NWBookTalk

Book Fair in Review: Authors, Media, and Northwest Storytelling On this episode of Northwest Book Talk, host Patty Grasher reflects on the 2026 Northwest Book Fair & Media Fest, a community event bringing together regional authors, readers, media creators, workshop presenters, volunteers, and sponsors. Patty looks back at the purpose of the fair, the energy […]

Christy Peterson on Bookselling, Local Authors, and Vintage Books Patty Grasher talks with Christy Peterson, nonfiction writer, editor, and bookseller at Vintage Books in Vancouver, Washington. Christy shares an inside look at how local and indie authors can approach bookstores, what makes a book a good fit for consignment, and why authors need to actively

Monika Spykerman: Finding the Human Story Behind the Headlines Feature writer Monika Spykerman of The Columbian joins Patty Grasher to discuss the art of human-interest storytelling and why people are often the most important part of any story. Monika shares her unconventional path from newsroom assistant to feature writer, how she discovers story ideas, and

Dawn Sellers of POV Filmmakers: Bringing Stories from Page to Screen How does a story become a film? In this episode of Northwest Book Talk, Patty Grasher talks with screenwriter Dawn Sellers of POV Filmmakers, a Vancouver-based nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers through collaboration, education, and production. Dawn shares how authors can use film trailers to

Jordan Fitch on Live Events, Book Fairs & Connecting with Readers Thriller author Jordan Fitch, author of The Cardinal Line and NameTown, returns to Northwest Book Talk to share how live events have helped him grow his audience, connect with readers, and build his author platform. From bookstore signings and breweries to book fairs and

Barbara Herkert Shares the Hidden Stories Behind Historical Picture Books Award-winning children’s author Barbara Herkert joins Northwest Book Talk to share the stories behind her beautifully crafted historical and biographical picture books. Known for titles that bring history, art, and overlooked voices to life for young readers, Barbara discusses her passion for uncovering the “hidden

On this episode of Northwest Book Talk, Patty Grasher welcomes author Evan Kidwell, writing as E. K. Kidwell, creator of Timeaous Spark and the Luck Curse. Based in Sequim, Washington, Evan shares the remarkable story behind his debut fantasy novel—beginning with a bold public commitment at a leadership conference to publish a book within one

Shirley Karr: Regency Romance, Tall Ships, and the Promise of a Happy Ending Historical romance author Shirley Karr joins Northwest Book Talk to share how childhood years in England, a love of Regency history, and an unforgettable sail on the tall ship Lady Washington helped shape her fiction. Shirley talks about blending humor, adventure, romance,

Jesse Morse on Place-Based Writing, Poetry & Finding Stories in Everyday Landscapes Writer, poet, musician, and educator Jesse Morse joins Northwest Book Talk to explore the art of place-based writing and how paying closer attention to the world around us can deepen storytelling. Jesse teaches literature and creative writing at Clark College and discusses how

Michelle St. Romain — Writing Memory, Ancestry, and the Stories That Shape Us Michelle St. Romain joins Northwest Book Talk to share the inspiration behind her debut novel Song of Belonging, a multi-generational story rooted in memory, ancestry, and magical realism. We explore how personal history, culture, and poetry shaped her writing, along with her