Sonoma County Literary Update

Dear Literary Folk,

Terry is unable to prepare this month’s literary blog; she’s on vacation in Colorado visiting her five-month-old grandson, a totally wonderful excuse. Meanwhile, back on the Sonoma County literary scene, we have plenty to entertain us, too. Here are some highlights.

Hot Summer Nights at Copperfields
Redwood Writers Club and Copperfield’s Books are hosting a series of four readings by a total of 16 club authors on July 9, 16, 23 and 30, At At Copperfield’s Books, Montgomery Village, 775 Village Court, Santa Rosa. More details: www.copperfieldsbooks.com/event/redwood-writers-hot-summer-nights.

Writers Forum News
On July 18, Susan Bono will be conducting a Writers Forum workshop on Imperfection and the Art of Memoir. Perfection may be a recipe for happiness, but it would make for a terrible personal narrative. Memoir is all about imperfection, from our choice of subject matter to the way we portray ourselves as narrators. Explore with Susan how what you don’t know can help you. At Petaluma Copperfield’s (6:30 p.m.). Free. Details: www.copperfieldsbooks.com/event/writers-forum-susan-bono

On June 14, the Argus Courier reported that The Write Spot: Memories, edited by Writers Forum facilitator Marlene Cullen, was the number one bestselling book in Petaluma for the week of June 3-9, topping the Mueller Report. Congratulations, Marlene. Read about it here: www.petaluma360.com/entertainment/9686558-181/petaluma-bestsellers-no-1-book

Sonoma County in Print
Among the books released in June 2019 is Robert Koslowsky’s The Tubbs Fire – A Story of Survival and Recovery. Koslowsky recounts his family’s harrowing escape from California’s most destructive wildfire and their traumatic experiences on the road to recovery. Insurance company barriers, government coercion and over-eager debris removal contractors, obstructionist political leaders, and excessive rebuilding regulations played a major role in their heart-wrenching decision to abandon their beloved Santa Rosa homestead. A tale of desperation and perseverance, The Tubbs Fire – A Story of Survival and Recovery, illuminates the setbacks and day-to-day triumphs on the Koslowsky family’s journey to recovery. More details at: https://thetubbsfire.weebly.com

Go Fund Petaluma Poetry Walk
The annual Petaluma Poetry Walk needs to raise funds to facilitate the event. The Sitting Room has generously stepped up to the plate by providing an umbrella of non-profit status to qualify the Walk for fundraising on GoFundMe. All you poetry lovers can step up, too, at: www.gofundme.com/f/petaluma-poetry-walk-2019. You may also mail a check to PO Box 526, Petaluma, CA 94952-0526. This year join the Walk on September 15, 11 a.m. at the Hotel Petaluma. Updates will be posted at: www.petalumapoetrywalk.org

More Poetry! More!
Friday, July 12, 7:00 p.m. Poetry reading at Sebastapol Copperfield’s featuring Sonoma County Poet Laureate Maya Khosla. Drawing from personal history, ancestry, and explorations ranging from the Bay of Bengal to the Sierra Nevada, the Cascade Mountains, and beyond, Khosla takes readers of her book All the Fires of Wind and Light.into worlds that are among “the best-kept secrets of our forests.”Also reading will be Barbara Swift Brauer, author of Rain, Like A Thief,and Camille Norton, author of A Folio for the Dark. Copperfield’s, 138 Main Street, Sebastopol. More details: www.copperfieldsbooks.com/event/poetry-reading-featuring-maya-khosla

5th Annual COME TO KNOW THE POETS—an afternoon reading on Saturday, July 27, 3:00 p.m. by poets Rebecca del Rio, Kristy Hellum, Pat Nolan, Larry Robinson and Vilma Olsvary Ginzberg, hosted by Sashana Proctor. Beautiful food and classical guitar. Monte Rio Community Center, $17 per person. Call Sashana Proctor for reservations/directions/questions: 707-632-5761.

Wishing you balmy summer days with beaucoup books!

Jo-Anne Rosen
Co-editor, Sonoma County Literary Update