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Award winning authors coming to LBCC

By Abel Reyes

Correction: Quotes with English professor Jason Casem were removed after he challenged their accuracy.

For all writing enthusiasts and lovers at Long Beach City College, two literary pioneers and a novelist will stop by LAC to pass on their knowledge to students.

Tim Powers, writer of On Stranger Tides which was later adapted for the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film, will be one of the three authors coming to LBCC.

Frank X. Gaspar, multiple award winning author for his works Leaving Pico, A Field Guide to the Heavens, and Stealing Fatima will also visit.

James Blaylock, a Long Beach native, has written six novels and over 30 other short stories and novellas.

Both Blaylock and Powers are pioneers of the steampunk genre of science fiction. Steampunk is a sub genre that focuses on the aesthetics and technology of the 19th century industrial machinery.

The popular TV show Doctor Who incorporates certain steampunk elements in its episodes, as well as the 2011 film The Three Musketeers and Tim Burton’s 2016 film Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Two of the authors that are coming to Long Beach City College are steampunk pioneers, a genre that launched into popularity because of Jim Blaylock and Tim Powers. Photo by Jorge Hernandez.

The event will be at the Liberal Arts Campus and will feature readings, workshops and book signings.

Along with being an author, Blayock taught creative writing at Chapman University and previously served as director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts.

Creative Writing chair at LBCC, Natalie Burgess, put together the event to expose students to the professionalism of writing.

According to Burgess, this event has been in the works for a long time and worked with the LBCC Foundation to make the event happen.

For Burgess, a future get for her is Tayari Jones, who wrote An American Marriage, which received multiple outstanding nominations and awards.

The Literary Voices will be on Friday, Sept. 27th. Readings will be in the T building in room 1200 and workshops and signings will be in the P building. 

Frank X. Gaspar will start at 10 a.m., Tim Powers and Jim Blaylock will start at 2 p.m..

To RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/literaryvoice.

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