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.