Books are Busting Out All Over
by Antoinette May Herndon

That prolific Kathy Boyd Fellure has done it again. This month marks the debut of the fourth book in the Ione author’s popular Blake Sisters series. “The Bear Cub Adventure” is the long awaited autumn addition to her Lake Tahoe children’s series.

In this tale, illustrated by Donna Plant, also of Ione, the two middle sisters, Marsha and Becky Blake, go on a camping trip to Sugar Pine Point State Park with their parents.

Uninvited guests are the “Stinky Boys,” who show up just in time for a hike along General Creek.

The boys insist opon tagging along with the sisters as they adventure out along the lake to fish, canoe and trek. The group enjoys magical starlit nights at Lake Tahoe but also encounter a variety of critters large and small. Think BEARS.

A flurry of book signings are slated for Kathy and her “Bear Club Adventure” in the Tahoe and Sacramento area this month. Call 274-0205 for further details.

Kathy also has a new completed adult novel, “Language of the Lake” which is under serious consideration by a major New York publisher. She will share selections from “Language” at an Author Read Oct. 30, from noon to 2 p.m. in her home at 520 Sutter Lane, Ione. RSVP: Kathyfellure2@juno.com.

The three other books in Kathy’s children’s series are “When the Birdies Came to Tea, “Mr. Snowman Ate Our Picnic Lunch,” and “Nana’s Tin of Buttons. They are on sale at all local book stores.

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The time is 1850, the place Calaveras County, the girl: plucky Emily Fairfield who has journeyed west to find her missing fiancé.

Take my word, things get pretty exciting once Emily reaches, the notorious “River of Skulls, ” other wise known as the El Rio de las Calaveras. Janet Langton of Railroad Flat really knows how to tell a story.

Maybe that’s why the Amador County Library has planned an afternoon with Janet, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. in Jackson

Janet describes her novel as a story of courage, love, failure and accomplishment. It has been painstakingly researched.

Copies will be available for signing at the reception and Janet will donate 10 percent of her sales to the Amador County Library.

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Do you know what “Ekphrasis” means? If you so, you’ re way ahead of me. I was forced to google the meaning before I had any sense what I was writing about. Ekphrasis is the graphic, often dramatic description or depiction of a visual work of art.

Now that the mystery (or elucidation) is out of the way, you can see and partake of an ekphrasis in action at the Mountain Ranch Community Center. The art and poetry of Monika and Gary Rose will be on display at a workshop, reading sharing session Oct. 14 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Gary Rose, a geometric minimalist designer, and Monika, a published poet, will share their work and vision at the reception. Their Ekpharasis is a free learning/sharing opportunity to which all are invited.

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Three exciting new venues have opened

for fall and winter prose and poetry readings. Call the following for further information:

Jeff Tuttle’s Union House, Mokelumne Hill. Corner of Main and Center. Mokelumne Hill. Phone: 286- 1102.

Camps Restaurant, : 611 McCauley Rd, Angel’s Camp. Phone: 736-8181.

Common Grounds Coffee House in La Contenta, Valley Springs. 1653 Highway 26, Valley Springs. Phone: 772-1714.

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Upcoming events:

Gold Rush Writers will sponsor a Book & Author Luncheon, Saturday, Nov. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill.

An open mic reading and signing will be held at the Thorn Mansion in San Andreas later this fall. Watch for dates.

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Ongoing events:

Writers Unlimited meets on the second and fourth to read and critique poetry and prose in progress. Monday evenings at 6:30, at the Calaveras County Arts Council in San Andreas. Phone: 754-1774 for additional information.

Poet’s Night, is celebrated on the first Monday of each month, at 7:30 p.m., Hotel Leger, Mokelumne Hill. All are invited to this free gathering and asked to bring original poems or share old favorites. Phone me at 286 -1320 for more details.

Do you have a new book out? Are you planning a reading, book launch or signing? Let’s share the excitement. Email the details to me at amherndon@sierralodestar.com

Photo caption: Kathy Fellure, author of the Blake Sister series, a collection of Tahoe- centered children’s stories. Photo by Sarah Armstrong, Hidden Hills Photography.