Author’s Overnight Success Took 8 Years

There are many definitions of the term overnight success. Some of us think of, say, the singer Jewel, who has had a couple of hit songs and ample radio and MTV play despite being just 23.

Karen Kijewski, who tells interviewers only that she is in her 50s, has her own definition. The author of the Kat Colorado mystery series, who will read from her new book “Kat Scratch Fever” in Spokane on Wednesday (see box), utilizes time and experience as a theme in doing so.

In an interview with the Sacramento Bee, Kijewski explained how she’d spent years bartending and writing part-time. Then, after learning about a contest for first-time mystery novelists, she entered. And won.

The prize was $10,000 and a promise of publication. Her first book, “Kat Walk,” started things off.

But it took six years and two more books before she was able finally to become a full-time writer.

“I won three awards with ‘Kat Walk,”’ Kijewski told Bee writer Dixie Reid. “It put me on the map. So after eight years of incredibly hard work, I became an overnight success.”

Of cold seats and stuff

Walla Walla author Bob Storch writes of his life growing up in the Northwest in two volumes of self-published memoirs, “A Cold Seat on a Frosty Morning” and “How I Lost My Place at the Table.”

“A Cold Seat” can be found at Auntie’s Bookstore and at the downtown Made in Washington store. To order the second, contact either location. Storch’s daughter Molly reports that some 400 copies of the books have sold.

A Portland mystery

Fans of Portland author Vince Kohler will be glad to know that he has another Eldon Larkin mystery out.

“Raven’s Widow” (St. Martin’s Press, 255 pages, $22.95) features Larkin leaving Oregon for Alaska where he plans to fish and relax. Only problem is, he soon finds himself hip-deep in murder.

Kohler’s previous Larkin novels include “Banjo Boy,” “Rainy North Woods” and “Rising Dog.” , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: THE READER BOARD Larry Luton, author of “The Politics of Garbage: A Community Perspective on Solid Waste Police Making,” will read from his book at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. Karen Kijewski, author of “Kat Scratch Fever,” will read from her novel at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Auntie’s Bookstore. Marianne Love, author of “Postcards From Potatoland,” will read from her book of humor at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore.