NOELLE HOWEY's father knew how to dress — as a woman. This family skeleton wasn't imparted to the author until she turned 15. But there was something greater inside Howey's father than just a penchant for women's clothing. He had the heart and soul of a woman, but lacked the matching body. His transformation is the necessary accessory to DRESS CODES, Howey's memoir in which she tells, as the book's subtitle suggests, "Of three girlhoods — my mother's, my father's and mine." Growing into womanhood at the same time as her father, Howey complements the awkwardness faced by family with an honest humor. She opens her literary hope chest to readers with an appearance at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. 513-396-8960. ...
BARBARA WRIGHT's language might be plain, but it suits the journey of her characters. Written correspondence (and I'm not talking e-mail) unites Quaker Virginia Mendenhall with Alfred Bowen, despite his being 10 years her senior, in Wright's PLAIN LANGUAGE: A NOVEL. But upon joining in marriage, the two struggle with words needed when faced with life's hardships. Wright's love story speaks volumes about its setting: ranch life on the Plains during the Great Depression. This daunting struggle to remain afloat is strengthened by Wright's own composition: She's an 11th-generation Quaker. She settles in to Joseph-Beth at 7 p.m. Wednesday. 513-396-8960. ...
Consider this a change of address card. WOMEN WRITING FOR (A) CHANGE ON THE RADIO, a weekly program uniting women and words, will broadcast at 11 a.m. Sundays on WVXU 91.7 FM beginning this week, a change from its previous Sunday evening berth. Well, at least now, the show won't have to compete against Alias. First guest in the new time slot is writer Linda Heath, who will share insights from her recent trip to Africa. For more information, go to www.womenwriting.org ...
Tick, tock, Clarice. Deadline is noon Friday for THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY SHORT STORY COMPETITION. Check out CityBeat's Get Involved listings for details, or call 513-621-0717.
