Seattle: Day 1

There's nothing like hitting the ground running when you get to a new city. After arriving in Seattle, I headed to Highline Community College to meet the fabulous Susan Rich.

Then it was off to Elliott Bay Books for our poetry reading. What a great bookstore! The staff there was excellent; can't thank them enough for their support.

Susan and I have now read together in Cambridge MA, Miami, and Seattle. We're looking to do our next reading in the Southwest corner of the United States but have not ruled out Hawaii.

We had a great crowd, which included Martha Silano and daughter Ruby.

Ruby and Martha

Martha and me

Then off to the Richard Hugo House to attend the party for the winners and finalists for the 2011 Washington State Book Awards. Thilled to celebrate the occasion with Susan and Oliver de la Paz (both were award finalists), and to meet members of Seattle's writers' community. I have lots of books from the event take back with me to Boston.



Susan, Olie, and me



Today, we're off to Highline Community College for my reading and talk with Susan's students. (No Starbucks yet, but you know it's coming!)