Local writers read at WordFest on Tuesday, March 14, 6:00-8:00 pm, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1428 22nd Avenue in Longview. Tom Larsen will read from his mystery novel, Cantor’s Gate. Set on the Island of Jersey off the coast of England, the story involves a contested inheritance, a band ofneo-pagansand valuable artwork that was looted by the Nazis and hidden on the island.
Originally from New Jersey, Tom received a degree in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University. He is the author of six novels in the crime genre. His short story, “EL Cuerpo En El Barril” (The Body in the Barrel) was the recipient of the 2020 Black Orchid Novella Award and appears in the anthology, Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2022 from Mysterious Press.
Caleigh Maffett is working on a mythology-based fantasy, where Kyrie is high-anxiety, borderline agoraphobic, and constantly feels one breakdown away from a mental asylum, when he meets his brother’s three best friends, Chrysaor, Zagreus, and Fenrir, who are monsters.
Caleigh graduated from Washington State University /Vancouver with a BA in English and Communications and a minor in Creative Writing. Her prose and poetry have been featured in LCC’s Salal Review and the WSU magazine.She describes herself as “a nerdy girl with a fascination with mythology and the many stories behind it, and draw my inspiration from stories, video games, and way too many TV shows.”
Poet and author K.A. (Krysten) Ralston will be reading from her debut poetry book, Ink Blots, and from her upcoming collection to be released this fall. Ink Blots encompasses themes of grief, healing, love lost and found. Ink Blots is available for purchase in Ebook and Paperback form at Amazon, Barnes & Noble.
Krysten is local to Longview, graduating from WSU Vancouver with a degree in English and creative writing. Her writing has been featured in various publications such as the Salal Review, the Salmon Creek Journal, and the Columbia River Reader. You can connect with Krysten at karalston.com or via social media on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
An open mic will follow the presentations.
The monthly gathering of readers and writers meets the second Tuesday of each month, 6:00-8:00 PM, in the fellowship hall of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The events are free and open to the public.