This is a reading group for writers, aspiring writers, or for anyone interested in what writers pay attention to when they read.

Each meeting, we’ll focus on a specific craft element (for example: POV, voice, tense, tone, world building, the handling of time, structure, theme) within the context of the book we’re reading. As in any book group, we’ll talk about how the novel affected us as readers. But we’ll also consider the construction of each book, what it seems the author was trying to achieve, and how craft helped them do it – or how it let them down.

I’ve selected novels that have come out in the last few years. The books are mostly contemporary literary fiction, but there are a few science fiction and fantasy selections as well. We’ll touch on the state of the publishing industry, thinking about why these manuscripts were chosen for publication in 2020 and beyond. A few authors will join us for part of the meeting so we can ask questions.

This group will meet on the first Thursday of the month, from 6:30-8pm, over Zoom.

Thurs, September 8
School for Good Mothers, Jessamine Chan

Thurs, October 6
The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich

Thurs, November 3
Unlikely Animals, Annie Hartnett (with an appearance by the author)

Thurs, December 1
Luster, Raven Leilani

Thurs, January 12 (*rescheduled from Jan 5)
Detransition, Baby, Torrey Peters

Thurs, February 2
Olga Dies Dreaming, Xochitl Gonzalez

Thurs, March 9 (*rescheduled from March 2)
Vampire Weekend, Mike Chen (with an appearance by the author)

Thurs, April 6
No Gods, No Monsters, Cadwell Turnbull

K Chess is the author of Famous Men Who Never Lived (Tin House Books, 2019). Her writing has been anthologized by the XPRIZE and has appeared in outlets including Salon and Tor.com. K has an MFA from Southern Illinois University and sometimes teaches fiction at GrubStreet in Boston. She lives in Providence with her wife and toddler (who she will try to keep out of the Zoom meetings).