Erin L. McCoy, Author at Wallyhood

Commemorating Loved Ones, Talking about Loss: Open Books’ November Events

Erin L. McCoy November 2, 2017 Comments are off

Wallingford’s poetry-only bookstore, Open Books, will offer a strong lineup of unique events and readings in November, including a reading and discussion on grief and illness and the second installment of its Sunday After SAL reading, all free to attend.

On November 4, the bookstore will host a reading unlike any other ever held at the store. Outgoing Seattle Civic Poet Claudia Castro Luna will launch her new collection, Killing Marías (Two Sylvias Press), in conjunction with a Day of the Dead celebration.

The book commemorates the ongoing femicide in Juárez, México, where hundreds of women have been murdered since …

Acclaimed poets, anniversary celebration this weekend at Open Books

Erin L. McCoy September 15, 2017 Comments are off

Open Books, Wallingford’s poetry-only bookstore, has a literature-packed weekend ahead as it celebrates one year under the ownership of Billie Swift. Meanwhile, on Friday evening, two award-winning poets will read from their nationally acclaimed debut books.

Friday’s event features Carolina Ebeid, author of You Ask Me to Talk About the Interior (Noemi Press), and Charif Shanahan, winner of the 2015 Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award for his debut, Into Each Room We Enter without Knowing (SIU Press). The reading begins at 7 p.m. and is free to attend.

Poet Julie Carr has called Ebeid’s book “mesmerizingly beautiful,” …

Craft Talk at Open Books

Erin L. McCoy May 17, 2017 Comments are off

Open Books (2414 N. 45th St.) is hosting a craft talk this Friday, May 19, with fiction writer Ann Pancake, author of Me and My Daddy Listen to Bob Marley (Counterpoint 2015) and finalist for the 2016 Washington State Book Award. Her talk, titled “Throb and Hum, A Story’s Song: Writing from Hearing Rather Than Thinking,” has proven to be just as useful for poets as for fiction writers. Among the questions Pancake asks: How does prose written with an underlying music move a reader in ways other prose cannot? And what are the dangers and the pleasures of writing …

National Poetry Month celebrations continue at Open Books

Erin L. McCoy April 15, 2017 Comments are off

April is National Poetry Month, and Open Books, Wallingford’s poetry-only bookstore, will be hosting events and offering special discounts through the end of the month. These include family- and student-friendly initiatives and new ways to engage with poetry within the store, which is located at 2414 N. 45th St. Check out what’s going on this month, and make sure to stop by.

For Kids & Adults Alike

15% discount for students and teachers: Throughout the entire month, students and teachers, including K-12 and college level, receive a 15% discount. April 27, Poem in Your Pocket Day: We’ll be handing out…

Poet Laureate to read to Wallingford children this Sunday

Erin L. McCoy January 28, 2017 3 Comments

Former Washington State Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen will be the guest reader this Sunday at Open Books: A Poem Emporium. She will read for children young and old as part of the monthly Winnie-the-Pooh Reading Series at Wallingford’s only all-poetry bookstore. The event will be 11-11:45 a.m. at 2414 North 45th St.

Elizabeth Austen‘s collection Every Dress a Decision (Blue Begonia Press, 2011) was a finalist for the 2012 Washington State Book Award in poetry. She is also the author of two poetry chapbooks, The Girl Who Goes Alone (Floating Bridge Press, 2010) and Where Currents Meet, winner of …

Reading, film screening raise awareness on homelessness

Erin L. McCoy January 19, 2017 1 Comment

On Jan. 26, the night before Seattle’s annual count of homeless individuals in King County, a poetry reading and film screening will seek to raise awareness about homelessness. The event will feature Seattle’s Youth Poet Laureate, Angel Gardner, who in June talked to The Seattle Times about her own experience with homelessness, alongside Seattle’s Civic Poet, Claudia Castro Luna, and writers from Recovery Cafe and Mary’s Place. Attendees will also see a screening of Michelle de la Vega’s film US THEM WE, which paired homeless residents with arts professionals and artists, all of whom are neighbors in Pioneer Square.…

Open Books offers free tickets, books this season

Erin L. McCoy December 18, 2016 3 Comments

Wallingford’s Open Books: A Poem Emporium is launching several initiatives this holiday season for visitors to walk away with free tickets and books.

There are two opportunities to get free tickets for the Seattle Arts & Lectures Poetry Series. Visitors can cast their votes to help SAL choose next year’s lineup of poets in the 2017-2018 season. All those who vote will be entered for a chance to win two free tickets to next season’s opening event.

Open Books is also selling a limited number of pre-wrapped books from poets who will read in this year’s series. These books by …

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