Yesterday was an overcast, drizzly day in Portland, Ore., the perfect weather for Wordstock, Portland’s two-day book fair at the Oregon Convention Center. The theme and question surrounding this year’s event was “What happened?” As in what makes readers want to continue reading? For a reader and writer it was pure bliss.
This year, in an attempt to rid myself of serious writer’s block and from bringing more stuff into my apartment, I spent less time browsing the exhibition booths and more time at workshops and author readings. In the morning I attended two workshops, the first by author Heidi Durrow and the second by author April Henry. It is fascinating to get inside the minds of published writers and these ladies did not disappoint, sharing tips and motivating struggling writers to keep getting rejected because a rejected author becomes a published author!
After a break for lunch – a $7.00 turkey sandwich – I returned to the presentation stages and spent the afternoon listening to author readings and discussions.
Author Larry Colton, Wordstock’s founder, introduced his real New York City agent and editor. At the end of the presentation it was fun to watch some audience members descend upon the agent and editor, presenting them with business cards and probably pitching their projects. The readings by authors Margaret Chula and Kilong Ung were emotional. Ms. Chula focused on personal accounts of Japanese-Americans at World War II internment camps, and Mr. Ung’s experiences as a Cambodian genocide survivor had more than one audience member in tears. Stephen Elliott and Ander Monson read from their honest nonfiction works. Portland area authors Monica Drake, Viva Las Vegas, and Willy Vlautin, along with moderator Kevin Sampsell, brought their own unique perspectives on why they choose to live, work, and write in Portland. And although I am not a big fan of dystopian literature, Patrick Ness’s dramatic reading left me hanging and made me wonder what happened? The festival theme in action!
Click here for more information on Wordstock.
Joyce L. Bates 
“a rejected author becomes a published author!” words to be remembered. Sounds as though you had a terrific time.
It was a great day. Looking forward to Wordstock 2011.