New books in print for two regional writers

A couple of regional writers have new books out.

First up is Spokane children’s poet Kenn Nesbitt. His book is titled “Revenge of the Lunch Ladies: The Hilarious Book of School Poetry” (Meadowbrook Press, 74 pages, $8.95 paper).

One of my favorites: “If School Were More Like Baseball.”

“If school were more like baseball,

we’d always get to play.

We’d hang out in the sunshine

and run around all day.

We wouldn’t have to study.

We’d practice and we’d train.

And best of all, they’d cancel

whenever there was rain.

You can read more of Nesbitt’s poetry on his Web site, www.poetry4kids.com, as well as www.gigglepoetry.com.

“Publishers Weekly loves Montana mystery writer Neil McMahon’s new novel, “Lone Creek” (HarperCollins, 336 pages, $24.95).

Author of a popular series featuring a San Francisco surgeon named Carroll Monks (“Revolution No. 9” and three others), McMahon this time around follows former journalist Hugh Davoren, now working construction near Helena, who stumbles onto some slaughtered horses and quickly finds himself targeted for violence – and potentially death.

“A natural storyteller, McMahon is sure to appeal to fans of James Crumley and Jim Harrison,” the Publishers Weekly review trumpets.

WSU gets the “Flu”

As part of its first “Common Reading” project, Washington State University is assigning the book “The Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus That Caused It” as required reading for some 3,000 incoming freshman students.

The book was chosen by WSU President V. Lane Rawlins, who said in a press release that the book “will provide rich topics for discussion among our new students and their professors across many disciplines.”

One of the experts that the book’s author, New York Times science writer Gina Kolata, cites is former WSU history professor Alfred W. Crosby, whose research made him an authority on the epidemic, which killed an estimated 40 million people around the globe.

Book cover wanted

Lost Horse Press is looking for an artist willing to work for words.

The Sandpoint-based nonprofit press wants cover art for a poetry collection, part of an annual series that it’s titling “Lost Horse Press New Poets Series: New Poets, Short Books.”

For specifics on how to submit your art, go online at www.losthorsepress.org, e-mail losthorsepress@mindspring.com or call Christine Holbert at (208) 255-4410. Deadline is July 15.

“The winning artist would receive 10 free copies of said book,” said a Lost Horse press release. “(It won’t put food on the table, but just think of the fame!)”

Have fun, learn something

Auntie’s Bookstore will do something for writers looking for ways to market their work on Monday night when it hosts a workshop – called, cutely, a “funshop” – about book promotion presented by marketing professional Bonnie Graham McDade. The workshop, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is titled “Marketing Your Book: Put your best foot forward without shooting yourself in the toe.” Call (509) 838-0206.

Did you know?

According to its annual report, the Spokane Public Library in 2006 saw: 1.73 million items borrowed (amounting to an average nine items per citizen, higher than the national average of seven); 121,872 Internet sessions provided; 130.903 reference questions answered; 817,052 visitors; more than a million visitors to its Web site (www.spokanelibrary.org).

Book talk

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

“”Marketing Your Book” (Bonnie Graham McDade), workshop, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. Call (509) 838-0206.

“Dark City Mystery Group (“Kill Me,” by Stephen White), 7 p.m. Monday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

“Hastings Inspirational Readers Group (“Finding God in the Story of Amazing Grace,” by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware), 7 p.m. Monday, Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague Ave. Call (509) 924-0667.

“Friends of the Cheney Community Library Book Discussion Group (“Pompeii: A Novel,” by Robert Harris), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Cheney Community Library, 610 First St., Cheney. Call (509) 893-8280. Discussion led by Kris Barnes.

“Arts & Creativity Book Club (“The Madonnas of Leningrad,” by Debra Dean), 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Tinman Gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave. Call (509) 325-1500.

“Who Reads What Book Discussion Group (“Oliver Twist,” by Charles Dickens), 7 p.m. Thursday, Colfax Library, 102 S. Main St., Colfax, Wash. Call (509) 397-4366.

“Auntie’s Youth Book Group (“Lady Friday: The Keys to the Kingdom,” by Garth Nix), 2 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

The reader board

“John Gaetano (“America’s Deceit”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

“N.D. Wilson (“Leepike Ridge”), signing, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Palouse Empire Mall, 1850 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, Idaho. Call (208) 882-8893.

“Terry Trueman (“7 Days at the Hot Corner”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Auntie’s Bookstore.