Life in Coupeville

Last night, I enjoyed listening to several authors read at our local espresso shop, Miriam’s. Faculty from the Whidbey Island Writers Association and students from the MFA program filled the local coffee house. A low-residency program, students come to the island twice a year and attend classes at nearby Fort Casey.

Mark Acito read and sang hilarious excerpts from his two novels, Attack of the Theater People and How I Paid for College. Larry Cheek read from his non-fiction book that is sure to attract wooden boat fans, The Year of the Boat. Kate Gales, a poetess, editor of The LA Review and managing editor of Red Hen Press, wowed us with powerful readings, including those from her book, Mating Season. Finally, Bruce Holland Rogers read several short stories and showed why he has won numerous awards, including a Pushcart Prize, two Nebula Awards, the Bram Stoker Award, two World Fantasy Awards, and has been nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award and Spain’s Premio Ignotus.

Also at the reading was one of the MFA instructors, David Wagoner. If you’re not into the world of poetry, I’ll just say, he’s someone you should read. He’s written 17 books of poetry, his latest nominated for both the LA Times Book Prize and…the Pulitzer Prize.

This Thursday, the 21st, another reading will be held at Miriam’s. The event starts at 6, with readings beginning at 7:15. It’s open to the public and free of charge. Readings include: Marvin Bell, poetry; John Calderazzo, fiction, nonfiction; Christopher Howell, poetry; and Carolyne Wright, poetry, nonfiction. Books will be available for sale and for signings by the authors.

Miriam’s is located on South Main Street, Coupeville, right next to the elementary school. Hope to see you there!