Are you a Aspiring Author? Learn more about it at OfficeXpats’ Writers Night This Thursday

Kevin Dwyer | Posted on November 27, 2022 |

Bainbridge Island is something of a writers and authors enclave. By some estimates there are more than 100 published authors who call 98110 their home zip code. Among the more famous are David Guterson (“Snow Falling on Cedars”), Kristin Hannah (“The Four Winds”), Rebecca Wells (“Ya Ya Sisterhood” series), and Susan Wiggs (“The Lakeshore Chronicles” and many others). Go to any coffee shop on the island and you just might be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Brian Herbert, who’s penned more than 40-plus titles, including follow-ups to his Dad’s “Dune” series. And, yes, Frank Herbert, once lived on the island, too.

And now, OfficeXpats (https://www.officexpats.com/events/), the co-working center located on the second floor of The Pavilion on Madison Avenue, is offering an opportunity for writers, would-be writers, and readers to learn more about the publishing biz and meet some lesser known, but no less hard working Bainbridge authors at its first-ever Books and Authors Holiday Event, from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 1. Enjoy cookies, snacks, and hot drinks, along with a few short presentations as well as time to browse and chat.

“Want to meet and buy a book for the holidays from one of the published OfficeXpats authors?” asked Leslie Schneider, co-owner of the company, along with husband Jason Omen. “Take your pick from novels, epic adventures, books for children (and the child within), and finding fitness through challenges.”

For aspiring authors, come learn about Draft2Digital, a publishing and distribution platform for e-books and paperback books to all the major retailers online, plus hundreds of storefronts worldwide. The co-founder of Draf2Digital–Toby Nance–is an islander! He will give a brief presentation and then stick around to answer questions.

A few local authors (and OfficeXpat members) will be speaking about their books, the writing process, and the value of a writing community to support the creative process. They include:

Dave Kragen, fantasy author of the Killware Chronicle series, and a historical novel Plagueman.
Paula and Lorenz Eber, world cyclists with their epic adventure chronicle Breathtaking.
Rosette Gault, artist and children’s book writer, with her new magical artist book Realm.
Lyn Lindberg, fitness author and coach offers Couch to Active.
Sara Mossman, children’s author (Atlanta Locket to the Rescue) and humorist (Sophie Goes Ape and Other Bi Polar Stories) is guaranteed to put some cheer into your holidays.

Not to toot our own horns, but the publishers and authors of The Island Wanderer have also published some tomes: My co-blogger, Margaret Millmore, has written seven supernatural fiction books and one time travel book, her most recent being the Ghost Killer series. And, yours truly contributed to Meadowmeer: From Strawberry Fields to Fairways. Truth be told, Dave Kragan, mentioned above, did most of the heavy lifting on that historical piece.

“Buy a book from a local Bainbridge Island author, or learn more about the writers’ support and community at OfficeXpats,” adds Schneider, who doubles as a Bainbridge Island City Councilor. “You’ll not only be supporting a local writer and artist, but you’ll have a chance to engage in a personal conversation with the authors while sipping on hot cider and munching on a buffet of holiday snacks.”

For more information on OfficeXpats weekly writers’ events, visit: all events.