The Conundrum Books branching into publishing

The Conundrum, the latest independent bookstore to open in Louisiana, is now going into the publishing business. The St. Francisville bookstore has created Feliciana Publishing Partners which will publish its first book in early September, a collection of essays and articles written by New Orleanian Ronnie Virgets. The mission of the publishing venture by owner Missy Aleman Couhig is to publish books while becoming a partner to the author. For more information, visit http://www.conundrumbooks.com/.

New releases

Dixie Poché of Lafayette will launch her latest book, “Louisiana Sweets: King Cakes, Bread Pudding & Sweet Dough Pie” from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Buck & Johnny’s restaurant in Breaux Bridge. The book, published by The History Press, features the quirky stories behind 60 of Louisiana’s famous venues such as Café du Monde in New Orleans, Lea’s Pies in Lecompte, Victor’s Cafeteria in New Iberia and Poupart’s Bakery in Lafayette.

Two New Orleans natives dubbed “The New Orleans Grannies” have published a cookbook, published by the New Orleans School of Cooking. Harriet Robin and Anne Leonhard have written “Across the Table: Recipes & Stories from Two New Orleans Friends,” which is available through the school’s general store and its website at nosoc.com.

Sara Essex Bradley of New Orleans has been working as a professional photographer for years, being published in The New York Times, Bon Appétit, Garden & Gun, Brides Magazine, among others. She won the New Orleans Press Club Award for Still Photography Feature in 2015. This year, she publishes “Dog Décor: Canines Living Large,” capturing homeowners’ dogs in New Orleans’ elegant and high-design environments.

Lee Roy Pitre spent years researching and documenting the Pitre family that traveled from Nova Scotia to France during le grand dérangement, or great Acadian exile, that began in 1755 by the British. He offers a book that discusses this history that eventually led the Pitres to Louisiana, including the origin of the Pitre name, in his new book, “Windows into Yesteryears: From Europeans to Acadians to Cajun Medieval Europe to Nova Scotia to France to Louisiana.” For more information or to purchase a copy, visit www.WindowsIntoYesteryears.com.

Geek’d Con

Geek’d Con, a comic con-style event that brings together stars of film, television, music, wrestling, video games, comics and more, returns Friday through Sunday, Aug. 18-20, to the Shreveport Convention Center. Celebrity guests scheduled to appear include: Lou Ferrigno, star of  “The Incredible Hulk;” Joey Fatone of *NSYNC and “Dancing With the Stars;” Billy West, voice actor known for “Ren and Stimpy” and “Futurama;” Kelly Hu, “X2: X-Men United;” Sam J. Jones, “Flash Gordon;” Matthew Wood, “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith;” “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, professional wrestling Hall of Fame member; David Acord, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens;” Gil Gerard, “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century;” Catherine Sutherland, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers;” Kellen Goff and Andy Field, voice actors from the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” video game franchise; Roland Paris, “Spider-Man” and “X-Men;” and John Lucas, artist known for “Deadpool.” Single-day admission to Geek’d Con ranges from $5 to $20, with adult weekend passes $30. Children ages five and under will be admitted free and discounted tickets are available for children ages six to 12. For event details, including a link to purchase tickets, visit www.GeekdCon.com.   

Book events the week of Aug. 13-20

Dawn Reno Langley discusses and signs her book, “The Mourning Parade” at 6 p.m. Monday at Garden District Book Shop in New Orleans.

Melissa Keaster, author of "Eleora," will lead a book discussion and signing at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Main Branch of the Ouachita Parish Library, 1800 Stubbs Ave. in Monroe.

Celebrate the king of rock ’n’ roll with a marathon of Elvis’ films Wednesday at the Main Lafayette Library: Noon, “Viva Las Vegas;” 2 p.m., “Speedway;” 4 p.m., “Jailhouse” and 6 p.m., “King Creole.”

Charles McLaughlin and Nick Carlisi, two local tea aficionados, will hold a discussion and complimentary tea tasting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. This event is free and open to the public. For information, visit www.jefferson.lib.la.us.

Leanne McBurney Trueheart, a psychiatrist and former mental health director at the St. Tammany Coroner’s Office, will discuss “Beyond Personality: Getting Psychiatry Right in Fiction,” at 1 p.m. Saturday at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. Trueheart’s presentation is part of the monthly meeting of Sisters in Crime, an organization that promotes the advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers, though “misters in crime” are welcomed. This event is free and open to the public.

The Friends of the Terrebonne Parish Library will host its Inventory Reduction Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19-20 at the Main Library in Houma. For more information, visit http://mytpl.org.

C.H. Lawler will be signing copies of his books from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Conundrum bookstore during Polo’s and Pearls event in St. Francisville. Lawler is the author of “The Saints of Lost Things,” “The Memory of Time” and “Living Among the Dead.” For more information, visit http://www.conundrumbooks.com.

Cheré Coen is the author of the “Viola Valentine” Louisiana paranormal mystery series under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.