Nisbet And Hegi Among Writing Award Winners

Two Spokane-area authors, Jack Nisbet and Ursula Hegi, are among 10 winners of the 1995 Governor’s Writers Awards.

Hegi, of Nine Mile Falls, was honored for her novel “Stones From the River,” while Spokane resident Nisbet won for his study “Sources of the River: Tracking David Thompson Across Western North America.”

Seattle earned the majority of awards: Rebecca Brown for “The Gifts of the Body,” Evelyn Iritani for “An Ocean Between Us: The Changing Relationship of Japan and the United States,” Sharon McGrayne for “Nobel Prize Women in Science: Their Lives, Struggles and Momentous Discoveries,” Eric Nalder for “Tankers Full of Trouble: The Perilous Journey of Alaskan Crude” and Lesley Namioka for “April and the Dragon Lady.”

Olympia’s Nancy Leunn won for “Squish! A Wetland Walk,” and Federal Way’s Charles Twining won for “George S. Long: Timber Statesman.”

The Nancy Blankenship Pryor Award, given for unique contributions to the literary culture of Washington state, went to the University of Washington Press in honor of its 75th anniversary.

In passing

Ricardo Sanchez, the poet and Washington State University professor who died Sept. 3, will be the focus of a memorial service Tuesday on the Pullman campus. The event will be held at 4:15 p.m. in Bryan Hall.

Afterward, a poetry reading will celebrate publication of a new edition of Sanchez’s book “Canto Y Grito Mi Liberacion: The Liberation of a Chicano Mind Soul.” The 8 p.m. reading will be held at the Combine, 215 E. Main St.

Just visiting at EWU

Poet Jack Gilbert, the author of three poetry collections, has been hired as a Distinguished Visiting Writer for the 1996 winter term at Eastern Washington University.

Gilbert’s poetry collections are “View of Jeopardy,” “The Great Fires” and “Monoliths,” for which he won the 1962 Yale Younger Poets Award.

In other literary news at Eastern, the university’s award-winning journal Willow Springs is offering four writing awards: two for poetry (worth $125 and $200) and two for fiction (both worth $250). For guidelines, send an SASE to: Willow Springs, 526 Fifth St., MS-1, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004.

Deadline is Jan. 31.

Just for kids

Coeur d’Alene children’s author Laurie Carlson, who has six activity books in print, has seen one of her efforts rewarded by the Museum Store Association. “More Than Moccasins: A Kid’s Activity Guide to Traditional North American Indian Life,” was named a “Buyer’s Choice” by the association.

Carlson’s book “Westward Ho! Activities From the American West” is due in 1996.

They hate to hate

If you ever find yourself asking why so many people seem willing, indeed even anxious, to join hate groups, you might want to check out two books from the University of Washington Press written by James A. Aho.

In “The Politics of Righteousness: Idaho Christian Patriotism” (334 pages, $14.95 paperback), Aho, a professor of sociology at Idaho State University, presents the results of 300 interviews with 300 self-described Christian patriots.

And, more recently, “This Thing Called Darkness: A Sociology of the Enemy” (232 pages, $22.50) is a sequel to “Politics of Righteousness.” It involves events and issues that Aho uncovered during his initial research and only later decided to expand upon.

“He warns of the dangers from extremists, who are well-organized in several societies,” wrote a reviewer for Northwest Asian Weekly. “His warnings … may have already proven prescient.”

A personal history

All you history buffs should mark down this date: Oct. 4. John Fahey, author of several books of Northwest history, will read from his memoirs during a lecture at the Cheney Cowles Museum at 11 a.m.

In a talk titled “Waging Peace: Re-educating German POWs in Oregon,” Fahey will recall his experience as an American Army officer working with German officers at a prisoner-of-war camp located near Medford, Ore.

The talk, which is free to senior citizens, will be preceded by a continental breakfast beginning at 10:30 a.m. Admission for the general public on half-price Wednesdays is $1.50.

The great outdoors

The Mountaineers Books, Seattle’s outdoor-oriented publishing house, has a few new books out. They are:

“A Guide to Washington’s South Cascades’ Volcanic Landscapes” by Marge and Ted Mueller ($12.95) is a virtual what’s-what for fans of Northwest volcanos. The book features more than 50 detailed maps along with geographical information involving each area’s specific highlights.

“Sockeye Salmon” is a collection of photos by Hiromi Naito along with text by Stephani Paine that portrays the dwindling runs of the endangered species.

Finally, “Bicycling the Backroads Around Puget Sound” by Redmond authors Erin and Bill Woods describes 54 different bike tours of 10 Seattle-area counties.

Books and business

Sasquatch Books, the prestigious publishing house founded by Sasquatch Publishing - which publishes the Seattle Weekly and Eastsideweek - has been sold to a group of Seattle investors.

Sasquatch Books is best known for its travel guides, including Northwest Best Places and Seattle Best Places, the brainchild of David Brewster, editor and publisher of Seattle Weekly.

New publisher Chad Haight says Sasquatch Books will continue to produce the guide books while attempting to expand into wider regional and even national markets.

“The purchase of the press represents the coming of age of Sasquatch Books,” Haight said in a press release. “The best metaphor is that the kids have grown up and it’s time to leave home.”

The reader board

Mitch Finley, author of “Whispers of Love: Encounters With Deceased Relatives and Friends,” will read from the book at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington.

John Dalmas, author of “The Lion of Farside,” will read from his book at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Auntie’s Bookstore.

, DataTimes