October 2016 – Janet fisher

Authors Set Aside Serious

October 21, 2016October 21, 2016Janet Fisher

When three authors get together to present their books at the Book Nest Venue in the Indulge! Antiques shop, it’s triple the activity of the former one-author format. And we just had to ham it up a little for the camera.

That’s me on the left of course, then Valerie Ihsan in the middle and Lynn Ash on the right.

We enjoyed the new digs at the Springfield Gateway Mall where Indulge recently moved. Amanda Bird, proprietor of the Book Nest bookstore, keeps a presence there, though not the separate niche she had in the previous location.

Imagine a long narrow table set with candles and knickknacks and books down the center on a bright autumn-orange runner. Sorry, I get distracted easily and forget to take more pictures. Around this attractive table the three of us shared brief descriptions of our books with the guests who joined us. And over a delightful lunch we all took questions and had wonderful conversation.

Valerie talked about her new novel The Scent of Apple Tea, Lynn presented her travel memoirs The Route from Cultus Lake and Vagabonda, and I discussed my Oregon Trail stories, The Shifting Winds and A Place of Her Own, as well as upcoming work.

The food was delicious, and Indulge is filled with tempting antiques in charming displays. Thanks to Amanda for the invite to a lovely event.

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Back to the Book Nest

October 17, 2016October 17, 2016Janet Fisher

I’m packing up books again to head back to the Book Nest in Springfield, Oregon, where proprietor Amanda Bird puts together lovely luncheons for authors and guests. We’ll meet this Thursday, October 20, at 12 noon at the new location in the Gateway Mall (see below). This time I’ll be joined by my author friends Lynn Ash and Valerie Ihsan in a new multi-author format.

Lynn will bring copies of her travel memoirs, The Route from Cultus Lake and Vagabonda. Valerie will bring her Scent of Apple Tea and Smell the Blue Sky. In addition to my new Shifting Winds I’ll have copies of A Place of Her Own.

I had the pleasure of being invited to share A Place of Her Own at a Book Nest Author Lunch a couple of years ago shortly after that book came out and am delighted to be invited again.

The Book Nest, housed in the Indulge! Antiques collection of shops, has recently moved into new quarters in the Springfield Gateway Mall at 3000 Gateway Street, Suite 406. That will be new to me also. But I’m sure the lunches will be as exquisite as ever, coming from the Blue Pig Cafe in the same complex.

Each of the authors will a give a short introduction of themselves and their work, five minutes or so. Then we’ll go to questions and conversation. The event is open to the public with a no-host luncheon. You can find the lunch menu and pricing here. More on Indulge! here.

To find the place just go into the mall through Sears. From Sears it’s on your right. If you’re in the neighborhood, please stop by. It’s a great venue.

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Oh, Ashland!

October 11, 2016October 11, 2016Janet Fisher2 Comments

A soft October sun brightened the colors as I rolled into Ashland yesterday afternoon for my reading and signing at Bloomsbury Books. After dropping some books off at the store I had time to take a walk and let the festive Ashland charm wrap around me. I strolled down Main Street and over to Lithia Park, stopping by a pond to breathe in the calming beauty.

Back up Main Street I began to read menus at the many restaurants along the way, confident that any one of them would offer exquisite fare. Even a quick, light dinner had a gourmet touch. Along the street the flags never let you forget the town’s Shakespearean reputation, and music from stringed instruments drifted on the air. It’s no wonder the place drew me a couple of decades ago to live there for a while. So I returned with some sense of a homecoming for this second book signing at Bloomsbury’s. I went there a couple of years ago to present my pioneer ancestor’s story A Place of Her Own.

The staff at Bloomsbury set up a nice display with both books this time. They hold readings upstairs in the store loft, a pleasant spot–the author’s garret, I guess. A good group came up. I read from the opening pages of historical novel The Shifting Winds, my featured book at this event, and the audience clearly appreciated the reading. We had an excellent discussion. So rewarding to find such enthusiasm. And several bought both books.

Afterward I had a long drive home in the dark, but a feeling of satisfaction went with me.

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On to Ashland

October 9, 2016October 9, 2016Janet Fisher

Next stop on my journey to present my book The Shifting Winds is the lovely Bloomsbury Books in the southwestern Oregon town of Ashland, known for its elegant Shakespearean theater productions and other theatrical offerings. I’ll be there tomorrow evening, Monday, October 10, at 7 pm. That’s Bloomsbury’s in the photo below.

I thoroughly enjoyed last week’s visit to Coos Bay at the Coos Bay Public Library for a book presentation and signing. My thanks to Ellen Thompson, Assistant Library Director, for inviting me and making all the arrangements. A very literary audience offered such a gratifying response. Many had already read my first book, A Place of Her Own, and expressed how much they enjoyed it. After my talk and reading with a slide show, we had a lively Q&A session. Many attendees had kinds words for me, but one heartfelt comment brought tears to my eyes when a woman thanked me for bringing history to life. It’s what I try so hard to do, and her affirmation touched me.

Tomorrow night will be a more traditional reading and signing. I’ll say a just few words and give a reading, then take questions before signing books.

I lived in Ashland about twenty years ago and had a wonderful gig there doing play reviews for the Sneak Preview, an Ashland monthly newspaper. What fun! My job meant attending all sorts of plays, including one fantastic dinner theater production, and of course writing reviews.

Bloomsbury Books was my go-to bookstore when I lived there. One thing about living in a lot of places, as I have, I’m a local author in many locales.

If you’re in the neighborhood, please stop by. As I recall, my last event at Bloomsbury’s had a lively Q&A too.

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Coos Bay Library Presentation

October 5, 2016October 5, 2016Janet Fisher

I head back to the beautiful Oregon coast tomorrow, October 6, this time south to Coos Bay for an appearance at the Coos Bay Public Library. The event, open to the public, starts at 7 pm.

Photo Courtesy of the City of Coos Bay

The above photo captures the reflected beauty of a sunrise over Coos Bay’s boardwalk. I hope to explore a little while I’m there.

My presentation will include a short talk, a reading, some Q&A, and book signing, along with a slide show of photos related to my two books, The Shifting Winds and A Place of Her Own. Both are stories delving into Oregon’s pioneer history with a focus on strong women who made the formidable trek over the Oregon Trail to a wilderness across the continent.

If you’re in the Coos Bay vicinity, please join us. The library is located at 525 Anderson Avenue. Here are a few highlights from the slide show: