Parsec Inc. – Page 19 – A 501(c)(3) organization: It is the mission of Parsec “to promote awareness of the richness of speculative fiction as literature, art and music; further general education in the sciences and arts, support contributions–both scientific and artistic–to society and to espouse the enjoyment of speculative fiction as literature, art and music with others.”

Fall 2014

October 1, 2014

Lecture: Nalo Hopkinson

Fans old and new attended Nalo Hopkinson’s inspiring lecture Keeping it (Un)Real at the second YA Author Lecture Series talk event held at Carnegie Mellon University on Saturday, November 15, 2014. After the talk there was a lively question and answer session, followed by a book signing. Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, has lived in Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana and for the past 35 years in Canada. She is currently a professor of creative writing at the University of California, Riverside.

Writing Workshop: Caroline Carlson

Before the lecture, those signed up for the workshop participated in Caroline Carlson’s writing workshop. She is the author of a series of funny and fantastical series of novels for young readers. Caroline holds an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She grew up in Massachusetts and now lives in Pittsburgh with her husband.

Reminder: Oct 2 ArtDOG Event

September 30, 2014

ArtDOG is an 18-hour fundraising event through the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, Parsec is eligible for some funds to match donations. Funds raised during on 10/2 will be channeled to the YA Lecture Series. The next YA lecture/writing workshop/book signing event will be held on Nov 15 at CMU. Please support Parsec in bringing favorite authors to teen readers and other fans along with instruction in YA writing for all ages.

Children’s book author Caroline Carlson has agreed to give the YA writing workshop on November 15 at CMU in the University Center. (Free parking in the East Campus Garage on Saturdays.)

Other plans for the day’s main lecture are still being worked on. You can help! Even a small donation will go a long way towards bringing outstanding guest speakers to Pittsburgh.

http://www.pittsburghgives.org/home

Parsec benefits from ArtDOG event Oct 2

September 17, 2014

On Thursday, October 2nd we will have the opportunity to help Parsec by donating between 6am and midnight. ArtDOG, or Arts Day of Giving, is enthusiastically sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and The Pittsburgh Foundation. Both organizations invite the public to make a monetary contribution with the added incentive that all donations up to $1,000 will be partially matched by The Heinz Endowments.

This is our moment to celebrate and thank the arts and culture oriented non-profits we cherish the most. Your commitment furthers the advantage of Pittsburgh as a home, industry backer and playground.

Whether your gift is large or small, dedicated to one organization or split between several, each and every donation is 100% tax deductible and partially matched – making your dollars go even further.

Last ArtDOG nearly $1.9 million was raised! What can we do together this year?

Book launch party Sept 23

September 16, 2014

The launch party for Parsec member Josh Bellin‘s debut novel, the Young Adult science fiction adventure Survival Colony 9, will be Tuesday, September 23 at the Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, from 6-7:30 pm. There will be books for sale and signing, cake and other delicacies, prizes, and fun! Here’s the link:

Josh Bellin Book Launch Party at the Mystery Lovers Bookshop

About the book:

Fast-paced and action packed, Survival Colony 9 paints a vivid, gritty landscape of a future world ravaged by war, where a small colony’s hopes for survival hinges on one teenage boy. Can he save himself? Can he save them all?

About Josh:

Joshua David Bellin is a Pittsburgh native, a graduate of Wesleyan University with a PhD. in English from University of Pennsylvania. He taught English and has published three books for college students, including one about monsters. Josh has his own popular blog, YA Guy and belongs to several YA author groups including OneForKidLit, The Fall Fourteeners and Darkly Delicious YA.

Survival Colony 9 already has fans that include fellow YA authors Margaret Peterson Haddix and Jonathan Mayberry who says: “Joshua David Bellin brings serious game in a post-apocalyptic thriller that collides breathless action with devious world building and genuine heart. A terrific novel!”