BOOKS

Diana Gabaldon throwing 'Outlander' party in Scottsdale

Randy Cordova
The Republic | azcentral.com
Diana Gabaldon, author of the "Outlander" series, was born in Williams in 1952 and attended Northern Arizona University.

Paradise Valley author Diana Gabaldon will discuss the world of "Outlander" during a free event Sunday, July 5, at Barnes & Noble in north Scottsdale.

Gabaldon's hugely popular saga about time-traveling nurse Claire and dashing Scotsman Jamie has been told through eight books that have sold more than 17 million copies. The success of the books has led to a Starz TV series that debuted last year to solid ratings and a rabid online fan base.

The series stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan. It was such a quick hit that Season 2 was announced less than a week after the show debuted in August.

At the Barnes & Noble event, Gabaldon will talk about the series (potential spoilers?) and sign the reissued edition of the first novel in the series ($18). There will be a trivia contest and fans are encouraged to dress in costume. A prize pack will be awarded; the set contains a poster from the TV show, Gabaldon's "The Outlandish Companion" and a set of DVDs that includes the first eight episodes of Season 1.

Details: 2 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Barnes & Noble, 10500 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. 480-391-0048, barnesandnoble.com.

Reach the reporter at randy.cordova@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8849. Twitter.com/randy_cordova.