Lynell George
@lynellgeorge
Journalist, Essayist, Author, Pen-and-Paper Enthusiast, Wanderer Latest book: "A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia E. Butler" Southland
“Over the threshold, into the dream, the light fades, and the world falls away…” Betye Saar 1926–2026 share.google/YyXrTY1eK1TC...
My photographs of Williams’s buildings are as much a tribute to his labor and persistence as they are a tribute to his talent. I am proud to live and work in Paul Williams’s city.” — Janna Ireland Coming in August. A new edition of Ireland’s “Regarding Paul R. Williams” from Angel City Press.
Entry: June 25, 2026 from “Parable of the Sower” “We’re like that, we Olaminas—tall, sturdy, fast-growing people…..Now more than ever, It’s safest to just go out at dawn… that is if you have to go outside at all.” — Octavia E. Butler
Octavia Celebration Continues: ✨ Please join me and Nikki High, founder of Pasadena's Octavia's Bookshelf, tomorrow, June 26. We will discuss Octavia Butler's life & legacy and the importance of world building — both on the page and in community. The event is sponsored by Altadena Heritage.
Friday, June 26: Please join me and Nikki High, founder of Octavia’s Bookshelf to celebrate Octavia E. Butler‘s Legacy. We will be discussing the concept of “world building” —both on the page and in the community. We get started at 7pm. See flyer for more detail details.
“To investigate a thing is to alter it and discover new questions.“ — Octavia E. Butler #BOTD 1947
Monday, June 22, 2026 would have been Octavia E. Butler’s 79th birthday. She died, 20 years ago, yet in that time her legacy has only deepend. Join us in Butler’s old neighborhood to commemorate her path toward a writer’s life. I’ll be in conversation with Fin Lee, hosted by Altadena Library 📚.
Happy to see that the old Harvey House at Union Station LA is back open. Looking forward to sitting in one of those booths, reading a book as the sun streams in.
Looking forward to visiting with Altadena Library and being in conversation with Fin Lee in honor of Octavia E. Butler, on what would have been her 79th birthday. Libraries were second homes to her & Altadena was one of the vibrant communities from which she drew inspiration. Please join us 6/22 💫
TONIGHT, 3/27, please join us to celebrate the power of independent presses. We start at 7 PM at @vromansbookstore.bsky.social.
THIS FRIDAY: March 27, please join us at @vromansbookstore.bsky.social to celebrate Indie Press Month. Angel City Press authors will be gathering to discuss the power of place.
A friend scooped me up last night for a screening of this documentary. I’ve had a lifelong interest in Billy Preston. The film is outstanding. Covering career & context. A bonus: wonderful footage of ‘60s 70s LA. Here for a short in LA at selected theaters If you can make it, do. Worth it
For the latest @altajournal.bsky.social, I stitched together an oral history focused on West Coast Jazz and the role that Leimert Park’s World Stage has played in ushering the echoes of Central Avenue’s sounds forward to new generations. The print version has just landed.
Just Released! This 60th anniversary set showcases lost recordings, archival photos & memory- unlocking ephemera with liner notes from the set’s producer, Alec Palao and me on the history of the old 5-4 and the revue’s whirlwind showcase here in LA just days before Watts lit up.
Next Saturday at Reparations Club, editor Katie Mitchell will be discussing her new book “Prose to the People,” which is decades-spanning homage to Black bookstores across the nation. EsoWon Bookstore co-founder James Fugate will be in attendance, sharing lively stories about LA & the book business.
Congratulations to Katie Mitchell. She tapped into a story that was left on the margins. Eso Won’s James Fugate & the dear Mayme Clayton featured here in this NYT Book Review Sunday featured review👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. Hooray for Power to the People.” We’ll be celebrating in LA. May 17 Stay tuned for details.
“Prose to the People” now available at Octavia’s Bookshelf. Swing by and get yours.
This was publication week for this beautiful tribute to the legacy of Black bookstores. Editor Katie Mitchell did an exquisite job showcasing so many independents, countrywide. I wrote an essay about the great, now-shuttered Eso Won Books & Pasadena’s vibrant recent addition Octavia’s Bookshelf.
In the current issue of Alta Journal, I write about Chester Himes’s classic taut LA noir, “If He Hollers Let Him Go.” Be sure to check out the full issue and our picks for a list of 25 quitntessettial. California reads. 📚 www.altaonline.com/books/fictio...
Sunshine on a cloudy day. The new Alta Journal has just arrived. More details TK soon…
Tomorrow at Hastings Ranch branch of Pasadena Public Library. A joint evening with SF JAZZ exploring Octavia E. Butler’s relationship to public libraries.
Octavia E. Butler celebrated, protected and donated her time to public libraries. As part of an initiative sponsored by SF JAZZ we’ll be discussing the influence of libraries in Butler’s creative journey.
Lauren Olamina’s Entry November 6, 2024 “President William Turner Smith lost yesterday's election. Christopher Charles Morpeth Donner is our new President-President-elect. So what are we in for?” From Octavia E. Butler’s “Parable of the Sower”
The latest #altajournal has arrived. Issue 29’s theme is “Reckoning with the West.” It’s landing in mailboxes, newsstands or your favorite independent bookstore. Stay tuned for more details.