The Windy City Beckons
I'll be award receiving and book signing at the American Library Association Conference in Chicago. C'mon down!
Chicago. Chi Town. The Windy City. I’ve only been to Chicago a handful of times, but it’s always been for something exciting.
The first time was a college summer when I road the train from St. Petersburg, Florida, to my hometown of Portland, Oregon. The Amtrak rail pass is pretty neat and Chicago was one of my chosen stops before some solo backcountry nonsense in Glacier, Montana. A pilgrimage to Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex and an Italian beef sandwich with a good friend were in order before hopping aboard the westward bound Empire Builder. A defiant bear making a stand under a grain car, a sky blocking dust storm, and a sun kink warping the tracks were all schedule delaying highlights. There were times when surrounded by Mennonite families and passing through fraking rig territory when I swore we went back in time.
The second time I went to Chicago was for in-person casting for the Norwegian Reality TV show I was on (Alt for Norge, Season 5). After slipping over several blocks of icy roads and triple checking an address received via an email from people I’d never met nor could verify were real, I ended up at the casting call. I was invited to a dark auditorium where I sat under a single bright light. Stoic figures, Norwegian producers, observed me from the shadows while an American casting professional fielded personal questions with no correct answers.
“Just be yourself and act natural!” I was encouraged as I told the void much too much about my family, love life, philosophy, politics, etc. Whatever I said, it must’ve worked. Life in the Windy City.
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be in Chicago for the American Library Association (ALA) Conference, June 22 - 27 at McCormick Place. I’ve never been, but the ALA conference is supposed to be a titan of the American literary scene. I mean, the opening address is crazy successful novelist Judy Blume and the closing note includes poet Amanda Gorman—both household names. ‘nuff said?
Next Generation Indie Book Awards
How do I fit into all this? I’ll be attending the Next Generation Indie Book Awards ceremony on Friday, June 23 to accept an award for my book Salmon in the Seine: Alaskan Memories of Life, Death, & Everything In-Between (Finalist, E-Book (Non-Fiction)). I was honored to learn of this win a few weeks ago and I’m a sucker for in-person literary shenanigans. So here I come, Chicago!
What’s more, the wonderful Headline Books is hosting us award winning authors with time slots to post up at their exhibitor space and sign/sell books. How great is that?! My time slot is on Sunday, June 25 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Headline Books booth, #4443. Here is the Exhibitor Floor Plan map that’s probably too small to make heads or tails of on this format but, hey, I’m making an effort over here.
Besides these few commitments, I look forward to experiencing both the conference and Chi Town. I’ll be there a whole week with the aim to goof off as much as possible. If you’re in the area, reach out! I can be a hoot.
Additionally, consider giving my wee book Salmon in the Seine a read and/or rating. I never would’ve guessed when I was 18 and heading up to Alaska from the Portland suburbs to try my hand at commercial fishing that the experience would become a book someday. I certainly never thought that it would win notable book awards, yet here we are. Every purchase, rating, etc. goes a long way in this algorithm world we find ourselves in.
Be well and I hope to see you in Chicago!