West Seattle, Washington
17 Wednesday
(Photos by Jason Grotelueschen for WSB)
Big line outside Easy Street Records tonight in The Junction – not for a show, but for an author … who happens to be a Grammy-winning, Hall of Fame-inducted rock musician. Soundgarden‘s founding guitarist Kim Thayil came to Easy Street to sign his just-released memoir “A Screaming Life.” Of course a photo op with Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan was in order:
And then Thayil got to meet the book-buying fans:
As we mentioned in a preview, “A Screaming Life” has a West Seattle writer as co-author, Adem Tepedelen:
Easy Street has several special events most weeks – you can browse what’s coming up here.
Also in The Junction, the Easy Street Records marquee is a reminder of a big-name book signing coming up Saturday night: Grammy-winning, Hall of Fame-inducted Kim Thayil, founding guitarist of Soundgarden, has published his memoir, and if you buy it, you can get his signature during a 7 pm event at Easy Street (4559 California SW). You might already have heard about this – it’s been in our calendar a while – but you might not realize that his co-author is a longtime West Seattle resident: Adem Tepedelen co-authored the memoir, “A Screaming Life: Into the Superunknown,” and emailed to be sure we knew the West Seattle angle goes beyond the location of the signing. Here’s how to buy the book from Easy Street. The publisher’s description promises not only the behind-the-scenes story of Thayil’s life but also notes that he “takes readers backstage to meet the band that boldly broke the traditional rules of rock,forging a new genre while selling over 30 million albums and building a fiercely loyal fanbase across the globe.”
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Tulsa, Oklahoma’s best-known literary connoisseur and community connector has taken a leap across the U.S. and landed right here in West Seattle.
Jeff Martin, co-founder of Magic City Books, was recently profiled by the New York Times for his “Literary King” status, with his then-impending move to Seattle making the article’s headline. Excited West Seattle readers sent us the link, so we sat down with Martin – who recently moved into a home near Fauntleroy Park – to find out more about his motivation and potential plans. (Books, after all, are huge here, with two indie bookstores in West Seattle and numerous book clubs.)
Martin has built a name for himself over the past decade operating the Tulsa book store as a nonprofit, and creating a nationally recognized event space visited by countless best-selling authors.
But it took years to develop – at 23, Martin was introduced to the industry by working on the program team for a bookstore by happenstance. An opportunity opened after the then-manager went on extended leave, after which Martin offered to jump in.
And jump he did. He started reaching out to authors and publishers, hoping to get more and more people coming through the store, and began to build relationships within the literary community.
“I liked the idea of bringing people together for these kinds of shared experiences,” he explained.
A few years later, in 2009, Martin went out to do his own thing. This manifested in some different forms, at one point a book-centered social hour cleverly named “Beer Pub,” and later Booksmart, with the intention of bringing in one author per month.
The last indie bookstore in Tulsa that sold new books closed in 2013, which ultimately convinced Martin to open up one of his own, and Magic City was born. Stephen King headlined the first official event, a year and a half after the store’s opening.
When Martin’s work with Magic City Books was featured in The New York Times earlier this spring, the Times described it as having “helped transform his midsize city into a dynamic cultural hub.”
“I’ve done projects that have kind of been highlighted in there, but it’s a totally different thing when it’s about you personally… not to mention the intensity of the interviews.” Martin said “But I really lucked out. The reporter they sent was so amazing, and so engaged with what we were doing.”
Initially, Martin recalled, the reporter thought the NYT article to read as an obituary. That is, until its publishing was postponed, and ended up coinciding with Martin’s decision to move. It then read as an ode to everything Martin has already achieved, and his move worked to establish a potential continuum of his dedication to the community.
“This kind of gives it a sense of what the next step is, what’s coming, and it feels a little bit more open ended.”
Martin is going to work here for a museum (more on that in a moment), but he hasn’t completely closed the door on the literary community he worked to build, or Magic City Books, with which he expects to remain involved. “I’m so invested in that city. We have an amazing staff and a crew where I just found myself not needed day to day. And I’ll still provide a lot of oversight and creative energy from afar… And I’ll go back.” (Conveniently, Alaska Airlines just launched a daily, year-round direct flight from Seattle to Tulsa.) “I kind of ran out of excuses not to try it. I don’t like the idea of regret, so we took a shot.”
The move first came about as he and his wife Molly had lost three of their four parents over the past two and half years. “Those are shocks to your system.” Martin explained, and they ultimately led the pair to want to build a relationship closer to remaining family members living just across the Idaho border.
For the past 17 years, Martin also held the position of director of communications at a Tulsa museum, Philbrook Art & Gardens, which led to a new job that also played a big factor in the ultimate decision to move to West Seattle – Martin started work last month at the Seattle Art Museum, as Chief of Creative Strategy and Storytelling.
His goals mirror those at the Philbrook, drawing the distinction between “respected” and “beloved” for the Seattle Art Museum, and helping Seattleites begin to identify SAM with the latter. He wants to give voice and personality to the institution, leaning into an air of fun. “Part of my job is to try to create some kind of unified theory of the museum and make people understand what it is and kind of bring the tone back.”
So, why live in West Seattle? Martin spoke fondly of his new home bordering Fauntleroy Park. He liked the idea of being close to Puget Sound, and experiencing the small-town energy that he felt this part of Seattle exudes. “Downtown, obviously it’s so crazy and hectic. So when you come over here, it’s kind of like: exhale. We may not stay in this part of the city forever, but it felt to me like a good starting point.”
Since his move, Martin has been exploring the local scene in West Seattle, and trying to find some spots that stick. He specifically mentioned visiting Paper Boat Booksellers (WSB sponsor), and was excited by their curated selections. He also went to Admiral Theater, and noticed its status as the peninsula’s only movie theater.
“There’s not a lot of movie theaters in West Seattle. So that’s something that maybe we need to figure that out.” Martin was first interested in filmmaking as a teenager, wanting to write scripts before he moved to explore the book world.
As for bringing something similar to Magic City Books to the Seattle scene, Martin has no immediate plans, though he did mention a warm Seattle welcome from book-fanatics as a result of the New York Times article.
“It was an amazing way to kind of get introduced to everybody really fast. So I’ve had all these meetings. But it’s just been a really nice thing to have this entry to the city,” Martin said.
(Photo courtesy Jeff Martin)
West Seattle is clearly a peninsula full of readers. We regularly feature more than half a dozen book clubs in our West Seattle Event Calendar, and new ones pop up periodically – like this one:
The Good Neighborhood Book Club is launching one week from tonight at The Good Society Brewery and Public House (2701 California SW), 6:30-7:30 pm on Tuesday, June 9. The invitation: “Come and talk about:
-What you are reading
-What you love to read
-What you hope to read” and … “Help us pick our first book for the summer!”
For other book-club meetings and West Seattle book-related events, watch our daily event lists published here in the WSB news stream, and this category-specific link in our calendar.
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
What started out as a sweet story-time surprise for her son and his class at Edugether Child Development Center has blossomed into something bigger for a West Seattle mom – she’s become an author.
Back in October, Whitney Weigum signed up for a slot to read a story to her 3-year-old son Bennett’s class, but put her own twist on it. Drawing from the games she played with her son when teaching him the alphabet, she decided to draw up her own book for story time featuring her son as the main character.
The book, titled “Bennett’s Alphabet Adventures,” first took the form of printed sheets of paper in a binder, before one of the day-care teachers suggested that Weigum consider getting it published. The completed project finally came to fruition in early March, after some months of revision and refining illustrations, which Weigum also did herself.
“I spent several months redoing a lot of the line art and making sure that the print quality was there. And then it was my New Year’s Resolution to publish,” Weigum said.
While authoring and illustrating children’s books is not Weigum’s main domain, an array of professional experiences equipped her to navigate the writing and publishing process, as well as the more visually creative side. Before holding her current position as a project manager at Amazon, she worked as an art director for Alaska Airlines Magazine, and was an Art major at the University of Washington. She is also well versed in technical writing, producing customer support content at Amazon. Weigum regarded the production of the book as, “Every world combined that I have experience with.”
After exploring her options and coming to face some barriers in the publishing world, Weigum ultimately decided to self-publish her book. “It was hard to find when I already specifically knew what I wanted the book to be about,” she said. It was then picked up by a distributor, and is currently available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Walmart among other sites. She said “Bennett’s Alphabet Adventures” even hit the Amazon top-ten list in the New Releases in Children’s Books category. “It was really nice because within the first week I had so much support from friends and word of mouth and family that the book hit. It was really validating, and just kind of mind-blowing.”
“Bennett’s Alphabet Adventures” is targeted toward kids aged between 2 and 6 who are developing their familiarity with the alphabet. It is designed to be very interactive, and includes prompts for teachers or caregivers on every single page to engage with their young learner. Weigum added that she thinks the book could be a “really great tool, not only for preschools, but for homeschooling or other educators.”
As for the future, Weigum mentioned she has another book in the works that will act as a dual-language, English-Spanish learning tool. She has finished writing, but is still working on the illustrations, which are done by hand. Her second book will likely be published in August but in the meantime, Weigum is enjoying introducing her debut book to the community and interacting with the age group of its potential readers. You can meet her during this Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk, 5-8 pm at Snip-its in The Junction (4506 California SW) – she’ll have books, plus coloring pages and stickers for kids, based on the illustrations in “Bennett’s Alphabet Adventures.”
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
New event happening right now at Paper Boat Booksellers in The Junction (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) – they’re launching a monthly Book Swap, with wine. Bring a gently used book and take a book.
That part’s free; if you’re interested in wine, Karin from Darby Winery is there tonight with $10 pours (she’s at left above with Kelly from Paper Boat). This is on till 7 pm tonight; you can just run in, swap, and run out if you want to, but Paper Boat says, “The goal of Book Swap is to meet other book lovers, discover new books, chat about books (if you want to!), enjoy a glass of wine and have fun!” If you miss this one, set your calendar for the next third Thursday (April 16).
Those nine birds are featured in West Seattle writer Lori Kothe‘s book “Birds Near My Home in the City by the Sea” (and have been featured many times in photos here on WSB). Any sightings this weekend carry extra importance. Lori explains in this request she asked us to share with you:
I have an ask of everyone in West Seattle now through midnight Feb 16: Download the Merlin Bird ID app and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (birdcount.org) for at least 15 minutes. See if you can find all nine birds featured in my picture book! The GBBC is a global citizen science annual event currently taking place (Feb 13-16, 2026) where people report birds they notice near them, and their data highlights in real time on a map.
As the author/illustrator of Birds Near My Home in the City by the Sea, this year, I am challenging all of West Seattle to participate to discover our bird neighbors and show the world what birds live here, and have added a virtual event to the map at bird count.org. It is super easy to use the app and honestly has opened my eyes and ears to all the birds around us. When I wrote the book, I pretty much only knew nine birds. Now I have 27 on my lifer list. Merlin enables someone to just tap the record button, and in real time it “hears a bird” and suggests what bird it is with photos and info, and the prompt to say “that’s my bird” and add it to your lifer list. That’s all you need to do to have your bird data added during the count!
And… Saturday, Feb 14 (today) from (now until) 2 pm, the Environmental Science Center’s Bird Fest is taking place at the Burien Community Center. I’ll be there with my book set up in the park as a story walk to play Bird Bingo and Trivia, and offering a bird suncatcher art activity. There will be live raptors and loads of info and activities for families. It’s a free event.
You can participate in the Bird Count without downloading an app, by the way – this page explains how. Lori adds, “I would love if people would send you their bird sightings from the weekend and any stories about birds so readers could share and compare lists of all the birds spotted near our home.” (Comments are great too.)
“Thank you” is one of our favorite phrases, so we’re happy to share this message for you about the request we published from West Seattle Nursery (WSB sponsor) a week and a half ago, as they planned their exhibit for the upcoming Northwest Flower and Garden Festival. WSN’s Marie McKinsey emailed the photo and message:
We asked you to put out the word that we wanted old books. This is a FRACTION of what we got. Thank you and the community!
Speaking of birds … our previous report this afternoon was a periodic gallery of bird photos contributed by WSB readers. Now more bird news – a book launch coming up in a few weeks! West Seattle writer Susan Rich is editor of “Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds“ and sent the announcement of the event, a WordsWest pop-up:
Come celebrate Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds – Book and Book Launch 6:00 PM Thursday, January 22 at C and P Coffee Company (5612 California SW).
Readers include West Seattle contributors Elizabeth Austen, Kristie MacLean, Susan Rich, Harold Taw — as well as Allen Braden, Paul Hlava Ceballos, Laura Da, Greg November, Renee Simms, and more!
Books for sale along with complimentary refreshments!
Read more about the book on this one-sheet.
In the midst of that tree debris along 48th SW uphill from Lowman Beach is – was – Little Free Library #8702. Gay sent the photo and reports, “Super bummed that a neighboring tree fell on the Little Free Library on 48th south of Graham. We are glad no one was hurt. We take great care with the ivy and undergrowth. Thanks to all who have reached out to us.” We mentioned the 48th tree loss in our morning-traffic report but didn’t know at the time about the LFL. Weather authorities have warned that trees are more susceptible to falling because the ground is saturated, but the forecast has some reason for optimism – just calling for “showers” in our area over the next several days.
Tomorrow night, first Thursday of the month, is West Seattle Book Club night, with venues all over the peninsula opening their doors to readers. We got word of an addition this time – one venue, Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), will be welcoming students:
Educator Amy Vattuone sent word of this, explaining, “We are working with West Seattle Book Club to build regular reading nights for teens that build community and foster a love of reading.” To participate, just bring whatever you want to read – that’s the special sauce of WSBC, readers’ choice – find a place to sit, and read!
That’s a baby octopus, photographed by “Scuba Jess.” She’s a West Seattleite who’s not only a diver and photographer, but also a children’s book author, and this weekend she launches something new:
Jess – aka Jessica Alexanderson – hopes to see you at her book launch Sunday:
We’re hosting a book launch party for A Recycling Adventure to the Steel Mill at Paper Boat Booksellers in West Seattle on Sunday, October 19th from 11 AM–1 PM.
This is the third book in the “Recycling Is Like Magic” series, written by local author Scuba Jess, who loves to dive right here in West Seattle. The story takes readers on an exciting journey through a steel mill right here in West Seattle to learn how metal is melted and recycled — showing that recycling really is like magic!
Thanks to NUCOR Steel in West Seattle, we’ll be giving away free books and cookies while supplies last. It’s a fun way for families to learn more about the amazing recycling happening right in our own backyard.
We’d love it if you could share the event with your readers—West Seattle families would really enjoy it!
Event: A Recycling Adventure to the Steel Mill — Book Launch
When: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, during the West Seattle Farmers Market
Where: Paper Boat Booksellers, 6040 California Ave SW
Details: Created with Nucor Steel Seattle and packed with PNW scenes. Meet local diver/author Scuba Jess, hear a reading, and snap a pic at the “recycling superhero” photo spot. NUCOR will give away copies of our third book. Costumes welcome!
Previous books in the series include “The Girl Who Recycled One Million Cans.”
If you don’t use our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and daily lists, you might not know about all five of these local book clubs featured monthly. They’re all open to whomever shows up, no preregistration, dues, or memberships required:
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: Next meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, October 1), 6 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW). This club discusses classic sci-fi/fantasy books; this month’s title is “The Midwich Cuckoos” by John Wyndham (1957).
WEST SEATTLE BOOK CLUB: The WSBC was originally the West Seattle Silent Book Club and has grown into a massive multi-venue event with hundreds of readers, first Thursday of most months, reconvening at 7 pm this Thursday (October 2) after summer break. Choose your venue, choose your book, come read quietly, then talk with people – or don’t! This month’s locations, from North Admiral to White Center, are in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE MODERN CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: Ed, who leads the Classic SF Book Club mentioned above, created this one too. The next meeting is 3 pm Sunday (October 5) at Paper Boat Booksellers, and this month’s book is “Rosemary’s Baby” by Ira Levin (1967).
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Julia‘s club gathers at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW) one Sunday afternoon a month. For the next meeting on October 26 – 2:30 pm to chat, 3 pm to start discussing – they’re reading “The Witches of Eastwick” by John Updike (1984), which was made into a movie in 1987.
MORBIDLY CURIOUS BOOK CLUB, WEST SEATTLE CHAPTER: The name of this club explains the mindset of readers to whom it appeals! Perla is your host, and “Ghostland, an American History in Haunted Places” by Colin Dickey is what MCBC is reading this month. Next meeting is at 7 pm Thursday, October 30, at 2 Fingers Social (9211 Delridge Way).
Any other West Seattle book clubs open to more readers? Let us know so we can list them in our calendar too!
The chillier, soggier months ahead mean prime time for reading, among other things. We’ve heard lately from several West Seattle authors publishing new books. This week, writer/professor/journalist Bob Wyss is out with “Black Gold: The Rise, Reign, and Fall of American Coal,’ and will be at a local bookstore for a reading in two weeks. Here’s the announcement he sent us to share with you:
West Seattle Author’s New Book; Book Talk Set for Paper Boat Booksellers Oct. 9
A new book by West Seattle author Bob Wyss, “Black Gold, The Rise, Reign, and Fall of American Coal,” was released this week by the University of California Press. Wyss will give an inaugural talk about the book on Oct. 9 at Paper Boat Booksellers, 4522 California Ave. SW, at 6:30 p.m.
Black Gold is an environmental history of a product that was once familiar in every West Seattle home. Coal not only warmed winter’s chill it was the spark that powered railroads, the mighty steel and other industries, and it was the primary source that eventually created the American empire. However, America paid a price for burning coal – it was dirty and dangerous, and today it threatens to dangerously overheat the planet at a time when an American President wants to revive it. In West Seattle that means not only dangerously higher temperatures but rising sea levels on our Puget Sound coastline, increased toxic smoke as forest fires become more frequent, and possible droughts as glaciers disappear and winter snow decreases in the mountains.
Black Gold and its message has already drawn some press attention including a national interview at Sea Change Radio on its August 19 broadcast that can be found here. Natural History magazine is publishing an excerpt in its October issue. More information about the book can be found here.
About the Author
Bob Wyss has been a West Seattle resident for seven years. Previously, he was a reporter and editor at the Providence Journal for thirty years, a journalism professor at the University of Connecticut for fifteen years, where he is currently Professor Emeritus. He is the author of three previous books, The Man Who Built the Sierra Club, A Life of David Brower, Brimfield Rush, and Covering the Environment, and edited the anthology How I Wrote the Story. His work has appeared in the The New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, Smithsonian, and Rhode Island Monthly.
Thanks to all the local authors who send announcements of new books, local readings, and other news – West Seattle is a hotbed of reading, with several thriving book clubs whose meetings we routinely list in our West Seattle Event Calendar. Much of our book-related coverage is archived here, newest to oldest.
Another West Seattle writer is up for a prestigious award. Journalist Claudia Rowe‘s book “Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care” 
is on the longlist for the National Book Award for Nonfiction, announced today. Paper Boat Booksellers co-proprietor Eric Judy tells us that Rowe is a West Seattleite, and that her book is in stock at Paper Boat (4522 California SW). Here’s the full list of nonfiction nominees. The award program’s website describes the book as follows:
In Wards of the State, Claudia Rowe offers readers a deep understanding of the foster care-to-prison pipeline. Through interviews with psychologists, advocates, judges, and the former foster children themselves, Rowe paints a heartbreaking picture of the lives shaped by this broken system.
The awards will be presented November 19 in a livestreamed ceremony.
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: West Seattle’s tradition of literary excellence, as recognized in the annual Washington State Book Awards, continues! This year’s list of finalists is out, and it includes books by two West Seattle writers:
–Steve Duda‘s fly-fishing essay collection “River Songs: Moments of Wild Wonder in Fly Fishing,” waspublished by West Seattle-headquartered Mountaineers Books. The publisher says the book has been hailed as “rich with bracing, authentic, generous stories–writing that revels in language and spirit … pieces that breathe lived experience, reveal vulnerabilities, and convey a broad perspective of what it means to have ‘a long run with a tight crew’.” Duda’s book is a finalist in the Creative Nonfiction/Memoir division.
–Susan Rich‘s poetry book “Blue Atlas” is a finalist in the Poetry division. its launch last year was held at West Seattle’s C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), during one of the occasional reunions of the WordsWest Literary Series collective of which she is a founder. “Blue Atlas’ is described by publisher Red Hen Press as “a lyrical abortion narrative unlike any other … (that) follows a Jewish woman and her ghosts as they travel from West Africa to Europe and, finally, to the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco.” Rich has been a WSBA finalist before, for her book “The Alchemist’s Kitchen.”
The annual Washington State Book Awards, presented by the Washington Center for the Book, honor books published by Washington writers in the previous year. Here’s the full list of current finalists; winners will be announced September 16.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: We learned via a comment below that there’s another West Seattle author to congratulate – Susan Lieu, whose memoir “The Manicurist’s Daughter” is also a finalist in the Creative Nonfiction/Memoir division. Publisher Celadon Books‘ website describes it as “an emotionally raw memoir about the crumbling of the American Dream and a daughter of refugees who searches for answers after her mother dies during plastic surgery.” This is Lieu’s first book but as detailed on her website, she’s also a performer, speaker, podcaster, mom, and … chocolate entrepreneur.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you are in love with love stories, you’ll want to be at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center on Saturday (June 14).
The Emerald City Romance Writers group is bringing in more than 60 authors to meet fans, sell books, and revel in all things romantic.
This is the second year for the event, held in August last year. We talked with ECRW’s president, who writes as EL Roux. They explain that the event was created to “help promote local romance writers in the local community.” In other words – you’ve heard the exhortations “shop local,” “eat local,” etc., so consider this “read local”!
It’s not just about reading. Other participants include what EL describes as a tattoo-art business run by veterans, who’ll be offering, of course, romance-themed tattoos. Podcasters are expected.
You’ll get the chance to purchase directly from authors, and a mobile romance bookstore will be on site too.
You’ll also find fun ways to discover new – or, new to you – authors, such as “Blind Date with a Book” – you specify the “trope” (the type of romance, for example, “enemies to lovers”) and you’ll get a book to try.
Hottest current trends in romance stories? Romance/fantasy, for young-adult readers (say, early 20s). Just so happens that EL specializes in romance/fantasy, as well as romance/sci-fi, in fact. Take a look at all the genres that will be featured, and the writers and vendors related to them!
Alessa Winters – Paranormal Romance
Alex Washoe – Contemporary Romance, Fantasy Romance, Historical Fiction, Mysteries
Amanda Shelley – Contemporary Romance, New adult, Sports Romance, Single Parent Romance
Amelia Cole – Fantasy, dystopian, and scifi romances & urban fantasy
Anna Alkire – contemporary romance, romantic comedy
Annabeth Albert – LGBTQ, contemporary, romance, small town,
Asa Maria Bradley – Paranormal Romance & Romantasy
Becca Ryden – Fantasy/Romance
Beguiled Books – Seattle mobile romance bookstore
Boobs Non-Profit – All genres
Bookmomma and candy daddy – Blind date with a book
Bree Wiley – Queer Contemporary Romance
Brent Archer – Gay contemporary romance
Brittany Tucker – Adult & YA Fantasy
C.L. Collier – Contemporary romance
Chanté A. Campbell – Fantasy Romance
Chelsey Ann Tompkins – Adult Fantasy Romance
Christian Braver – Steamy contemporary romance
Christina Sol – Romantic suspense
Claire Marti – Contemporary Romance; Romcom
Coral Alejandra Moore – Fantasy and Paranormal Romance
D.W. Marshall – Romance: Suspense, contemporary, steamy,
Darcy McGuire – Historical Romance
Denise Wells – Contemporary, rom-com-suspense
Deysi O’Donal & Poppy Aster – Scifi romance (Deysi) dark paranormal romance (Poppy)
E. M. Epps & Augustine Lang – e Fantasy and Romantic Fantasy, Regency Romance
E.L. Roux – Scifi Romance and Low Fantasy Romance
Erika Vanzin – Spicy Contemporary Romance
Heather Greye – SciFi Romance/Futuristic Romance
James L. Sutter – Queer young adult romance, fantasy
Jaycee Jarvis – Fantasy Romance
Jen Flanagan – Cozy mystery & paranormal romance
Jessica Salina – Urban fantasy romance & romantic comedy
Joelle Lynne – MM Contemporary Romance
Julia Wyld – Romance Fantasy, Contemporary Romance
Justin Schuelke – LGBTQ+ m/m romance, urban fantasy, murder mystery
K. L. Parsons – Adventure Romance
Kari Harrison – MC Romance
Kate Pelczar – Romance
Kelly Vincent/Kat Vinson – YA Contemporary/LGBTQ and Adult Contemporary Romance
Kerrie Biehl – Paranormal Romance
Kerry Kilpatrick – LGBTQIA
Lily Riley – Paranormal romance, sci-fi romance, fantasy romance
Lindsey Sparks – Time Travel Romance, Fantasy Romance, Sci Fi Romance
Lore Townsend – Contemporary Romance
Lynne Hancock Pearson – Contemporary Romance
Maida Malby – Contemporary Romance
Mason Frost – Gay Romance
Matilda Lockwood – Historical romance
Meredith Spies – MM and MX paranormal romance, contemporaries, cozies
MsMorbid Art – Fantasy & Monster Romance Illustration
Nicola Tyche – Fantasy Romance, Romantasy
Paperback Pleasures – Romance Podcast, Booktok, and Store
Romance Recs Podcast – Romance Podcast
S.M. McCoy & Stevie Marie – Fantasy Romance, Sci-fi Romance, Alien Romance, Mythology and Legends
Samantha Jon – Upmarket romance, literary fiction, gothic romance
Serena Bell – Romantic comedy
Shelli Stevens – Spicy contemporaries and one paranormal series
Sonya Rhen – SciFi, Romance, Poetry
Stephanie K Clemens – Fantasy, Mystery and Cozy Fantasy
Tantri Wija – Romance, detective, fantasy, paranormal, fiction
Tori Fields – Contemporary, Instalove Romance
Victoria Weyland – Monster Romance
Victoria Woods
EL says they used feedback from last year for planning this event, so you’ll notice changes if you went to that one – more one-on-one time with authors, for example. Tickets are available online – 11 am early VIP admission, or general admission at noon; the event runs until 5 pm.
Luke pointed out that Pegasus Book Exchange in The Junction is inviting customers past and present to share stories and memories about and for owner Fred Epps, and suggested we publicize the request too. His daughter Emma Epps said OK, so here’s what she posted on the Pegasus website:
Many of you may remember my dad, Fred Epps, who was front and center of Pegasus for about 30 years. My parents live in Mount Vernon (about an hour and a half’s drive away) and as my dad ages, he no longer has the stamina to visit the store any more. I (Emma) regularly get asked to pass along people’s well wishes, but I’d rather everyone speaks in their own words.
Do you have a memorable Fred story? Or even just something simple to say?
Here’s the important part, Emma emphasizes – please publish your comment/memory/story for Fred on the Pegasus website post, not here on this WSB post, so that he’s sure to see it. Of course you’re welcome to copy and paste it here too, after you’ve posted there …
(Photo from Pegasus website post)
This time the report is from Pauline in the Fairmount Park area:
I was just outside watering our garden when I noticed that our LFL was completely cleaned out. They left the pencils and bookmarks; I guess these items weren’t good enough! I am heartbroken to think someone would do this. I have read similar stories on the blog. What is wrong with people?!
Another mysterious disappearance of books from a West Seattle Little Free Library, days after this report. The newest report is from Steve in Gatewood:
As other readers have noted, our Little Free Library was totally emptied of over 50 books last night. All books in good shape from James Patterson to children’s readers.
The Little Free Library two doors down seems to have been untouched.
To put this in perspective, more than 3,000 books that people have loved have been dropped off and then picked up by other people with very little friction so I still call the operation a wild success.
I can’t imagine what the impulse was for this event but hope it doesn’t become a trend.
If dementia care has touched your life or that of someone in your family, the next meeting of the book group at The Mount (WSB sponsor) might be of interest – and you’re invited. Here’s the announcement:
Book Group at The Mount, “Don’t Walk Away”
Join Us: Saturday, April 12Free to attend
The first 25 to RSVP may pick up a free copy of the book in advance.
Coffee and Pastries
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Providence Mount St. Vincent, Assisted Living Lounge, 2nd floor
4831 35th Ave SWPlease RSVP via email lorrie.shamarin@providence.org or call (206) 938-6191
Join the Providence Mount St. Vincent Book Group discussion of “Don’t Walk Away,” a captivating exploration of living with dementia by author Marilyn Raichle, founder of The Art of Alzheimer’s and Executive Director of Maude’s Award for innovation in Alzheimer’s care . This book offers a dual perspective on the Alzheimer’s journey, intertwining Marilyn’s written insights with the vibrant artwork of her mother, Jean McFee Raichle.
Lauren Wolfe, Manager of Social work at The Mount will facilitate the discussion as we invite participants to share their thoughts and experiences with dementia care, and the role of utilizing the elements of art and community. Whether you have personal experience with Alzheimer’s or are simply interested in a moving and engaging conversation around dementia care, please plan to join us.
After a month of moving from Morgan Junction to The Junction, Paper Boat Booksellers has announced it’s ready to reopen in its new location at 4522 California SW:
… We just have a few finishing touches to add and while things will be a work in progress for the next few weeks – we are pretty much there and ready to open our doors – trust us, we are ready to open the front shade, take down the paper on the door and let in the natural light. …
They’ll reopen at 10 am Tuesday (February 25) and will keep later hours – 10 am-7 pm Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 am-8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am-5 pm Sundays, closed Mondays. We first reported on the shop’s planned move in December; among other attributes, the new space is twice the size of their old one.
With several book clubs continuing to grow, it’s clear West Seattle is a reader’s paradise. Another book club is starting up this week and we’re mentioning it in case you haven’t already seen the listing in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. Ed explains, “I’m starting a new book club for fans of classic SF (speculative fiction) such as ‘Dune’ and ‘Lord of the Rings.’ It’s called ‘The West Seattle Classic SF Book Club’.” He’s launching at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) Thursday night (December 12), 6 pm. “We’ll be reading ‘The Stars My Destination‘ by Alfred Bester (1956). If people want a new copy they can purchase the book at Paper Boat and get a 10% discount.” Ed notes, “It’s only 211 pages so there’s still time to read.”
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