Ellie J. Anderson

This has been a hard year for me.  I have had a lot of family issues that are still not resolved.  I AM making progress on that front, however.

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Passager published a story called Waiting for the Light.  I have spent a tiny amout of time with the editors.  What a great bunch of people.  Passager publishes writers over 50.  And they are open,  generous in spirit, and kind. They asked me to do a reading, which was so uplifting.  Isn't it interesting how those things happen just when you really need them to? 

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Since then, they asked me to be a reader.  I read 35 stories and loved every minute.  I'm hoping they ask me back to do it again.

 

Despite the chaos, I still managed to get four pieces slated to be published this fall.  The Bear Paw Arts Journal accepted a short prose piece called The Silence of Winter.  Many years ago, I worked that piece as a poem in a poetry workshop with David Wagoner at the UW.  It works better as a prose poem.

 

The Scapegoat Review accepted a poem called Earthborn.  

 

Dippity will online publish another poem called Accepting the Gifts with Proper Gratitude. 

 

Backwards Trajectory accepted a flash called A Single, Clear Red Bead. 

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My friend Martha Gies sent the following email recently.  Years ago she and I spent writing weeks together.  They were awesome times where we concentrated on the writing all day, without distraction.  She has published a book called Broken Open and is asking for support from Seattle area writers.  I'm hoping if you are in the Pacific Northwest that you will attend to support this fabulous writer!! 

 

Here's her email: 

Dear friends,  

In connection with the release of my new book, I will be reading at Folio: Seattle Athenaeum, on Friday afternoon, November 1, 4-6pm.  

Broken Open is a memoir in linked essays that focus on three key periods of my life: childhood in rural Oregon, the task of “finding right livelihood,” and the period of looking back to some unforgettable people and travels. The attached one-sheet describes the book, and you can read an early review here: https://www.streetroots.org/news/2024/08/28/broken-open-memoir-essays-reflects-childhood-and-lessons-come-age 

Folio is a membership library, founded by David Brewster in 2014. It now occupies a lovely third-floor space with a wide view of the sound, just south of the Public Market. The address is 93 Pike Street, and the accessible entrance to the Economy Building’s atrium is just south of DeLaurenti's on 1st Avenue. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor and find Folio at #307, on your left. (Parking and public transportation options below.) 

Do note that the event is free, but Folio staff ask that you reserve a space (“ticket”) in order to keep track of the number of necessary chairs. https://www.folioseattle.org/event-details/lets-talk-about-memoir-broken-open-with-martha-gies 

Ballard’s longstanding independent Secret Garden Books will be selling at the reading, and you can also order from them in advance: https://www.secretgardenbooks.com/book/9798218382704. 

This event, follows my mini-tour of four venues in the SF Bay area, and an intense week of Portland standing-room-only readings, beginning with a huge launch at Portland’s Revolution Hall, which an estimated 190 people attended. (Well, it is my home town. . .)

In Seattle, however, I could use some help getting the word out: would you please consider sending this announcement to friends interested in writing memoir, or at least bring someone along who would enjoy spending the afternoon with you, no matter where you go--smile.

 

Thanks and take care, 

Martha  

 

Parking options at the bottom of this page: https://www.folioseattle.org/contact-us 

Public transportation:  

https://www.pikeplacemarket.org/7-ways-to-get-to-pike-place-market-using-public-transit/