Three local writers share works from their imagination at WordFest on Tuesday, November 11, 6:00-8:00 pm, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1428 22nd Avenue in Longview.
Retired Longview librarian Hans Schaufus will read a short Christmas story, “The Three Second Dream,” a light-hearted tale of a graffiti artist and a museum director set in Portland and Paris. It is the latest in a series of holiday stories Hans has been writing each year since 1996.
Retired judge Ed Putka often writes humorous stories based on his early years growing up in his Polish neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. His latest story is set around the old neighborhood church when the 142nd Street Altar Boy Gang have their showdown with the parish custodian.
Mystery writer Tom Larsen reads from Insomnia Blues, the fourth installment of his Jason Freeh Mystery Series. As he approaches his sixty-fifth birthday, Freeh is mourning the loss of his longtime girlfriend and common-law wife. A simple job—delivering a subpoena to a homeless street kid—turns into a complex case involving embezzlement, identity theft, campaign donor fraud, and ultimately murder. Freeh couldn’t care less who murdered Richard Asher until the killer tries to implicate him.
An open mic will follow the presentations where people can read for 10 minutes. (Open Mic sign-up sheet is on the center table when you arrive.)
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.
WordFest will reconvene for the new year on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.