Dear Writers,

Saturday I was wowed by the first annual Books & Brews event at Bellingham’s Boundary Bay hosted by Chanticleer Book Reviews and Whatcom Writers and Publishers.

It’s always so fun when writers get together and prove we have verbal skills to match our fast typing speed.

Congratulations to the event organizers on a well-executed, highly enjoyable celebration of some wonderful books and the regional talent behind them. Shannon Laws, author of Madrona Grove, Jennifer Bullis (Impossible Lessons), Pam Beason (the Summer Westin mystery series), Selah Tay-Song (Dream of a Vast Blue Cavern), Abbe Rolnick (Color of Lies; she has an upcoming reading; see below), and Bernadette Pajer, author of the Professor Bradshaw mystery series, and many others graced the event.

A Field Guide to Geezers by Rae Ellen Lee

Props as well to Rae Ellen Lee on the publication of the hilarious must-read A Field Guide to Geezers: An Illustrated Look at a Curious Branch of Hominids.

Alex Kuo with former pupil Sherman Alexie

Check out the newly released My Private China by American Book Award winning author Alex Kuo. For more than 70 years Dr. Kuo has traveled back and forth between America and China. This collection of letters and essays, including the poignant “Bitter Melons,” Beijing Dissidents at the Washington Mall,” and “Who Owns the English Language?” offer insight into China past and present with the unique wit and wisdom unique to this amazing writer. Read a review by Claire HuiBonHoa.

SWEET SEPTEMBER: There is no need to sit at home for the next couple weeks! You’re excused if you just figured out the next plot point of your future award-winning novel, otherwise take a break from your masterpiece and check out some sweet events where you can mingle and meet comrade writers: Continue reading →