Local authors and book events, Sept. 20 and beyond

Signing events

Wine and Unwind: Tom Poland, Southern Writer: Local author Tom Poland will discuss his new book “Classic Carolina Road Trips from Columbia: Historic Destinations & Natural Wonders,” from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday at the Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle Columbia. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Beer, wine, and pizza will be served. $5 requested donation. Open to all. RSVP to info@louriecentersc.com or call (803) 779-1971 ext. 12.

Upcoming releases

“The Lower Quarter,” a book by Elise Blackwell, who teaches at the University of South Carolina, is scheduled to publish Monday. Blackwell has written four other novels: “Hunger,” “The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish,” “Grub,” and “An Unfinished Score.” More on Blackwell at http://eliseblackwell.com/.

Upcoming events

Camden writers host writing workshop: “First One Word, Then Another” is a half-day creative writing intensive sponsored by the Camden chapter of the South Carolina Writers’ Workshop, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at Central Carolina Technical College, 1125 Little St. in Camden. S.C. author Bob Strother will deliver the keynote address. Strother has published more than 80 short stories, a short story collection, and two .The workshop offers classes in writing and shaping fiction, family histories and memoir, poetry, and the editing process. A panel discussion with professional authors will offer publishing advice. A boxed lunch will be served. Books by faculty members will be for sale, and authors will sign copies. The cost of the workshop is $20 for SCWW members, $25 for non-members. Register at myscww.org.

Farm to Table Event Co.’s September Harvest Dinner with David Shields: 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Roots. Shields, author of “Southern Provisions: The Creation & Revival of a Cuisine,” a look at the history of Southern cooking and ingredients and the early nineteenth century chefs that elevated Southern foods to the level of cuisine, will be speaking at the dinner and hosting a book signing. Tickets for the four-course meal are $75 per person at eventbrite.com

Featured gardens

SC gardens in new book: The Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden in Bishopville, and the gardens of Cindy and Ben Lenhardt, Gene and Betsy Johnson, and Peter and Patti McGee, all in Charleston, were selected to be four of 50 in the Garden Conservancy’s debut book, “Outstanding American Gardens: A Celebration – 25 Year of the Garden Conservancy.” The Pearl Fryar is one of the Preservation Gardens. The three in Charleston are Open Days gardens.

From Staff and Wire Reports