Healing Stories Events
We attend and/or organize:
story-times
author interviews
speaker events
vendor events and markets
wellness or other family-oriented festivals
professional helping and literacy conferences
The Queer Mental Health Initiative
The Queer Mental Health Initiative is a collaborative group of mental health professionals in the Washington, DC area who want to create free spaces, provide mental health resources, and empower queer-focused programming in 2025.
Free workshops and community events are held monthly on Thursdays. All are invited, including allies!
Dr. Catie Greene will be assisting with facilitating community sessions and leading the October 9th session We Got This: Bolstering Healing in Our Community Spaces.
CityLit Festival
Healing Stories, Animal Party Kiki Books, LLC will be attending the 2025 CityLit Festival!
Baltimore’s award-winning annual festival of all things literary takes place each spring, and remains one of CityLit Project’s signature events.
The CityLit Festival, a day-long celebration of literature, brings a literary feast to the region with 20 sessions offering panels, readings, informational sessions, and craft intensives by writers, editors, and publishing professionals. The event features over 80 poets and writers, placing emerging writers on the same platforms as established ones. It offers one-on-one 30-minute critiques in every genre; a Keynote speaker; a Master class with a prominent author; and information on publishing and funding opportunities for writers. CityLit does not shy away from covering challenging ‘hot’ topics of concern to the region and beyond. We honor a multitude of voices and multi-cultural experiences, and boast award-winning authors from near and far. All for the love of the written word. The Festival is free — unheard of these days — but you best bring your energy.
The bustling Literary Marketplace provides exhibit space to the area’s diverse community of small presses, self-published authors, literary journals, and organizations serving writers and readers alike. Baltimore magazine named CityLit Festival “a can’t miss event on the city’s cultural scene” and “the best place to nurture your inner writer.”
Gaithersburg Book Festival
“The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a celebration of the written word and its power to enrich the human experience. Our mission is to foster an interest in reading, writing and literary conversation.
Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has quickly become one of the nation’s top literary events, attracting hundreds of award-winning and best-selling authors, poets and songwriters from across the country to its beautiful park setting.
The event was conceived and introduced by Gaithersburg Mayor (then council member) Jud Ashman, with the support of the Mayor and City Council and the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee. The Festival is produced by a core committee comprised of city staff and a dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time and talent.
Funded in part by generous sponsors and supported by the City of Gaithersburg, the Festival offers programming for all ages, is free to attend and is open to everyone.”
Children's Garden at the Write Women's Book Festival!
The Write Women Book Fest was created to lift up and amplify women authors and publishing professionals. The festival welcomes all literary organizations and publishing professionals that are either owned or run by women or believes in lifting up women publishing professionals. The festival is meant to be diverse and welcoming to underrepresented groups including femme-identifying and non-binary individuals. We go to a lot of effort to try and keep it affordable, yet sustainable.
On July 19th, The Children's Garden will have children's and middle grade authors, Drag Queen Storytime, Firefighter Storytime, as well as free games, crafts, and face painting.
TWWBF is a cooperative effort with Prince George's County Parks of Maryland.
We Got This: Bolstering Healing in Our Community Spaces - Queer Mental Health Initiative
This is a free mental health focused workshop and event led by the Queer Mental Health Initiative, which is a collaborative group of mental health professionals in the Washington, DC area who want to create free spaces, provide mental health resources, and empower queer-focused programming in 2025. All our invited, including allies!
———————
Workshop Description
Therapy is a valuable space for healing and growth; however, it is by far not the only space where healing is possible. In our increasingly individualized world, it can sometimes feel like that.
This dialogue is focused identifying and helping one another access local and available community spaces and learning skills for how to bolster the conditions for growth and healing in our spaces such as: creativity, agency, disruption, truth and reconciliation, empathy, flexibility, awareness, growth orientation, and context.
We got this!
Hosted by @animalpartykiki with www.animalpartykikibooks.com which focuses on infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles with socioemotional skills in the literary world! Email any questions to animalpartykiki@gmail.com.
Trans Day of Visibility Rally & Reception
“Join US for Trans Day of Visibility – A Day of Community Power & Celebration!
Live In Your Truth, in partnership with Maryland Trans Unity and Trans Maryland, and sponsored by The Montgomery County Pride Family, is thrilled to announce TDOV: A Day of Community Power & Celebration on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814.
This year’s theme, “We Will Not Be Silenced! We Will Not Be Erased!”, is about authenticity as resistance, community, joy, resilience, and strength of trans and gender-expansive individuals. This powerful day will be filled with intergenerational communities, bringing together trans folx, allies, and organizations in solidarity and empowerment.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
🏳️⚧️ Community Day of Power: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🏳️⚧️ Rally & Reception: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
TDOV: A Day of Community Power & Celebration will feature:
Dynamic speakers, including trans leaders, activists, and allies discussing the importance of trans visibility, rights, and justice.
Intergenerational programming, fostering healing, storytelling, and mentorship between trans youth and elders.
A vibrant reception celebrating trans joy, featuring live performances by trans and gender-expansive artists.
Community-building activities and resource tables from trans-affirming organizations, providing attendees with advocacy, healthcare, and empowerment tools.”
Black Children's Book Week!
“Black Children’s Book Week is a global celebration of Black children and the people who ensure Black children are represented in books and other children’s media.
The week is administered by Black Baby Books, a platform that makes it easier to discover children’s books with Black characters.
We invite everyone to join the celebration: parents, guardians, authors, illustrators, publishers, educators, librarians, business people, community advocates, and other advocates for Black children.
Black Children’s Book Week starts on the last Sunday in February every year. Review our Celebration Checklist for ways to get involved!”
Check out I Am Everything featured in the Virtual Museum of full of children’s books with Black protagonists throughout the entire year until 2026’s Black Children’s Book Week!
DC Wanna Have a Kiki LGBTQ+ Maker's Market!
DC’s Wanna Have a Kiki is hosting Makers Market on Saturday, February 8, from 4-8 PM for local LGBTQIA+ creators, makers, and small business owners! 🌈✨
Authors Among Us - Reading Partners DC Panel
Join us on January 17 from 1-2pm for a virtual panel-style discussion with several children's book authors who are associated with Reading Partners DC.
Takoma Park Gift Market
Takoma Park Gift Market
Friday, December 13th, 2024 5:00 pm- 9:00 pm
201 Ethan Allen Avenue
Celebrate the holiday season under the stars and surrounded by holiday lights at the Takoma Park Gift Market – a curated guide to shopping small this holiday season. Enjoy a special evening with a variety of local and handmade gifts, delicious foods, and festive libations.
Holidays at the Square Market
Get into the festive spirit at our Holiday Market at The Square, where you can shop for unique gifts and eat delicious food! Healing Stories will be at the market on Wednesday December 11th.
Local Author Expo Prince George's County Memorial Library System
This event allows customers to meet, browse, and purchase fabulous literary works from Prince George's County authors.
Queer Indie Author Event & Market
Healing Stories, Animal Party Kiki Books will be hosting this event to give local queer indie authors an opportunity to showcase their work alongside queer artists, vendors, and makers! Live music, author panel discussion, book readings, art & activities, & over 25 local vendors! Check out @animalpartykiki on instagram for more info about attending vendors.
Bladensburg Day!
Join us in celebrating Bladensburg Day with Healing Stories books, merchandise, and activities!
Brooklyn Book Festival
Saturday, September 28, 2024
10am - 4pm
Children’s Day
Brooklyn Commons at MetroTech
Directions to Brooklyn Commons
The mission of the Brooklyn Book Festival (BKBF) is to celebrate published literature and nurture a literary cultural community through programming that cultivates and connects readers of diverse ages and backgrounds with local, national and international authors, publishers and booksellers. To this end the Brooklyn Book Festival develops original programming that is hip, smart, diverse, and inclusive and presents free, literary, cultural events at the Brooklyn Book Festival Day & Literary Marketplace, Virtual Festival Day, and the family friendly Children’s Day. Additionally, BKBF presents Bookend events in venues across NYC and on-line, which are overwhelmingly presented free to the public.
Wellness & Healing Vendor Event
Join us for a local Healing Stories: Wellness Event that will bring together local healers, wellness, professionals, and artists for an afternoon of joy. Vendors will be selling their wellness related items, local authors will be selling their books with positive messaging, and healers will be selling their services. We will be launching the first of Dr. Gillian Berry’s children’s book series, The Secret Adventures of Nana, “I am Everything.” Dr. Berry will be doing a book reading and signing and all vendors will have opportunities to learn one another’s stories!
DC State Fair
Animal Party Kiki Books will be selling books, merchandise, and make your own glitter jars at the DC State Fair!
The DC State Fair is a free showcase of the District’s creative talents and a daylong celebration of all things homegrown. Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions—growing and gardening, contests, and deep-fried foods—the DC State Fair honors the things that make the District of Columbia unique. This means the DC State Fair holds competitions to find the tastiest mumbo sauce, best honey, and the top photographers with a creative eye. We work with local businesses and organizations that are committed to helping our community thrive.
Among many activities, the 15th Annual DC State Fair will include 50+ exhibitors including local makers, community organizations, food vendors, government agencies, and universities, live performances, children’s activities, arts, demonstrations, and blue-ribbon presentations for 30+ contests.
Divine Counseling Back to School Fair
Animal Party Kiki Books will be selling children’s books and merchandise at the Divine Counseling Back to School Fair! Along with a vendor village, “There will be giveaways of backpacks, school supplies, personal care kits, and uniforms. There will be volunteers providing free manicures, free haircuts, and braiding” at the event!
Cottage City Day 100th Anniversary!
Animal Party Kiki Books will be selling children’s books, merchandise, and make your own glitter jars at Cottage City Day!
“This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Town of Cottage City. We are hosting a Parade, Ceremony, 100th Anniversary Photo and Festival.”
Story Time at Bowie Barnes & Noble
Join author Catie Greene for a children’s story time with Everyone’s Included at the Animal Party!
Eckington Flea Night Market
Animal Party Kiki Books will be selling children’s books, merchandise, and make your own glitter jars at the Eckington Flea Night Market. This is a vendor village that will take place in front of Eckington Hall. Inside of Eckington Hall there will food vendors, music and a full bar.
Back to School Pop Up!
Animal Party Kiki Books will be selling children’s books and merchandise at the Back to School Pop Up by EecateringEvents. “We have special activities and giveaways for the kids. Free book bags with school supplies and so much more!! Come enjoy music, network eat and support local businesses.”
Montgomery County Pride
Montgomery County's annual celebration of diverse LGBTQIA+ communities! Join us on Sunday, June 30th, 2024, 12 PM at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring for a day filled with fun and festivities. Pride In The Plaza is a space where everyone can come together to celebrate love, and living as our most authentic selves!
Location: Veterans Plaza: 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910.