‘Balefire’ a finalist for poetry award

“Balefire,” the first poetry collection from Spokane writer and teacher Shann Ferch, is a finalist for the 2015 High Plains Book Award for poetry.

Ferch, a Montana native who publishes under the name Shann Ray, is up against some stiff competition: namely former U.S. poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Ted Kooser and his collection “Splitting an Order.” The third finalist is Erin Belieu for her collection “Slant Six.”

The High Plains Book Award recognizes authors and literary works that reflect life in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, and the Canadian provinces Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The award is sponsored by the Billings (Montana) Public Library Board. Winners will be announced Oct. 3.

Awards are given in several categories, including fiction, nonfiction, young adult, women writers, debut books, and children’s literature.

“Balefire” was released by Lost Horse Press in 2014. Ferch has a novel, “American Copper,” set for release in September.

Johnson returns with ‘Dry Bones’

Also on the finalist list for the High Plains Book Award, in the fiction category, is Montana writer Craig Johnson for his 2014 Walt Longmire novel, “Any Other Name.”

Johnson will be in Spokane this week to read from his latest Longmire book, “Dry Bones” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave.

Whether he can tell us when season four of “Longmire” will debut on Netflix remains to be seen. For more information, call the store at (509) 838-0206.

Mark your calendars

Some of Spokane’s best poets will team up for a Poetry Picnic sponsored by the Spokane County Library District.

Ellen Welcker, Tod Marshall, Kate Lebo and Tim Greenup will read their work in the backyard of the Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St., from 7-8 p.m. on July 2. Ferrante’s will supply gelato, and novelist Sharma Shields will emcee.

The event is free and open to all ages, but organizers warn some of the works may include adult themes. Call the library at (509) 893-8340 for details.