Pinewood Table teacher Stevan Allred poses with four writers–Mary Milstead, Julia Stoops, Kristi Wallace Knight and Scott Sparling–who have worked on their words at the table with Stevan and his co-teacher Joanna Rose.
We had an unbelievable turnout yesterday at the drop-by launch of Brave on the Page: Oregon Writers on Craft and the Creative Life.
I ask Yuvi Zalkow to sign my personal copy of Brave on the Page while other contributors, writers and well-wishers visit.
I invited contributors to stop by the Espresso Book Machine from noon to 1:30 to see the machine work, visit with each other and celebrate the launch of our book. Because it is our book. I created it, as the editor and the founder of Forest Avenue Press, but it’s really about all forty-two authors who participated by doing interviews or writing essays on the writer’s life.
It was amazing to see everyone, meet some folks I didn’t know and have some contributors sign my book. And Polly, who was staffing the Espresso booth, did a great job keeping track of orders and getting books printed. I’ve joked about this being a non-launch; the logistics didn’t work out to have an evening party and reading, so the Espresso staff and I designed this drop-by lunchtime launch.
But it was really a party, thanks to all the people who showed up to see the book for the first time and get their own copies hot off the press!
Polly Duggan runs the Espresso Book Machine at Powell’s during the Brave on the Page launch party.
To see more photos of the launch, read more about the contributors and keep up with the latest news about Brave on the Page, go check out Forest Avenue Press. I’m updating that site often right now, trying to keep up with all the exciting news.
And speaking of news, if you live in Portland, our first reading–the real book launch, if you will–is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, at Fulton Park Community Center. So mark your calendar!
Two very special bloggers hosted me this week–in fact they are both among the people who comment most here–but because there’s so much going on, I’m going to post about those on Friday so they don’t get lost in the melee. For now, remember to comment on Monday’s post for a chance to win prizes, and here’s a list of launch day links from a variety of sources. Enjoy!
Jon Bell, author of On Mount Hood, talks about how we connected just in time to get an interview together for Brave on the Page. You’ll see his interview appear here in the next few weeks, but in the meantime go check out what he has to sayabout being part of this project. “I don’t have my copy yet, but I’m looking forward to getting one,” Jon writes in his post. “Anyone who’s interested in Oregon writers, craft and the creative life should be, too.”
Gigi Little, cover designer and essay writer, discusses her role in the project on her website. She also did a launch day post on her blog, Ut Omnia Bene. Gigi’s husband, the artist Stephen O’Donnell, is among the interview subjects in Brave on the Page. He’s in a writing craft book because he blogs about art, has a published book of his work, and his paintings are beautifully constructed visual stories.
Liz Scott, whose essay “Where” appears in Brave on the Page, writes about the book at her always inspiring blog, Pocket Shrink. Her post is titled The Glorious Book, and she points out that by supporting this project, you’re also supporting independent bookstores and independent publishing endeavors.
Yuvi Zalkow, author of A Brilliant Novel in the Works and one of the interview subjects in the book, draws a parallel between the Espresso Book Machine and old-fashioned printing techniques. “What I love about the this device is that it seems to embrace both the past and the future,” Yuvi explains. “A device that allows you to print a real-life, old-school, physical book.” You can read his post here.
Jackie Shannon Hollis, who writes about writing while moving in her essay, told her readers about Brave on the Page and the fact that Forest Avenue Press has big plans.
Kristen Forbes, who wrote the title essay, “Brave on the Page,” touts the launch here.
Emma Burcart, a women’s lifestyle blogger whose essay “Wherever I Am” is in Brave on the Page, announces I’m Published! Emma gleefully announces, “I’m in a book with writers whose books I love. I have been in the audience for their readings and signings. And now I’m in a book with them!”
Well said, Emma. That’s exactly how I feel.
Laura Stanfill 
Great pictures! I wish I could’ve been there. I’m glad people showed up to celebrate with you. And thanks for listing all the posts about it here. Those will be fun to go through!
Thanks, Emma! It was such fun to see everyone gathered together at Powell’s, including some folks their to support their mentors and friends. I mentioned you a few times in conversation so it (almost) felt like you were with us too–at least in spirit.
It looks like you are really busy with the launch, but isn’t it a great feeling? 🙂
Absolutely!
After I left Powell’s yesterday, though, there was that post-holiday letdown for a little while. But then I remembered I still have press releases to send out, and I’ll be bringing the book to Wordstock, our Portland literary festival, this weekend. So the fun continues!
This is great. The launch, then Wordstock, then the reading. Sounds like a lot of fun.
(I had to make the picture bigger to see Polly, though. 🙂 )
Oh yes. I was trying to get her name in there because she did such a great job. You can look at my proof copy post to see her face–or I think I posted some of her over on Forest Avenue Press’ site.
I’m so sorry I couldn’t be at the lunch! I had to work, but I can’t wait to get my own copy.
It’s so fun to watch them get printed, but I’ll also have them at Wordstock both days from 10-1 at the Espresso booth (inside the Powell’s Marketplace). Hopefully I’ll see you there or wandering around!
Great to hook up with you from Naomi’s blog!
So nice to meet you, Holly! I love how online communities grow organically like this. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow–things have really taken off for you, Laura. How exciting. I love the idea of ‘drop-by lunchtime launch’. This has been a fun project to watch as it takes flight, even from all the way over here in little NH. 🙂
It was a launch, but not THE launch, if that makes sense! Some people came on their lunch hour, just for a short while, while others stayed and visited. There were no readings or speeches, just lots of writers and the incredibly fascinating Espresso Book Machine cranking out copy after copy of Brave on the Page.
I just scheduled the official launch for November 3–a reading, refreshments, and extra time to socialize. Whee! Once I get through Wordstock, that’ll be my focus.
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