FLURRY AND FANFARE

My huge two days at the Missoula Festival of the Book were well worth the money and the effort. I actually sold some books: two to strangers, the rest to old friends. I schmoozed with the editor/publisher of the Whitefish Review who suggested a portion of the book might fit in their wonderful publication, available only through the mail. I listened to two of the "Masters of Crime Fiction" James Lee Burke (whose book I'm now reading: BITTERROOT), and R. Rizzuto, both offering insight into their writing process. I enjoyed Burke, and later reflected that every one of his references to excellent writings or sayings were male authors. He was quite entertaining, and I'm picking up some ideas from reading his very bloody novels. So much for the male club.

Interestingly, I did poetry readings in the late 80's in Missoula with Roger Dunsmore. I connected with him briefly at the Festival two years ago, and reconnected Saturday at the urging of my inner guide, who harped on me to give him a copy of my book. It was fortunate. His wife hung with Sun Bear at Vision Mountain and was thrilled to have the book! In exchange Roger gifted me his latest chapbook, YOU'RE JUST DIRT, which I'm thoroughly enjoying.

There is really no way to describe the boost the Festival offered to me. I was challenged, enlightened, intimidated, encouraged. It was something like the rush of mescaline moving through my body--granted an old memory, but apt nonetheless. Watching people is a delightful hobby, and my table was right across from the authors after they completed a reading or a panel. Such rich observations. Cheryl Nolte was there, dressed in black, adoring a Native American poet. Cheryl has survived and obviously finally thrived with her stark poetry; I'm so happy for her. And of course Bill Kittridge, and Annuck Smith, who recently wrote a stunning piece in the Independent about the idea of a superhighway for vehicles 27' wide, 30' high and 2/3's of a football field long. (I wish it was only an idea, not already on paper, moving forward, etc. etc.)

And MEDICINE ROCK and I were there, thanks to my three friends who sat at the table and went to offerings too: Kay, Coco and Sabora, and to my benefactor who gave me a business loan last year. Now I am settling in for a winter at home, if all goes well, to write, enter poetry and short stories in various publications, and watch the leaves fall outside my window.