Event

THE ART OF THE NOVEL

Four esteemed authors discuss the craft of long-form fiction, moderated by author and Writers' Grotto member Elizabeth Bernstein. Discussion followed by a lively Q&A.

Andrew Altschul is author of the novels "Deus Ex Machina" and "Lady Lazarus," and an O. Henry Prize-winning short story writer. He is also director of the Center for Literary Arts at San Jose State University.

Elizabeth Bernstein's fiction has been published in the Los Angeles Times, North Atlantic Review, and elsewhere. Her short story, "Alice," won first prize in the Bay Guardian Fiction Contest and was optioned by Sneaky Little Sister Films. She edits The Big Ugly Review, an online literary magazine. ebc-books.com

Vikram Chandra is author of "Sacred Games," "Love and Longing in Bombay," and "Red Earth and Pouring Rain." He divides his time between Bombay and the Bay Area, where he teaches creative writing at UC Berkeley.

Bharati Mukherjee is author of eight novels (most recently, "Miss New India," 2011) two collections of stories (including the NBCC-winning "The Middleman"), two works of non-fiction and dozens of influential essays. She teaches at UC Berkeley.

Peter Orner is author of "Esther Stories" and "The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo," and editor of "Underground America." He is an associate professor at San Francisco State University.