Upcoming Events
Join author Elizabeth Poliner at Politics and Prose, D.C.’s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub, for a conversation about her latest book, Spinning at the Edges.
From the author of the acclaimed As Close to Us as Breathing, a captivating novel steeped in history, revealing the bonds of family and community, and the healing powers hidden inside broken hearts.
Join us for an online discussion and reading of Spinning at the Edges.
Also joining will be James Irvine and Yardena Schwartz.
Sunday May 17, 2026, 1:00 p.m. Eastern time
Past Events
Join us for an evening with award-winning author Elizabeth Poliner. She will discuss her new book, Spinning at the Edges, which is set during a time of political uncertainty and explores themes of solace in family, community, and history.
Located in the shoreline town of Madison, Connecticut, RJ Julia Booksellers has always been a place of inspiration, information, and excitement.
Register for the event using the More Info link.
Featuring: Elizabeth Poliner, Rachel Kadish, Margot Singer, Sarah Seltzer, Lauren Grodstein
AWP Conference 2024
Within the rich tradition of Jewish-American fiction, distorted and stereotypical depictions of Jewish women abound, often sourcing from male writers. This panel of award-winning Jewish women novelists will explore a more authentic, multidimensional vision of Jewish women on the page, one that captures the variety, complexity, and layers of truth about Jewish women’s lives. This craft panel is for all writers who create against patriarchal bias and cultural stereotypes.
Where do ideas for creating fictional characters come from? How are these ideas developed so that characters are both believable and complex? In this one-day course, writer Elizabeth Poliner leads a lively exploration of these questions through discussion and the use of in-class exercises. After developing characters through various techniques, participants will practice developing stories and their plots through an understanding of character. By the day’s end, participants may have enough material at hand to go home and write a great character-driven story! Workshop includes a short lunch break.
PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur ONLINE. The week of the workshop, attendees will be emailed a zoom link to enter the class.
Sunday, March 3, 7:30 p.m., Reading and Discussion of As Close to Us as Breathing at Temple Beth Shalom – 8070 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, MD
Thursday, April 26, 2018, 7:00 p.m., Reading and Discussion of As Close to Us as Breathing at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St, Sharon, MA
Wednesday, January 24, 2018, 7:30 p.m., Reading and Discussion of As Close to Us as Breathing at University of Southern Mississippi, Language Arts Building: Gonzales Auditorium.
Meet the author of the 2017 Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize!
On Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 Poliner will visit Rochester for a reading and award ceremony, followed by an hors d’oeuvres reception and book signing in the Hawkins-Carlson Room of the Rush Rhees Library at the University of Rochester. The event begins at 5:00pm. Books will be available for purchase, provided by the Barnes and Noble Campus Bookstore. Free parking is available in Library Lot.
November 1, 5:00 p.m., Reading and Award Ceremony, , Hawkins-Carlson Room, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Discussion and Book Signing in Washington, DC at the JCC, Local Author’s Brunch.
Jewish Literature Live: 12:45 – 2 p.m, Discussion with students; 7-8 pm, Talk and Q&A, open to public. George Washington University
Talk and Q&A on As Close to Us as Breathing (and book signing), Levis JCC Sandler Center, Literary Afternoon Series.