News from Heidi

Sunriver Books is a divine little bookstore & Deon Stonehouse puts on a first-class event. The audience was greeted with wine and nibblies and escorted to their reserved seats. What a wonderful audience too! But wait, there's more. Deon gave me the most awesome-est pen that I can't stop writing with--I've filled up my Moleskine much faster than usual simply because I want to hold the pen--I think she might also have put magic good writing fairy dust in the pen too--I was suddenly working on the new novel again at long last. But wait--the audience got swag too! Perfectly chosen gifts for the themes of my work including a copy of Nella Larsen's Passing, one of my all-time favorites. If you've never been to a reading at Sunriver, then do it. You are guaranteed a good time.

Yup, that's Redmond, OR. Never been there? Well, should you make it there be sure to go visit with the good people at Paulina Springs Books. I had a wonderful evening there during a trip through Oregon. The audience was amazing--in part because of the lovely article written by David Jasper of the Bend Bulletin, the good work of the bookstore folks, and well, these are folks who like me LOVE books. I also had the chance to meet the designer of the book cover. Connie Gabbert, you are awesome! She gave me a copy of the original sketch design idea for the book. She really nailed it, huh?

People ask me if I get tired from being on the road so much touring with the book. Yup, I get tired, but I also get so energized like I did at St. Helens Books in Oregon a couple of weeks ago. It was a cozy group and we actually started talking before the "official start" of the reading. Maybe that was the magic because I walked away that night so jazzed by the energy I had for the reading--I hope they could tell--that might have been one of my best readings yet. Anyway, thank you Lori for the invite! It was a special night.

I was delighted to return to PCC-Cascade where my mother has worked for years and I took classes as a high school student for extra credit. What a delightful audience it was--and there was a roster of special people: my high school teacher Carolyn, and writing mentor Whitney Otto, and bookseller Dianah, oh and many more, forgive me if I haven't included your name here. Thank you very much to Diane Thornton and the Women's Resource Center for inviting me. I had fun!

I was so excited to share the stage with Naseem Rakha (author of The Crying Tree) because well, she's wonderful. Smart, and elegant, and witty, and a talented writer who's writing about something that matters in that Bellwether Prize kind of way. I really connected with her. Here are some photos from the night. We think we might take our show on the road!

When I left my job as a corporate litigator, the first real writing thing I did was attend the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference as a contributor. I had a wonderful time and met people I count as friends still today. I returned in 2004 as a "waiter"--the work-study scholarship that gives you a kind of "rock star" status, despite the fact that you are scraping the other conference attendees' plates. It was a crazy awesome time! Last year, I was accepted as a "Scholar." No work, but I did have to share a work-in-progress in workshop (I find that so difficult). But now, this year, I am happy to report, that I will return to Bread Loaf as a Fellow in August. I feel like I have made it full circle. I'm so excited.

I am excited to share that I will be the Keynote Speaker at Clark College's Commencement on June 17 this year. It's an incredible honor and I've started to scribble notes and ideas of what I plan to say. Do you have any special ideas for me? Things you can think you wish you had heard upon your graduation. I'd love any comments or suggestions you've got.  I don't remember who spoke at my graduation from Stanford, but I do remember the wonderful benediction address by Rita Nakashima Brock. 

Michele Young-Stone is great! Read her book. Look how much fun we had! (I also got a chance to meet the talented actress, Kathleen McInerney, who "plays" Nella on the audio version of The Girl Who Fell From the Sky (HighBridge Audio).

Do you know who any of these folks are? Well, if you want to know check out my annual blog series called Mixed Experience History Month. This is the fourth year I've celebrated this on my personal blog, Light-skinned-ed Girl, a mixed chick's mixed thoughts on a mixed-up world. The month is almost over but there are plenty of profiles from other years to check out too.

I had a great time doing this interview in my hometown, Portland, OR. My real grandmother gets a little air time too! Yay Grandma!