Florence Festival of Books

Florence Events Center,

FlorenceFestivalofBooks.org

715 Quince St. | 541-997-1994

Supplement to the Siuslaw News September 2021

www.eventcenter.org

Keynote by Melody Carlson Free with ticket Friday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m.

Path from Writer to Author Free Panel Discussion Friday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m.

Saturday, September 18 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Authors, Publishers & Hundreds of Books

2 | Florence Festival of books | September 17 & 18, 2021

Florence Festival W

B ooks

September 17 & 18, 2021 | Florence Festival of books | 3

elcome to the 10th Florence Festival of Books — a book fair for authors, publishers and readers.

Here books are celebrated; real books with pages that you turn. We are pleased to be back after an unexpected year off and will follow all COVID restrictions, to make our event as safe as possible. So, bring your mask.

In addition, we have one-third fewer tables so attendees can social distance, and we will be monitoring how many people are in the building.

This year, we are proud to welcome a number of authors who have never participated in the festival before, as well as those who’ve participated previously.

2021 SPONSORS

Altogether, more than 50 authors — whose writing covers a variety of genres — and several publishers — ready to talk about their writers’ books and to listen to wannabe writers — will be participating.

The Book Fair takes place on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is your opportunity to meet and speak with these authors and publishers. Each book you purchase can be personalized for you or as a gift.

For those of you reading this prior to Sept. 18, our Friday, Sept. 17, events includes a panel discussion from 3 to 4:30 p.m. between Bob Welch and William Sullivan with the topic “The Path from Writer to Author.”

These are two of the most

Presented by FACE & the Florence Festival of Books Planning Committee

of

popular and rebooks has Florence’s Siuslaw spected authors River Bridge on the cover! in Oregon, and All Florence Festival we are fortunate of Books events are free to have them. and take place at the There will be Florence Events Center, plenty of time for 715 Quince St. Come and audience participahelp celebrate our 10th miletion. stone year.

At 7 p.m. on Friday, the KeyA special thank you to our note Speaker is Melody Carlson, sponsors for making this year’s one of America’s most prolific event possible. and beloved romance writers.

— Co-Chairs Judy Fleagle She writes for teens and tweens & Meg Spencer as well as grownups and usually has an eagerly anticipated Florence Festival of Books is Christmas book. At least one of presented by Florence Arts, her books has been made into Culture & Entertainment a Hallmark movie and she has (FACE, formerly Friends of the won numerous awards.

Florence Events Center) We are fortunate to have her, and the Florence Festival of also. And a bonus: one of her Books Planning Committee.

— FOUNDER SPONSOR —

Florence Elks Lodge #1858

— CHAPTER SPONSOR — — BETWEEN THE LINES — Ladies of Elks Oregon Pacific Bank Chad Clement, D.D.S. Bob & Bonnie MacDuffee River Cities Taxi R.W. Hoagland/N.R. Siuslaw District Library Archer Port Hole Publishing • — VERSE SPONSOR — Ellen Traylor Maire Testa Jim & Sally Rash — LINE SPONSOR — Bodega Wines • Florence Regional Arts Marianne Brisbane Alliance Dick & Harriet Smith Pacific Publishing Burn’s Riverside Chapel Kevin Mittge Hoagland Properties Karen D. Nichols Florence Rotary Club

4 | Florence Festival of books | September 17 & 18, 2021

Keynote Speaker and Best Seller

A uthor M elody C arlson

T

he Florence Festival of Books is excited to present best-selling author Melody Carlson as the Friday night Keynote Speaker. Carlson is the author of nearly 300 books, including “Courting Mr. Emerson,” “Once Upon a Summertime,” “The Christmas Swap” and others.

Carlson will speak at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. Tickets for this event are free, but you must register in advance at eventcenter.org or 541-997-1994.

With sales topping seven million, Carlson is one of Oregon’s most popular authors, but she sees herself primarily as a “storyteller.”

Writing predominantly for women, teens, and children, her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (“Finding Alice”) to lighter topics like house-flipping (“A Mile in My Flip-Flops”). But most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (“Diary of a Teenage Girl” and “True Colors”) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year.

Carlson’s most recent Christmas novella (being published this month) is “A Christmas in the Alps.” After a time of heartache and loss, Simone Winthrop discovers a tantalizing letter from her French great-grandmother, which seems to suggest that she is heir to a family treasure. Ever practical, Simone assumes the claim is baseless, but her best friend encourages her to find out

for sure. Despite her deep-rooted fear of flying, Simone boards a jet to travel to Paris at Christmastime to uncover the truth. During the long flight, Simone meets the charming Kyle Larsson, who’s on his way to France to become an apprentice clockmaker. Though they abruptly part ways, an unexpected rendezvous in the French Alps at Simone’s family clock factory may lead to the discovery of the family treasure … and so much more.

Her book “All Summer Long” was turned into a Hallmark movie in 2019, and several more are in the works, though delayed by COVID. A film version of “The Happy Camper” is scheduled to begin production in late October.

Carlson has won a number of awards, including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita Award (given by the Romance Writers of America) and the Gold Medallion.

Carlson, who has two grown sons, lives in central Oregon, with her husband and yellow lab.

She is a frequent guest at the Florence Festival of Books.

There is no cost to attend this year’s keynote address, but you must register in advance. Visit the Florence Festival of Books website for a link to the keynote registration.

2021 Florence Festival of Books Planning Committee Judy Fleagle, co-chair & co-founder Meg Spencer, co-chair Bonnie MacDuffee, treasurer Aleia Bailey, secretary & FEC liaison Kevin Mittge Karen D. Nichols Ellen Traylor With part-time members: Victoria Sharbowski Maire Testa

September 17 & 18, 2021 | Florence Festival of books | 5

Florence locals participate in the Festival T here are many fine writers in Florence, many of whom are published authors. This year several are participating in the 10th Florence Festival of Books (FFOB) along with their books. And that’s not all!

There is one publisher who will be there, as well as the Siuslaw School District Writers. These kids show that you can be an author at any age.

AUTHORS Pattie Brooks Anderson has written her first novel, “Sea Change,” about a woman who completely changes her life when she moves to the Oregon Coast.

Anderson is also author and illustrator of two ecological-themed children’s books, “Enchanted” and “Star and Raven’s Legend — the Spirit Bears of the Great Bear Rainforest.”

Cy Bishop is a speculative fiction writer who lives in Florence with her family.

She loves any fiction where reality need not apply, and it shows in her books.

When not writing, she can be found reading, knitting, or spending way too much time on Netflix.

Judy Fleagle, co-founder of FFOB, taught first- and second-graders for 22 years before moving to Florence. Since

then, she has been an editor and staff writer for Oregon Coast and Northwest Travel magazines for 21 years and written six books since retiring in 2009. Her latest book is “The Cancer Blog — for those who have had cancer and for those who haven’t.”

Christopher and Ellen Huntingdon are natives of the Oregon Coast. Growing up together in the City of Florence, the two have shared many adventures since. These include attending Temple University’s Japan Campus and living four years abroad in Tokyo, which heavily inspired their debut novel, “A Simple Thought of Sanity.” The two are happily married, and on most days, they enjoy the quiet life at home with their fur baby Ornstein. Their life experiences have helped them to form their driving maxim as authors: Strangers in strange lands tell strange tales.

Marie Neder believes her purpose is to assist individuals — through the art of journaling and documenting — with the ability to be involved in their own well-being. Each of her books includes a magnetic bookmark with the book covers’ image. At the Book Fair, she plans to give away two books through a drawing.

Karen D. Nichols is an author and artist, who has written eight novels and a memoir of short stories, the precursor to her column “The Moral of the Story,” which runs monthly in the Siuslaw

News. All her novels are page-turners, offering suspense, adventure, a love story, a dog story and an intriguing ending.

Find her books on Amazon or at Backstreet Gallery in Florence.

Carolyn Nordahl came to Oregon as an infant and has remained here her entire life. She has always been an artist of sorts her whole life, and her career was as a graphic artist at the Siuslaw News for 39 years. She has written a book about her childhood and put together a pictorial book about the family’s two cats and continues as an artist — a successful watercolor artist.

Richard Nordahl has been an Oregon resident since he was a small child and has lived in the Florence area most of that time. His stories have come to him in his dreams, and most have been inspired by life experiences. To date, he has written four books, and at the moment, he is tempted to take on another writing project.

Nancy Rhodes moved to Florence eight years ago from Northern California. “Blue Song,” her first published novel, was inspired by her passion for whales and her love of Chile — where she lived for many years. She is currently working on the second book in The Blue Trilogy.

WRITERS GROUP Siuslaw School District Writers in-

volves student and adult writers and illustrators under the guidance of Kassy Keppol to produce published books.

These student books are sold so that students can have a book signing experience. And the money raised is used for publication of the next book. Many students from first grade through high school have participated in the making of the books.

PUBLISHER Robert Serra/Maple Creek Press, former editor of the Siuslaw News and former publisher of Pacific Publishing, is now publisher of Maple Creek Press at Siltcoos, Ore. He is a designer of fine books, such as “The Crossings Guide to Oregon’s Coastal Spans,” “The Oregon Coast Guide to the UNEXPECTED” and the recent release “The Cancer Blog,” all by local author Judy Fleagle. His latest work, “The Covered Bridge Murders” by Jerry Rust and Serra’s “Papers: Writings of a Weekly Newspaper Editor,” are recent additions to his portfolio.

These authors will have their books for sale and the publisher will have books he has published on display. Any books purchased can be signed and personalized. Who knows! Some of these Festival of Books’ participants may be your friends or even your next-door neighbors!

— Judy Fleagle, FFOB Co-founder and Co-chair

6 | Florence Festival of books | September 17 & 18, 2021

Festival Founder Level Sponsorship honors Dick Smith

A

lthough Connie Bradley and I consider ourselves the founders of the Florence Festival of Books, it wouldn’t have happened without a behind-the-scenes nudge from Dick Smith.

When Connie and I were discussing the latest book fair we had attended back in May 2011 when we each had our first published book, we mentioned that it was outside and windy and how those in the shade were cold and those in the sun were too warm and the wind blew over cups with water or coffee and ruined some books. And everyone was so crammed together, that I had to climb over stuff to get to my seat.

We said something like, “If we were doing it, we would have it inside with plenty of room and monitor beverages.”

Dick Smith was right there and overheard the conversation. He said, “So, have your own book fair?”

(From left) Judy Fleagle, Dick Smith, and Connie Bradley all had a part in founding the Florence Festival of Books, but without Dick Smith’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering, the FFOB never would have happened.

We looked at him like he was nuts and said, “Are you kidding? No way!”

Then we went home and forgot about it, . . . but not Dick.

The next day, I received a call from him, saying that he had gone to the Florence Events Center and

tion, it would never have happened.

Connie and I were totally surprised, felt out-maneuvered, and had no clue about how to proceed.

But we did agree to give it a try.

We put both Dick and Kevin on the committee, where they stayed the first few years. Dick also did some arm-twisting to get some topnotch folks on that committee the first year. In spite of not knowing what we were doing, the Florence Festival of Books was a success from the get-go.

So, on this 10th milestone year, we honor Dick Smith as the founder (aka instigator) of the Florence Festival of Books. Without his behind-the-scenes maneuvering, it never would have happened. New this year, we have as the highest level of sponsorship, the Founder’s Level, in honor of Dick Smith.

he and FEC Director Kevin Rhodes thought a book fair was a great idea and marked Oct. 1 as a date for it.

And they thought that Connie and I would make good co-chairs.

So, that was how it started.

Without Dick’s behind-the-scenes — Judy Fleagle, FFOB Co-foundmaneuvering and Kevin’s coopera- er & Co-chair

STRATEGIES TO BRING A NOVEL TO LIFE

Sitting down to write a novel is a dream shared by writers and non-writers alike, and the digital age has made it possible for writers of all backgrounds to get their works out there.

There are somewhere between 600,000 and one million books published every year in the U.S. alone.

Writing a novel requires dedication and, for many writers, dealing with the frustration that often comes with getting a story out of your head and onto a page. These guidelines may help budding authors pen the next great novel.

• Find an idea with staying power.

Many popular novels follow similar themes and create interest through the promise of conflict or dramatic tension. Books that can slide into the existing market and appeal to a defined audience may be more well-received than novels that try to break the mold.

• Set goals. In order to publish and sell a novel, you first have to produce a finished product. Develop a process that works for you. Create an outline of the story to keep ideas on track and organized. Create a calendar that establishes daily writing goals. Write at the same time each day for a specific length to make writing an automatic task.

• Consider an agent. Many publishers will not look at a novel unless it is presented through an agent. If you feel your novel has potential, find an agent who can help market your story to various publishers.

• Get an editor. The writing resource Now Novel advises aspiring writers to hire an editor who has experience and can turn your novel into the best possible version of itself. A good editor will have knowledge of the publishing industry and understand what major publishers look for.

These are some initial steps that can help writers transform their ideas into manuscripts.

Nancy Lane Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nancy Lane graduated from UCLA with a major in Mathematics and a

minor in English. After years of industry related writing, Nancy decided to pursue creative writing and zeroed in on the short story form as the most immediate and exciting way to build worlds, create engaging characters, and promote positive themes. Her short stories have appeared in numerous online publications, such as, Chantwood Magazine, Scarlet Leaf Review, and Fiction on the Web. One also appeared in the print anthology, The Best of Fiction on the Web. Nancy lives in Oregon where she is a member of Willamette Writers and enjoys networking within the robust presence of writers in Portland, her previous location of twenty-two years, and in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon where she and her husband moved in 2019. In 2020, Open Books Publishing released her collection of sixteen short stories, “Pretty Chrysanthemum and Other Stories.”

Her collection reminds readers how family is at the core of human experience and how relationships, especially those between parent and child, rely on the power of love to overcome challenges. Amelia Gilliland of Library Thing Early Reviewers rated this book five-star and wrote, “I knew after reading the first story, Pretty Chrysanthemum, this would be a book I read quickly. Such a wonderful collection of stories that I definitely recommend.”

Nancy enjoys sharing insights about the book and revealing where the plot and character ideas came from. She has presented during online events hosted

by Annie Bloom’s Books in Portland, Josephine Community Library, and Jackson County Library Services, but is excited for the opportunity to chat directly with book lovers. At the Florence Festival of Books, she

will sign copies of her book and offer discounted pricing for holiday gift purchases and sets for book clubs. Her book is also available online at Open Books Publishing (open-bks.com) and Amazon. Contact Nancy Lane at nancyleelane@comcast.net.

Award-winning journalist and novelist Lori Tobias, who has been living and writing on the Pacific Coast for over 20 years will be making an appearance at the Florence Festival of Books. Storm Beat offers a behind-the-scenes look from the experiences of a working journalist covering the Oregon Coast.

Her novel Wander won the 2017 Nancy Pearl Book Award for Best Fiction from the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.

Florence Festival of Books… Sept 17 – 18, 2021 Florence Event Center … 715 Quince Street, Florence, OR 97439 Call 541.997.1994 for more information

8 | Florence Festival of books | September 17 & 18, 2021

2021 Florence Festival of Books Map

10th annual festival fills the flat floor at the Florence Events Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18

Florence Festival of Books Participants

September 17 & 18, 2021 | Florence Festival of books | 9

Table No.

Author/Publisher

1 — Dan Armstrong 2 — Ken Babbs 3 — Leslie Compton 3 — Suzanne Parrott 3 & 4 — First Steps Publishing 4 — Glenn Voelz 5 — Marianne Worth Rudd 6 — Lori Tobias 7 — Hope Lyda 8 — Carolyn Nordahl 8 — Richard Nordahl 9 — Bob Serra & Maple Creek Press 10 — Stephen Christiansen 11 — Jeff Bolkan 11 — Sharleen Nelson 11 & 12 — GladEye Press 12 — Guy Maynard 12 — Patricia Brown 13 — Karen D.Nichols 14 — CE Huntingdon 14 — Ellen Huntingdon 15 — Roger McReynolds 16 — James Ross Kelly 17 — Luminare Press & Patricia Marshall 18 — William “Bill” Sullivan 19 — Bob Welch 20 — Bonnie J. Olin 21 — Linda Lochard

Table No.

Author/Publisher

22 — Candice Thomas 22 — Marie Neder 23 — Ty Davis 24 — Nancy Rhodes 24 — Pattie Brooks Anderson 25 — Joe R. Blakely 26 — Siuslaw School District Writers 27 — Jennifer Chambers 28 — Nancy Lane 29 — Les Joslin 30 — Solber Martinez 31 — Lee Barckmann 32 — George Byron Wright 33 — Chris Smart 34 — David Turner 36 — Patsy Brookshire 37 — Oregon State University Press 38 — Lynn Ash 39 — Robert Leo Heilman 40 — Donna McFarland 41 — Jean Moule 42 — Evelyn Searle Hess 43 — Mike Pungercar 44 — Cy Bishop 46 — Francesca G. Varela 47 — H.S. Contino 48 — Judy Fleagle

New from Bob Welch.

The rare war story with a happy ending.

“Bob Welch has unearthed history that transcends the battlefield and culminates in a story about peace, forgiveness, and humanity.”

— Tony Brooks, author, “Leave No Man Behind”

“A quintessential tale. Once read, never to be forgotten.”

— Erik Jendresen, lead writer of HBO’s “Band of Brothers”

Meet Welch at the festival 10 am-1 pm Saturday email: bobwelch23@gmail.com

website: bobwelchwriter.com

TIRED OF BAD NEWS? NEED HOPE? Wondering how YOU can make a difference?

Read uplifting true stories of people power in Shoulder to Shoulder “If there is hope to be found in these troubled times, it is in the life lessons of people like these.”

—Richard Heinberg, senior fellow Post Carbon Institute “Above all, these are stories of the joys and accomplishments that come when people resolve to create a common path forward.”

—Kathleen Dean Moore, author of Earth’s Wild Music “Shoulder to Shoulder offers a powerful call to action to those who would undertake the difficult visionary work of community building.”

—Scott Slovic, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Humanities, University of Idaho

Also by author Eveyln Searle Hess Memoir of 15 years houseless plus PNW natural history Memoir of a search to find ways to live in balance with nature and each other more information at: evelynsearlehess.com

A S����� T������ �� S����� Brutus sees himself as just an average salaryman living in the City. Every day he puts on his alabaster Face and lives the life that is expected of him. Unbeknownst to Brutus, he has been picked to be the catalyst that changes the City and the lives of everyone in it. What was a chance occurrence at a café alters the course of his very identity, sending him down a spiral of self-discovery and sanity-inspiring events.

But not all revolutionaries are heroes, and not all revolutions bring about a better age. Follow Brutus as he discovers how much more there is to living, and the violent consequences that change his world forever and the generations that follow after. “...Huntingdon’s debut novel evokes a stark, apathetic dystopia and the inevitable revolution that follows...Minimalist, surreal, and graceful, this parable reveals a disposable and sterile culture on the verge of demise...Readers who enjoy dystopian worlds will immerse themselves in this bleak, totalitarian society coated in an eerie tone of dread and dismay.

Great for fans of: Anthony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange, Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We.” —BookLife Reviews “ The emotive and bizarro elements make A Simple Thought of Sanity quite the ride, toeing the line between reason and madness, reality and illusion, stability and transformation.”

—Electra Nanou, Reedsy Christopher and Ellen Huntingdon are natives of the Oregon Coast. Growing up together in the city of Florence, the two have shared many adventures since, including attending Temple University's Japan Campus, and living four years abroad in Tokyo.

They are happily married and on most days enjoy the quiet life at home with their fur baby Ornstein. Their life experiences have helped them to form their driving maxim as authors: strangers in strange lands tell strange tales.

Find more at cehuntingdon.com

Meet Our Authors Florence Festival of Books 2021

SHARLEEN NELSON The Time Tourists Coming 2022: The Yesterday Girl

More from GladEye Press

JULIE BOLKAN Teaching in Alaska What I learned in the Bush

PATRICIA BROWN A Recipe for Dying Dying for Diamonds Under A Dying Moon Dying to Win

AUTHOR S! Ask us ab out our new serv ic how to p es and ublish wit h GladEye P ress!

12 | Florence Festival of books | September 17 & 18, 2021

The Path from Writer to Author Friday features a free author panel discussion with two Oregon authors T

he 2021 Florence Festival of Books panel discussion takes place Friday, Sept. 17, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. This free event is open to the public.

In “The Path from Writer to Author,” the panel discussion will be between Bob Welch and William “Bill” Sullivan, two of the most admired and successful authors in Oregon.

Though they took different paths to success, Welch and Sullivan did intersect, as both were columnists for many years at Eugene’s Register-Guard. More similarities include, they both live in the Eugene/Springfield area, each now has 20+ books to their credit, each has been honored for their work and each has a family cabin they can escape to at the coast.

Welch is an award-winning newspaper columnist and author of 20+ books including “The Wizard of Foz,” “American Nightingale,” the “My Oregon” series, “52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Cascade Summer.”

He is also an inspirational speaker and a writing teacher who holds workshops each year and has served as an adjunct professor of journalism at the

Bob Welch

Bill Sullivan

University of Oregon.

San Diego author Mike Yorky calls Bob Welch, “the most eclectic writer in America.”

Welch has written books about World War II and children’s books, hiking books and books about fathers and sons, books inspired by his favorite movies and plays, books about sports and military nurses, as well as at least three books that are collections of his newspaper columns. Yes indeed, you can call his writing eclectic!

Sullivan is best known for his hiking guide books. He continually re-hikes the trails.

His five-book “100 Hikes” series are updated every year to keep up with storm damage, fires, construction and changing fee systems. Each of the five books covers 100 hikes in different regions within Oregon.

His “Listening for Coyote” was selected as one of the 100 most significant books in Oregon history by the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission. It chronicles his two-month, solo journey of 1,361 miles from Oregon’s westernmost point at Cape Blanco on the coast to Oregon’s easternmost point in Hells Canyon.

He has also written six novels, three Oregon travel and adventure books, two Oregon histories and two adventure memoirs. This fifth generation Oregonian is a guest lecturer on Oregon history, backpacking, and wilderness conservation topics.

The panel discussion will be held in the theater at the Florence Events Center from 3 to 4:30 p.m. with plenty of time for audience questions.

— Judy Fleagle, FFOB Co-founder & Co-chair

Be the FACE of Florence arts, culture & entertainment

FACE.

The label says it all — Florence Arts, Culture & Entertainment. It’s what we love, what we support, what we value, and what we strive to provide to the greater Florence area.

Maybe you do too. If so, we’d love you to join us.

Our goals are to enrich lives, advance culture, entertain audiences, raise funds for capital improvements and sustained maintenance, provide grants for local nonprofit performing arts groups, and to host engaging events

that raise money to keep the fabulous Florence Events Center fabulous. We’re an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit formerly known as Friends of the Florence Events Center.

Maybe you’ve heard about some of our events: the Florence Festival of Books, Art Gallery Galas, everyone’s favorite Indoor Yard Sale, Dancing with Sea Lions, and the famous Florence Winter Music Festival, featuring the Kiwanis Kids Concerts for area elementary school students.

When you join FACE, you will have

insider access to many FEC events and the opportunity to work with everyone from internationally touring performers to area kindergartners.

In addition, you have voting rights to help shape the future of Florence’s Arts, Culture & Entertainment at the Florence Events Center.

If you are interested in making these fantastic and fun events happen, or if you just value the local treasure known

as the FEC, please join us. You will gain the deep satisfaction that comes from providing meaningful work towards advancing Arts, Culture & Entertainment in Florence, and will be a hero to the thousands of people who use the facility each year. All financial contributions made to FACE are tax-deductible.

Please call FACE at 541-997-1994, or mail or drop off a check at the FEC, 715 Quince St. in Florence.

Mourning Loss of Committee Member

Ellen Traylor was a part of the Florence Festival of Books Planning Committee from its inception. Here she is with Keynote Speaker Phillip Margolin at the 2016 festival.

The Florence Festival of Books Planning Committee mourns the loss of one of its members. Ellen Traylor passed away on Sept. 3, 2021, much to the shock and disbelief of committee members. She had just emailed the committee the day before.

None of the members can quite believe it yet.

Ellen had been a part of the committee since its inception in 2011. Although she had recently moved to Nashville, Tenn., she wanted to remain on the committee. She was able to spread the word about the book festival to her extensive mailing list, kept the FFOB Facebook page up to date, and provided wise council through Zoom at the meetings.

Ellen Gunderson Traylor was a novelist and the owner of Port Hole Books in Gardiner, Ore., which had a sales room in Historic Old Town Florence.

“America’s Foremost Biblical Novelist,” she was a gifted storyteller who brought characters of the Bible to life. Her many bestselling novels have sold about a million copies in English, with numerous foreign translations. Her novels include “Song of Abraham;” “Ruth — A Love Story;” “Jonah;” “Esther;” “Joseph — Dreamer of Dreams” and more.

We mourn her loss and will miss her. Rest in peace, Ellen.

— The Florence Festival of Books Planning Committee

September 17 & 18, 2021 | Florence Festival of books | 13

G reat gifts for book lovers

Books are very popular gifts come the holiday season. Genres that run the gamut from fantasy to nonfiction ensure there’s a book out there for everyone. But finding the right gift for a book-loving loved one may not be as easy as it seems.

Avid readers may have personal book collections that rival local libraries, so it can be difficult to find something they haven’t already read. In addition, asking them what’s on their wish list of books can remove the element of surprise from holiday gift-giving.

Fortunately, shoppers can still light up their favorite book lovers’ eyes this holiday season, even if they’re not giving them a recent bestseller.

• Bookshelf: E-readers may provide instant access to millions of books, but many avid readers still prefer physical books. Bookshelves can make the perfect gift for book

K ids benefit from being read to

Reading aloud to children is one of the joys of parenting. All children, whether they’re infants, toddlers or school-aged, can benefit from being read to, and parents whose youngsters have grown up often look back on story time as some of their favorite moments as moms and dads.

Reading aloud to children is about more than just establishing a bond between parent and child.

According to Reading Rockets, a national public media literacy initiative, children as young as infants can benefit from being read to. Infants can look at pictures as their parents point to them and say the names of the various objects with-

lovers who take great pride in their home libraries. Bookshelves come in all shapes, sizes and styles, from ladder bookcases to floating bookshelves to built-ins. A basic understanding of your loved one’s home decor preferences is all you need to find a bookshelf that can blend in seamlessly in his or her reading room.

• Audio book subscription: Audio book subscription services have grown in popularity in recent years. These services make it possible for busy readers to devour their favorite books while commuting to and from work or running daily errands in the car. Amazon’s Audible membership provides readers with a host of benefits, including discounts on audiobook purchases, monthly credits toward anything available through the service and even complimentary digital newspaper subscriptions.

• Bookends: Book lovers tend to put a lot of effort into designing their reading rooms. Decorative bookends, which can have a humorous angle or tie into a theme that correlates to readers’ favorite literary genre (i.e., boat bookends for lovers of maritime histories), can make for great, unique gifts.

• Embosser: Embossers allow readers to put their personal stamps on every book in their collections. That not only adds a unique touch to readers’ personal libraries, but also may increase the chances that the books they loan out to friends and family members are ultimately returned. After all, who wouldn’t return a book to its original owner when that book has been personally embossed?

Many items make the perfect gift for book lovers, as well as (or especially) actual books.

in them. By drawing attention to the pictures and associating words with them and real-world objects, parents are helping infants learn the importance of language.

Kids of all ages can benefit from being read to, even after they learn to read on their own. The following are a handful of ways that reading aloud to children can benefit them.

• Reading to children dramatically expands their vocabulary. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics found that young children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard roughly 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to.

• Reading to children expands their imaginations. Research has shown that children who activate their imaginations through being

read to develop higher activity in the area of their brain that’s responsible for cultivating mental images and deciphering and comprehending verbal cues.

• Reading can help kids learn to focus. Parents of young children know that such youngsters rarely sit still for any significant length of time. However, when being read to, young children will learn to sit still for the duration of the book.

That can help them learn to focus, a benefit that will pay dividends when children begin school.

• Reading to children can speak to children’s interests or emotional needs. Children’s favorite stories may speak to their emotional needs and interests. That’s why so many youngsters insist on reading a favorite book over and over again.

Reading to children can benefit them in myriad ways.

14 | Florence Festival of books | September 17 & 18, 2021

How to find more time to read

Avid readers know that a good book can be a great escape. In addition to being a go-to hobby on rainy days and a great way to get away from the daily grind, reading can have a profound impact on mental health.

A 2013 study published in the journal Brain Connectivity used MRI scans to measure the effects of reading on the brain. The scans showed that reading not only triggered brain connectivity while reading, but also continued to do so for days afterward.

The dawn of a new year is widely seen as a great time for people to make positive changes, and many of those are rooted in personal growth. If that personal growth involves reading more, then the following are some ways people can

find more time to get away with a good book.

• Take a book to the gym. Weightlifting and reading might not be a match made in heaven, but taking an e-reader along with you to the treadmill, elliptical or exercise bike can be great way to pass the time while breaking a sweat. Instead of firing up a streaming service during your cardiovascular workout, bring an e-reader and read a book.

That can make your workout twice as beneficial because you’ll be working out your body and your brain at the same time.

• Hit the books before bed.

Many people find time to read right before going to bed each night. Reading before bed is a great time to get some reading in, and it also can benefit readers in a unique way. A 2009 study from researchers at the University of Sussex found that six minutes of reading be-

fore bed reduces to audiobooks. It might not be stress by 68 per- quite the same as reading a cent. print book, but it’s still a great way to dive into a good story.

• Listen to books while com• Turn the television off. muting. While it Data collected from Nielsen takes some get- in 2018 found that the average ting used to, lis- adult now spends nearly six tening to audio- hours per day watching televibooks is another sion, videos on a smartphone way to indulge or tablet and/or videos on dein a good book. vices connected to their televiThough various sions. Adults who want to find studies have suggested audio- more time to read may need to books can lead to lower lev- just turn off their televisions els of reading comprehension and devices and spend more than reading traditional print time reading than watching books, people with hectic videos. schedules may need to give a little to get a little.

Reading more can be a great Professionals with long way to grow as a person and commute times can turn their that growth can have a prodaily drives to and from the of- found effect on readers’ overall fice into opportunities to listen health.

How families can utilize their local library

Local libraries are invaluable community resources, and that value has become even more apparent during the pandemic.

Parents can utilize local libraries in various ways, each of which can help fill youngsters’ time during those hours when school is not in session.

• Online story time: In normal times, many libraries host in person story time sessions for young children. Many libraries have been unable to host in person story time since the start of the pandemic. But those same libraries may have transitioned to online story time. For example, the New York Public Library

in New York City hosts weekday story times through its website.

During such sessions, librarians read books, sing songs and even share literacy tips. An archive of story times is available at www. nypl.org/education/kids/storytime, and many local libraries offer similar services.

• Craft sessions: Some libraries even offer free craft projects to members. Supplies can be picked up at the library on predetermined days of the week, and then families can work on the projects together at home or with other families through Zoom calls hosted by library employees. Parents can inquire with

their local libraries to see if such programs are available in their communities.

• Academic support: Some local libraries even offer academic support, which can be especially valuable in the era of virtual learning when kids have little one-on-one time with their teachers. Tutoring services may be available via a local library, which also may supply supplemental materials like interactive learning tools that can bring lessons to life.

Local libraries can help families confront the academic and social challenges posed by the pandemic.

September 17 & 18, 2021 | Florence Festival of books | 15 Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges, $24.95. The right man at the right place at the right time created one of the world’s greatest collection of bridges. Makes a great gift for bridge aficionados or engineering types. --Pacific Publishing NEW: UPDATED EDITION!!

The Crossings Guide to Oregon’s Coastal Spans, $15. Travel the coast from bridge to bridge––full-page color photos. Don’t travel 101 without it. Put in your backpack or keep in your glove compartment. Makes a great souvenir.

--Pacific Publishing Around Florence, $21.99. The history of Florence from 1876 to the present is told through 184 photos, most of which are historic and from the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum.

Makes a great gift for newcomers to the area.

––Arcadia Publishing, Images of America series

Devil Cat and Other Colorful Animals I Have Known, $24.95. Five amazing animal stories of which four are of rescue animals that made great pets. Written as they actually occurred, these stories form a memoir of the author’s life as seen through her most remarkable pets.

Great illustrations by local artist Karen D. Nichols.

--Pacific Publishing The Oregon Coast Guide to the UNEXPECTED, $20.

Twenty-six definitely odd, most unusual, and truly quirky locales on the Oregon coast, from Astoria to near California state line. Some man-made, some created by nature or show nature in action. But all are unexpected!

––Maple Creek Press (formerly Pacific Publishing)

The Cancer Blog, $15. The author’s blog posts during chemo were shared with others who told her over and over they would make a great book. Six years later, she finally agreed and used 16 posts. This book has something for everyone. --Maple Creek Press

crossingsauthor.com/books

541-997-9170 • Judy Fleagle

It will be one for the books!

­

Stephen Christiansen Come Meet Award Winning Author Stephen Christensen Are you’re looking for a new book series because he has a great Fantasy one; The Orbbelgguren Series has seventeen core books and several offshoots that crosses great landscapes, the underdark, the high seas, planar travel, and time travel.

This Orbbelgguren series along with his Sci-Fi, New Age Thriller and soon to come Spy Book Collections can be found at his website: maldev2002.wixsite.com/orbbelgguren.

16 | Florence Festival of books | September 17 & 18, 2021

In Loving Tribute

Ellen Gunderson Traylor

E

“America’s Foremost Biblical Novelist” llen was a gifted storyteller who brought characters of the Bible to life. Her many bestselling novels have sold about a million copies in English, with numerous foreign translations. Ellen passed unexpectedly on September 3, 2021 and she will be greatly missed.

Traylor’s novels include “Song of Abraham;” “John: Son of Thunder;” “Mary Magdalene;” “Noah;” “Ruth: A Love Story;” “Jonah;” “Esther;” “Joseph: Dreamer of Dreams;” “Mark: Eyewitness;” “Moses: The Deliverer;” “Joshua: God’s Warrior;” “Melchizedek: King of Jerusalem;” and “Samson.” “Jerusalem: the City of God” is a sweeping epic archaeological novel that weaves intrigue and inspiration into the hauntingly beautiful cityscape of the Holy City.

“The Priest” is her first contemporary novel, a story of international intrigue regarding the Israeli efforts to rebuild their ancient temple and the forces that conspire against their dream. “The Oracle” is the sequel, following the further adventures of hero David Rothmeyer, a young archaeologist, and his friends. “The Cornerstone” is the third in the trilogy.

“Gabriel: The War in Heaven” is the first in a new series following the adventures of the archangels as they tell the story of redemption across time and space.

Compared to works of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, Traylor’s approach is delightful for young and old.

Traylor has also written a regional book on the history of Florence, Oregon (“A Bridge Back: The Early Days of Florence, Oregon,” Port Hole Publications, 2009). The book was sponsored by Merchants of Old Town Florence, was published for the 150th anniversary of the state, and was accepted into the archives of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washing-

ton D.C., for its faithful portrayal of regional history.

“Something Like Scales: Finding Light in a Dark World,” is her book of personal reflection, and delves into the issues that keep us spiritually stunted and how to rise above them.

In addition to writing bestselling books, Traylor has been a magazine/newspaper columnist and correspondent. An award-winning feature writer, Traylor has written screenplays and political speeches, and was a contributing writer and researcher for the Tyndale Family Bible Encyclopedia project.

A former English and Journalism instructor, with a Master’s Degree in English, Traylor taught courses at virtually every level, including those she created on writing for publication for Whitworth College and Eastern Washington University in Spokane. Her “Write-On! Seminars” taught the ropes to published and aspiring writers.

Traylor has created and taught fiction writing classes for the Mount Hermon and Seattle Pacific University’s Christian Writers’ Conferences, and Oregon Christian Writers Conferences.

Traylor has been a television and radio talk-show host and has been a guest on many national radio and television programs. She was a sought-after speaker for seminars, conventions, conferences, church and school events and was interviewed by numerous magazines and newspapers.

Visit www.portholebooks.com to see her books and some of the featured authors that she helped publish.