Photo courtesy of the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium
An exciting evening of literary inspiration is on the horizon. Virginia Peninsula Community College, in collaboration with the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium, brings New York Times best-selling author Omar Tyree to the area for an author talk and book signing event on Oct. 17.
The 7 p.m. event at the David Student Union at Christopher Newport University will give community members a chance to hear from Tyree, renowned for his compelling storytelling.
Starting Sept. 16, VPCC students, faculty, staff and College Board members can pick up free tickets at the College’s libraries in Hampton and the Historic Triangle in Williamsburg. Tickets are also available at the participating libraries of the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium, including the public libraries of Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and York County, as well as the academic libraries of CNU and Hampton University.
Attendees can bring copies of Tyree's books for signing or purchase books on-site from Paperbacks Ink.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and while seating is limited, ticket holders will have priority. The remaining seats will be available to the public.
A Philadelphia, Pa. native, Tyree is a celebrated journalist, lecturer, poet, screenwriter, songwriter and filmmaker. He was the youngest star of the 1990s Black Literature movement. Among his special recognition are an NAACP Image Award and a Phillis Wheatley Literary Prize for his work as the proclaimed “Godfather of Urban Fiction.”
Tyree’s classic urban fiction works include Flyy Girl, A Do Right Man, Single Mom, Sweet St. Louis, For the Love of Money, Just Say No! Leslie, Diary of a Groupie, What They Want, The Last Street Novel, and Pecking Order, along with Capital City, College Boy, One Crazy Night and Cold Blooded in his Urban Griot series. He has also published nonfiction, children and young adult books, poetry, business books, international thrillers, short stories and autobiographies. His new novel, CONTROL, is his debut psychological thriller and first new book in seven years.
Created in 2006, the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium promotes the study and enjoyment of books and fosters collaboration among Peninsula libraries. Through free public events featuring best-selling and award-winning authors, the consortium provides cultural experiences some residents may not otherwise have and encourages community-wide reading and discussions.
For more information about the Oct. 17 author talk and book signing event, visit www.thevplc.org or call 757-926-1350.
Learn more about VPCC, including library operating hours, at vpcc.edu.