July WordFest offers something for all ages

The next WordFest showcases books for all ages: historical fiction for adults, fantasy for young adults, and an “almost true story” for children on Tuesday, July 8, 6:00-8:00 pm, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1428 22nd Avenue in Longview.

Kay Smith-Blum will discuss the writer’s journey that produced her debut novel, Tangles, a Cold War love story revealing the devastating costs of the birth of the nuclear age. When a harpooned whale provides proof that the Hanford Nuclear Reservation is endangering all life in the Columbia River Basin, young scientist Luke Hinson begins to investigate the danger, while also avenging his father’s death from cancer. Facing his own thyroid cancer diagnosis, Luke fights those intent on keeping the extent of the danger secret.

In the course of his research, he uncovers evidence that Mary Boone, a former neighbor, had embarked on the same treacherous course a decade earlier. Her disappearance may be tied to Hanford’s harmful practices and government-mandated secrecy.

Kay is a fan of mid-20th-century history. The continuing concern about leaking tanks of radioactive waste at the Hanford Nuclear site compelled her to write Tangles, named Book of the Year by the Literary Global Book Awards, and Best Debut Fiction by the American Writing Awards for 2024. She has lived in Seattle for four decades. For more info see  https://www.kaysmith-blum.com

Dawn Shipman will be reading from her YA fantasy novel, Kingdom Lost, (Elk Lake Publishing, 2021), the first in her Lost Stones of Argonia trilogy. A young princess finds herself on the run after her kingdom is overthrown and her father taken captive by the enemy. During her journey, she discovers the gemstone she wears is much more than a family heirloom, and that her world is inhabited by intelligent, non-human beings. If she wants to regain her throne, she must learn to trust those by her side—both human and not.

Dawn knew she wanted to be a writer since before Mrs. Juell’s 10th grade Creative Writing class. Since then, she’s published stories, poetry, plays, puzzles, quizzes, and magazine articles. She believes “freelance writing is the ideal occupation for those who are nosy by nature and who like asking personal questions.”

Jane Kurtz will read from her newest book, Oh, Give Me a Home, an “almost true story” in verse for young readers about when she returned as a child from Ethiopia to the U.S. and spent a year in Boise, Idaho. It’s a story of family, of culture shock, of being a third culture kid, and trying to figure out answers to the question, “Where are you from?” The book was named a Junior Library Guild selection and received a starred review from Kirkus, which calls it “A buoyant, beautiful explication of cultural adjustment as seen through a child’s eyes.”

Jane was born in Portland, Oregon, but spent most of her childhood in Ethiopia where her parents worked for the Presbyterian Church. She is the author of more than 40 children’s books and was part of the faculty of the Vermont College MFA program in Children’s and YA Literature. She volunteers her time for several literacy projects, and has two Ethiopian-American grandchildren.

An open mic will follow the presentations where people can read for 10 minutes.


The monthly gathering of readers and writers meets the second Tuesday of each month, 6:00-8:00 PM, in the fellowship hall of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The events are free and open to the public.

June WordFest looks at the lighter side of life

Amid the national, international, and planetary challenges facing the 21st century, several local Northwest writers will remind us of the light and lighter side of life at the next WordFest on Tuesday, June 10, 6:00-8:00 pm, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1428 22nd Avenue in Longview.

Elmo Shade is a narrative poet who enjoys the art of storytelling. He will be reading several short pieces that range from his childhood days growing up in the South to transitioning to life in the Pacific Northwest.

Elmo is the author of the poetry chapbook, The Dark Side of White Bread: Surviving Our Fathers(Atmosphere Press, 2023), and three additional poetry collections.

He is founder of the first Poetry Open Mic in Camas, Washington, and Youth Uptown Poetry in Vancouver, and currently serves as the Poetry Moves Director for Artstra, a local nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts advocacy group in Vancouver. His work has been published in The SubjectivJournal, Pointed Circle, Nine Cloud JournalWestern Washington Poets Network Anthology, Artstra Poetry Moves, and elsewhere.

Shawn Deal will be reading “The Chosen One,” named one of the top 25 funniest monologues published in 2024: It’s not easy being the Chosen One. The greatest challenge isn’t battling monsters or saving the world from some grand apocalypse; it’s the everyday things, like having to tell your dad you resurrected him after he was killed by a monster, or admitting to him you’re dating a 300-year-old vampire.

Shawn has had a long career in teaching, acting, directing, and producing plays. He is the author of 24 plays and professional monologues that have been produced throughout the United States and in Canada and has won 16 awards in competitions. In this monologue, he explores the ‘chosen one’ genre, while making fun of it. 

Alan Rose will read “We Are Compadres,” a chapter from his novel, As If Death Summoned, about how a well-intentioned team building retreat almost destroyed a staff. When a new executive director assumes the helm of the local AIDS organization, she determines the 30+ employees would benefit from a team building retreat. It’s not one of her better ideas.

Alan is the author of three published novels and one novella. His novel about the AIDS epidemic in Portland, Oregon, As If Death Summoned (Bywater Books/ Amble Press), won the 2021 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year award for the LGBTQ+ category, and was featured in the Oregon Historical Society’s exhibit, “Forty Years of HIV/AIDS in Oregon.” Alan is the book reviewer for The Columbia River Reader, and coordinates WordFest, the monthly gathering of writers and readers in SW Washington. More information at www.alan-rose.com.

An open mic will follow, including WordFest regulars Gloria Sanders on internet dating tips for ninety-year-olds, and, with the election of a new pope, retired judge Ed Putka offers some suggestions for new saints.


The monthly gathering of readers and writers meets the second Tuesday of each month, 6:00-8:00 PM, in the fellowship hall of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The events are free and open to the public.