Next Tuesday, March 5, MaryEllen Stone will be reading her short story, “Foreign Feelings,” from the anthology, I Choose You, which is listed as “The best-of-the-best romance short-story contest winners from across the globe.”

Her fiction and non-fiction stories have appeared in The Salal Review, Rambunctious Review, Mature Living, Evangel, and Seek, and her book Run in the Path of Peace-the Secret of Being Content No Matter What is available in both paperback and as an e-book from Amazon.com.

Linda Eddleston, substitute teacher for the Longview School District, will be sharing an excerpt from the book she is currently writing, titled, My Three Friends, a memoir of childhood playmates who retain a close friendship through their teen years and into their adult lives.

Steve Anderson will be reading a selection of his poems. He is the author of Jeremiah’s Wink, a novel featuring a modern-day cloistered monk who is a master illuminator of ancient texts and works to solve the mystery of a long-hidden medieval Book of Hours, while experiencing for the first time contemporary American society outside his monastery walls. After a career in long term health care, Steve retired and relocated from Tucson in 2011 to join friends in Longview.

WordFest is a monthly gathering of readers and writers who meet the first Tuesday of each month, 6:00-8:00 pm., at The Brits, 1427 Commerce Avenue, in Longview, 6:00-8:00 PM.

The events are free and open to the public. There is an open mic period following the presentations.

The Brits offers a full dinner menu as well as selection of wines and beers for those who wish to enjoy a meal and beverage with the readings.

 

 

On Tuesday, February 5,  Alan Rose will read from his newest work, a story about suppressed memories and how the forgotten past continues to bleed into one’s present. “The Unforgiven” was recently published as an e-book by Bold Strokes Books.

Alan, the author of two other novels, will also speak about his experience of finding a publisher, and how it reflects the changing face of book publishing.

“Typically, you submit a manuscript, wait months to hear anything, and if it is accepted, you’re looking at one to two years before the book appears. I emailed my manuscript, heard back within a week, and had a book contract within a month, with publication scheduled for the end of the year,” says Alan. “It was all a bit breath taking.”

The increasing popularity of e-readers, iPads and other tablets is providing publishers and authors more opportunities, he says.

“At 75 pages, ‘The Unforgiven’ was too short for a novel and too long for a short story, and probably would never have been published in print, except in a collection of other pieces,” he says. “But as an e-book, it was cost effective to publish as an individual work, and with a quick turnaround time.”

The story is about a man who, in trying to save his marriage, works with a psychotherapist to explore memories from his youth, his friendship with a priest, and specifically events that happened to him at a church summer camp. The publisher’s promotional copy says: “Eventually, he will come to the conclusion that he was molested by the priest; but he is wrong. The truth is much worse.”

“It’s probably the darkest piece I have ever written,” says Alan. “It has a number of twists and surprises and a kicker of an ending that I think helped sell it.”

Also at WordFest, Mary Lyons will be reading from “Matters of The Heart,” a “Valentine collection” of her essays and poetry. Mary says that being a single, middle-aged survivor of a cardiac arrest inspires a unique perspective on hearts, love, and romance. She offers an emotional spectrum, from loving humor to heartbreaking sadness, in these pieces.

Daily News reporter Leslie Slape will read her contribution to the newly published anthology, “How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling.” Fifteen  storytellers share a wide range of advice on how to communicate with passion and skill through storytelling. Leslie’s contribution is written from her point of view as a reporter and  how she has seen storytelling used in the courtroom. She has been a professional storyteller for more than 20 years. Copies of “How to be a Storyteller” will be available at WordFest. The book is also sold at Northwest Gift Gallery in Castle Rock and through Amazon in print and Kindle versions.

 

On Tuesday, January 8, WordFest will continue to feature readings from the anthology on holiday themes that local writers produced, titled “That Holiday Feeling.”

The anthology was the culmination of the past year’s efforts by a committee headed by retired journalist and short story writer Kelley Jacquez.

Contributors will be invited to read their pieces.

WordFest is a monthly gathering of readers and writers who meet the first Tuesday of each month, 6:00-8:00 pm., at The Brits, 1427 Commerce Avenue, in Longview, 6:00-8:00 PM. The Brits offers a full dinner menu as well as selection of wines and beers for those who wish to enjoy a meal and beverage with the readings.

The events are free and open to the public.