Browsing: Essay

Littsburgh has always been a “nights and weekends” passion project, ever since we started the site back in 2015. We don’t have a staff, we’re not…

Start Reading The Shoemaker: A Novel of Generations on the Move by Mark Saba…

"A beautiful, poetic, ethereal read, The Shoemaker is the story of a great-grandfather and great-grandson connected by blood and by Read more

PulpFest Returns to Pittsburgh (August 7-10, 2025)!

From August 7 – 10, PulpFest will be returning to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry in Mars, Read more

Q&A and Excerpt: Israel Centeno (author of The Poe’s Project: Stealing Genius – Three Novellas)

About the Author: Israel Centeno was born in 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently lives in Pittsburgh, he is a Read more

2025 Parsec Short Story Contest: Open to Submissions (Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2025)!

"Roots. The point of origin, the source of life. Buried in earth and history, they are links to the unseen. Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Registration Now Open!

"Our annual flagship conference, this year featuring keynote speaker Sarah Elaine Smith, poet and author of the acclaimed novel Marilou Read more

Start Reading Snoopers & Sneakers by Cristina Rouvalis and Lydia Wayman (Set in Aspinwall)!

“I loved this book! Couldn’t put it down and neither will young readers. Girl power at its finest.” —Sharon G. Read more

Pittsburgh Poet / Artist Wins International Poetry Competition, Local Reading This January

From Judith R. Robinson, a Pittsburgh poet and artist who was recently awarded 1st prize for her poem “A Stream Read more

Q&A: Josiah Golojuh (author of The Paper Boy, set in Pittsburgh in the 1990s)!

From the Publisher: The Paper Boy is a young adult paranormal novel from Josiah Golojuh. Get ready for a story Read more

Start Reading The Door in the Stone by Rob King!

From the Publisher: "When a mysterious woman blackmails Vic and Em into leaving our world through The Door in the Read more

Excerpt and Q&A: Richard Gazarik (author of Gun Smuggling, Castro’s Cuba and the Pittsburgh Mafia)

A Thrilling Lost Chapter of Mob Rule From the Publisher: "Western Pennsylvania’s New Kensington was in the grips of Mafia Read more

Start Reading The Catalysts by Joseph Guzzo…

"To those of us who have always suspected that our cats understand our words more than they let on, The Read more

Start Reading Magda, Standing by Christine Fallert Kessides (Set in Pittsburgh)!

From the Publisher: "When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little Read more

Q&A: Dana Griffin (author of Ask the Wide World, illustrated by Alejandro Echavez)!

“Ask the Wide World is not just a story but a journey of independent thinking and learning. It encourages children Read more

Mark your Calendars: The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is back in May 2025!

"Have you bookmarked your calendars? The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books returns on May 31, 2025! Join us for a Read more

Start Reading How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh by Dave Newman…

From the Publisher: "J.New Books proudly presents How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh, the first-ever essay collection by acclaimed Read more

Call to Action: Pittsburgh Applying for a UNESCO City of Literature Designation!

Pittsburgh has been known as a Steel Town, a Sports Town, and an Eds & Meds Town; we believe it's Read more

International Poetry Forum Presents: Emily Wilson (Acclaimed Translator of The Iliad and The Odyssey) – Special Discount for Littsburgh Readers!

Join us for a special evening with Emily Wilson, acclaimed translator of The Iliad and The Odyssey, hosted by the International Poetry Forum at Carnegie Read more

Interview + Introduction (by Dave Newman): Greg Clary, author of The Vandalia in Me

"Clary is the Whitman of West Virginia, honoring the laborers, the precious encounters, the deeper wisdoms. He understands intimately that Read more

Q&A: Jennifer Celeste Briggs (author of Watching Sarah Rise: A Journey of Thriving with Autism)

From the Publisher: "In Watching Sarah Rise, Jenny Briggs shares her experience parenting her daughter Sarah, a feisty girl who Read more

Announcing the 2025 WCONA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® Book of the Year Longlist!

Brockport, PA — The WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® (here and after WCoNA) is pleased to announce its longlist Read more

M. Christine Benner Dixon, Ph.D. is an author, editor, and writing coach living in the Squirrel Hill South neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. She offers writing services…

Q&A and Excerpt: Israel Centeno (author of The Poe’s Project: Stealing Genius – Three Novellas)

About the Author: Israel Centeno was born in 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently lives in Pittsburgh, he is a Read more

2025 Parsec Short Story Contest: Open to Submissions (Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2025)!

"Roots. The point of origin, the source of life. Buried in earth and history, they are links to the unseen. Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Registration Now Open!

"Our annual flagship conference, this year featuring keynote speaker Sarah Elaine Smith, poet and author of the acclaimed novel Marilou Read more

Start Reading Snoopers & Sneakers by Cristina Rouvalis and Lydia Wayman (Set in Aspinwall)!

“I loved this book! Couldn’t put it down and neither will young readers. Girl power at its finest.” —Sharon G. Read more

Pittsburgh Poet / Artist Wins International Poetry Competition, Local Reading This January

From Judith R. Robinson, a Pittsburgh poet and artist who was recently awarded 1st prize for her poem “A Stream Read more

Q&A: Josiah Golojuh (author of The Paper Boy, set in Pittsburgh in the 1990s)!

From the Publisher: The Paper Boy is a young adult paranormal novel from Josiah Golojuh. Get ready for a story Read more

Start Reading The Door in the Stone by Rob King!

From the Publisher: "When a mysterious woman blackmails Vic and Em into leaving our world through The Door in the Read more

Excerpt and Q&A: Richard Gazarik (author of Gun Smuggling, Castro’s Cuba and the Pittsburgh Mafia)

A Thrilling Lost Chapter of Mob Rule From the Publisher: "Western Pennsylvania’s New Kensington was in the grips of Mafia Read more

Start Reading The Catalysts by Joseph Guzzo…

"To those of us who have always suspected that our cats understand our words more than they let on, The Read more

Start Reading Magda, Standing by Christine Fallert Kessides (Set in Pittsburgh)!

From the Publisher: "When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little Read more

Q&A: Dana Griffin (author of Ask the Wide World, illustrated by Alejandro Echavez)!

“Ask the Wide World is not just a story but a journey of independent thinking and learning. It encourages children Read more

Start Reading How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh by Dave Newman…

From the Publisher: "J.New Books proudly presents How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh, the first-ever essay collection by acclaimed Read more

Interview + Introduction (by Dave Newman): Greg Clary, author of The Vandalia in Me

"Clary is the Whitman of West Virginia, honoring the laborers, the precious encounters, the deeper wisdoms. He understands intimately that Read more

Q&A: Jennifer Celeste Briggs (author of Watching Sarah Rise: A Journey of Thriving with Autism)

From the Publisher: "In Watching Sarah Rise, Jenny Briggs shares her experience parenting her daughter Sarah, a feisty girl who Read more

Announcing the 2025 WCONA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® Book of the Year Longlist!

Brockport, PA — The WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® (here and after WCoNA) is pleased to announce its longlist Read more

Introducing: Stay Gold Books in Regent Square!

Most importantly: Where are you located, what are your hours, and do you have a particular focus in terms of the Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Invitation To Present Deadline Extended!

This just in from our friends at WCoNA: "To provide additional preparation time, we’ve extended the deadline to submit a Read more

Q&A: Sean Gregory, author of The Growing Darkness (The God Killers Trilogy Book 1)

About the Author: "Sean Gregory always loved fiction. At an early age he began reading the Hardy Boys and quickly Read more

Announcing The Accidental Time Travelers Collective: Volume 3 (Locally Published Anthology)!

One of our favorite local authors, Joshua David Bellin (author, most recently, of MYRIAD) just let us know that he's Read more

Interview and Sneak Peek: You Are My Everything by Kelly Conroy, illustrated by Abigail Hookham!

A lyrical and heartfelt tribute from a parent to their “everything,” their child. From the Publisher: "Following a parent and Read more

From the Publisher: “Cybersecurity expert Ted McCord has been fired. He risked everything in a game far beyond his control. It’s the last straw for Charlotte…

Start Reading The Shoemaker: A Novel of Generations on the Move by Mark Saba…

"A beautiful, poetic, ethereal read, The Shoemaker is the story of a great-grandfather and great-grandson connected by blood and by Read more

Q&A and Excerpt: Israel Centeno (author of The Poe’s Project: Stealing Genius – Three Novellas)

About the Author: Israel Centeno was born in 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently lives in Pittsburgh, he is a Read more

2025 Parsec Short Story Contest: Open to Submissions (Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2025)!

"Roots. The point of origin, the source of life. Buried in earth and history, they are links to the unseen. Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Registration Now Open!

"Our annual flagship conference, this year featuring keynote speaker Sarah Elaine Smith, poet and author of the acclaimed novel Marilou Read more

Start Reading Snoopers & Sneakers by Cristina Rouvalis and Lydia Wayman (Set in Aspinwall)!

“I loved this book! Couldn’t put it down and neither will young readers. Girl power at its finest.” —Sharon G. Read more

Pittsburgh Poet / Artist Wins International Poetry Competition, Local Reading This January

From Judith R. Robinson, a Pittsburgh poet and artist who was recently awarded 1st prize for her poem “A Stream Read more

Q&A: Josiah Golojuh (author of The Paper Boy, set in Pittsburgh in the 1990s)!

From the Publisher: The Paper Boy is a young adult paranormal novel from Josiah Golojuh. Get ready for a story Read more

Start Reading The Door in the Stone by Rob King!

From the Publisher: "When a mysterious woman blackmails Vic and Em into leaving our world through The Door in the Read more

Excerpt and Q&A: Richard Gazarik (author of Gun Smuggling, Castro’s Cuba and the Pittsburgh Mafia)

A Thrilling Lost Chapter of Mob Rule From the Publisher: "Western Pennsylvania’s New Kensington was in the grips of Mafia Read more

Start Reading The Catalysts by Joseph Guzzo…

"To those of us who have always suspected that our cats understand our words more than they let on, The Read more

Start Reading Magda, Standing by Christine Fallert Kessides (Set in Pittsburgh)!

From the Publisher: "When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little Read more

Q&A: Dana Griffin (author of Ask the Wide World, illustrated by Alejandro Echavez)!

“Ask the Wide World is not just a story but a journey of independent thinking and learning. It encourages children Read more

Mark your Calendars: The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is back in May 2025!

"Have you bookmarked your calendars? The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books returns on May 31, 2025! Join us for a Read more

Start Reading How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh by Dave Newman…

From the Publisher: "J.New Books proudly presents How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh, the first-ever essay collection by acclaimed Read more

Call to Action: Pittsburgh Applying for a UNESCO City of Literature Designation!

Pittsburgh has been known as a Steel Town, a Sports Town, and an Eds & Meds Town; we believe it's Read more

Interview + Introduction (by Dave Newman): Greg Clary, author of The Vandalia in Me

"Clary is the Whitman of West Virginia, honoring the laborers, the precious encounters, the deeper wisdoms. He understands intimately that Read more

Q&A: Jennifer Celeste Briggs (author of Watching Sarah Rise: A Journey of Thriving with Autism)

From the Publisher: "In Watching Sarah Rise, Jenny Briggs shares her experience parenting her daughter Sarah, a feisty girl who Read more

Announcing the 2025 WCONA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® Book of the Year Longlist!

Brockport, PA — The WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® (here and after WCoNA) is pleased to announce its longlist Read more

Introducing: Stay Gold Books in Regent Square!

Most importantly: Where are you located, what are your hours, and do you have a particular focus in terms of the Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Invitation To Present Deadline Extended!

This just in from our friends at WCoNA: "To provide additional preparation time, we’ve extended the deadline to submit a Read more

About the Author: Originally from Pittsburgh, Harvey J. Graff is Professor Emeritus of English and History at The Ohio State University, USA. He was inaugural Ohio…

Start Reading The Shoemaker: A Novel of Generations on the Move by Mark Saba…

"A beautiful, poetic, ethereal read, The Shoemaker is the story of a great-grandfather and great-grandson connected by blood and by Read more

Q&A and Excerpt: Israel Centeno (author of The Poe’s Project: Stealing Genius – Three Novellas)

About the Author: Israel Centeno was born in 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently lives in Pittsburgh, he is a Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Registration Now Open!

"Our annual flagship conference, this year featuring keynote speaker Sarah Elaine Smith, poet and author of the acclaimed novel Marilou Read more

Start Reading Snoopers & Sneakers by Cristina Rouvalis and Lydia Wayman (Set in Aspinwall)!

“I loved this book! Couldn’t put it down and neither will young readers. Girl power at its finest.” —Sharon G. Read more

Q&A: Josiah Golojuh (author of The Paper Boy, set in Pittsburgh in the 1990s)!

From the Publisher: The Paper Boy is a young adult paranormal novel from Josiah Golojuh. Get ready for a story Read more

Start Reading The Door in the Stone by Rob King!

From the Publisher: "When a mysterious woman blackmails Vic and Em into leaving our world through The Door in the Read more

Excerpt and Q&A: Richard Gazarik (author of Gun Smuggling, Castro’s Cuba and the Pittsburgh Mafia)

A Thrilling Lost Chapter of Mob Rule From the Publisher: "Western Pennsylvania’s New Kensington was in the grips of Mafia Read more

Start Reading The Catalysts by Joseph Guzzo…

"To those of us who have always suspected that our cats understand our words more than they let on, The Read more

Start Reading Magda, Standing by Christine Fallert Kessides (Set in Pittsburgh)!

From the Publisher: "When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little Read more

Q&A: Dana Griffin (author of Ask the Wide World, illustrated by Alejandro Echavez)!

“Ask the Wide World is not just a story but a journey of independent thinking and learning. It encourages children Read more

Mark your Calendars: The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is back in May 2025!

"Have you bookmarked your calendars? The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books returns on May 31, 2025! Join us for a Read more

Start Reading How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh by Dave Newman…

From the Publisher: "J.New Books proudly presents How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh, the first-ever essay collection by acclaimed Read more

Call to Action: Pittsburgh Applying for a UNESCO City of Literature Designation!

Pittsburgh has been known as a Steel Town, a Sports Town, and an Eds & Meds Town; we believe it's Read more

Interview + Introduction (by Dave Newman): Greg Clary, author of The Vandalia in Me

"Clary is the Whitman of West Virginia, honoring the laborers, the precious encounters, the deeper wisdoms. He understands intimately that Read more

Announcing the 2025 WCONA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® Book of the Year Longlist!

Brockport, PA — The WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® (here and after WCoNA) is pleased to announce its longlist Read more

Introducing: Stay Gold Books in Regent Square!

Most importantly: Where are you located, what are your hours, and do you have a particular focus in terms of the Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Invitation To Present Deadline Extended!

This just in from our friends at WCoNA: "To provide additional preparation time, we’ve extended the deadline to submit a Read more

Interview and Sneak Peek: You Are My Everything by Kelly Conroy, illustrated by Abigail Hookham!

A lyrical and heartfelt tribute from a parent to their “everything,” their child. From the Publisher: "Following a parent and Read more

Start Reading Twitter Crush by Em S. A’cor!

Could her Twitter Crush be her Prince Charming? From the Publisher: "A whirlwind romance. A heart-thumping new start. Widowed and Read more

City Books Spring 2025 Writer’s Residency: Accepting Applications Until Nov. 30!

From City Books’ website: "About the Residency The City Books Writer’s Residency offers flexible access to a comfortable, creative space within Read more

Formerly a Hollywood screenwriter (of My Favorite Year, Welcome Back, Kotter, and more), Dennis Palumbo is a licensed psychotherapist and author. His mystery fiction has appeared…

Start Reading The Shoemaker: A Novel of Generations on the Move by Mark Saba…

"A beautiful, poetic, ethereal read, The Shoemaker is the story of a great-grandfather and great-grandson connected by blood and by Read more

PulpFest Returns to Pittsburgh (August 7-10, 2025)!

From August 7 – 10, PulpFest will be returning to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry in Mars, Read more

Q&A and Excerpt: Israel Centeno (author of The Poe’s Project: Stealing Genius – Three Novellas)

About the Author: Israel Centeno was born in 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently lives in Pittsburgh, he is a Read more

2025 Parsec Short Story Contest: Open to Submissions (Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2025)!

"Roots. The point of origin, the source of life. Buried in earth and history, they are links to the unseen. Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Registration Now Open!

"Our annual flagship conference, this year featuring keynote speaker Sarah Elaine Smith, poet and author of the acclaimed novel Marilou Read more

Q&A: Josiah Golojuh (author of The Paper Boy, set in Pittsburgh in the 1990s)!

From the Publisher: The Paper Boy is a young adult paranormal novel from Josiah Golojuh. Get ready for a story Read more

Start Reading The Door in the Stone by Rob King!

From the Publisher: "When a mysterious woman blackmails Vic and Em into leaving our world through The Door in the Read more

Excerpt and Q&A: Richard Gazarik (author of Gun Smuggling, Castro’s Cuba and the Pittsburgh Mafia)

A Thrilling Lost Chapter of Mob Rule From the Publisher: "Western Pennsylvania’s New Kensington was in the grips of Mafia Read more

Start Reading Magda, Standing by Christine Fallert Kessides (Set in Pittsburgh)!

From the Publisher: "When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little Read more

Mark your Calendars: The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is back in May 2025!

"Have you bookmarked your calendars? The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books returns on May 31, 2025! Join us for a Read more

Start Reading How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh by Dave Newman…

From the Publisher: "J.New Books proudly presents How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh, the first-ever essay collection by acclaimed Read more

Call to Action: Pittsburgh Applying for a UNESCO City of Literature Designation!

Pittsburgh has been known as a Steel Town, a Sports Town, and an Eds & Meds Town; we believe it's Read more

International Poetry Forum Presents: Emily Wilson (Acclaimed Translator of The Iliad and The Odyssey) – Special Discount for Littsburgh Readers!

Join us for a special evening with Emily Wilson, acclaimed translator of The Iliad and The Odyssey, hosted by the International Poetry Forum at Carnegie Read more

Interview + Introduction (by Dave Newman): Greg Clary, author of The Vandalia in Me

"Clary is the Whitman of West Virginia, honoring the laborers, the precious encounters, the deeper wisdoms. He understands intimately that Read more

Announcing the 2025 WCONA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® Book of the Year Longlist!

Brockport, PA — The WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® (here and after WCoNA) is pleased to announce its longlist Read more

Introducing: Stay Gold Books in Regent Square!

Most importantly: Where are you located, what are your hours, and do you have a particular focus in terms of the Read more

WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia®2025: Invitation To Present Deadline Extended!

This just in from our friends at WCoNA: "To provide additional preparation time, we’ve extended the deadline to submit a Read more

Announcing The Accidental Time Travelers Collective: Volume 3 (Locally Published Anthology)!

One of our favorite local authors, Joshua David Bellin (author, most recently, of MYRIAD) just let us know that he's Read more

City Books Spring 2025 Writer’s Residency: Accepting Applications Until Nov. 30!

From City Books’ website: "About the Residency The City Books Writer’s Residency offers flexible access to a comfortable, creative space within Read more

Nominations for the WCONA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® Book of the Year are Now Open!

Altoona, PA—The WCoNA Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia® (here and after WCoNA) is pleased to announce a call for nominations Read more