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“Words, Writers & West Seattle” Archives

PAST PRESENTATIONS:


Lyanda Haupt talks of Mozart’s Starling at 5 p.m. Friday Sept. 8, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

WW&WS logoThe last presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series will be by Lyanda Haupt, author of Mozart’s Starling (Little, Brown and Co., 2017) genre: nature.

Her illustrated talk was at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. It was our 48th installment since the monthly series began in October 2013. Stay tuned for details!

[SEE MORE VIDEO]

Under the Barnes & Noble Bookfair program, any purchases made at Barnes & Noble by those attending the talk that afternoon will result in a contribution of a percentage of proceeds to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.


Please enjoy this video of Jenny D. Williams’ presentation on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. She spoke about her book “The Atlas of Forgotten Places.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Jenny D. Williams talks of The Atlas of Forgotten Places at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

The 47th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by Jenny D. Williams, author of The Atlas of Forgotten Places (St. Martin’s Press, 2017) genre: adventure fiction.

Her illustrated talk was at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 

 


Please enjoy this video of Jeff and Sonja Anderson’s presentation on Friday, July 7, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. They spoke about their book “Mount Rainier’s Historic Inns and Lodges.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Jeff and Sonja Anderson talk of Mount Rainier’s Historic Inns and Lodges on Friday, July 7, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

The 46th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was be by Jeff and Sonja Anderson, authors of Mount Rainier’s Historic Inns and Lodges (Arcadia Images of America, 2017) genre: regional history.

Their illustrated talk will was on Friday, July 7, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 


Please enjoy this video of Claudia Rowe’s presentation on Friday, June 2, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. She spoke about her book “The Spiter and the Fly: A Reporter, a Serial Killer and the meaning of Murder.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Claudia Rowe talks of ‘The Spider and the Fly’ June 2, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

The 45th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by Claudia Rowe, author of The Spider and the Fly: A Reporter, a Serial Killer and the Meaning of Murder (HarperCollins, 2017) genres: memoir and true crime.

Her illustrated talk — which uses a crime story to examine questions of truth, cruelty and journalism — was at 5 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 


Please enjoy this video of Kurt Armbruster’s presentation on Friday, May 5, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. He spoke about his book “Before Seattle Rocket: A City and Its Music.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Kurt Armbruster talks of Before Seattle Rocked on Friday, May 5, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

The 44th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by Kurt Armbruster, author of Before Seattle Rocked: A City and Its Music (University of Washington Press, 2015) genre: local music.

His illustrated talk was on Friday, May 5, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 

 


Please enjoy this video of Judy Bentley’s presentation on Friday, April 7, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. She spoke about her book “Hiking Washington’s History.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Judy Bentley talks of Hiking Washington’s History on Friday, April 7, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Judy BentleyCHiking Washington's History coverThe 43rd presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle author Judy Bentley.

Her book is Hiking Washington’s History (2010, University of Washington Press) genres: Pacific Northwest history and travel.

Her talk was on Friday, April 7, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 


Please enjoy this video of Lorraine Banni’s presentation on Friday, March 3, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. She spoke about her book “Enduring Conviction: Fred Korematsu and His Quest for Justice.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Lorraine Bannai talks of Enduring Conviction: Fred Korematsu and His Quest for Justice on Friday, March 3, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

WW&WS logoLorraine BannaiEnduring Conviction coverThe 42nd presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series, on Friday, March 3, 2017,  was by West Seattle author Lorraine Bannai.

Her book is Enduring Conviction: Fred Korematsu and His Quest for Justice (2015, University of Washington Press) genres: Asian-American studies and biography.

 

 

 

 


Please enjoy this video of Clay Eals’ presentation on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. He spoke about his book “Steve Goodman: Facing the Music.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Clay Eals talks of Steve Goodman: Facing the Music on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

2016 07-19 ClayEalsmug3sgftm-coverThe 41st presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle author Clay Eals, who also serves as executive director of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.

His book is Steve Goodman: Facing the Music (ECW Press, 2007, updated fourth printing 2017) genre: biography.

Joining Clay at this presentation was guitarist Brad Chrisman, a longtime volunteer and former board member of our organization. The talk featured performances of several of the late musician’s songs, including two consummate compositions about the Chicago Cubs, the team that won the 2016 World Series: “A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request” and “Go, Cubs, Go.”

 

 


Please enjoy this video of David Barnes’ presentation on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. He spoke about his photo book “Seattle Illuminated.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

David Barnes talks of Seattle Illuminated on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

david-barnes-mugseattle-illuminated-cover3iThe 40th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle author and photographer David Barnes.

His book is Seattle Illuminated (David Barnes, 2014) genre: narrated photography.

 

 

 


Enjoy this video of Arleen Williams’ “Words, Writers & West Seattle” talk on Friday, Dec. 2, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. She spoke about her series of novels called “The Alki Trilogy.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Arleen Williams talks of “The Alki Trilogy” on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

arleen-williamswalking-home-coverThe 39th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle author Arleen Williams on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016.

She presented on three books, Running Secrets, Biking Uphill and Walking Home, all part of The Alki Trilogy (Booktrope Editions, 2015) genre: contemporary fiction.

To read Arleen’s post on her blog about this special event, click here.

 

 

 

 


Enjoy this video of the Nov. 4, 2016, talk by West Seattle author Conrad Wesselhoeft about his young-adult novel “Dirt Bikes, Drones and Other Ways to Fly” for “Words, Writers & West Seattle” at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Conrad Wesselhoeft talks of ‘Dirt Bikes, Drones and Other Ways to Fly’ on Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

conrad-wesselhoeft dirt-bikes-book-coverThe 38th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle author Conrad Wesselhoeft.

He spoke about Dirt Bikes, Drones and Other Ways to Fly (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2015) genre: young adult

 

 

 

 

 


Enjoy this video of Steven Bender’s presentation on “Mea Culpa: Lessons on Law and Regret from U.S. History” on Oct. 7, 2016, as part of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Steven Bender talks of ‘Mea Culpa: Lessons on Law and Regret from U.S. History’ on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

steven-bender-mugmea-culpa-coverThe 37th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle author Steven Bender.

His book is Mea Culpa: Lessons on Law and Regret from U.S. History (New York University Press, 2015) genre: social justice, law.

 

 

 

 

 


Enjoy this video of Molly Ringle’s presentation on “Immortal Spring,” the third book in her Greek mythology trilogy,  on Sept. 9, 2016, as part of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.”

Molly Ringle talks of ‘Immortal’s Spring’ on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Molly RingleCImmortals Spring book coverThe September 2016 presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle author Molly Ringle.

Her book is Immortal’s Spring (Avenue Publishing, 2016) genre: adult fantasy. It is the third in a trilogy of novels by Ringle based on Greek mythology.

Her talk was on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. It was our 36th installment since the monthly series began in October 2013.

 

 

 

 


Enjoy this video of Georgie Kunkel’s presentation on “Color Me Feminist: You’re Damn Right I Wear Purple” on Aug. 5, 2016, as part of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Georgie Kunkel talks of ‘Color Me Feminist: You’re Damn Right I Wear Purple’ on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Georgie KunkelYoure Damn Right I WearThe August 2016 presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle activist/comedian Georgie Kunkel.

Her book is Color Me Feminist: You’re Damn Right I Wear Purple (Prometheus Press, 1975, reprinted, 2000) genre: memoir. Her talk was presented Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. It was our 35th installment since the monthly series began in October 2013.

 

 

 

 


Enjoy this video of Tom Reese’s and Eric Wagner’s presentation on “Once and Future River: Reclaiming the Duwamish,” on July 8, 2016, as part of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Tom Reese and Eric Wagner talk of ‘Once and Future River: Reclaiming the Duwamish’ on Friday, July 8, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

One and Future River coverThe July 2016 presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by former Seattle Times photographer Tom Reese and essayist Eric Wagner.

Their book is Once and Future River: Reclaiming the Duwamish (University of Washington Press, 2016) genre: history/activism. Their free talk and slide show was on July 8, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. It was our 34th installment since the monthly series began in October 2013.

 

 


Enjoy this video of Lisa Richesson’s presentation on “White Lady, Black Sons,” on June 3, 2016, as part of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

Lisa Richesson talks of ‘White Lady, Black Sons’ on Friday, June 3, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Lisa RichessonCWhite Lady Black SonsThe 33rd presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by former West Seattle resident Lisa Richesson.

She is the author of White Lady, Black Sons  (CreateSpace, 2014) genre: memoir. Her talk was on Friday, June 3, 2016.

To see video of Lisa’s book launch on June 27, 2015, at Alki Arts downtown, click here.

 

 

 

 


Enjoy this video of Judy Bentley’s presentation on “Walking Washington’s History: Ten Cities,” on May 6, 2016, as part of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

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Judy Bentley talks of ‘Walking Washington’s History: Ten Cities’ on Friday, May 6, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Judy BentleyCWalking Washington's History coverThe 32nd presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by West Seattle historian and author Judy Bentley. She is the author of Walking Washington’s History: Ten Cities  (University of Washington Press, 2016) genre: local history.

Click here to ee her photo-illustrated blog entry at University of Washington Press. And click here to see her University of Washington Press video.

Bentley is a retired history instructor at South Seattle College and a former president of our historical society.

 

 

 


Enjoy this video of Greg Hatcher’s presentation on his pulp-fiction books on April 1, 2016, as part of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” The video is contributed by Klem Daniels of Klem Daniels Productions.

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Greg HatcherGreg Hatcher talks of his pulp-fiction books on Friday, April 1, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

The 31st presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was by pulp fiction author Greg Hatcher.

He has contributed to the books Domino Lady (Vol. 1); Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective (Vols. 6 -7); George Chance the Green Ghost (Vol. 1); and Black Bat Mystery (Vol. 3), which were published in 2014 and 2015 by Airship 27. He talked about the history of pulp fiction and about the “new pulp movement.”

Hatcher is the adviser for the Young Authors from Chief Sealth High School and Madison Middle School, who presented in our series on Jan. 8 of this year (see below).

Hatcher book covers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Enjoy this video, contributed by Klem Daniels Productions, of author Dan Raley presenting at “Words, Writers & West Seattle” on Friday, March 4, 2016, about his new book, “How Seattle Became a Big-League Sports Town.” Introducing Dan is series chair Dora-Faye Hendricks.

Dan Raley speaks of his book How Seattle Became a Big-League Sports Town: From George Wilson to Russell Wilson, on Friday, March 4, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

WW&WS logoDan RaleyCThe 30th presentation in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was Dan Raley, author of the sports history book How Seattle Became a Big-League Sports Town: From George Wilson to Russell Wilson (Fairgreens Publishing, 2015).

How Seattle book coverIt was Dan’s second appearance in this series (see below).

 

 

 

 


Please enjoy this video of Sonja Anderson’s talk on Feb. 5, 2016, about her children’s chapter book “Sophie’s Quest.”

Children’s author Sonja Anderson talks of her book Sophie’s Quest
on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at
Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Sonja AndersonCSophies QuestThe 29th presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was Sonja Anderson, author of the children’s chapter book Sophie’s Quest (Sunberry Books, 2015, genre: Christian children’s).

You can find Anderson’s website by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4XMnnwLsEc

Please enjoy this video, which is a performance of a combined poem, “Islamophobia,” by Faussiya (left) and Iman, Young Authors at Chief Sealth International High School, who presented at “Words, Writers & West Seattle” on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. Introducing them is teacher Greg Hatcher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpfw6zSaPrQ

Please enjoy this video, which depicts the performance of a poem, “The Dark Side Within Me,” by three Young Authors from Chief Sealth International High School: (from left) Dimple, Symphony and Iman. See video of the complete Young Authors presentation below.

Please enjoy this video, which is the complete presentation of Young Authors from Madison Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School at “Words, Writers & West Seattle” on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

Young Authors of Madison Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School
talk of their multi-genre books on Friday, Jan. 8, 2015, at
Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

For the 28th installment in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series, we showcased Young Authors from Madison Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

The Young Authors’ stories, essays and poetry were bound into several books: In Our Own Worlds, More than Just Scribbles, Rising Sun, Raison d’Etre and others (West Seattle YMCA Community Learning Center, 2015, genre: all).

Though this video invitation is now dated, we are keeping it online because it shows the range of faces, voices and genres of the 14 students from Madison Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School who took part in our video invitation to the Young Authors installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle” on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.


Paul Schmid talks of his preschool/kindergarten book ‘Oliver and His Alligator’
on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at
Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Enjoy this video of Paul Schmid’s presentation Dec. 4 at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

Paul SchmidCOliver and His AlligatorThe 27th presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was West Seattle’s Paul Schmid, author of the preschool/kindergarten book Oliver and His Alligator (Disney-Hyperion, 2013).

His talk took place on Friday, Dec. 5, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. It was our 27th installment since the monthly series began in October 2013.

Schmid has lived in West Seattle for 21 years and has been a writer and illustrator of children’s books for nine years. For this event, he brought his easel and created drawings in addition to speaking.

 

 


Shirley Enebrad talks of her inspirational book ‘Over the Rainbow Bridge: My Son’s Journey from Here to Heaven’ on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Enjoy this video of Shirley Enebrad’s presentation on Nov. 6, 2015.

Shirley Enebrad2Over the Rainbow Bridge cvrThe 26th presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was West Seattle’s Shirley Enebrad, author of the inspirational book Over the Rainbow Bridge: My Son’s Journey from Here to Heaven (Book Publishers Network, 2009). She spoke on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Villagonthly series began.

 

 

 

 

 


Stephanie Guerra returns to talk of her young-adult series ‘Betting Blind’ and ‘Out of Aces’
on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Enjoy this video of Stephanie Guerra’s presentation Oct. 2, 2015, at “Words, Writers & West Seattle,” contributed by WatchingWestSeattle.com.

Stephanie Guerra

Betting Blind cover Out of Aces coverThe 25th presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was West Seattle’s Stephanie Guerra, author of the young-adult series Betting Blind and Out of Aces (Skyscape, 2014 and 2015), on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 at at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

Fittingly, Stephanie Guerra began our third year. She was our first author in the series back in October 2013 (see video of that appearance by scrolling to the bottom of this page).

 

 

 


David Kannas talks of his crime novel ‘Still Life with Badge’
on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Enjoy this video of David Kannas’ presentation Sept. 11, 2015, at “Words, Writers & West Seattle,” contributed by WatchingWestSeattle.com.

Still Life with Badge coverDavid KannasCThe 24th presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was West Seattle’s David Kannas, author of Still Life with Badge (CreateSpace, 2013, genre: crime fiction). WW&WS logoHis FREE talk was on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Alice Ann Kuder talks of her novel ‘Since I Last Saw You’
on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

[Enjoy this video of West Seattle author Alice Ann Kuder’s presentation Aug. 7, 2015, at the 23nd installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” Joining her was singer/songwriter Shari Kruse. Video contributed by watchingwestseattle.com.]

The Aug. 7, 2015, presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was West Seattle’s Alice Ann Kuder, author of Since I Last Saw You (The Telltale Scribe, 2013, genre: adult fiction), accompanied by singer/songwriter Shari Kruse.

Alice Kuder newCThe talk and songs took place at our host, Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. It was our 23nd installment since the monthly series began in October 2013.

Since I Last Saw YouCAny purchases made by those attending the talk that afternoon and for the next five days will result in a contribution of 10 percent of proceeds to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society under the Barnes & Noble Bookfair program. To see a flier about the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series, click here.

 

 

 

 


Joe Gustav talks of ‘In Deep: The Story of Global Diving & Salvage’
on Friday, July 10, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

 

[Enjoy this video of West Seattle author Joe Gustav’s presentation July 10, 2015, at the 22nd installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” Joining him was Tim Beaver, co-founder of Global Diving. Video contributed by watchingwestseattle.com.]

Joe GustavC In Deep Global DivingCThe 22nd presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was West Seattle’s Joe Gustav, author of In Deep: The Story of Global Diving & Salvage (Documentary Media, 2014, genre: history and business).

 

 

 


Sarah Fox talks of ‘Downwind: A People’s History of the Nuclear West’
on Friday, June 5, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

The video above is an edited version of Sarah Fox’s presentation to “Words, Writers & West Seattle” on Friday, June 5, 2015. Video contributed by WatchingWestSeattle.com.

 

Sarah FoxcropwhiteDownwind book cover2iThe June 2015 presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was West Seattle’s Sarah Fox, author of Downwind: A People’s History of the Nuclear West (Bison Books, 2014, genre: history and energy).

 

 

 

 

 

 


Jan Koutsky talks of her children’s novel ‘My Grandma, My Pen Pal’
on Friday, May 1, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

[Please enjoy this video of the presentation of Jan Koutsky at the Friday, May 1, 2015, installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.” More details below.]

JanKoutskyHeadshot1My Grandma My Pen Pal coverThe May 1, 2015, presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was West Seattle’s Jan Koutsky, author of My Grandma, My Pen Pal (Boyds Mills Press, 2002, self-published, 2013, genre: children’s fiction).

 

 

 

 

 

 


Jake and Cathy Jaramillo talk of their outdoors guidebook
‘Seattle Stairway Walks: An Up-and-Down Guide to City Neighborhoods’
on Friday, April 3, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

[The above video covers the presentation by authors Jake and Cathy Jaramillo about their book “Seattle Stairway Walks” at the Friday, April 3, 2015, edition of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.]

Jaramillos Seattle Stairway WalksLRThe presenters in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series on Friday, April 3, 2015, were Jake and Cathy Jaramillo, Seattle Stairway Walks: An Up-and-Down Guide to City Neighborhoods (Mountaineers Books, 2012, genre: outdoors).

As a bonus, Jake and Cathy led an Alki-area walk on public stairways on Sunday morning, April 19, 2015, beginning and ending at our “Birthplace of Seattle” Log House Museum, 3003 61st Ave SW. (See accompanying photo.)

The Jaramillos also encourage those interested in bolstering the city’s maintenance of its public stairways to visit this page of their blog to find out about how to encourage Seattle Mayor Ed Murray to include more funding for such maintenance in his proposed Transportation Levy.

2015 04-19 stairway walk
(From right) Jake and Cathy Jaramillo lead an Alki stairway walk on April 19, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Barbara Haines Howett talks of her novel ‘Ladies of the Borobudur’
on Friday, March. 6, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

[The above video covers the entire presentation of Barbara Haines Howett on March 6, 2015.]

Ladies of the BorobudurBarbara Haines HowettCThe March 6, 2015, presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was Barbara Haines Howett, Ladies of the Borobudur (Outskirts Press, 2007, genre: adult fiction). She spoke to more than 20 people at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Theresa McCormick talks of ‘A Far Cry from Here: Growing Up and Out of Fundamentalism’
on Friday afternoon, Feb. 6, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

[The video above, contributed by Avenue Productions, depicts the Feb. 6, 2015, installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle” featuring West Seattle author Theresa McCormick.]

Theresa McCormickC

A Far Cry from Here

The Feb. 6, 2015, presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was Theresa McCormick, author of A Far Cry from Here: Growing Up and Out of Fundamentalism (University Book Store Press, 2014). She spoke to an audience of more than 40 at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 

 


Christine Brant talks of Little Red Riding Hood update  ‘Red and Grey’
on Friday afternoon, Jan. 2, 2015, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

[The video above depicts the Jan. 2, 2015, installment of our “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series, featuring West Seattle author Christine Brant.]

Christine BrantRed and GreyThe Jan. 2, 2015, presenter in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series was Christine Brant, author of Red and Grey (Dark Dragon Publishing, 2007). She spoke to an audience of 20 at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Karen Robbins and Sally Marts talk of ‘Shoe Print Art: Step into Drawing’
on Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2014, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

[The video above depicts the Dec. 5, 2014, installment of our “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series, featuring West Seattle author Karen Robbins and West Seattle illustrator Sally Marts.]

Karen Robbins and Sally Marts
Karen Robbins and Sally Marts

Shoe Print Art coverThe Dec. 5, 2014, presenters in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series were Karen S. Robbins and Sally Marts, Shoe Print Art: Step into Drawing (Hide and Seek Press, 2013).

To see an article by Karen Robbins in the October 2014 edition of the Independent Book Publishers “Independent” magazine, click here.

 

 


Sandi Doughton talks of the reality of imminent earthquakes, from ‘Full Rip 9.0’

on Friday afternoon, Nov. 7, 2014, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village 

http://vimeo.com/111473129

[This edited video of Sandi Doughton’s Nov. 7, 2014, presentation is produced by contributing videographer Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.]

Sandi DoughtonFull RipSandi Doughton, West Seattle-based author of Full Rip 9.0: The Next Big Earthquake in the Pacific Northwest (Sasquatch Books, 2013), was the presenter on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 in our monthly “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

Scientists have identified Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver as the urban centers of what will be the biggest earthquake, also called a mega-quake, in the continental United States. A quake will happen — in fact, it’s actually overdue. The Cascadia subduction zone is 750 miles long, running along the Pacific coast from Northern California up to southern British Columbia.

In Doughton’s fascinating book, Seattle Times science reporter Doughton introduces readers to the scientists who are dedicated to understanding the way the earth moves and describes what patterns can be identified and how prepared (or not) people are.

With a 100 percent chance of a mega-quake hitting the Pacific Northwest, this fascinating book reports on the scientists who are trying to understand when, where, and just how big THE BIG ONE will be.


Susan Rich tells the stories behind her poetry collection ‘Cloud Pharmacy’
on Friday afternoon, Oct. 3, 2014, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

http://vimeo.com/108018963

[This edited video of Susan Rich’s Oct. 3, 2014, presentation is produced by contributing videographer Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.]

Susan Rich, author of the poetry collection Cloud Pharmacy (White Line Press, 2014), was the presenter at “Words, Writers & West Seattle” on Oct. 3, 2014, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

Cloud_Pharmacy_CoverSusan RichCRich’s Cloud Pharmacy has been reviewed as an “intelligent and observant collection” of poems, some inspired by the 19th century photographer Hannah Maynard. Themes include the passions of romantic love and fire, memory, needs, self-regard and grief. As Rich says, “The interior world opens lightly,” but it doesn’t say there. “The result is wonderfully strange and unsettling.”

Descriped as a “deep, mindful thinker and a lover of language,” Rich is the author of several essays and of four poetry collections: Cloud Pharmacy, The Alchemist’s Kitchen, a finalist for the Foreword Prize and the Washington State Book Award, Cures Include Travel and The Cartographer’s Tongue, winner of the PEN USA Award for Poetry.

Rich’s poems have appeared in national and international journals such as the Harvard Review, Poetry Ireland Review and TriQuarterly. With Jared Hawkley and Brian Turner, Rich is co-editor of The Strangest of Theatres: Poets Crossing Borders, a selection of themed travel essays for poets who want to travel, published by McSweeney’s the the Poetry Foundation in 2013.

 


Molly Ringle tells the stories behind her book ‘Persephone’s Orchard’
on Friday afternoon, Sept. 5, 2014, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

http://vimeo.com/105798362

[This video is an edited version of Molly Ringle’s Sept. 5, 2014, appearance at “Words, Writers & West Seattle,” by contributing videographer Mark Jaroslaw.]

Molly Ringle speaks of Greek mythology at the Sept. 5, 2014 "Words, Writers & West Seattle" at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.
Molly Ringle speaks of Greek mythology at the Sept. 5, 2014 “Words, Writers & West Seattle” at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

Molly Ringle’s “Words, Writers & West Seattle” presentation on Sept. 5, 2014, drew 20 people to Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

Persephones-OrchardRingle has been writing fiction for more than 20 years. With her intense devotion to silly humor, she was especially proud to win the grand prize in the 2010 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest with one (intentionally) terrible sentence. Her academic studies include a bachelor of arts in anthropology (University of Oregon, Clark Honors College) and a master of arts in linguistics (University of California, Davis). Molly lives in West Seattle with her husband and kids and worships fragrances and chocolate.

Here is a description of Persephone’s Orchard, a RomCon 2014 Readers’ Crown finalist:

“The Greek gods never actually existed. Did they? Sophie Darrow finds she was wrong about that assumption when she is pulled into the spirit realm, complete with an Underworld, on her first day at college. Adrian, the mysterious young man who brought her there, simply wants her to taste a pomegranate. And soon, though she returns to her regular life, her mind begins exploding with dreams and memories of ancient times — of a love between two Greeks named Persephone and Hades. But lethal danger always has surrounded the immortals, and now that she is tainted with the Underworld’s magic, that danger is drawing closer to Sophie.”

For more on Molly Ringle, click here.


Dan Raley tells the stories behind his books ‘The Brandon Roy Story,’ ‘Pitchers of Beer: The Story of the Seattle Rainiers’ and ‘Tideflats to Tomorrow: The History of Seattle’s Sodo’

[This video is the entire presentation of Dan Raley on Aug. 1, 2014, during the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series.]

Dan RaleyCDuring the Aug. 1, 2014, installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle,” West Seattle native Dan Raley spoke about three of his books:

  • The Brandon Roy Story (Old Seattle Press, 2013), basketball biography
  • Pitchers of Beer: The Story of the Seattle Rainiers (University of Nebraska Press, 2011), baseball history
  • Tideflats to Tomorrow: The History of Seattle’s Sodo (Fairgreens Publishing, 2010), Seattle history

Tideflats to Tomorrow coverPitchers of Beer coverThe Brandon Roy Story by Dan RaleyA graduate of Western Washington University, Raley is a homepage editor for MSN.com after working for the Skagit Valley Herald, East Washingtonian, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His writings also have appeared in nearly every major newspaper in the country through New York Times syndication and Athlon magazines, Golf Magazine, Golf World, Golf Journal, Travel and Leisure magazine, the Wall Street Journal, MSNBC.com, MLB.com and ESPN.com. Locally, he is well-known for his series of “Where Are They Now?” sports profiles in the Post-Intelligencer.

Raley resides with his wife and two daughters in North Bend, Wash To find out more about Raley, click here. And to see an hour-long video of Raley talking about Pitchers of Beer with Seattle baseball historian Dave Eskenazi, click here.


Harold Taw and Elizabeth Austen tell the stories behind their books ‘Adventures of the Karaoke King’ and ‘Every Dress a Decision’ at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village on July 11, 2014

http://vimeo.com/101056426

[The video coverage (above) of Harold Taw’s and Elizabeth Austen’s July 11, 2014, talk at “Words, Writers & West Seattle” is contributed by Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.]

West Seattle author Harold Taw spoke about his novel Adventures of the Karaoke King (Lake Union Publishing, 2011) at the July 11, 2014, installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.”

Also featured was Harold’s special guest, Washington State Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen, also of West Seattle, who spoke about her collection Every Dress a Decision (Blue Begonia Press, 2011).

Harold Taw colorCAdventures of the Karaoke King coverHarold Taw

Harold’s writing has been featured on NPR, in a New York Times bestselling anthology and in The Seattle Times. His screenplay Dog Park has garnered recognition in domestic and international film festivals and competitions.

Harold is currently completing a novel about a turbulent adolescence in Southeast Asia, collaborating on a musical with Seattle rock band called Poland and co-authoring a graphic-novel adaptation of his dark fable “The Repository of Broken Dreams” (available in What to Read in the Rain 2013).

He also is participating as a bookwriter in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Writers Group, a two-year New Works initiative that culminates in staged readings of one-act musicals in 2014 and of two-act musicals in 2015.

A Yale Law School graduate and a Fulbright Scholar, Harold has had his research and writing has been supported by, among others, 826 Seattle, Artist Trust, Centrum, the Helen Riaboff Whiteley Center, Humanities Washington, Jack Straw Productions and Wing Luke Museum.

Elizabeth AustenCEvery Dress a Decision cvrElizabeth Austen

As the state’s poet laureate, Elizabeth has been traveling to all 39 counties, offering writing workshops and giving readings.

Her debut collection, Every Dress a Decision (Blue Begonia Press, 2011) was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award. She’s also the author of two chapbooks, The Girl Who Goes Alone (Floating Bridge Press, 2010) and Where Currents Meet (Toadlily Press, 2010).

Her poems have been featured on The Writer’s Almanac and Verse Daily, in the Los Angeles Review, Bellingham Review and Willow Springs. She is noted for her engaging public performances of poetry and has been featured at Poets House in New York City, Minneapolis’s The Loft, the Skagit River Poetry Festival, Spokane’s Get Lit!, Seattle’s Cheap Wine and Poetry and Bumbershoot.

Elizabeth produces poetry programming for NPR-affiliate KUOW 94.9, earned an MFA at Antioch University Los Angeles and teaches at Richard Hugo House. She makes her living at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she also offers poetry and journaling workshops for staff.


Brenda Peterson tells the story behind her books ‘The Drowning World’ and ‘Leopard & Silkie’ in presentation at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village on June 6, 2014.

http://vimeo.com/97621536

[The video coverage (above) of Brenda Peterson’s June 6, 2014, talk at “Words, Writers & West Seattle” is contributed by Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.]

Leopard and Silkie2iCThe Drowning World coverBrenda PetersonCThrough her work as a novelist and nature writer, Peterson’s curiosity about and respect for nature radiates through her 17 books, which range from her first memoir Build Me an Ark: A Life with Animals, chosen as a “Best Spiritual Book of 2001,” to three novels, one of which, Duck and Cover, was chosen by New York Times as Notable Book of the Year.

Her new memoir, I Want To Be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth was selected by The Christian Science Monitor among the Top Ten Best Non-Fiction Books of 2010.

Her novels include Animal Heart (Sierra Club Books) and River of Light (Knopf), as well as Becoming the Enemy (Graywolf Press). Her nonfiction books include Living by Water and the National Geographic book Sightings: The Gray Whale’s Mysterious Journey.

These works established Peterson as a prominent creative nonfiction writer, extensively profiled in the reference work America’s Nature Writers. Peterson’s bestselling anthology Intimate Nature: The Bond Between Women and Animals is often taught in university courses. Her nonfiction has appeared in numerous national newspapers, journals, and magazines, including The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Reader’s Digest, Christian Science Monitor, O: The Oprah Magazine, and Utne Reader.

For the past two decades, Brenda studied and written about animals, especially marine mammals and wolves. She is the founder of the West Seattle-based grassroots conservation group Seal Sitters.

Since 1993 she has contributed environmental commentary to NPR and is a frequent commentator to The Huffington Post. See her blog and website for online links. Her new picture book, Leopard and Silkie: One Boy’s Quest to Save the Seal Pups, was published by Henry Holt for Young Readers and was a 2013 winner of National Science Teacher’s Association “Outstanding Science Books for K-12.”

Her new novel, The Drowning World, part of her fantasy/sci-fi Aquantis Series begun with Animal Heart, is just out in ebook and paperback from Ingram and Espresso Book Machine Network.


Judy Bentley tells the story behind her book ‘Free Boy: A True Story of Slave and Master’ in presentation at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village on April 4, 2014

http://vimeo.com/91352459

(The above video is an edited presentation by Judy Bentley on April 4, 2014, to 30 people attending the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. The video is contributed by Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.)

Free BoyJudy BentleyPresenting at the most recent installment on Friday, April 4, 2014, was West Seattle Judy Bentley, who spoke about her book, Free Boy: A True Story of Slave and Master (University of Washington Press, 2013).

Bentley, who teaches at South Seattle College and is former board president of our historical society, coauthored Free Boy with Lorraine McConaghy, a public historian at the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle.

The book tells the story of 13-year-old slave Charles Mitchell, who escaped from Washington Territory to freedom in Canada on the West Coast’s tiny underground railroad in 1860. Mitchell was the property of James Tilton, Surveyor General of Washington Territory, and this book is a twined biography of the two, exploring issues of race, slavery, treason, and secession in Washington Territory.

 


Conrad Wesselhoeft discusses the creative process behind his novel ‘Adios, Nirvana’
in presentation to 20 at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village on March 7, 2014

(The above video is the complete presentation by Conrad Wesselhoeft on March 7, 2014, to 20 people attending the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. The video is contributed by Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.)

Conrad WesselhoeftCAdios Nirvana coverConrad Wesselhoeft worked as a tugboat hand in Singapore and Peace Corps volunteer in Polynesia before embarking on a career in journalism. He has served on the editorial staffs of five newspapers, including The New York Times. He lives with his three children and a big, grinning poodle named Django in West Seattle.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Lyanda Lynn Haupt discusses how and why she wrote ‘The Urban Bestiary’
in presentation to 50 at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village on Feb. 7, 2014

(The above video is the complete presentation by Lyanda Lynn Haupt on Feb. 7, 2014, to 50 people attending the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. The video is contributed by Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.)

The wonders of the birds and critters who live among us in the city were the topic of West Seattle author Lyanda Lynn Haupt, speaking about her nature book, The Urban Bestiary: Encountering the Everyday Wild (Little Brown, 2013) on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

The Urban Bestiary coverIn “The Urban Bestiary,” acclaimed nature writer Haupt journeys into the heart of the everyday wild, where coyotes, raccoons, chickens, hawks and humans live in closer proximity than ever before.

Haupt’s observations bring compelling new questions to light: Whose “home” is this? Where does the wild end and the city begin? And what difference does it make to us as humans living our everyday lives?Lyanda Lynn HauptC

In this wholly original blend of science, story, myth and memoir, Haupt draws readers into the secret world of the wild creatures that dwell among us in our urban neighborhoods, whether we are aware of them or not.

With beautiful illustrations and practical sidebars on everything from animal tracking to opossum removal, “The Urban Bestiary” is a lyrical book that awakens wonder, delight and respect for the urban wild, and our place within it.


Robert Spector discusses how he came to write his memoir ‘The Mom & Pop Store’
in book presentation to 20 at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village on Jan. 4, 2014

(The above video is the complete presentation by Robert Spector on Jan. 4, 2014, to 20 people attending the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. The video is contributed by Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.)

Robert Spector mugThe Mom & Pop Store coverThe Mom & Pop Store is a celebration of the history of small, independent retail and the story of how these shops thrive on attentive customer service and community support for local businesses.

With the backdrop of the growing “buy local” movement across the country, Spector set out to discover the state, and the state of mind, of independent retailing in America.

From a specialty soda-pop shop in Los Angeles to a florist shop in Dayton, Ohio, from a bakery in Chicago to a bookstore in Bellingham, mom-and-pop store owners share their stories, revealing the spirit and tenacity of the small business owner, dealing with frustration and defeat as well as triumph and success.

 

 

 


Nicole Hardy discusses how she came to write ‘Confessions of a Latter-day Virgin’
in book presentation to 25 at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village on Dec. 6, 2013

(The above video is the complete presentation by Nicole Hardy on Dec. 6, 2013, to 25 people attending the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. The video is contributed by Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.)

The youthful journey of faith and abstinence was the topic of a presentation by West Seattle author Nicole Hardy at the Dec. 6, 2013, installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.”

Nicole Hardy discusses "Confessions of a Latter-day Virgin" Dec. 6, 2013, at "Words, Writers & West Seattle."
Nicole Hardy discusses “Confessions of a Latter-day Virgin” Dec. 6, 2013, at “Words, Writers & West Seattle.”

Hardy spoke to an audience of about 25 about her memoir Confessions of a Latter-day Virgin (Hyperion, 2013) at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.

Those attending the Dec. 6, 2013, installment of "Words, Writers & West Seattle" line up for books to be signed by author Nicole Hardy.
Those attending the Dec. 6, 2013, installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle” line up for books to be signed by author Nicole Hardy.

When Hardy’s eye-opening “Modern Love” column appeared in The New York Times, the response from readers was overwhelming. Hardy’s essay, which exposed the conflict between being true to herself as a woman and remaining true to her Mormon faith, struck a chord with women coast-to-coast.

Now in her funny, intimate, and thoughtful memoir,  Hardy explores how she came, at the age of thirty-five, to a crossroads regarding her faith and her identity. During her childhood and throughout her 20s, Hardy held absolute conviction in her faith. But as she aged out of the church’s “singles ward” and entered her 30s, she struggled to merge the life she envisioned for herself with the Mormon ideal of homemaker, wife and mother.Confessions

Confessions of a Latter-day Virgin chronicles the extraordinary lengths Hardy went to in an attempt to reconcile her human needs with her spiritual life — flying across the country for dates with Mormon men, taking up salsa dancing as a source for physical contact, even moving to Grand Cayman, where the ocean and scuba diving provided some solace. But neither secular pursuits nor church guidance could help Hardy prepare for the dilemma she would eventually face: a crisis of faith that caused her to question everything she’d grown up believing.

In the tradition of the memoirs Devotion and Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, Confessions of a Latter-day Virgin is a mesmerizing and wholly relatable account of one woman’s hard-won mission to find love, acceptance and happiness – on her own terms.


Peter Stekel unravels World War II mystery in ‘Final Flight’
presentation at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village on Nov. 1, 2013

(This video consists of the full presentation of West Seattle author Peter Stekel on Nov. 1, 2013, for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village. Video contributed by Mark Jaroslaw of Avenue Productions.)

The thrilling solution to a 70-year mystery was the topic of a presentation by West Seattle author Peter Stekel at the Nov. 1, 2013, installment of “Words, Writers & West Seattle.”

Stekel spoke to an audience of 25 about the story behind Final Flight: The Mystery of a World War II Plane Crash and the Frozen Airmen in the High Sierra.Final Flight cover Stekel

Peter StekelCHis history/mystery book was triggered when, in October 2005, two mountaineers climbing above Mendel Glacier in the High Sierra found the mummified remains of a man in a World War II uniform, entombed in the ice. The “Frozen Airman” discovery created a media storm and a mystery that Stekel chose to investigate. What did happen to the four men who perished in 1942 on a routine navigation training flight, 150 miles off-course from its reported destination?

 

The author found bad weather, bad luck and bad timing. He also came upon empty graves, botched records and misguided recovery efforts. Then, in 2007, the unimaginable happened again. Stekel himself discovered a second body in the glacier. Another young man would finally be coming home.

Through meticulous research, interviews, and mountaineering trips to the site, Stekel uncovered the story of these four young men. Final Flight explores their ill-fated trip and the misinformation surrounding it for more than 60 years.

The book is a gripping account that’s part mystery, part history and part personal journey to uncover the truth of what happened more than 70 years ago on Nov. 18, 1942. In the process Stekel narrates the young aviators’ last days and takes us on their final flight.


Admiral neighborhood’s Stephanie Guerra gets free monthly sessions
featuring West Seattle authors and books off to ‘Not Crazy’ start

(This video consists of the full presentation of West Seattle author Stephanie Guerra on Oct. 4, 2013, for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.)

Stephanie Guerra, author of "Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy."
Stephanie Guerra, author of “Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy.”

With funny and poignant excerpts from her brand new young-adult novel, Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy, Admiral neighborhood resident Stephanie Guerra got our “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village off to a great start on Oct. 4, 2013.

Stephanie Guerra signs books after her presentation.
Stephanie Guerra signs books after her presentation.
Stephanie Guerra reads to a capacity audience from "Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy."
Stephanie Guerra reads to a capacity audience from “Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy.”

The 10-year-old protagonist, Billy, is a master at getting in trouble, but his quest to find his place in the world is a story that is inspiring.

At the Oct. 4 launch, Guerra captivated an audience of 15 who filled all available seats.

It also was special because this installment was the actual launch of Guerra’s book. She had not seen finished copies of the book until she arrived at the event, and she was thrilled.

Billy big coverBilly the Kid is both charming and hilarious, in the voice of Billy, who lives in West Seattle, and there are West Seattle references throughout. Plus, it has great cartoon illustrations drawn from Billy’s point of view. The audience was rapt, which might seem a surprise given that it is written for a pre-teen, middle-school audience, but it proved the truism that everyone likes to hear a good story. She also discussed her first young-adult novel, Torn, released in 2012.

The minds of middle-schoolers are familiar territory for Guerra, who teaches children’s literature and writing at Seattle University and creative writing at King County Juvenile Detention Center. She also researches and speaks out about literacy instruction for at-risk teens.

Many of those attending bought copies of Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy and Torn, which was great because from each purchase our organization received 10 percent under the Barnes & Noble Bookfair program. Stephanie graciously wrote inscriptions and had many one-on-one conversations with attendees. She also signed other copies of the books in stock at Barnes & Noble, and they are for sale there.

The series is ongoing (see below), and we are looking for other West Seattle authors who might want to participate this series.  Further information can be obtained by calling Dora-Faye Hendricks, “Words, Writers and West Seattle” chair, by phone at 206-290-8315 or by e-mail.


Project slates free monthly sessions featuring West Seattle
authors and books at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village

Local authors are participating in a new “book talk” series about their published books at a free monthly series, “Words, Writers & West Seattle.”

This project of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is presented the first Friday of each month in conjunction with Barnes & Noble Westwood Village.WW&WS logo

“This is a great way for West Seattleites to get to know authors from their neighborhood,” says Clay Eals, executive director of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. “The series offers a variety of genres, reflecting many ways to tell stories, and it’s a perfect fit for us because eliciting, preserving and passing along stories is fundamental to our mission.”

At 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, Barnes & Noble Westwood Village is hosting a presentation by a West Seattle-based author on a recently released book or books, plus a time for questions and answers. Each session will end at or before 7 p.m.

Barnes & Noble Westwood Village will have books available for sale at each session. Ten percent of the proceeds from book purchases associated with “Words, Writers & West Seattle” go to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society through the Bookfair program of Barnes & Noble.Barnes & Noble logo

Further information can be obtained by contacting Dora-Faye Hendricks, “Words, Writers and West Seattle” chair, by phone at 206-290-8315 or by e-mail.


Already presented: See videos for each presentation above.

Friday, July 7, 2017, Jeff and Sonja Anderson, authors of Mount Rainier’s Historic Inns and Lodges (Arcadia Images of America, 2017) genre: regional history.

Friday, June 2, 2017, Claudia Rowe, The Spider and the Fly: A Reporter, a Serial Killer and the Meaning of Murder (HarperCollins, 2017) genres: memoir and true crime

Friday, May 5, 2017, Kurt Armbruster, Before Seattle Rocked: A City and Its Music (2015, University of Washington Press) genres: local music, history

Friday, April 7, 2017, Judy Bentley, Hiking Washington’s History (2010, University of Washington Press) genres: Pacific Northwest history and travel

Friday, March 3, 2017, Lorraine Bannai, Enduring Conviction: Fred Korematsu and His Quest for Justice (2015, University of Washington Press) genres: Asian-American studies and biography

Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, Clay Eals, Steve Goodman: Facing the Music (ECW Press, 2007, updated fourth printing 2017) genre: biography

Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, David Barnes, Seattle Illuminated (David Barnes, 2014) genre: narrated photography

Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, Arleen Williams, The Alki Trilogy (Booktrope Editions, 2015) genre: contemporary adult fiction

Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, Conrad Wesselhoeft, Dirt Bikes, Drones and Other Ways to Fly (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2015) genre: young-adult fiction

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016, Steven Bender, Mea Culpa: Lessons on Law and Regret from U.S. History (New York University Press, 2015) genre: social justice, law

Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, Molly Ringle, Immortal’s Spring (Avenue Publishing, 2016) genre: adult fantasy

Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, Georgie Kunkel, Color Me Feminist: You’re Damn Right I Wear Purple (Prometheus Press, 1975, reprinted, 2000) genre: memoir

Friday, July 8, 2016, Tom Reese and Eric Wagner, Once and Future River: Reclaiming the Duwamish (University of Washington Press, 2016), genre: history/activism.

Friday, June 3, 2016, Lisa Richesson, White Lady, Black Sons (CreateSpace, 2014) genre: memoir.

Friday, May 6, 2016, Judy Bentley, Walking Washington’s History: Ten Cities (University of Washington Press, 2016), genre: local history.

Friday, April 1, 2016, Greg Hatcher,  Domino Lady (Vol. 1); Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective (Vols. 6 -7); George Chance the Green Ghost (Vol. 1); and Black Bat Mystery (Vol. 3) (Airship 27, 2014 and 2015), genre: pulp fiction

Friday, March 4, 2016, Dan Raley, How Seattle Became a Big-League Sports Town: From George Wilson to Russell Wilson (Fairgreens Publishing, 2015), genre: sports history.

Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, Sonja Anderson, Sophie’s Quest (Sunberry Books, 2015), genre: Christian children’s

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, Young Authors of Madison Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School, In Our Own Worlds, More than Just Scribbles, Rising Sun, Raison d’Etre and others (West Seattle YMCA Community Learning Center, 2015, genre: all)

Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, Paul Schmid, Oliver and His Alligator (Disney-Hyperion, 2013), genre: children’s fiction

Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, Shirley Enebrad, Over the Rainbow Bridge: My Son’s Journey from Here to Heaven (Book Publishers Network, 2009), genre: inspirational nonfiction

Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, Stephanie Guerra, Betting Blind and Out of Aces (Skyscape, 2014 and 2015), genre: young adult

Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 (second Friday due to Labor Day holiday weekend), David Kannas, Still Life with Badge (CreateSpace, 2013) genre: crime fiction

Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, Alice Ann Kuder, Since I Last Saw You (The Telltale Scribe, 2013), genre: adult fiction

Friday, July 10, 2015 (second Friday due to Independence Day holiday), Joe Gustav, In Deep: The Story of Global Diving and Salvage (Documentary Media, 2014), genre: history, business

Friday, June 5, 2015, Sarah Fox, Downwind: A People’s History of the Nuclear West (Bison Books, 2014), genre: history, energy

Friday, May 1, 2015, Jan Koutsky, My Grandma, My Pen Pal (Boyds Mills Press, 2002, self-published, 2013), genre: children’s fiction

Friday, April 3, 2015, Jake and Cathy Jaramillo, Seattle Stairway Walks: An Up-and-Down Guide to City Neighborhoods (Mountaineers Books, 2012), genre: outdoors guidebook

Friday, March 6, 2015, Barbara Haines Howett, Ladies of the Borobudur (Outskirts Press, 2007), genre: adult fiction

Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, Theresa McCormick, A Far Cry from Here: Growing Up and Out of Fundamentalism (University Book Store Press, 2014), genre: memoir

Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, Christine Brant, Red and Grey (Dark Dragon Publishing, 2007), genre: adult fiction

Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, Karen S. Robbins and Sally Marts, Shoe Print Art: Step into Drawing (Hide and Seek Press, 2013) genre: art for children

Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, Sandi Doughton, Full Rip 9.0 (Sasquatch Books, 2013), genre: science nonfiction

Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, Susan Rich, Cloud Pharmacy (White Line Press, 2014), genre: poetry

Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, Molly Ringle, Persephone’s Orchard (Central Avenue Publishing, 2012), genre: young adult fantasy.

Friday, Aug. 1, 2014 Dan Raley, The Brandon Roy Story (Old Seattle Press, 2013), genre: sports biography; Pitchers of Beer: The Story of the Seattle Rainiers (University of Nebraska Press, 2011), genre: sports; and Tideflats to Tomorrow: The History of Seattle’s Sodo (Fairgreens Publishing, 2010), genre: history.

Friday, July 11, 2014 Harold Taw, Adventures of the Karaoke King (Lake Union Publishing, 2011), genre: adult fiction. Also, Harold brought along a special guest, Washington State Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen, who spoke about Every Dress a Decision (Blue Begonia Press, 2011).

Friday, June 6, 2014 Brenda Peterson, The Drowning World (Delphinius, 2013-14), genre: young adult

Friday, May 2, 2014 Mike Hickey and Arleen Williams of South Seattle Community College, genres: poetry, fiction

Friday, April 4, 2014 Judy Bentley, Free Boy: A True Story of Slave and Master (University of Washington Press, 2013), genre: creative nonfiction

Friday, March 7, 2014 Conrad Wesselhoeft, Adios, Nirvana (Mifflin Harcourt, 2010), genre: young adult

Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 Lyanda Lynn Haupt, The Urban Bestiary: Encountering the Everyday Wild (Little Brown, 2013), genre: nature

Friday, Jan. 3, 2014 Robert Spector, The Mom & Pop Store: True Stories from the Heart of America (Walker Books, 2009), genre: memoir

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013 Nicole Hardy, Confessions of a Latter-Day Virgin (Hyperion, 2013), genre: memoir

Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 Peter Stekel, Final Flight, The Mystery of a World War II Plane Crash and the Frozen Airmen in the High Sierra (Wilderness Press, 2010), genre: history

Friday, Oct. 4, 2013 Stephanie Guerra, Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy (Two Lions, 2013) and Torn (Marshall Cavendish, 2012), genre: young adult

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