Festival of Books 2018

Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. www.FlorenceFestivalofBooks.com

– Keynote Speaker – New York Times Best Seller Amy Stewart

Authors, publishers & hundreds of books

MARKETING YOUR BOOK Free Panel Discussion Friday, Sept. 28, at 3 p.m.

KEYNOTE BY AMY STEWART $8 advance, $10 at door Friday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m.

Supplement to the Siuslaw News | Sept. 26, 2018

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| FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS |

Welcome to the eighth annual

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F LORENCE F ESTIVAL OF B OOKS

elcome to the eighth annual 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 proud to be welcoming a number of authors who have not previously attended the festival this year.

Altogether, 2018 brings more than 70 authors whose writing covers a variety of genres and several publishers ready to talk about their writers’ books. This is also an opportunity to discuss publishing your own manuscript.

This free event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is your opportunity to meet and speak with the authors

of great books: non-fiction, poetry, mystery, memoirs, fantasy and environmental writing, along with fiction for children, young adults and adults.

Each book you purchase can be personalized just for you or as a gift for your favorite reader.

For those of you reading this prior to Sept. 29, the festival’s Friday, Sept. 28, events include a panel of four authors discussing “Marketing Your Book!” and the many ways writers can effectively tell readers about the books they have written.

The panel discussion is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and is free to the public.

At 7 p.m. on Friday, New York Times bestselling author Amy Stewart will give this year’s keynote address and will be featured at a book signing after the event.

Stewart is the author of nine books, including “Girl Waits With Gun” and the rest of the Kopp Sisters series, which are based on the true story of one of America’s first female deputy sheriffs and her two rambunctious sisters. Her popular nonfiction titles include

2018 Florence Festival of Books Sponsors The Florence Festival of Books is presented by the Friends of the Florence Events Center

“The Drunken Botanist,” “Wicked Plants” and “Flower Confidential.”

Tickets for this event are just $8 in advance or $10 at the door.

All Florence Festival of Books events take place at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. Food is available for purchase during the event.

A special thank you to our sponsors for making this year’s event better than ever before. We hope you will come and enjoy.

— Co-Chairs Judy Fleagle & Meg Spencer Florence Festival of Books is presented by the Friends of the Florence Events Center and the Florence Festival of Books Planning Committee.

TITLE SPONSORS: Banner Bank, BPOE Elks Lodge #1858, Maire Testa CHAPTER Chad E. Clement, D.D.S., Ladies of Elks Oregon Pacific Bank, Siuslaw Public Library VERSE Jim & Sally Rash, Harriet & Dick Smith Lynn & Shelley Taylor Waterfront Depot Restaurant - Marianne Brisbane BETWEEN THE LINES R.W. Hogeland & N.R. Archer LINE SPONSORS Cindy Wobbe Estate Sales, Coastal Fitness Florence Regional Arts Alliance Maple Creek Press, Kevin Mittge Karen D. Nichols - Writer’s Group Nosh/New Brown Hen Café, Inc. Pacific Publishing - Jon Thompson Ellen Traylor- Port Hole Publishing River House Inn Siuslaw News

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| FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

M ARKETING Y OUR B OOK

Friday features a free author panel discussion about getting your work out there

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Melody Carlson

Cindy Cashman

he Author’s Panel takes place Friday, Sept. 28, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Florence Events Center. Once a book is published, then the other part of being an author begins — getting it out there, getting it seen. Learn from four successful authors about how you can market your book for results. This free event is open to the public.

The dynamite panel features: Melody Carlson — This central Oregon resident is the prolific author of approximately 250 books. She has sold millions of books for adults, youth, tweens and kids. Melody attributes her success to her changing environment. She writes at her family’s beach cottage as well as her home. And when she and her husband take off in their RV, she gets new ideas. She is the recipient of the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award.

Ron Lovell

Cindy Cashman — Cindy and her husband are traveling the country in their RV and currently spending time in Florence. Thirty years ago, she marketed a book called “Everything Men Know About Women,” selling over 1.3 million copies that catapulted her to success. She became one of the most successful self-published authors ever. She has five books in 10 countries and is considered a marketing genius. Besides her books, she speaks on intuition and creative marketing concepts and is a success coach. For Cindy, thinking out of the box is normal.

Ron Lovell — Ron is a coastal resident today.

Years ago, he wrote for magazines before joining the journalism staff at Oregon State University, where he taught for several years. He is the author of hun-

Tracy L. Markley dreds of magazine articles and 14 textbooks. Since his retirement from the university, he has written numerous mysteries and has many devoted fans.

Lately he has written three action/adventure books in his Warrior Chronicles series.

Tracy L. Markley — Tracy is a coastal resident, a personal trainer and a Pilates, yoga and dance instructor with years of experience and studying. She is certified in many areas. One of her specialties is working with stroke victims. She is the author of two books, “The Stroke of an Artist: The Journey of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor” and “Tipping Toward Balance: A Fitness Trainer’s Guide to Stability and Walking.” In addition, a third book is in the works. She uses nearly every means to market her books.

Meet authors, get your book signed, network with publishers and more at the 2018 Florence Festival of Books on Saturday, Sept. 29.

SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS |

Keynote Speaker and New York Times Best Seller

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A UTHOR A MY S TEWART

he Florence Festival of Books is excited to present New York Times best-selling author Amy Stewart as the Friday night keynote speaker. Stewart is the author of 10 books, including “Girl Waits with Gun,” the first in the Kopp Sisters mystery series, and non-fiction books such as “The Drunken Botanist,” “Wicked Bugs” and “Wicked Plants.”

She will speak at 7 p.m. at Florence Events Center. Price is $8 in advance, or $10 at the door.

The Kopp Sisters series is based on the true story of one of America’s first female deputy sheriffs and her two rambunctious sisters. The books are in development with Amazon Studios for a television series. The fourth book in the series, “Miss Kopp Just Won’t Quit,” is being released this month, and it follows “Lady Cop Makes Trouble” and “Miss Kopp’s Midnight Confessions.”

In “The Drunken Botanist,” Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol.

“Wicked Bugs,” which comes in both adult and children’s versions, details the world’s most painful hornet, flies that transmit deadly diseases, millipedes that stop traffic and “bookworms” that devour libraries.

Her book “Wicked Plants” features menacing botanical illustrations and splendidly ghastly-drawings, which create a fascinating portrait of the evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. The book has also been adapted into a national traveling exhibit that terrifies children at science museums nationwide.

Stewart lives in Portland, Ore., with her husband Scott Brown, a rare book dealer.

They own an independent bookstore called Eureka Books, which is so independent that it lives in California while they live in Oregon.

Stewart travels the country as a highly sought-after public speaker, whose spirited lectures have inspired and entertained audiences at college campuses such as Cornell and Harvard, corporate offices like Google (where she served tequila and nearly broke the internet), libraries, bookstores, botanical gardens, conferences and book events like the Florence Festival of Books.

Don’t miss this wonderful event!

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| FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

How to Succeed at Publishing without Really Trying (really?)

By Melody Carlson

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Festival Participant & Panelist

ith more than 250 books in print, I’m occasionally asked the “secret of my publishing success.”

Sometimes the asker is a serious writer seeking helpful tips. But often it’s a wannabe writer, hoping for the golden key. But my answer is always simple — the “secret” to my publishing career is the result of old-fashioned hard work.

Okay, to be honest, there’s also some giftedness involved, as well as a little bit of luck, and it does help to have “thick skin.” But those are slippery things, difficult to describe, and different for everyone. So for the most part, I explain that my career is the result of decades of work. But there are some who still assume authors live on easy street — sitting around in tweed jackets, philosophizing and drinking too much gin.

Not everyone realizes what it takes to produce a worthwhile book.

For instance, a serious writer welcomes helpful criticism, diligently attacking rewrites in order to craft something more readable. And a serious writer views a publisher’s rejection as an opportunity to make necessary changes — or a hint that they’re a bad match for that particular house.

Serious writers pay attention to their audience — what do their readers re-

ally want?

But the work doesn’t end there. Serious writers continually hone writing skills, through critique groups, classes, writers’ conferences, as well as by reading. And they study the everchanging publishing industry — they skim trade magazines, connect with editors and agents and network with fellow serious writers.

And, of course, these things all take time and work.

Of course, some writers (those still hoping for that secret handshake) desire the shortcut to publishing “success.” Some simply dream of becoming “a published author” and signing books for adoring fans. And there are vanity presses that will accommodate — for a price. But when it’s all said and done, it might not feel like a true success.

Meanwhile, a serious writer will go through the paces and do the hard work. Whether they choose the traditional publishing route or to selfpublish with a reliable house, a serious writer will work hard to create and refine their best work before allowing it to go to print. And the reward is that their readers will enjoy it.

That, I believe is the true secret to succeeding in publishing — and you can’t do it without really trying.

Carlson and her books will be at Table 46 at the Florence Festival of Books.

Florence Festival of Books Planning Committee Judy Fleagle, co-chair and co-founder Meg Spencer, co-chair Connie Bradley, co-founder

Kevin Mittge Maire Testa Sally Rash Karen D. Nichols

Bonnie MacDuffee, treasurer

Victoria Sharbowski

Aleia Bailey, FEC liaison

Ellen Traylor

SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS |

Local authors at the 2018 Festival of Books F

lorence may be a small town, but it has a fair share of writers of which many have published books. And of these published authors, 15 are participating in the Florence Festival of Books (FFOB) along with a few Florence-based book publishers and a group of school children.

AUTHORS • Connie Strome Bradley spent 50 years in hospital nursing and administration, and she has been recognized as First Citizen for community involvement. Her books include “Snowball, the Nanny Goose of Sutton Lake,” “Lulu, the Dancing Snail” and “Madge and Bill, Barn Owlets” all illustrated by Carol Unser. Connie is a co-founder of FFOB. • Judy Fleagle, the other cofounder of FFOB, has written “Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges,” “The Crossings Guide to Oregon’s Coastal Spans,” “Around Florence” and “Devil Cat and Other Colorful Animals I Have Known.”

In addition, “The Oregon Coast Guide to the UNEXPECTED” is due out Fall 2018.

• Carol Gunderson at 92 is the Gramma Moses of local writers.

“The Morning Porch” captures her thoughts as she overlooks Siltcoos Lake, and “Gramma’s Guided Tour of the World’s Greatest Library” ex-

plains the Bible for kids.

• John Herbst has three novels that mirror his life.

“Destination Unknown: The Rogue Life of Jake Meissner” chronicles his wanderings and “Tales From the Mountain: Colorado Climbing Adventures of Jake Meissner” takes the reader along, as does “More Tales of the Mountain.”

• Ned Hickson, award-winning humor columnist, shares his favorite columns in “Humor at the Speed of Life.” His “Pearls of Writing Wisdom” gives insights for writers from his years as a journalist and editor at local community newspaper the Siuslaw News.

• Aline LaForge is the author of historical fiction “Hooked by the Stars,” which weaves together ancient and modern stories with an unlikely hero, Pueo, the owl. Follow the adventures of two girls as they seek aloha across time and the Pacific Ocean. Learn more at www. hookedbythestars.com.

• Tracy L. Markley is a nationally-recognized fitness specialist and author of “The Stroke of an Artist” and “Tipping Toward Balance,” plus a new book out soon. Tracy is on the MedFit Education Founda-

tion’s Education Advisory Board and will speak in the FFOB Author’s Panel.

Learn more at tracyspersonal training.com.

• Sherrie McCorkle says that unforgiveness is a destructive force in the lives of all humanity. “Hidden Unforgiveness” provides a biblically-based list and discussion of reasons why learning to forgive one another is vital to a person’s spiritual, emotional and physical well-being.

• Karen D. Nichols’ latest book, “Here, There, Gone” is set in Oregon and, like all her books, contains a dog story, a love story and an intriguing ending. She has also written “Thornton House,” “Unexpected Gift,” “Second Chance Heart,” “Triumph Over Fear,” “The Moral of the Story” and “Roots of an Oak.” • Carolyn Nordahl has lived in Florence most of her life and made a career of working for the Siuslaw News. In retirement, she enjoys watercolor painting and graphic arts publishing and has written “Grandma’s Window Shade,” which chronicles memories from her childhood.

• Richard Nordahl has lived in

the Northwest since early childhood. During his retirement from sawmill and carpenter work, he enjoys fishing, enjoying the out-ofdoors, and writing stories. His latest book is “Trapper Fred and the Indian Girl.”

• Dorothea Wollin Null says, “What I want most for my story is to convey that the Lord led me through the trials and tribulations of my life in order that I could find meaning, joy and peace.” Learn more at www.survivingunclehitler. com.

• Sally Sherwood Rash is the author of “Sally’s Silly Small Step System,” an adaptation of an awardwinning speech at Toastmaster’s International Speech Contest. Sally’s second book is a memoir, “Peonies by the Privy.”

• Robert Joe Saia, aka Chef de Cuisine, shares a novel way to create amazing meals in his first book, “The Center of the Plate: Recipe and Menu Genesis.” Charts and companion apps help cooks generate fun and memorable menus.

• Sharity Saia, aka “Mrs. Chef,” serves as her husband’s sous chef, and wrote the preface to “The Center of the Plate,” explaining how even a novice can benefit from these techniques. The Saias share their creations in their Seattle suburb kitchen.

See local groups & more on Page 8

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| FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

Local groups & publishers sold about a million in English, with many foreign translations. Ellen has taught writing for publication at colleges and conferences.

• Watchtower, Bible & Tract Society are part of a publishing organization that prints Bibles and other PUBLISHERS books as well as two Bible-based • Maple Creek Press, with pub- magazines, “The Watchtower” and lisher Robert Serra, was formerly “Awake.”

Pacific Publishing and has been designing and publishing fine books All of these authors will have their since 2007. Maple Creek is a full- books for sale and publishers will service book publishing company have books they have published on located on the central Oregon coast. display. Any books purchased can Published works range from histori- be signed and personalized. And, cal, architectural, art, children’s, po- who knows, some of these Festietry, hunting and trapping, how-to, val of Books’ participants may be inspirational and memoir. your friends or even your next-door • Port Hole Publishing’s Ellen neighbors.

— Judy Fleagle Gunderson Traylor is the bestselling Co-founder and Co-chair author of 20 books and owns Port Florence Festival of Books Hole Publishing. Her own titles have WRITERS GROUP • Siuslaw School District Writers is composed of elementary through middle school students who work under the guidance of Kassy Keppol to produce published books.

RON LOVELL Although Oregon Attorney Lorenzo Madrid was at first reluctant to take care of Tito, an orphan brought to this country illegally, he grows to love the little boy. That love turns into an obligation when the woman who took the boy leaves him in Lorenzo’s care. After Maxine March goes to Ecuador to arrange for a formal adoption, things take a turn for the worse. she is arrested and put on trial for kidnapping.

Despite having no knowledge of trying a case overseas, Lorenzo agrees to represent her. In doing so he is torn between wanting to help her and adopting Tito as his son. In Ecuador, he is stalked by members of a drug cartel who has been after him for years. The story culminates in a trial and daring escape. As in other mysteries, author Ron Lovell brings back memorable characters from past books--Paul Bickford and Bobbi Bouquet--out of both the Madrid series and his earlier Thomas Martindale series.

PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL, AFFORDABLE

READY TO PUBLISH? Schedule a free consulation at

www.luminarepress.com

Let’s discuss how we can make your publishing dreams come true.

EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF

INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING EUGENE

541-554-7574

C. EDWIN (ED) FENDER SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS |

IDYLLIC PERU: From euphoric highs (16,000+ feet)

to depressing lows (life-saving emergency surgery), Ed’s Peruvian experience was anything but routine. With Machu Picchu, the most visited tourist site in South America, as the centerpiece, Ed takes us with him on daily exciting journeys to mountain peaks, dangerous jungles and abandoned Inca cities. This adventure memoir, with over 100 photos, is the next best thing to actually being there!

INFINITE RIVER:

Carl Finter, photographer, had a magazine contract to shoot a few hundred shots during a summertime rafting trip down the Rogue River. The longanticipated earthquake on the Oregon coast was only the beginning of a series of events that would threaten his life, bring true love into it, and propel him into deepening mystery and intrigue that would extend millions of years into the past!

ITALY CALLS:

C. EDWIN (ED) FENDER has always been a wordsmith.

After 40 years of technical writing, Ed finally retired and focused his writing skills on adventure novels and memoirs. He and his wife, Maureen, live in Eugene, Oregon and have a cottage in Yachats.

Lorenzo Costa is content with his life in Oregon. That life is turned upside down when the grandfather he doesn’t know calls him to come to Italy to take over his multi-billion Euro company. While en route, he unknowingly smuggles data for arms traffickers. The journey to find his Italian roots and decide whether or not to take over the business leads to romance and an adventurelaced trip through Italy.

THE LEGEND OF FENDER’S GARAGE:

After Bob Welch’s Beachside Writers retreat in Yachats in 2010, Ed realized he was the only living person who knew the amazing details of the story surrounding his father’s Garage in the mountains of Colorado. He wrote the memoir because he knew if he didn’t, the story would be lost to history. This memoir has now been added to the Jefferson County, Colorado, Historical Museum.

The Legend of

Fender’s Garage

A memoir of Loren David Fender by C. Edwin Fender

IN THE SPOOKY FOREST is a children’s book featuring (and written for) three of Ed’s grandchildren: Some strange white thing is moving around in the “Spooky forest” in Yachats. The children are very curious and want to know what it is. They convince Grandpa to take them in to find out what’s going on! Be careful, Grandpa!

In The Spooky Forest

by

C. Edwin Fender

Visit Ed at his website

fenderink.com

New This year... Trapper Fred & The Indian Girl and Tony & The Princess... Irene Marie

Grandma’s Window Shade

Richard Nordahl

Previous Books of Fiction

These stories came to Richard in his dreams. It is hard to tell where they came from but they are very entertaining reads.

A Skunk In The Garden!

This charming childrens story tells of the friendship between a skunk and a white floppy-eared rabbit and explores the topic of prejudice and the importance of acceptance. I will give a free copy to any child visiting our table.

(While supply lasts.)

Carolyn Nordahl

Trapper Fred & The Indian Girl A fiction book of old times and adventure Richard’s fourth story.

Tony & The Princess Irene Marie

A book of photos with the text written in the first person in behalf of Tony the marmalade cat. This is the story of the antics of our feline friends and the entertainment that they provide to our family. This book will be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

This is the story of my home, my family, and my Oregon childhood. The book also contains many old family recipes and my personal illustrations.

541-997-2330 cnordahl41@yahoo.com Nordahl books are also available at the Siuslaw News

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10 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

2018 FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF

8th annual festival fills the flat floor at the Florence Events Center from 1

SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | 11

BOOKS MAP

m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 Table No. 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14-18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Author/Publisher Lori Tobias Jan Boal Maple Creek Press Robert Serra Sally Sherwood Rash G. A. Cockerham GladEye Press Sharleen Nelson Julie Bolkan Patricia Brown Diane DeVillers Kenn Amdahl First Steps Publishing Diana Weinberger Ron Miner Carolyn Nordahl Richard Nordahl Karen D. Nichols David Turner Douglas Card Kari Wergeland Heather Curry Self Port Hole Publishing Carol Gunderson Ned Hickson Ellen Gunderson Traylor Robert Joe Saia Sharity Saia Judy Fleagle C. Edwin Fender Dan Armstrong Ken Babbs Bob Williams Connie Strome Bradley Jennifer Dalen Wolfe George Byron Wright James A. Tweedie Karla Von Huben Francesca G. Varela John Herbst Kara Skye

Table No. 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68

Author/Publisher James D. McComb Claudia Schwalm Stone Ring Press Muabilai Tshionyi Nicholas Hanson Suzanne Grant Leigh Goodison Louise Fugate William L. Sullivan Tami J. Whitmore Sherrie McCorkle Luminare Press Mary-Kate Mackey Michael Foster Melody Carlson Ryan J. Cunningham Kurt Cyrus Tara Moore Vanessa Newman Leslie Compton Dorothea Wollin Null Tracy L. Markley Aline LaForge Denise Kawaii Laura Doyle Lee Barckmann H. S. Contino Janet Fisher Kristi L Cramer Ron Lovell Joshua Mertz C. Steven Blue Linda Johansen Patsy Brookshire Watchtower, Bible & Tract Society A. Lynn Ash Elizabeth King Gerlach Siuslaw School District Writers Bob Welch

12 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

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Sherrie McCorkle Cover Art by Jan Landrum The unforgiveness hidden in our memories is like an iceberg– 90 percent is buried beneath the surface in our minds. From that vantage point, unforgiveness wields a destructive power over our lives, and we don’t even know where it comes from. These unresolved issues are barriers to our personal relationship with God and the people we love.

Our loving Lord longs to see us set free from the pain of our past and personal unforgiveness. He wants us to live in the fullness of His presence and in the definition of who we are in Christ. Hidden Unforgiveness examines biblical principles vital to our spiritual growth, but applying them to our lives is often hindered by our unforgiveness. This is an in-depth study enriched with insights revealed in the original Hebrew and Greek texts.

The key to personal freedom from the multiple spiritual, emotional, and physical consequences of unforgiveness is to choose to forgive one another as God in Christ has so graciously forgiven us. Our forgiveness invites the Holy Spirit to empower our lives to fulfill God’s purpose in and through Christ.

“Hidden Unforgiveness: Expose It, Forgive One Another, and Empower Your Life completely describes the effects on the reader who takes this subject to heart. Sherrie’s text is easily understandable, clear, and life changing. By identifying the deeply ingrained negative habits and emotional traps, praying and reading Scripture, and taking action; the reader will be empowered to positively affect those around her or him. Set yourself free to discover the depth of God’s love for you.”

Rachel I. Pearson

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herrie McCorkle and her husband, Roger, have been married fiftythree years. They have two children and four grandchildren. She has been studying and sharing God’s Word with her brothers and sisters in Christ for forty years. Hidden Unforgiveness is the outcome of following the lead of the Holy Spirit to share His profound insights in the timeless pages of a book.

NaMoWriMo was just the beginning

By Carolyn Bradley

Author & College Student

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rowing up in a mobile military family, I often felt like consistency in my life was nonexistent. New friends, new activities and new houses every two years meant I got to try lots of different things, but never really had the chance to stick to a sports team or improve piano with the change of coaches or teachers. I was always being forced to prove my ability every time we moved and often was told to start over or relearn skills I’d already learned.

The one skill that I could continue everywhere I lived was writing. Writing is a very personal experience that doesn’t require a teacher. It comes from what you know and what you feel. I didn’t have to prove my ability to anyone.

When I was 12 years old, I decided to give myself a challenge in my writing. At that point in my life, my writing had mostly consisted of short stories and poems. But, I wanted to push myself and write an entire novel. I dreamed of becoming a published author before I graduated from high school and finding a way to write for the rest of my life.

I knew that to accomplish this dream, I would have to be determined enough to finish a full story.

At first, it was really difficult to motivate myself to write more than a few pages of any story I could come up with.

It’s not that I had writer’s block; I just felt bored with the stories I’d created after the first thousand words. After talking to other friends in the Writing Club at my middle school, I found that this was a common problem.

In late October 2011, the teacher who ran the Writing Club at my school told us about a month-long program in November called NaNoWriMo, which stands for National Novel Writing Month. In this online program, you set a standard number of words you want to write everyday to accomplish a word

first draft of a novel by the end of the month.

I was hooked. It seemed like the perfect program for me to accomplish my goal.

Like a personal trainer in a gym, the presence of a set goal inspired me to buckle down and really write every day.

I would work on my daily word count goal everywhere: in the computer room at school; on the family desktop computer; jotting down ideas in between classes; or on the bus ride home. My mind was living in my story for a full month of immersion, like I was traveling to a different world every time I opened up my word document.

For some people, completing NaNoWriMo sounds impossible, but if you are goal-oriented or competitive, NaNoWriMo may be the forcing function to compel you to keep writing. It provides a means to satisfy the word count daily.

On some days, I stayed up late, stuck on a story point that just didn’t feel right, but I couldn’t go to sleep until I had accomplished my word count.

By the end of the month, I had successfully completed the first draft of my novel.

14 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

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African Tales for All Ages, Preserving the Heritage of Oral Traditions in Vivid Narrative and Vibrant Illustrations

by Dr. Muabilai Tshionyi.

Dr. Tshionyi writes books of African Folktales for all ages. The author captures on paper the traditional folktales he grew up listening to in his childhood country of Congo. These folktales, formerly passed down orally from one generation to the next, are here presented in vivid narrative and vibrant illustrations.

At the FFOB Dr. Tshionyi wants to share those stories with the readers, and community at large, retelling them [those stories] as he heard them when growing up.

Muabilai Tshionyi aka “Dr. T”, is originally from the D.R. Congo and a long-time resident of Eugene, Oregon.

Dr. Tshionyi is an alumnus of Oregon State University where he obtained two BA degrees – English Ed, and Humanities – and a MA and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Oregon.

Please link to our website calychio.com for more information.

Lawrence and His Crayons series

By Jennifer Dalen Wolfe

Lawrence and His Crayons series are full of adventures and fun with lessons to be learned. They invite you, your family and friends to join in. In the first story Lawrence has no idea that his crayons are alive. As each story progress’s he finds out that not only are they alive but, a lot of fun! Get your copies now and see what fun and adventures they will be up to next.

Lawrence and His Crayons on Amazon.com Go�a Love My Art.com

SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | 15

Read more books for better health

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he availability of digital content has made it easy to forget how pleasurable it can be to pick up a good book and get lost in a story. In fact, a 2015 Huffington Post/YouGov poll of 1,000 adults in the United States found that 28 percent hadn’t read a single book in the previous 12 months.

Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health analyzed 12 years of data from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study concerning reading habits.

Among the 3,600 participants over the age of 50, those who read books for as little as 30 minutes per day over several years were living an average of two years longer than those who didn’t read.

Studies have shown that reading improves fluency and story retention while providing a host of additional benefits to young children.

However, the perks do not end with the passing of adolescence. Data published in the journal Neurology found reading regularly improves memory function by working out the brain. This can help slow a decline in memory and other brain functions.

Frequent brain exercise can lower mental decline by 32 percent, according to research published in The

Huffington Post.

Studies even suggest that reading can help a person be more empathetic to others’ feelings. Research published in the journal Science showed that reading literary works cultivates a skill known as “theory of mind,” which is the “ability to ‘read’ the thoughts and feelings of others.”

Reading also can be calming, helping to reduce stress as a result. By losing oneself in a book, worries

“Set in the 1980s in the rural community of Bidarkee Bay, Alaska, a fictional area the size of a small state with a population of barely 20,000, Wander is the story of Patrice “Pete” Nash, a young broadcast reporter who finds herself facing the winter alone after her husband, Nate, accepts a job on “the slope.” As Pete pursues the next big breaking news story, she strikes up a friendship with the new guy in town, the Ivy League-educated Ren, who recites poetry and lives in the family-owned, vacant inn. Their friendship offers a glimpse of a different kind of life - one that seems to Pete to offer everything marriage to the country-raised Nate does not.

But unbeknown to Pete, Ren has come to Alaska for his own dark reasons - to end his life. By the time, Nate returns home, their lives have been irrevocably changed. One man is dead, two others missing and a third forever lost to them.”

2017 Winner of the Nancy Pearl Literary Award & finalist in the International Book Awards for new fiction.

LORI TOBIAS

Lori Tobias is a journalist of more than 25 years, including time at the Rocky Mountain News as a columnist and features writer and most recently as a staff writer for The Oregonian for which she covered the Oregon Coast for a decade. She currently writes a regular column for Oregon Coast Today and freelances for numerous other local, state and national publications.

and stress can melt away, says research conducted in 2009 at the University of Sussex.

Measuring heart rate and muscle tension, researchers discovered that study participants needed just six minutes to relax once they began reading.

There are many other reasons why reading is good for the mind and body. The following tips can help people find more time to read.

• Find small minutes to read. Busy people may think they don’t have the time to devote to reading, but if they read in small intervals, the amount of time will add up. Read during commutes (if you’re not driving), while in physicians’ waiting rooms or during a lunch hour.

• It’s okay to quit. If you’re a few chapters into a book and it’s not striking your fancy, it’s okay to trade up for a more interesting tale. Don’t feel obligated to finish a book if you are not engaged.

• Read paper books. Reading printed books can be a welcome, relaxing change from looking at screens all day. This may inspire you to read more and for longer periods of time.

• Join a book club. A book club in which you engage with fellow readers can motivate you to read more often. — Metro Creative Connection

PATRICIA JACOBS A Long View is Patty Jacobs memoir of growing up in Longview, Washington, and her family’s role in the town’s history.

Oscar the Osprey is a fictional story of a high-diving fish hawk, born in a fir tree nest near Woahink Lake.

My Balancing Act is a memoir of adapting to Multiple Sclerosis and recapturing a joyful life.

loritobias.com www.facebook.com/Wanderbyloritobias/

Letters from England is about living with our family of five for three years in Cambridgeshire Village.

Wander is available through Red Hen Press at redhen.org, Amazon.com or by contacting Lori Tobias.

All books except Letters from England are available on Amazon.

To purchase by phone 541-359-2435.

16 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

at im al! h et stiv e M Fe the

New from

Bob Welch From New York’s Skyhorse Publishing. $24.99. Hardback

“Masterful job.”

—BOOKLIST

“Captivating.”

— MARY PILON

NY Times bestselling author

“Illuminating.”

— CURTIS ANDERSON TrackTown USA

It’s Oregon. It’s the sixties. It’s like no other ‘sports book’ you’ve ever read. Because Oregon State’s Dick Fosbury didn’t just win a gold medal 50 years ago this fall. He started a revolution.

SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | 17

Carolyn Bradley completed a novel draft during NaNoWriMo myself in any kind of writing I could and truly anyone can do it.

In writing, you don’t need to prove in 2011, which she later pub- find. I was the Editor-in-Chief of my school newspaper and won a National yourself to anyone. There is only the lished as “A Summer of Stuff.”

Continued from Page 13 I remember the moment I finished. It felt like I had just binge-watched a television show and didn’t know what to do with all my free time anymore. I felt so proud of myself and my friends who had accomplished their own goals through NaNoWriMo. Completing the monthlong program, I realized that truly anyone can write a novel if they put their

mind to it. For so long, I had worried I would never be able to dedicate that much time to writing, but by finishing, I knew I could do it again and again.

Even with a finished first draft, I knew I wasn’t completely done. I spent three years editing, even adding another 10,000 words to my first draft. Writing is rewriting, and I learned that only afterspending months trying to fix the smallest inconsistencies in my story. But in the end, it was worth it.

At 15, after three years of editing my first draft, I finally got my novel published. “The Summer of Stuff ” was published the summer before my sophomore year of high school. I remember holding the physical copy of the book in my hand and feeling complete. My hard work had paid off, accomplishing the dream of publishing a book before high school, satisfying 12-year-old me.

For the rest of high school, I immersed

Scholastic Writing Award for my writing portfolio. I spent one summer learning how to write screenplays; writing for screen became my new passion.

Now, I attend the University of Southern California as a Writing for Screen and Television major, or, put more simply, I study screenwriting. With USC being the number one film school and the acceptance percentage to my writing program being less than Harvard Law School, I know I’ll be writing for the rest of my life.

Participating in NaNoWriMo opened up my world of writing and took my belief in myself to new depths.

Completing a novel seems terrifying and daunting. Like trying to run a marathon, it feels like it has no end in sight.

But by completing daily word counts and immersing yourself in your stories, it will feel like the novel is over before you even know it. In fact, it will be over so quickly, you’ll want to do it again the next month.

The feeling of finishing is unmatchable

pressure you choose to put on yourself to satisfy your own goals. Set your goals, take it one word at a time, and by the end of the month you’ll be a novelist!

“A Summer of Stuff ” by Carolyn Bradley will be available at the Florence Festival of Books at Table 24.

Want to write your own novel? One way to get on board with other local, regional and national authors is to join National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), a fun, seat-of-yourpants approach to creative writing.

Valuing enthusiasm, determination, and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel. Each Nov. 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30. For info, visit nanowrimo.org.

H. S. Contino

Melody Carlson

Recipient of RT Career Achievement Award.

Author of A Christmas by the Sea, The Mulligan Sisters, Under the Summer Sky, Against the Tide, Diary of a Teenage Girl... and much more... www.melodycarlson.com

Historically, mariners considered the Oregon coast to be one of the most dangerous in the world. With few roads, water transportation was crucial for early settlers. The southern coast contained many potential dangers to ships including unpredictable weather, frequent fog, submerged rocks and reefs. There have been many shipwrecks in the area including the tanker Larry Doheny, which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during WWII. Modern technology and port improvements have reduced the number of shipwrecks, but accidents still occur.

H. S. Contino is the author of “Shipwrecks of Coos County” and “Shipwrecks of Curry County.” She lives in a little old house within view of the Coos Bay, which has been the location of numerous shipwrecks over the years.

For more information, please visit her official author blog: www.HSContino.wordpress.com Signed copies of her books are available for purchase online: www.etsy.com/shop/ReprievesCorner

18 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018

N EW OFFERINGS FROM P ORT H OLE P UBLISHING One seamless story

Many Bible readers and students have wished the four Gospels might be enjoyed as one integrated story. The result of a lifetime of scholarship, “Jesus: His Story: The Integrated Life of Christ” (Port Hole Publishing, 2018) is an invaluable tool for all lovers of Scripture, says publisher Ellen Traylor.

“Jesus: His Story” is a paraphrase of the complete biblical account of the life and teachings of Jesus, compiled by the Rev. David Brooke Fenwick.

“Rev. Fenwick's dedication and perseverance have brought to this work priceless insights, which make it a useful resource for students of the Bible at every level of expertise and background,” says Traylor.

Fenwick, now retired, served for 45 years as a pastor and teacher, mostly in East Los Angeles where he founded Light and Life Chapel and Christian School. He served the General Missionary Board of the Free Methodist Church of North America as Mission Superintendent over Latino churches.

A translation of the book will soon be available in Spanish.

International pastor and teacher Michael MacIntosh, who has chosen to promote the book through his ministry, says, “Rev. Fenwick has given us a jewel. He has meticulously woven the gospels into one seamless lifespan of Jesus, so we experience our Lord in a new way.”

“Jesus: His Story” will be available at the Florence Festival of Books, tables 14-18, through Port Hole Publishing (www.PortHoleBooks.com), and is also available through online vendors and bookstores everywhere.

Finding center with ‘Recipe & Menu Genesis’

Florence-area publisher, Ellen Traylor, with Port Hole Publishing, is excited to introduce her latest authors, Chef Robert Saia and his wife and sous chef Sharity Saia, at this year’s Florence Festival of Books on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Florence Events Center. The Seattle-area couple are the creators of “The Center of the Plate: Recipe and Menu Genesis — A Culinary Guide.”

“This is a groundbreaking book (with companion apps) that has the potential to change the way we all look at food and cooking,” says Traylor. “It will help even the most kitchen-wary to make fabulous dishes and meals, yet has insights which the most seasoned professional cook will appreciate.”

Chef Robert Saia, CCC, CAD, RD, is one of a handful of people worldwide who holds both a dietetics degree and a Chef de Cuisine Certification. He created an apprentice program for promising culinary students at the University of Kansas, which was endorsed by the American Culinary Federation.

Robert’s wife of 18 years, Sharity, known as “Mrs. Chef,” is his sous chef.

Return to the fabulous world of

Polar Star Village with two new tales of adventure, fun, and magic.

Aurora and the Palace of Ice tells of elf-maiden Aurora, who discovers an eerie palace in the mountains. Made of ice and glittering with light, the lovely palace enchants her even as it frightens her with its strangeness. She senses the mountain holds a mystery, but she’ll need all her courage to discover the meaning behind the magic.

Reindeer Games asks the question of the ages: What happens when Prancer and Vixen decide to get married? Will Santa have to replace them? If so, who will find the replacements and train them in time for the Christmas Eve flight? When Santa considers Rudolph’s daughter Ruby as Vixen’s replacement, everyone is overjoyed except Ruby herself.

The little reindeer gas a secret: She can’t fly. But the forest holds a secret that can help her, if she’s brave enough to learn.

Karla Von Huben is a Chicago native who wound up in the Pacific Northwest via San Diego. After ten years in the region, she still whines about the rain, and remains a slave to three unsympathetic cats, Frankie, Jack and Barnaby. They are less concerned about her books than where their next meal is coming from, and love her only for her opposable thumbs. Karla is a former Marine, a voracious reader, and a huge fan of steam locomotives, the crankiest machines ever built. You can find all four of her “Youngest Elf” books on Amazon, or at the delightful Vintage Books in Vancouver, Washington. She thinks a lot about building her website; meantime, you can write to her at karla.vonhuben@gmail.com or send a (gasp) real letter to her at P.O. Box 871115, Vancouver, WA 98687.

While they have been working together on this book for many years, and Robert teaches culinary arts at Renton Technical College, they also open their home kitchen to private cooking sessions and teach cooking together in the Seattle area.

“The book is a collection of ideas meant to stimulate the imagination of one’s culinary soul,” Robert says. “It is designed as a tool of inspiration.”

Though in this manual there are no recipes to fall back on, it is meant to be the launch pad of invention, based on the pair’s recipe development and balance philosophy: “Recipe and Menu Genesis.”

The book includes resourceful flow charts that will enable each cook to effectively bring to life unique and tantalizing gourmet delights.

“It’s the ultimate cheat sheet, the mother of all ‘how-to’ cooking instructions,” says Sharity. “It gives you the final word in developing your own new and exciting recipes from its library of insightful meal development information and fabulous food ideas.”

Chef Robert Saia, CCC, CAD, RD and “Mrs. Chef” Sharity Saia, his sous chef

Companion apps are available to provide easy reference on portable devices.

The Saias will be at tables 14-18 at the Florence Festival of Books, where they will be showing a video presentation on the magic of “Recipe and Menu Genesis.”

This book can be purchased at www.

PortHolePublishing.org, online booksellers and through bookstores everywhere.

SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | 19

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 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 of the coast.

--Pacific Publishing

Author and Fitness Specialist Tracy L. Markley OUT SOON

AVAILABLE NOW

The Stroke of An Artist: The Journey of A Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor

Tipping Toward Balance: A Fitness Trainer’s Guide to Stability and Walking

The Brain: The Software to Your Body, A Fitness Trainer’s Guide to Brain Health

PRE-ORDER AT FESTIVAL OF BOOKS

Author and Fitness Specialist

crossingsauthor.wordpress.com

541-997-9170 Judy Fleagle

Karen D. Nichols

NEW Release—Here, There, Gone: When A young

woman is lost in her own nightmare, will she find the spirit and courage to overcome dark, horrific situations to claim victory and exact retribution over her ruthless foes?

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 Nichols.

--Pacific Publishing

Tracy L. Markley

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

All of Nichols' novels: Thornton House, The Unexpected Gift, Second Chance Heart, Roots of an Oak, and Triumph Over Fear, have ties to Oregon, contain a dog story, a love story and have an intriguing ending.

The Moral of the Story: Pithy short true tales,from poignant to hilarious capped with a witty moral.

20 | FLORENCE FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | SEPTEMBER 28 & 29, 2018 PORT HOLE PUBLISHING SAYS...

Port Hole Publishing, founded by bestselling author Ellen Gunderson Traylor, is seeking entertaining, educational, wholesome material to publish. We bring over 40 years of experience to our projects!

See us at Tables 14-18, or visit us at PortHolePublishing.org Office: 179 Laurel St. - Suite D, Florence, Oregon 97439 Phone: (541)999-5725

Let Us Publish Your Book!

Ellen Traylor, publisher and bestseling author of 20 books, will be at the 2018 Festival of Books

MEET FEATURED PORT HOLE AUTHORS

Tables 14-18: Ned Hickson Pearls of Writing Wisdom; Humor at the Speed of Light

AT

2018 BOOK FESTIVAL

Tables 14-18: Carol Gunderson Gramma’s Guided Tour of the World’s Greatest Library; The Morning Porch

Tables 14-18: Ellen T Traylor 20 0 Titles

PROMOTE YOUR OWN BOOK!

Reserve Port Hole Center for a Book Signing PortHoleCenter.com

M

eet popular Seattle area Chef Robert Saia and Sharity Saia, creators of The Center of the Plate, a groundbreaking book and apps that will help even the most kitchen-wary to make fabulous dishes and meals. Watch their video presentation on the magic of Recipe and Menu Genesis.