Self-Published Missoula Author Attracts Harpercollins’ Attention

A few years ago, Missoula writer Swain Wolfe was a self-published novelist who sold copies of his book whenever, and wherever, he could find somebody interested in it.

Today, Wolf’s book, “The Woman Who Lives in the Earth,” is being published by a New York publishing house.

And he, naturally enough, is both busy writing his second novel and mulling over how twisted is the path to big-time publication.

“The Woman Who Lives in the Earth” (HarperCollins, 171 pages, $18), which had a Jan. 23 release, was originally published by Wolfe’s own Stone Creek Press in 1993. The book had been rejected by at least one New York house (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), but Wolfe was encouraged to self-publish by Missoula bookstore owner Barbara Theroux.

According to Publisher’s Weekly, Wolfe then attracted the attention of several independent bookstores. With Wolfe showing up for signings, the book prospered.

Sending galleys of the book to other independent stores across the country, arranging for the book-distribution service Pacific Pipeline to handle it, contacting book-review journals and critics and agreeing to travel for publicity and/or reading purposes, Wolfe conducted a small but effective marketing campaign.

So much so that, five printings later, he attracted the attention of Harper. That was in May. In short order, Wolfe had a two-book deal, a 75,000-book printing for “The Woman Who Lives in the Earth” and a good story to tell at literary conventions.

Described as a story of a young girl’s path to self-discovery, the novel mixes true-life situations with elements of magical realism.

As for Wolfe, he persevered, he told Publisher’s Weekly, because, “I kept getting encouragement, and I kept selling out my editions.”

Now he has others out selling copies for him.

Writers in person

If you’ve got the writing bug but need a push to actually get started, then you might want to attend one or all of the writing seminars that the creative writing department of Eastern Washington University is offering over the next few months.

On Saturday, the seminar is titled “The Freelance Writer.” Instructors Patrick F. McManus, Chris Crutcher, Derrick Jensen and Lesa Luders will lead students through a daylong panel-discussion look at such writerly topics as how publishing companies work, how to submit manuscripts, how to get a contract, etc.

Other scheduled seminars: April 13, Poetry Seminar and Workshop with Linda Bierds, Christopher Howell, Jim Reiss and Nance Van Winckel; May 4, Screenwriting Seminar with Barbara Wright.

All seminars at held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in room 223 at EWU’s Spokane Center, First and Wall. Costs are $55 for each, $95 for two and $135 for all three.

For registration information, call Judy Samples at (509) 359-2434.

Just signing

Tullia Barbante, native Italian and long-time Spokane schoolteacher, will sign copies of her Italian cookbook “Al Dente,” at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

The reader board

Einar Svensson, a nine-time master’s world cross-country skiing champion, will read from his latest book, “Ski Skating With Champions: How to Ski With Least Energy,” at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington.

Geoff Manasse, author of “Making Love Visible: In Celebration of Gay and Lesbian Families,” will read from his book at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Auntie’s Bookstore.

Florence Boutwell, author of the two-volume history “Spokane Valley,” will present a slide-show/ reading of the books at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore.

Alan Kesselheim, author of “Going Inside,” will read from his book at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Auntie’s Bookstore.

, DataTimes