Dear friends,
October holds many exciting adventures: workshops, speaking events, sit-ins, and bringing the Billionaire Buddha with me on the road! Oct 15th-ish is Billionaire Buddha‘s First Edition Release, Oct 17-24th there are workshops in the Bay Area and Oregon; Skylandia Farm Poetry is finding friends and fans; and there is also the tantalizing development of Dandelion Insurrection Nonviolent Action online courses.
Below is a schedule of upcoming events. If you’re in another part of the country and wondering how one gets a visit from Rivera Sun . . . it’s easy! Just contact me. I will be in Chicago in November and late January. If any of you are in Michigan and Wisconsin and want to schedule something while I’m around, I’ll consider braving the snow to get you.
Thank you to everyone who is enjoying Skylandia: Farm Poetry! I’ve heard remarkable comments from so many of you about how much you love the poetry, the world of Northern Maine, the tales of growing up on a farm. I appreciate it! If you haven’t read the book yet, you can order a copy of Skylandia here. The proceeds from this book go to support Skylandia Farm. Thank you!
Enjoy the story at the end of this newsletter about where the Billionaire Buddha is being read. It’s quite an adventure. I’m also looking forward to presenting at Portland State University with Dariel Garner, my partner and the inspiration for Billionaire Buddha. He has an amazing story to tell. One that will change our world.
One supporter Rob Garvey wrote: OK, I ordered one of the “early editions” of this. I got halfway through it. I then ordered a couple more for my a pair of friends. I finished the book. Then I re-read it. Yeah. I think the book is THAT significant. Really glad to see it in regular publication now. After reading this book, well, I can’t really look at the world and my place in it quite the same way again … Buy it. Read it. Share it with friends. And go beyond …
The books are being printed as we speak, and we should have them available on or near October 15th through our website. It will take longer for them to become available through the online bookstores. If you’re itching to get a copy, pre-order it directly from me. You can pre-order a copy here.
Much love to everyone!
Rivera Sun
October Workshops and Events
Sat, Oct 17th, Creative Nonviolence: Peacemaking in the 21st Century, Oakland, CA, 8:45am-3:00pm, All day workshops with facilitators from around the country, and keynote panel with Sr. Megan Rice, Rivera Sun, and Elizabeth Murray. St. Elizabeth High School, 1530 34th Ave, Oakland, CA (walking distance from Fruitvale BART). Pre-registration $20; at the door $25; no one turned away for lack of funds. Includes continental breakfast and lunch. Questions and registration at oaklandcatholicworker(at)yahoo.com
Sun, Oct 18th, Seeds of Change Workshop, Chico, CA. 12:00pm-5:00pm, Riparia Farm Barn, 2300 Estes Rd. Organized by Chris Nelson. Join us in a beautiful, comfortable space for an inspiring and connecting afternoon workshop on nonviolent action. This workshop will bring you hope, courage, and practical skills. Drawing from inspiring stories of nonviolent action, you’ll learn how to bring people together, create a plan, and become a vibrant part of the growing Movement of Movements that is sweeping across the nation and into our lives! Bring your friends, neighbors, elders, and students. Together we’ll explore how ordinary people can make extraordinary change! Donations accepted, no one turned away. All welcome. Contact Chris Nelson for directions, and with other questions: 530-345-7590.
Thurs, Oct 22nd, Billionaire Buddha & Nonviolent Action to Address Income and Wealth Inequality. 3:00-6:00pm, Portland State University. Smith Memorial Student Union at PSU, Room 327. 1825 SW Broadway. Presented by Students United for Nonviolence (SUN). Rivera Sun will speak about her new novel, Billionaire Buddha, and lead a session on nonviolent strategies to address income and wealth inequality. This strategy session builds on Prof. Erica Chenoweth’s presentation from 12:00-3:00pm (Please contact PSU for ticket information. There are no tickets needed for Rivera’s session.) Former multi-millionaire Dariel Garner will also speak at the event. Dariel Garner is a recovering member of the o.o.1%, and the inspiration for the book, Billionaire Buddha. This is a full day of incredible speaking, learning, insights, and awakenings! Come join us!
(Personal note: I’m looking forward to presenting at Portland State University along with Professor Erica Chenoweth (pictured to the right), a leading researcher in the field of nonviolent civil resistance, and someone I am honored to call a friend. Erica’s work has deeply informed my own understanding of nonviolent action, and has been a source of excitement and empowerment for thousands of people. Watch her amazing talk here. )
Sat, Oct 24th Beyond Violence: A Spiritual Journey, Portland, Oregon 9:30am-2:30pm, lunch provided. First Unitarian Church. Join people from all parts of the community for a day of dialogues, skill-building, and inspiration. Participants will envision a world beyond violence, gain practical training in moving beyond violence, explore the spiritual dimensions of leaving violence behind, and engage in small group discussions around violence. All are welcome! Free of charge or by donation. Featured panelists & presenters: Author/Activist Rivera Sun; Rev. Kate Lore, Minister of Social Justice, First Unitarian Church; Terri Shofner, Chairperson, Oregon Fellowship of Reconciliation.
In September, Activists in DC read Billionaire Buddha for International Literacy Day Read-in!
In the photo to the right, activists outside the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in DC are protesting to stop FERC from issuing any new permits for pipelines. They are engaged in an 18-day, water-only fast, and simultaneously participating in International Literacy Day. As you can see, one activist, Jimmy Betts, is reading my newest novel, Billionaire Buddha. This is an advance copy, and the First Editions will be coming out on Oct 15th. Here’s where you can pre-order a copy.
Dandelion Insurrection Online Courses in Nonviolent Action in the works!
Ask and you shall receive . . . lots of feedback on your question. Hah! A week ago, I posted this on Facebook:
Question: if I organized an online Dandelion Insurrection Study Guide to Nonviolent Action session, would you do it? We would go through the eight sessions of the study guide, have conversations, share thoughts, strategize for your local issues, and build knowledge together.
83 likes, 38 comments, and a week later, the answer is overwhelmingly YES! So, I’m researching platforms and preparing an online course. Given the holidays and my touring schedule, these sessions will most likely begin in January. Stay tuned and read one of my novels while you wait.
If you’re excited already, and want to order novels and study guides, we do offer several Book Club Specials on my website. Sets of 6 or 10 are available and also The Dandelion Insurrection Study Guide to Making Change Through Nonviolent Action. Find them all here.