CALS Blogs

National Novel Writing Month is upon us, as of November 1st! And while the internet is full of advice on how to write a novel in a month, it’s also worth considering why you might want to do it.

In 2011, I wrote a novel in November, though that’s putting it a bit loosely.

I’m Joe Hudak, and I’m one of CALS’ branch services coordinators. I like to read nonfiction, and I enjoy cooking and DIY projects. My staff pick is the tile cutter. It’s part of the tool library at our Dee Brown branch. An average person might re-tile a room once or twice in a decade. Why buy an expensive tool that you’ll rarely use when you can instead borrow it from the library?

Stained, a little battered, but still working—the typewriter of famed Arkansas author Dee Brown has emerged from our archives. The machine now reposes grimy and authentic under glass at the CALS Dee Brown Library. It may even be the typewriter Brown used to write his shattering, iconic history of the American West, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

Pose is an American drama television series co-created by Ryan Murphy, known for creating/co-creating successful series such as Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story among others. Equal parts heady, artistic opulence and deliciously soapy drama, Pose takes place during the 1980’s—a juxtaposition of the Trump style faux-luxury,

I’m President/CEO of the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA), an 11-year-old economic development non-profit that helps our five research universities recruit, retain and recognize strategic research leaders.

Prior to ARA, I spent 34 years at Acxiom as part of the early founding group. I’ve lived in central Arkansas for the past 46 years. 

Got a DSLR camera and don’t quite know how to use it? On October 17, the Nexus Nook coffee space at the CALS Main Library will host a special introductory workshop called “Off-Auto: How to Get the Most Out of that Nice DSLR Camera,” led by photographer Jeremiah Holman.

The workshop fee of $25 will include instruction,

I’m the Executive Director of Our House, a comprehensive program for homeless and near-homeless families and individuals. I am from central Arkansas and have lived in Little Rock for most of the last 16 years.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading Surface Detail,

October brings the kickoff of a promising new partnership to make sanitary supplies available to homeless women and others in need.

CALS is teaming up with Arkansas Women’s Outreach to start the program with an Oscar-winning short film (Period. End of Sentence) and a panel discussion on Monday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m.