Graphic novel borrows Old Man Gloom

Zozobra has lent its nickname of Old Man Gloom to the title of a new graphic novel. The novelist is Arwen Donahue, and she will talk about the book, “Old Man Gloom,” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at Page One, 11018 Montgomery NE.

The novel is described as a 16-page, full-color comic set in Santa Fe. It draws on the city’s colonial history and its contemporary rituals and “explores how historical fact sifts into communal memory and finds new life in a child’s imagination.”

Zozobra is the larger-than-life papier-mâché puppet that is burned annually as part of the opening public ceremonies of the Santa Fe Fiestas.

Donahue is a multidisciplinary artist and farmer living in Kentucky.

Also at Page One, Santa Fe sci-fi and fantasy author S.M. Stirling discusses his new novel, “Lord of Mountains,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8.

AT BOOKWORKS: The bookstore at 4022 Rio Grande NW is hosting an event at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, that it calls “Literary Speed Dating.” For this initial round of speed dating, Bookworks is seeking a total of eight men and eight women between ages 25 and 45. According to the bookstore, “You put on your spiffy outfit and comb your hair. You grab your very favorite book. You bring it to Bookworks and have an instant conversation starter. Each potential couple will get five minutes to talk about the book they brought, their other favorite books, and maybe some other stuff besides books. Who knows? After five minutes, we’ll ring a bell, and everyone will rotate. At the end of the round, you’ll have met some neat new people, heard about some great books, and (hopefully) had a great time.” To sign up for the event, email events@bookworks.com.

And at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the bookstore, Nancy Wood will discuss her new book, “The Soledad Crucifixion.” A Journal review said ” ‘The Soledad Crucifixion’ is an admirable addition to Wood’s extensive and multifaceted body of work” in which she has chronicled the lives of the Pueblo people.

IN OLD TOWN: Joanne Bodin discusses her novel “Walking Fish” from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Treasure House Books & Gifts, 2012 South Plaza NW. It’s about Talia, an eccentric artist living in Corrales with her partner, Renie. For 20 years she has lit a candle on Dec. 15 to mark the day she left California — and her 5-year-old daughter — to start a new life. Then Talia is compelled to revisit her unconventional past. “Walking Fish” won a 2011 International Book Award in gay/lesbian fiction and was a finalist in the same category in the USA Best Book Awards.

READING: Albuquerque’s Demetria Martinez reads from her new short fiction “The Block Captain’s Daughter” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth SW. It’s about a group of activists struggling to find meaning in their own lives as they try to heal the world.

LIBRARY REOPENS: The Juan Tabo Library at 3407 Juan Tabo NE has reopened after being closed five months for renovations. A leaking roof and clerestory windows were repaired and the interior was repainted.

SOUTHWEST WRITERS EVENTS: Kathryn Johnson Cameron and Sarah Kotchian are giving a four-session workshop titled “The Divining Pen: Writing Into the Spirit.” The sessions are at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, and Sept. 13, 20 and 27 at SouthWest Writers, 3721 Morris NE, Suite A. The fee is $220 for the general public, $160 for SWW members. To register, call 265-9485.

In another event, screenwriter/screenwriting consultant Marc Calderwood gives a three-hour workshop at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Bear Canyon Senior Center, 4645 Pitt NE. The topic is “Wielding the Acts: Powering Through the Structural Imperative of the American Screenplay.” $70 in advance for the general public, $50 for Osher members, $40 for SWW members. $75 at the door for everyone. To register call 265-9485.