Oregon Author To Visit Reservation For Writing Sessions, Presentations
An “American Voice” is coming to Wellpinit.
National Book Award finalist Sandra Scofield, author of “Walking Dunes,” will spend three days (Oct. 23-25) on the Spokane Indian Reservation at Wellpinit as part of the “American Voices” series sponsored by the National Book Foundation.
Scofield, who lives in southern Oregon, will conduct sessions with students and teachers and then hold two public presentations - an 11 a.m. luncheon discussion on Oct. 24 and a “Poets Session” at 7 p.m. Oct. 25.
Scofield’s 1991 novel “Beyond Deserving” was an NBA finalist. The “American Voices” series, which was founded in 1993, brings NBA authors to Indian reservations across America where “they discuss with readers of all ages the aims and inspirations that fuel the writing life.”
Fur further information, call Sky Houser of the Spokane Tribal College at 258-9202.
Crossing the border
Victor Villasenor wanted so much to tell his story in his own way that he paid back a $75,000 advance.
That’s the story the author of “‘Rain of Gold” tells. Originally set to be published by G.P. Putnam’s and Sons, the book was pulled by its author at the last minute. Villasenor had balked, he says, at changing the book’s title to “Rio Grande” and labeling it fiction.
The book is a portrayal of his parents’ struggling through the Mexican Revolution, heading north and finally establishing their lives in the United States. “Rain of Gold” was finally published by Arte Publishing of Houston, Texas.
Villasenor will share that story and more during an 11:30 a.m. talk Wednesday in the Lair Student Center at Spokane Community College.
At the Headwaters
Headwaters is a relatively new literary journal published in Colville that, according to it logo, is dedicated to “celebrating the art and culture of the rural Northwest.”
The regional publication, which is printed on newsprint in a tabloid format, features poetry, short stories, essays and graphic arts. Subscriptions are $4 (for six issues) and can be obtained by writing: Headwaters, P.O. Box 541, Colville, WA 99114.
“We feature the story-tellers, poets and essayists of our area, giving them the recognition and support they deserve for their art,” says Steve Rumsey. “Headwaters, like the people of the region, is eclectic, open to writing of all types, spanning fine arts to folk art, science fiction to realism, philosophy to humor, the silly to the sublime.”
Romancing the phone
If you’ve got a romantic soul that you want to get down on paper, you might want to check out the First Annual Fiction Writers’ Workshop that will be held Nov. 11 at the Ridpath Hotel.
Sponsored by the Inland Empire Chapter of Romance Writers of America, the daylong event (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) will include several workshops on such topics as seeking an agent, research, point of view and the writer’s life. Author Stella Cameron will deliver the keynote speech, while Robin Lee Hatcher will speak at lunch.
Fees are $65 for RWA members ($75 after Nov. 1) and $75 for nonmembers ($85 after Nov. 1). To register or inquire further, contact Terri Hildreth at 226-2148 or (fax) 468-0239.
More romance
Several of Spokane’s romance writers have enjoyed recent successes. Romantic Times magazine honored Joan Overfield with a Best Regency Award for “The Dutiful Duke” (Avon), BOOKRAK named her as the top-selling Regency writer, she earned a Career Achievement citation for the second time in three years and was featured in a Publisher’s Weekly article on romance writers.
Spokane romance writers who have books forthcoming: Overfield will see publication of “The Keeper of Time” (Zebra Books) and “The Door Ajar” (Zebra); Myrna Temte is finishing “A Lawman for Kelly” (Silhouette Special Edition); Rene Garrod just finished “The Crowded Heart” (Zebra); Patricia Williamson’s new book is “Freedom’s Song” (Berkley).
The reader board
Tim O’Brien, author of “In the Lake of the Woods,” will read from the book at 7 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington.
Richard Manning, journalist and author of “Grassland,” will read from the book at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore.
, DataTimes