complete contest rules. Continue reading “Climate Flash Fiction: A One Read Writing Contest”
Flight
A One Read Art Exhibit
Orr Street Studios (106 Orr Street, Columbia)
Inspired by this year’s One Read book, “Migrations,” we invite Mid-Missouri artists ages 16 and older to contribute works that explore the idea of movement, escape or adventure. Flight may be literal or metaphorical, real or fantastical, natural or mechanized.
Cash prizes will be awarded for three winners, sponsored by Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs. The third place winner will receive $50, second place $75 and first place $125. The first place winner will also receive a one-year membership to the Columbia Art League.
The exhibit will take place September 10-20, and can be viewed at a reception on Friday, September 13 or during Orr Street Studios’ open hours. (See www.orrstreetstudios.com for details.)
“There is nothing so disturbing as a creature born to flight being bound to dull lifelessness.”
― Charlotte McConaghy, “Migrations”
Fortunately, despite the recent fire, Orr Street Studios is expecting to have the gallery ready for September exhibits, including “Flight.”
Submission Details Continue reading “Call for Submissions: One Read Art Exhibit”
A vanished mother, a passionate love affair and a mysterious tragedy lend the pacing of a thriller to parts of this gorgeously written and heart-wrenching novel, “Migrations,” about losses of all kinds, and the hope for redemption.
In the not-too-distant future, nature is on the verge of collapse, and Franny Stone has left everything behind but her research gear as she arrives in Greenland to track the world’s last flock of Arctic terns on what might be its final migration. She talks her way onto a fishing vessel, persuading the captain that she can help him find fish in exchange for transportation. As she and the crew travel farther from safety, we learn more about Franny’s dark and traumatic past.
Charlotte McConaghy has a master’s degree in screenwriting from the Australian Film Television and Radio School and a number of published science fiction and fantasy works for young adults in Australia. “Migrations” is her first foray into adult literary fiction. Her latest novel and New York Times bestseller, “Once There Were Wolves,” is a romantic mystery about a biologist charged with reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands. Her newest novel, “Wild Dark Shore” is coming in March 2025. Charlotte is an Australian author living in Sydney.
Biographical information and author photo courtesy of www.charlottemcconaghy.com; Photo credit: Emma Daniels.
Last November, we asked the community to suggest books to be considered for One Read 2024. Earlier this year, the One Read Reading Panel met and narrowed the list of over 300 titles to 10, and now we have our top two finalists: “The Chinese Groove” by Kathryn Ma and “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy.
Read on to find out more about each book!
Continue reading “One Read 2024 Finalists”
As part of this year’s One Read program, we invited you to take inspiration from Margaret Verble’s “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky,” by telling a tale in 250 words or less, and we asked that you write about someone facing accountability or consequences in some way.
Thank you to everyone who entered and shared your works of flash fiction.
Our two winners are Aubrey Bjork and Regan Puckett. Honorable mentions go to Xander Kennedy and Jessica Piccone.
We are excited to share these stories with you! Continue reading “Winners: Reckoning Flash Fiction Contest”
Thursday, September 28 › 7-8:30 p.m.
Join us for a live conversation with One Read author Margaret Verble and former KFRU radio host David Lile. They will talk about her book “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky,” her writing process and her inspiration for the novel. There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and get copies of the book signed. You can also watch a livestream of this talk at the Callaway County Public Library in Fulton and hear it live on KOPN 89.5-FM.
“So his death had not been avenged. And that was a serious matter. It disturbed the harmony.”
~Margaret Verble, “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky”
In this year’s One Read selection, author Margaret Verble delves into what happens when a buried past finally comes to light. Taking inspiration from “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky,” we invite you to tell a story of a reckoning in 250 words or less. Your tale can be about anything or anyone, but it should include someone facing accountability or consequences in some way.
Starting September 1, entries may be submitted using this form, mailed or dropped off at any library or bookmobile. (See full rules below for details.) Winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on this site and in the Columbia Missourian, and winners will receive a $25 bookstore gift card.
Participants must be age 16 or older and residents of Boone or Callaway Counties. Read on for complete contest rules.
Continue reading “Reckoning: One Read Flash Fiction Writing Contest”
