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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
Stories of Setting, Characters of Place: Writing from the West—America's geographical frontier may be a topic of the past, but the West and the fiction it influences continue to provoke discussion. Moderator Lesley Kaplan speaks on the subject with four literary pioneers whose work is both a product and a portrait of our country's western territory. Matt Briggs' debut novel The Remains of River Names maps one family's dissolution in the Snoqualmie Valley. Carlene Cross explores the strength of community in The Undying West, a collection of stories concerning inhabitants of the Camas Prairie. Kevin Canty's novel Nine Below Zero follows one couple's struggle to survive the wilds of Montana. And in Gregory Martin's memoir Mountain City, residents of a tiny Nevada town convey the importance of home. University Book Store Carver Stage, 10:15-11:30am.—D.M.
To Slam or Not to Slam: Poetry in Private and Public—So what if poetry doesn't sell? Members of Seattle's spoken-word community give the poetry-unfriendly publishing industry the big finger as they remark on the power of poetry and how public performances can mold an audience's personal tastes. Seattle Poetry Slam organizer Allison Durazzi moderates this fierce group of talent, which includes crowd-swaying poet and writing instructor Tara Hardy; Hop Hopkins, an organizer of the renowned hip-hop/spoken-word group Basement Nation; and Rachel Kessler, founding member of that three-woman poetry-production machine, Typing Explosion. PublishingOnline.com Beard Stage, 10:15-11:30am.—D.M.
Ha Jin: Simple Stories—Despite Ha Jin's status as a major player in the literary world—his last novel, Waiting, won the National Book Award—the author knows it's the minor things that matter. Details speak volumes in The Bridegroom, Jin's new collection of 12 short stories concerning a China warming up to the West. Whether he's describing the employees of Cowboy Chicken, an American chain that causes a stir in Muji City, or discussing a bridegroom whose exposed homosexuality is interpreted as part of "Western capitalism and bourgeois lifestyle," Jin writes simple, compact stories that communicate the complexities of life. He speaks to Seattle Times arts editor Doug Kim. Seattle Times Hugo Stage, noon-1pm.—D.M.
From Suburbia to Subculture: Boys' Stories—Boys will be boys, and what boys they will be: In Kief Hillsbery's debut novel War Boy, a 14-year-old black deaf mute named Radboy flees a murderous father to SF, where he and his "kweer" pal Johnnyboy hang with a gay skinhead, speed-freak boyfriends, and a terrorist nurse. K.M. Soehnlein's first novel, The World of Normal Boys, tells the story of Robin MacKenzie, a gay 13-year-old exploring his sexuality in the suburban wasteland that is '70s New Jersey. Mark White, editor-in-chief of PublishingOnline.com, speaks with the authors about their protagonists' search for family against all odds. Hall Stage, 12:15-1:15pm.—D.M.
Why Poetry?—Since sales of poetry books are ever so low, this panel discussion could be renamed "Why bother?" In the spirit of a shared artistic pursuit, however, that would be defeatist. Appearing here to reaffirm the validity of this ancient and often theoretical craft are Sherman Alexie (remember, he writes poems, too), poet and Open Books: A Poem Emporium's Christine Deavel, Eleventh Hour Productions and Seattle Poetry Festival honcho Bob Redmond, and poetry publisher Jenny Van West. Copper Canyon Press' marketing director Joseph Bednarik moderates what will be an entertaining group hug for the poet and his/her dream. Publishing Online.com Beard Stage, 1-2:15pm.—E.B.R.
Frederick Busch—Dubbed "a first-rate American storyteller" by The New York Times, Frederick Busch returns to the short-story format after receiving much praise for his last novel, Girls. His latest, Don't Tell Anyone, consists of 16 stories and a novella. Once again, Busch writes on family relations, memory, and (mis)communication, employing poignant prose that spans the range of emotion. He discusses the craft of fiction writing with Nancy Pearl, executive director of Washington Center for the Book. University Book Store Carver Stage, 1:15-2:15pm.—D.M.
Talk to Me: The Craft of Writing Dialogue—Mark Twain did it. Frank McCourt did it. And so can y'all. The task of writin' the way folks sound ain't so durned easy as ye thinks, but then you're in for a scintillatin' dialogue among local novelists Bharti Kirschner (moderator and author of Sharmila's Book) and Tom Orton (The Lost Plates of Wilfred Ng), literary agent Elizabeth Wales, and freelance editor Phyllis Hatfield. Cuz ye don't wanna be stuck in this here mud with me and my inner voices. Git yerself there! Barnes & Noble Stafford Stage, 1:15-2:30pm.—E.B.R.
Ana Castillo—Because sometimes it's just fine to have a one-on-one session in the midst of panel-mania, this one is sure to draw the uninitiated and die-hard Castillo fans alike. The five-time novelist sits down with Seattle Times writer Misha Berson. Castillo talks about cultural and physical identity as explored in her latest novel, Peel My Love Like an Onion (now in paperback). Carmen, the book's heroine, is a dancer and a cripple ("La Coja"), a lover and a victim. Castillo touches upon this memorable character's struggles and triumphs. I wouldn't be surprised if we get a lot more than this, so fasten those seat belts. Seattle Times Hugo Stage, 1:30-2:30pm.—E.B.R.
