Here are a few more local events to check out this weekend:
Friday, June 1
Dishwasher: One Man's Quest to Wash Dishes in All Fifty States Author Event
Where: Reading Frenzy at Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave. (21+)
When: 7:00 pm
Cost: $5
Saturday-Sunday, June 2-3
Friends of the Library's 6th Annual Spring Used Book Sale
Where: Gresham Village Shopping Center, 2430 SE Burnside, Gresham
When: 9:00 am-6:00 pm Saturday
10:00 am-4:00 pm Sunday
Proceeds to support Multnomah County Library programs
Saturday, June 2
Bridges of Portland, Bridges of the Oregon Coast Event Featuring 5 Local Authors
Where: Barnes & Noble, Lloyd Center
When: 2:00 pm
Cost: Free
Saturday, June 2
Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) Annual Benefit Featuring Music by Sexy Pants
Where: Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place (21+)
When: 9:00 pm
Cost: $7-10
Sunday, June 3
Antique Letterpress Demonstration
Where: Friends of the Library Store, Central Library
When: Noon
Cost: Free
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
BEA, here I come!
I'm off to Book Expo America in New York City for a week. It's my first trip to the big apple and my first BEA. How exciting! I'll be working hard to make as many contacts with East Coast publishers as possible, and I'm sure to come back with a suitcase full of books. Visit the blog again in a week for highlights of the trip! Cheers,
Ali
Good Read Spotlight: Adverbs
Adverbs, by Daniel HandlerIt may not be a new release, but it's definitely a worthwhile read. Daniel Handler's Adverbs is a tangled mess of convoluted metaphors that attempt to wrap themselves around an all-encompassing definition of love. The story follows characters like threads of an intricatelywoven tapestry where you often lose track of a single strand amidst a swirling knot and continue tracing the next convenient string. Whether watching young Mike trying to learn how the world works, commiserating with Helena wondering if this is really all there is, or following any of the other delightfully helpless and love-starved characters, you will experience just about every permutation of love, relationship, and infatuation possible in the course of this novel. And there’s a volcano. Confused? So am I, but I’m loving every minute of it.
As one might guess from the title, Adverbs is clearly preoccupied with language and its capacity to explain some of the more complicated human experiences. This novel requires a definite suspension of disbelief, especially when the Snow Queen comes into play. While the plot may seem elusive at first, the greater workings of the story slowly become clear when you least expect it. Besides, Daniel Handler’s knack for humor and character development is phenomenal. In other words, sit back, relax, and let the funny come to you.
Review by Julie Franks, Indigo Editing, LLC
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday, May 29
Meet the Authors: Jan Baross, Courtenay Hameister, and Jan M. Underwood
Where: Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave
When: 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Wednesday, May 30
Classics Book Discussion Group to discuss The Aleph and Other Stories
Where: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
When: 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Michael Munk: Portland Red Guide: Sites & Stories From Our Radical Past
Where: Twenty-Third Avenue Books, 1015 NW 23rd Avenue
When: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Thursday, May 31
M. Allen Cunningham presents Lost Son
Where: Annie Blooms Books, 7834 SW Capital Hwy.
When: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Welcome, Julie!
This message is a bit delayed as Julie has already been working for a couple weeks, but we'd like to publicly welcome her anyway!
Editorial Assistant Julie Franks is currently a part-time marketing
specialist and a full-time University of Portland senior, with a double major in English and German Studies. She has lived most of her life in Portland, except for the eight months she spent living in Salzburg, Austria (her Lieblingsstadt). Julie spends most of her time reading and drinking heavily-caffeinated beverages. Five of her favorite books are The Count of Monte Cristo, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Gun Seller, The Liar, and Making History, the latter three of which were written by British actors/comedians/authors Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, and Stephen Fry, respectively.
Welcome, Julie!
Editorial Assistant Julie Franks is currently a part-time marketing
specialist and a full-time University of Portland senior, with a double major in English and German Studies. She has lived most of her life in Portland, except for the eight months she spent living in Salzburg, Austria (her Lieblingsstadt). Julie spends most of her time reading and drinking heavily-caffeinated beverages. Five of her favorite books are The Count of Monte Cristo, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Gun Seller, The Liar, and Making History, the latter three of which were written by British actors/comedians/authors Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, and Stephen Fry, respectively.Welcome, Julie!
Young Adult Writers Workshop
Young Adult Writers Workshop
Saturday, June 16th, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Join editors Ali McCart and Kristin Thiel from Indigo Editing and the Ink-Filled Page quarterly literary journal for a two-hour writers workshop. Come prepared with a story you've written or just an idea and we'll examine writing strategies that make successful stories and exercises to build your writing voice. At the end of the workshop, you can submit your story for publication in the Ink-Filled Page! Read the journal at www.indigoediting.com/Ink-Filled_Page.html.
This workshop is free and open to all young adults between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. Arrive at the U.S. Bank Room (off the main foyer) of the Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave., Portland, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. The workshop will last two hours; we will provide supplies and light snacks as well as plenty of advice for improving your writing.
No RSVP required. Direct questions to info@indigoediting.com. See you there!
Saturday, June 16th, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Join editors Ali McCart and Kristin Thiel from Indigo Editing and the Ink-Filled Page quarterly literary journal for a two-hour writers workshop. Come prepared with a story you've written or just an idea and we'll examine writing strategies that make successful stories and exercises to build your writing voice. At the end of the workshop, you can submit your story for publication in the Ink-Filled Page! Read the journal at www.indigoediting.com/Ink-Filled_Page.html.
This workshop is free and open to all young adults between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. Arrive at the U.S. Bank Room (off the main foyer) of the Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave., Portland, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. The workshop will last two hours; we will provide supplies and light snacks as well as plenty of advice for improving your writing.
No RSVP required. Direct questions to info@indigoediting.com. See you there!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Bookbinding Exhibition
Philip Smith: Extraordinary Bindings From an Englishman 
May 19–July 11, 2007
Monday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Thursday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday: noon–5 p.m.
Come see an extensive collection of works from one of the most revolutionary designer bookbinders of recent history, forming exceptional and avant-garde creations from unusual materials and methods.
May 19–July 11, 2007
Monday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Thursday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday: noon–5 p.m.
Come see an extensive collection of works from one of the most revolutionary designer bookbinders of recent history, forming exceptional and avant-garde creations from unusual materials and methods.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Call for Submissions: Oregon Humanities
Oregon Humanities invites submissions for its Fall 2007 issue on the theme of “Domesticity.”
The notions of house, home, and family have long figured prominently in the American imagination, appearing as tropes in literature, film, and art, and influencing humanities work in such fields as gender studies, geography, sociology, anthropology, and economics. These notions have become particularly significant in contemporary culture, from daily news about the cooling housing market and the fallout from sub-prime lending, to the prevalence of shelter and home décor magazines, books, and TV shows. As we negotiate these myriad commercial and cultural constructions of house and home on a daily basis, how are our interactions with family and community affected? How do our roles as public and private citizens develop and change?
For the Fall 2007 issue of Oregon Humanities, we are looking for essays and articles that use the humanities to explore the theme of domesticity. Writers may wish to discuss and explore any of the following ideas: how domesticity figures in our shared culture; representations and narratives of domesticity in history, literature, and contemporary culture; changing conceptions and definitions of house, home, and family; how we define ourselves and create identities through house and home; value systems created and perpetuated through notions of domesticity; social and political catalysts of the home ownership industry; commercial or cultural products of domesticity. We are especially interested in exploring domesticity as it relates to the shifting boundaries between public and private spheres. Specifically, how does our financial and psychological investment in the private space of the house affect our investment in public, common spaces?
We welcome all forms of nonfiction writing, including scholarly essays, journalistic articles, and personal essays. Scholarly and journalistic features in Oregon Humanities typically range between 2,500 and 4,000 words in length. Personal essays, which should not be simply narrative but should also consider larger thematic questions, typically run no longer than 1,500 words. All contributors receive an honorarium. Currently the magazine is distributed to 12,000 readers.
If you are interested in contributing to this discussion on domesticity, please submit a proposal or draft by June 8, 2007, to Kathleen Holt, Editor, Oregon Humanities magazine, Oregon Council for the Humanities, 812 SW Washington St., Suite 225, Portland, Oregon 97205, or kholt@oregonhum.org.
Oregon Humanities is the semiannual magazine of the Oregon Council for the Humanities, an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) that is dedicated to the belief that knowledge and ideas are fundamental to the health of our communities. You can learn more about OCH’s programs, which include Oregon Chautauqua, Humanity in Perspective, and Commonplace Lectures, and read the contents of the current issue of Oregon Humanities at www.oregonhum.org
The notions of house, home, and family have long figured prominently in the American imagination, appearing as tropes in literature, film, and art, and influencing humanities work in such fields as gender studies, geography, sociology, anthropology, and economics. These notions have become particularly significant in contemporary culture, from daily news about the cooling housing market and the fallout from sub-prime lending, to the prevalence of shelter and home décor magazines, books, and TV shows. As we negotiate these myriad commercial and cultural constructions of house and home on a daily basis, how are our interactions with family and community affected? How do our roles as public and private citizens develop and change?
For the Fall 2007 issue of Oregon Humanities, we are looking for essays and articles that use the humanities to explore the theme of domesticity. Writers may wish to discuss and explore any of the following ideas: how domesticity figures in our shared culture; representations and narratives of domesticity in history, literature, and contemporary culture; changing conceptions and definitions of house, home, and family; how we define ourselves and create identities through house and home; value systems created and perpetuated through notions of domesticity; social and political catalysts of the home ownership industry; commercial or cultural products of domesticity. We are especially interested in exploring domesticity as it relates to the shifting boundaries between public and private spheres. Specifically, how does our financial and psychological investment in the private space of the house affect our investment in public, common spaces?
We welcome all forms of nonfiction writing, including scholarly essays, journalistic articles, and personal essays. Scholarly and journalistic features in Oregon Humanities typically range between 2,500 and 4,000 words in length. Personal essays, which should not be simply narrative but should also consider larger thematic questions, typically run no longer than 1,500 words. All contributors receive an honorarium. Currently the magazine is distributed to 12,000 readers.
If you are interested in contributing to this discussion on domesticity, please submit a proposal or draft by June 8, 2007, to Kathleen Holt, Editor, Oregon Humanities magazine, Oregon Council for the Humanities, 812 SW Washington St., Suite 225, Portland, Oregon 97205, or kholt@oregonhum.org.
Oregon Humanities is the semiannual magazine of the Oregon Council for the Humanities, an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) that is dedicated to the belief that knowledge and ideas are fundamental to the health of our communities. You can learn more about OCH’s programs, which include Oregon Chautauqua, Humanity in Perspective, and Commonplace Lectures, and read the contents of the current issue of Oregon Humanities at www.oregonhum.org
Dreams of the West Launch Party
Ooligan Press invites you to join them for a celebration of the release of Dreams of the West: A History of the Chinese in Oregon 1850-1950.
Wednesday, May 23rd
7pm-9pm
Portland Classical Chinese Gardens
NW 3rd & Everett
Portland, Oregon 97209
This event will feature the unique collaboration between the Portland State University Capstone project, CCBA, and Ooligan Press.
Enjoy a Lion Dance by Lee's Family Association and a performance by the CCBA Culture and Dance School. Food provided by Wong's King and beverages by the CCBA.
Business attire is requested. For more information, and to RSVP, contact Richard Louie at 503-957-1830 or geemngon@hotmail.com, or Laura Howe at Ooligan Press at 503-725-9410 or ooligan.dreams@pdx.edu.
HOW TO GET A COPY OF DREAMS OF THE WEST
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event or from your favorite independent bookstore. They also may be ordered directly from Ooligan Press. Until the 1st of June, 2007, no postage will be charged.
To order, Dreams of the West: The History of the Chinese in Oregon, 1850-1950, ISBN 1-932010-13-0, $19.95, make checks or money orders payable to:
Ooligan Press
PO Box 751
Portland, OR 97207
You are also welcome to order by phone (503.725.9748), mail, or email (ooligan@pdx.edu) using any major credit card.
Wednesday, May 23rd
7pm-9pm
Portland Classical Chinese Gardens
NW 3rd & Everett
Portland, Oregon 97209
This event will feature the unique collaboration between the Portland State University Capstone project, CCBA, and Ooligan Press.
Enjoy a Lion Dance by Lee's Family Association and a performance by the CCBA Culture and Dance School. Food provided by Wong's King and beverages by the CCBA.
Business attire is requested. For more information, and to RSVP, contact Richard Louie at 503-957-1830 or geemngon@hotmail.com, or Laura Howe at Ooligan Press at 503-725-9410 or ooligan.dreams@pdx.edu.
HOW TO GET A COPY OF DREAMS OF THE WEST
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event or from your favorite independent bookstore. They also may be ordered directly from Ooligan Press. Until the 1st of June, 2007, no postage will be charged.
To order, Dreams of the West: The History of the Chinese in Oregon, 1850-1950, ISBN 1-932010-13-0, $19.95, make checks or money orders payable to:
Ooligan Press
PO Box 751
Portland, OR 97207
You are also welcome to order by phone (503.725.9748), mail, or email (ooligan@pdx.edu) using any major credit card.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Nothing but Squares Launch Party
Three Muses Press is holding a launch party for Nothing but Squares by T. Litwinchuk on Saturday, May 19 at the Ink and Paper House, 1825 SE 7th Ave. The party is from 4 to 6-ish, with pre-dinner appetizers and beverages served. Attire is casual and airy.
Monday, May 14, 2007
New Release Spotlight: Atherton: The House of Power
Atherton: The House of Power, by Patrick CarmanThis is the first installation of the creative young adult series by best-selling author, Patrick Carman, which introduces the rich world of Atherton, a land with 3 levels: the lush Highlands, rustic Tabletop, and the desolate Flatlands. The story centers primarily around the adventures of young Edgar, an orphan from Tabletop who was raised as a worker in the fig grove. As Edgar secretly climbs the forbidden cliffs to the Highlands, he discovers terrible secrets which will change his world forever. This story shows Edgar's growth from a mischievous loner to an intrepid hero who learns the value of trust and friendship, as he and his new friends unite against horrifying creatures, a power-hungry dictator, and a mad scientist's wicked plots. The book features a detailed new world, rife with intrigue and a strange history that is supplemented with online activities (www.athertonseries.com) explaining fun facts about Atherton and the mysterious Dark Planet. The plot progresses quickly, with plenty of twists and surprises along the way.
The only drawbacks are the lackluster language and—at times—flat character development. Considering the complexity of the themes—including greed, violence, and abuse of power—the language seems too simplistic and almost dull, which is especially apparent in his treatment of characters. Although Carman clearly taken great care to create detailed and captivating personalities to populate his novel, he does not allow his readers to figure this out for themselves. Rather than demonstrate a character’s motives through action or dialogue, Carman simply explains their intentions. This creates a narrative barrier between the readers and characters, because the readers do not need to really engage themselves in the story and characters’ lives to understand them. While this psychologically analytical approach might appeal to an older crowd, I fear it might make connection or identification with the characters difficult for the young target audience. The depiction of the archetypal child characters—brave Edgar, studious Samuel, and the bossy, but clever Isabel—is surprisingly colorless, which is disappointing considering their potential to have vibrant personalities. Likewise, Lord Phineus is certainly malicious, but does not have nearly as mysterious or ominous a presence as he might, because we are told exactly what greedy and malevolent thoughts prompt his actions. Carman needs to give his audience more credit and let his characters speak for themselves. Don't misunderstand me; the strong personalities are there, they are just dwarfed by the dominant narrative presence. Nonetheless, I have no doubts that the intricate world and riveting plot (complete with enthralling cliff-hanger) will be more than sufficient to capture his readers' imaginations, leaving them eager for book two.
-Review by Julie Franks, Indigo Editing, LLC
The only drawbacks are the lackluster language and—at times—flat character development. Considering the complexity of the themes—including greed, violence, and abuse of power—the language seems too simplistic and almost dull, which is especially apparent in his treatment of characters. Although Carman clearly taken great care to create detailed and captivating personalities to populate his novel, he does not allow his readers to figure this out for themselves. Rather than demonstrate a character’s motives through action or dialogue, Carman simply explains their intentions. This creates a narrative barrier between the readers and characters, because the readers do not need to really engage themselves in the story and characters’ lives to understand them. While this psychologically analytical approach might appeal to an older crowd, I fear it might make connection or identification with the characters difficult for the young target audience. The depiction of the archetypal child characters—brave Edgar, studious Samuel, and the bossy, but clever Isabel—is surprisingly colorless, which is disappointing considering their potential to have vibrant personalities. Likewise, Lord Phineus is certainly malicious, but does not have nearly as mysterious or ominous a presence as he might, because we are told exactly what greedy and malevolent thoughts prompt his actions. Carman needs to give his audience more credit and let his characters speak for themselves. Don't misunderstand me; the strong personalities are there, they are just dwarfed by the dominant narrative presence. Nonetheless, I have no doubts that the intricate world and riveting plot (complete with enthralling cliff-hanger) will be more than sufficient to capture his readers' imaginations, leaving them eager for book two.
-Review by Julie Franks, Indigo Editing, LLC
Events for Week of May 14
Tuesday, May 15
Sherman Alexie presents Flight
Where: Powell's City of Books, Burnside
When: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Wednesday, May 16
Elizabeth Berg presents Dream When You're Feeling Blue
Where: Annie Bloom's Books,
7834 SW Capital Hwy.
When: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Thursday, May 17
Paul Hawken presents Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming
Where: Bagdad Theater
3702 SE Hawthorne
When: 7:00 pm
Cost: $5 (tickets available at Bagdad box office or Ticketmaster locations)
Sunday, May 20
Daniel Handler, author of Adverbs, in conversation with Colin Meloy, lead singer of The Decembrists
Where: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
When: 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Sherman Alexie presents Flight
Where: Powell's City of Books, Burnside
When: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Wednesday, May 16
Elizabeth Berg presents Dream When You're Feeling Blue
Where: Annie Bloom's Books,
7834 SW Capital Hwy.
When: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Thursday, May 17
Paul Hawken presents Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming
Where: Bagdad Theater
3702 SE Hawthorne
When: 7:00 pm
Cost: $5 (tickets available at Bagdad box office or Ticketmaster locations)
Sunday, May 20
Daniel Handler, author of Adverbs, in conversation with Colin Meloy, lead singer of The Decembrists
Where: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
When: 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Friday, May 11, 2007
Write a Fake Epigraph and Win a Copy of Jim Crace's Useless America
How are your epigraph-writing skills? Find out by writing a fake epigraph for Crace's Useless America, a book that went on sale at Amazon.com almost a year ago — despite the fact that Crace had never actually written it (read Jim Crace's essay on Useless America in the Guardian). The best epigraph writers will win signed copies of Crace's nonexistent book from Doubleday (a real publisher), which comes complete with fake epigraphs of its own... and is available in a print run of 75 copies exclusive to Powells.com! Click here for more information from Powells.com.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Poetry Contest—June 6 Deadline
Declaration Editing is accepting submissions for its first Four and Twenty Short-Form Poetry Contest. The rules for the contest are simple. Each author may submit two original, unpublished poems that contain no more than twenty words, are no longer than four lines in length, and convey a complete thought.
The deadline for all entries is Wednesday, June 6. There is no set theme for the contest.
Eight poems will be selected in June to be displayed online throughout the summer at Declaration Editing. Winning authors will each receive a copy of
Your Time Has Come, a collection of short poems by Joshua Beckman.
For full submission guidelines and contest rules, please visit Declaration Editing.
The deadline for all entries is Wednesday, June 6. There is no set theme for the contest.
Eight poems will be selected in June to be displayed online throughout the summer at Declaration Editing. Winning authors will each receive a copy of
Your Time Has Come, a collection of short poems by Joshua Beckman.
For full submission guidelines and contest rules, please visit Declaration Editing.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
WiPP Spring Networking Event
Join Women in Portland Publishing for its spring networking event Tuesday, May 22nd at 6 p.m. in the Ecotrust building.
Here is your chance to mingle with Portland’s publishing’s finest, from publishers and reporters to editors and publicity gurus. We encourage you to forward this invitation to your colleagues and friends in the publishing field so they don’t miss it! (This event is open to the public.)
Date: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Place: Ecotrust: Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center
721 NW 9th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
Cost: $20 (nonmembers)
$15 (Friends of WiPP)
$10 (members, students)
Pay at the door, space is limited
(150-200 attendees are expected)
Raffle prizes!
Attire is casual.
Join: Now is a great time to join WiPP! Membership is only $20/year for women in publishing.
Join now and take advantage of the reduced event rates above.
For more information, visit www.womeninpublishing.com.
Fine food and drinks provided by Portland’s Blossoming Lotus. (No-host bar)
We’ll be celebrating the relocation of nationally acclaimed Bitch magazine to Portland, welcoming
their staff as our special guests for the evening.
WiPP and Bitch’s senior staff will be speaking briefly at 7:00 p.m.
Here is your chance to mingle with Portland’s publishing’s finest, from publishers and reporters to editors and publicity gurus. We encourage you to forward this invitation to your colleagues and friends in the publishing field so they don’t miss it! (This event is open to the public.)
Date: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Place: Ecotrust: Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center
721 NW 9th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
Cost: $20 (nonmembers)
$15 (Friends of WiPP)
$10 (members, students)
Pay at the door, space is limited
(150-200 attendees are expected)
Raffle prizes!
Attire is casual.
Join: Now is a great time to join WiPP! Membership is only $20/year for women in publishing.
Join now and take advantage of the reduced event rates above.
For more information, visit www.womeninpublishing.com.
Fine food and drinks provided by Portland’s Blossoming Lotus. (No-host bar)
We’ll be celebrating the relocation of nationally acclaimed Bitch magazine to Portland, welcoming
their staff as our special guests for the evening.
WiPP and Bitch’s senior staff will be speaking briefly at 7:00 p.m.
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