Book notes: Jerry Pallotta appearing at Whitworth Writing Rally

Many years ago, when Jerry Pallotta began reading to his young children, he did so from books in which the letter “A” always stood for apple, “Z” for zebra.

As he says on his Web site, www.jerrypallotta.com, he gradually realized that he could do better. The result was a writing career of 20-odd books, including “The Icky Bug Alphabet Book” and “Who Will Guide My Sleigh Tonight?”

It’s only appropriate, then, that Pallotta should appear at Whitworth University’s 24th annual Writing Rally, which will be held Nov. 3 at the Cowles Memorial Auditorium.

The event is for students in pre-school through sixth grade. Cost is $16 for each student and attendant adult. Parents interested in registering their children should go online to www.thewritingrally.org or call (509) 777-3263. Registration materials must be in by Friday.

Poetry well-being

John Fox believes in the power of poetry.

As proof, the former president of the National Poetry Therapy Association, will be holding a series of poetry-therapy workshops the first weekend of November.

On the morning of Nov. 2, Fox will do a workshop with a focus on seniors, titled “Poetry, Community and the Flourishing Heart,” at the Institute for Extended Learning Lodge, 3305 W. Fort Wright Drive. Cost: $45. For further information or to register, call the IEL at (509) 533-4756.

That evening, from 7 to 9:30., Fox will hold a second workshop titled “Introduction to Poetic Medicine as a Healing Art.” Cost: $20. On Nov. 3, Fox will conduct a daylong workshop (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) titled “Poems of Illness and Healing: Writing the Medical Experience.” Cost: $85.

The Friday night and Saturday workshops will be held at the Providence Center for Faith and Healing, Sacred Heart Medical Center, 101 W. Eighth Ave. To register, call Susan Hebner at (509) 474-3008.

Writers galore

Gonzaga University isn’t the only area school to boast an impressive yearlong visiting-writers series. Down in Pullman, the folks at Washington State University are offering the following lineup for 2007-08:

Nov. 8: Peter Chilson (“Disturbance-Loving Species”).

March 6: Tony D’Souza (“Whiteman”).

April 3: Susan Power (“Roofwalker”).

All readings will be held at 7 p.m. in WSU’s Museum of Art. For further information, call Andrea Clark Mason at (509) 335-8747.

Finley power

If you haven’t seen it by now, you might want to check out the Web site www.mitchandkathyfinley.com. That’s where Spokane authors Mitch Finley (“The Rosary Handbook: A Guide for Newcomers, Old-Timers and Those In Between”) and Kathleen Finley (“The Liturgy of Motherhood: Moments of Grace”) list all their various and many published works. Plus, like all good marketers, they include both biographical material and their upcoming talks and other events.

Skating along

Spokane author Michael Harmon (“Skate”) will address the 2007 National Council of Teachers of English convention, which will be held Nov. 15 through 20 in New York City. Harmon and fellow Spokane author Chris Crutcher will appear during a session titled “Mentoring the Beginning Author: Implications for Teaching Writing with Chris Crutcher and Michael Harmon.”

Harmon’s next novel, “The Last Exit to Normal” will be released on March 11. Crutcher’s latest novel, “Deadline,” was released in September. You can access Harmon’s Web site at www.booksbyharmon.com, Crutcher’s at www.chriscrutcher.com.

“Jim Nelson, Spokane-based author of “The Way It Was and the Way It Is,” has had one of his stories – The Piano Lady” – accepted for publication by Good Old Days magazine (www.goodolddaysonline.com).

Book talk

“Friends of the Cheney Community Library Book Discussion Group (“Citizen Vince,” by Jess Walter), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Cheney Community Library, 610 First St., Cheney. Call (509) 893-8280. Don Wall will serve as discussion leader and Walter will appear in person.

“Book Group Fandango, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. Call (509) 838-0206. Guest speaker: Jack Nisbet (“Sources of the River: Tracking David Thompson Across Western North America”).

The reader board

“Jess Walter (“The Zero”), signing, 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore.