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.

 

WordFest takes a summer break in August. Join us on Tuesday, September 7^th!

 

Looking Ahead:

 

NORTHWEST AUTHORS DAY

          Sponsored by the Rainier Marina Saturday Market

Where? Rainier Marina Saturday Market next to the Bank of America on 2^nd and  “A” Streets in Rainier, OR

When?   Saturday September 25^th 10-3

Why?  To meet other Northwest authors, sign and sell your books, and read from your book

Details: Contact Sue Drummond 503-556-1220 (Marina Market)

You provide:   A $20 registration fee, your books, literature and information for sale to shoppers.  You may also read from your work (10 minutes limit).  You are responsible for your own change, table coverings, display materials, signing and selling your own books, and handling money from your sales.

Marina Market Provides:  One six foot table, two chairs,

and a PA system for the reading, plus chairs for customers.  The market has several food vendors and coffee vendors who sell lunch items.

————————————————————————————–

Print, clip and mail this registration form to:  Sue Drummond, Rainier Marina Market 72182 Little Jack Falls Road, Rainier, OR 97048  

Include $20 check made out to Rainier Marina Market

 

Author name_____________________________________________________________________

Book (s) Title(s)__________________________________________________________________

Brief Description of book(s)____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E mail address___________________________________________phone________________

Mailing Address_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________Zip_________________

I wish to read from my book:  (10 min. limit) yes______no___

         

At the next WordFest gathering on Tuesday, July 6,  the audience will be invited to give feedback to the evening’s four presenters, on both their writing and their delivery. This is a departure from the usual format where there is a Guest Reviewer for the evening who provides the feedback.

The presenters on July 6 will:

Cindie Jackson,  reading her essay, “Ribbons, and Plaques, and Trophies! Oh, My!”, which ponders whether awards matter to those who receive them.

Kitty Royston, a high school student, will read “Little Secrets”, which she describes as “a short story about two anthropomorphic felines who fall in love.”

Dan Roberts, a retired family physician living in Kalama, will be reading from his work, entitled “Transplant,”—“Dr. Jerry WIlder, medical director for Lear Biomedical, has spent months conducting a daring new experiment. Unfortunately he has neglected to tell his boss. Today is the day of reckoning.” Dan has written this as a short story, but sees it as becoming the first chapter of a novel.

Harry Myers has delighted the WordFest crowd on several occasions with his quirky, humorous poetry and wordplay, most recently with his updated ballad about the urbanization of the west, “Homes, Homes on the Range.” He will be reading his first short story, “Space Junk”.

The Brits opens at 5:30 pm for those who wish to order dinner and wine to accompany the readings. The presentations begin at 6:00 pm.

 

 

 

WordFest will be celebrating two book launches on Tuesday, May 4, with wine and dinner.

Robin Cody will be reading from his newest book, Another Way the River Has. Robin has written two other books set in the Pacific Northwest, a novel, Ricochet River, and Voyage of a Summer Sun, about his solo canoe trip from the source of the Columbia River to the ocean, and which received an Oregon Book Award.

Jane Isfeld Still, a WordFest regular, will be reading from her book, Mother’s Daze, a collection of short humorous pieces on motherhood. In March of last year, Jane read one of the essays which was well received by those attending WordFest. Encouraged by this response, she sent off her manuscript and it was accepted by Cedar Fort Publishers.

Both Robin and Jane will have copies of their books available for sale and to autograph.

WordFest’s literary experience will now be enhanced with wine. Each month Joel McNelly will be offering a selection of wines from Capstone Cellars for participants’ enjoyment, and Brits owner Alice Dietz will be adding a special dish for that night only to her usual menu offerings.

For Tuesday, May 4, The Brits will be offering Crab Cake Caesar Salad, and Capstone Cellars will be offering a special wine to complement the dish, along with other wines.

A select menu of dinners and desserts is available for those who wish to enjoy food with the readings. The Brits opens at 5:30 pm.