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Northwest Passages
We're starting a new series on TOL: conversations with Pacific Northwest writers. We'll tell you who they are and what they've written in plenty of time to read ahead. And we want your ideas! Tell us what writers would you love to hear from — and talk to. And why that person's work inspires your passion.
Our guideline is simple: writers should have some connection to the Northwest. The can live here, work here, or write about this place. We'll speak with novelists, poets and perhaps memoirists. Our first show in the series will be on Thursday, June 4, with Peter Rock. And we'll continue every other Thursday throughout the summer. Who else should we consider? What else should we read?
(Need a brain jog? Check out this new Oregon Authors website, put together by the Oregon Libraries Association. Or the list of authors honored by the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association and the Oregon Book Awards for the past twenty years. Tell us your favorite Northwest writing resource too!)
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Greetings and Salutations, I'd like to suggest the new book by Paul VanDeVelder, "Savages & Scoundrels". The book is a fascinating look at the tragedy of American diplomacy towards the Native Tribes of America. Or to quote John Eklund " Here is a profound dismantling of the whole mythical edifice surrounding the westward expansion that shaped the republic....."Savages & Scoundrels" is a "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" for the 21st Century." Truly a compelling read, and Paul is great to listen to, he truly has a passion for this topic.
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I think it's wonderful that you are starting this series many Northwest authors will be pleased to be apart of this venture, I have a suggestion for you her name is Devon Monk she is a first time writer of urban fantasy has 2 books out and a new one coming in November she is signed to a 6 book deal possibly more her first book Magic in the Blood is in it's 2nd printing and all her stories take place in the Northwest, I am enclosing a link to her webpage I think she would be a wonderful addition to your series she also has contact with many local writers.
http://www.devonmonk.com/
Derrick Casady
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I suggest either Ehud Havazelet, a world-class fiction writer who also either teaches or taught at the University of Oregon's MFA program, or Tracy Daugherty, who's won a couple of Oregon Book Awards for novels and recently got a mention in Time for Hiding Man, his new biography of Donald Barthelme.
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I think talking to Tom Spanbauer would make an amazing show. He is a writer who lives in Portland; "The man who fell in love with the moon", "In The City of Shy Hunters", "Now Is the Hour"... He teaches and mentors other Portland writers, and is an amazing writer and person! I first met Tom when I took a workshop from Chuck Palahniuk and in one session Tom turned me on my head! I have not been the same since!
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I hope you'll consider featuring Puget Sound writer Karen Fisher and her magnificent 2005 novel A Sudden Country, a hypnotic and revelatory opus about the Oregon Trail. A finalist alongside E.L. Doctorow's The March for the Pen/Faulkner award, A Sudden Country (the author's debut and only book to date) is refreshingly, uncompromisingly complex in its handle of history and in its depiction of human beings as they reckon with unforgiving landscape and cling to hope amid bitter circumstance. This book merits the attention and appreciation of anybody who cares about Northwest history -- or American history for that matter. And it merits thanks from any reader who longs for a near-perfect contemporary novel.
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Laini Taylor is a Portland author of young adult fantasy novels. She spoke engagingly with our book group last June as we discussed her first novel, Blackbringer. Her second and third novels will be published this fall: Silksinger, the second in the Dreamdark series, and Lips Touch, a book of three supernatural love stories. She has also written a graphic novel, The Drowned, with her husband, Jim Di Bartolo. I recommend discussing Blackbringer this summer.
Stephanie Nystrom
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There are so many wonderful Northwest writers! These are the ones that I can think of at the moment:
Nonfiction-Lauren Kessler, who wrote the Oregon Reads selection, Stubborn Twig. You have already had her on.
Robert Michael Pyle, who lives in Grays River, WA and writes about the natural history of SW Washington
John Kroger has written a book about his days as a federal prosecutor. But he may be a bit busy at this time!
Jewel Lansing has written an interesting history of Portland
H.W. Brands has written some amazing biographies. He grew up in Portland but no longer lives in the Northwest, so may not count.
In the fiction category--Sherman Alexie, Tom Robbins, Chuck Palahnuik, Ursula LeGuin, David Guterson
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Might I suggest Portland based author Molly Gloss. She is the author of Jump Off Creek (an All Seattle Reads Selection), Wild Life, The Dazzle of Day, and most recently The Hearts of Horses a fictional account of horse breaking in Oregon set at the onslaught of World War I.
The Hearts of Horses is a beautiful book that was chosen for discussion at my library. I invited Molly to give a reaidng and a book talk on the book and she did a fabulous job. Patrons were enthralled as we discussed horses, publishing, Oregon, and the ugly truth of cancer.
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I would suggest Jane Kirkpatrick as an author. She writes about overlooked history in the Northwest and brings it alive. And while we're at it, I'd like to see a movie made of Marie Dorian's life. Jane has made her a real live heroine with much to teach all of us.
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I also would like to sugget Jane Kirkpartick. She has written 15 historical novel, most set in the Northwest and based on actual people usuallly women. Her last series was based on the old Aurora colony which included a nonfiction quilt book. Her current series is based on her grandmother who was an early photographer. I love reading her books becased she brings history alive and relivant to our lives. Her intense research shows in her historical accuracy.
Blair Fredstrom
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How about Crystal Williams? http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2009/06/poet_tackles_polarizing_topics.html
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How about Rene Denfeld?
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I'm the newsletter editor for the Rose City Romance Writers, the local chapter of Romance Writers of America. We'd love (emphasis on love!) the chance to suggest great local writers in all the subgenres of romance: From paranormal to inspirational, historical to futuristic, and everything between.
Check out our list of member authors at:
http://www.rosecityromancewriters.com
It's great to hear more about area authors. The Pacific Northwest with its nine months of lovely rains is particularly conducive to sitting for long stretches at a computer :) which is partly why, I think, we have such wonderful storytellers.
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I'm delighted you're including Shaindel Beers. Yes, let's talk about poetry. My own verse biography of Puritan rebel Anne Hutchinson won the 2008 Oregon Book Award for Poetry, and I'd like to hear (or participate in) a discussion of poetry as a vehicle for national and family history.
Penelope Scambly Schott
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I would like to suggest your show feature Dr. Will Henson, author of Behavior Support Strategies for Education Paraprofessionals.
Our schools are increasingly staffed with paraprofessionals whose job it is to assist trained teachers and administrators in managing special needs students. These dedicated workers must manage challenging behaviors in general and special education settings with far less training then the school staff.
In easy to understand language, with some excellent examples, Dr. Henson, a child psychologist licensed in Oregon, gives paraprofessionals the understanding and function of behavior, positive and proactive methods to deal with challenging behavior, and gives a sound explanation of common disability and behavioral categories. This book is a must read for the paraprofessional facing the tough challenges of our overworked and understaffed districts. The Oregon public could really benefit from hearing what Dr. Henson has to say on the topics of special education in Oregon and Washington.
Here is a link to his website to contact him:
http://drhenson.org/drwillhenson.html
Thank you for your consideration and thank you for such a great program.
Wayne Mitchell
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Comments are now closed.
Hi. I heard today that you are doing features on local authors. My friend, Pierre Oullette, is a Portland author who has published 3 books through Bantam Books. His latest is a mystery (under the name of Pierre Davis) entitled "A Breed Apart," which is a mystery (1st in a series...he just completed the manuscript on the second book). The mystery is roughly based in the OHSU campus. His previous works includes "The Deus Machine" and the "The Third Pandemic." He would be a very interesting interview. I've told him I was going to write you, and he agreed it was OK. Good luck landing him!
Will Anderson