Author Miranda Richmond Mouillot presents “A Fifty-Year Silence” at Malaprop’s, Aug. 9

It’s the story of Anna Münster and Armand Jacoubovitch that Mouillot recounts — or, rather, unearths. The couple survived the Holocaust only to sever all ties with each other shortly after the end of World War II. Mouillot also weaves her own story into the text. “A lot of what I was grappling with in the book is the daunting realization that life is always very complex,” she says.

Upcoming series explores life of famous author and Asheville native Wilma Dykeman

For those who know the name Wilma Dykeman but don’t know much about one of Asheville’s most famous daughters, an upcoming lecture series will explore her life as an historian, journalist, environmentalist, teacher, novelist and traveler. ” (Photo of Wilma Dykeman at Carmel, Calif. in 1936 from the Wilma Dykeman Collection at D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections)

The road to Pitchapalo­oza, part 1

Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, aka The Book Doctors and the masterminds behind “The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published,” are coming to Malaprop’s this Friday for Pitchapalooza, in which one lucky author will win an introduction to a literary agent. It all hinges on having the perfect book pitch. This is my story about working on the fail proof one-minute spiel.

Battles and backlash: Local author Bill Forstchen on Newt Gingrich, politics and history *Updated*

In the wake of releasing the ninth book he’s co-written with presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich, local author/historian Bill Forstchen now finds himself in the throes of the Republican primary. And Gingrich’s huge win yesterday, Jan. 22, in the South Carolina primary, has brought renewed interest to the campaign.

This weekend on a shoestring

The weather’s getting nippy, but it’s still a great time to get out and check out some events that won’t break the (piggy) bank. From winter gardening and holiday shopping to local authors and uplifting musical performances, this weekend’s got everything you need to lure you out of the house on the cheap. And as always, leave us a comment if you’ve got any more low-cost events you’d like to share.