Food, Memoir, Young Adult Genres Lead Rich Mix of Award Winners and Bestsellers at Annual Wordstock Literary Festival

PORTLAND, Ore.-(Business Wire)-September 14, 2009 - Wordstock:

WHAT:		An astounding variety of voices from around the world, including first-time authors, National Book Award Winners and bestsellers, make up the 170 writers sharing their craft at the Literary Wordstock Festival next month. With book sales, author readings and panels, as well as a children’s stage featuring authors, music and celebrity storytellers, the fifth annual Wordstock Book Fair is Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 - 11 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore. The event benefits Wordstock for Teachers, the organization’s professional development program that trains and supports K-12 writing teachers, and Wordstock for Kids, the arts instruction program that works with students in Portland Public Schools through the Right Brain Initiative.

		Fitting for a city with a national “foodie” reputation is this year’s special focus on food writing, with cookbook authors and bloggers discussing writing, publishing and, of course, eating. More than a dozen writers will also discuss the memoir craft and another dozen will share their experience in the popular publishing genre of young adult fiction.

		Beyond the book fair the festival includes a week of literary events between Oct. 3 - 11 produced by arts, culture and literary organizations. A complete schedule is available at: www.wordstockfestival.com.

WHO:		Among the many famed writers participating:
		— Sherman Alexie, acclaimed writer of poetry, short fiction, novels and adult fiction will read from his new collection of short stories, War Dances
		— Julia Glass, whose delicate handling of family and relationships earned her a National Book Award for her first novel, Three Junes, will discuss her latest release, I See You Everywhere
		— James Ellroy, noir writer extraordinaire whose early novels include The Black Dahlia and L.A. Confidential, will share his latest work, Blood’s A Rover
		— Jeannette Walls, best-selling author of The Glass Castle, will present her newest book, Half Broke Horses: A True Life Novel, which combines memoir and creative nonfiction
		— Pete Dexter, award-winning author of Paris Trout and noted screenwriter known for dark comedy and absurdist sensibilities will present his latest novel, Spooner
		— Jaquelyn Mitchard, author of more than a dozen novels, including the first ever Oprah Book Club pick, The Deep End of the Ocean
		— Ethan Canin, teacher at Iowa Writer’s Workshop and author of several works of fiction, including America America

WHEN/WHERE:
		8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8
		Wordstock presents Chicago-based 2^nd Story: Stories & Music Live / $20
		McMenamins Bagdad Theatre: 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

		10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday - Sunday, Oct. 10 - 11
		Wordstock Book Fair / $5 for adults, 13 and under free.
		Oregon Convention Center: 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

		8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10
		LiveWire 5^th Annual Wordstock Extravaganza / $25
		Aladdin Theater: 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave.