The Sleeping Giant Reading Series brings writers and book lovers together on the third Thursday of the month. In the long shadow of Hamden’s Sleeping Giant, writers of every kind gather to hear professional readings, raise a glass, network, and support one another’s work. All are welcome, whether you’re a scribbler who hasn’t yet dared to call yourself a “writer” or an experienced published author.

For October’s Installment, we have writers Joan Wickersham and Amy Bloom.

Joan Wickersham’s memoir, The Suicide Index, described by the LA Times as “an extraordinary magical mystery tour of a book,” was a finalist for the National Book Award. She is also the author of The News from Spain, a suite of asymmetrical love stories; and a new book, No Ship Sets Out To Be A Shipwreck, sparked by the wreck of the 17th century Swedish warship Vasa. Her writing has appeared in many publications, including The Best American Short Stories and The Best American Nonrequired Reading.

Amy Bloom’s new, bestselling fifth novel is I’ll Be Right Here. Her short story collections include Come to Me, a finalist for the National Book Award, and A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Her New York Times bestselling memoir is In Love. Amy’s work has been translated into seventeen languages. She created, wrote and ran the TV series State of Mind. She recently retired as Wesleyan University’s Shapiro-Silverberg Professor of Creative Writing, but she keeps working as a psychotherapist and a novelist.