Submitted by Lopez Bookshop
Fans of the Lopez Writers Read programs will be glad to know these highly popular events, sponsored by “SHARK REEF Literary Magazine,” are back! With a couple of small changes: now we’re Local Writers Read, and our events will be held at the Lopez Bookshop.
The programs will be the same. They’ll feature your writer friends and neighbors reading their own work. The first event, honoring National Poetry Month, is set for Friday, April 1, at 7 p.m. at the bookshop. Elizabeth Landrum and Marcia Barthelow will read their poetry; both Elizabeth and Marcia have poems in published books that will be available at the reading. Marcia and Kip Greenthal also will read the work of Georgie Muska and John Sangster, respectively. Muska and Sangster were talented, well-loved Lopez poets who died before their time.
“We especially like to host local authors for our events,” says Karen Barringer, Lopez Bookshop co-owner. “Our events coordinator, Iris Graville, is the publisher of SHARK REEF. When she told us about the magazine’s history of presenting local writers, we encouraged its revival and are delighted to offer our space.”
Launched seventeen years ago, Writers Read was the brainchild of the Lopez Writers Guild, now defunct. However, the Guild’s publication, “SHARK REEF Literary Magazine,” carried on the tradition, and the programs flourished for several years under the magazine’s sponsorship. “SHARK REEF” was one of the earliest online literary magazines and has been publishing for sixteen years.
“When the bookshop brought us this idea and their venue, we were immediately excited about bringing more good, local writing to Lopez Island’s audiences,” says Lorna Reese, “SHARK REEF” co-founder and managing editor. “They know the programs will be wonderful, and they’re just the best crowd!”
In the past few years, Writers Read events celebrated April’s National Poetry Month. In 2016, programs are set for the first Friday of April, May and June, followed by a summer hiatus and resuming in the fall. Future programs will feature top-notch fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The event is free and open to the public; donations to “SHARK REEF” are welcome to help cover its publishing costs.
