At the next WordFest gathering on Tuesday, October 5, Alan Rose will discuss and read from his new novel, Tales of Tokyo.

Alan is the author of The Legacy of Emily Hargraves, a “modern ghost story,” translating paranormal phenomena into psychological concepts of altered states of consciousness, multiple personality disorder, and the lasting effects of trauma on the human psyche.

Very different, Tales of Tokyo is a quest novel about four young people who go to Japan to teach. Each is on a personal quest–Chris is looking for love; Sally is searching for an identity (preferably someone else’s); Jason is seeking a God in whom he doesn’t believe; and Delia is out to reform the world–this year it will be Japan. Over the course of a year, their different quests will merge on a shared journey of personal discoveries and awakenings.

Alan organizes the monthly WordFest gatherings, is host of the KLTV program, “Book Chat”, and reviews books for The Columbia River Reader.

During the second hour, in recognition of Hallowe’en, there will be an open mic for participants to read stories and poems celebrating the scary, the creepy and what Edith Wharton called “the fun of the shudder.”

The Brits owner Alice Dietz offers a select menu for those who wish to eat a meal with the readings, and Capstone Cellars will have wines available.

The Brits opens at 5:30 pm.

WordFest begins its fourth year on Tuesday, September 7, 6:00-8:00 PM, at The Brits Tea Shoppe, 1427 Commerce Avenue, in Longview.

Kicking off the season will be three presenters reading their short stories.

Ron Naff, a pastor for more than 30 years, and just finishing a fifteen year pastorate at the First Christian Church in Longview, will read, “Hattie’s World,” a humorous account of what happens when the pastor of a church in a small town is asked to conduct the funeral service for a parishioner he absolutely could not stand.  “It’s a situation that many pastors can probably identify with but don’t want to admit,”  says Ron.

Joan Delgado will read “Another Dance”, a story by her husband, Ed Delgado, based on his experiences during World War II as an aerial gunner in the South Pacific. Ed worked for Boeing in quality control for many years before he retired. He has been writing short stories since he was 10.

Ned Piper, a WordFest regular, will read, “First Born”, about a newly married man whose younger brother, returning from Viet Nam, moves in with the newlyweds, causing unpleasant results. Ned, a Cowlitz PUD Commissioner, started writing plays, poetry, short stories and novels during his college days at Lower Columbia College and the University of Washington.

In upcoming months, Alan Rose will be reading from his newest novel, Tales of Tokyo, at the October WordFest; and in November, naturalist Robert Michael Pyle will be reading from his new book, “Mariposa Road”; also at the November WordFest, poets Judith Irwin and Carolyn Norred will be leading a “Poet’s Night,” where they will be providing feedback to presenters on their poems.

The Brits offers a select menu for those who wish to have a meal with the readings, and wine is available from Capstone Cellars.

The Brits opens at 5:30 pm.