ANTHOLOGY BOOK LAUNCH! Interview with Kizzie Jones
Writing In Place: Prose & Poetry from the Pacific Northwest by The Edmonds Writing Sisters
EPIC Members Kizzie Jones and Joanne Peterson will join their "writing sisters" Andra Lawrence, Reni Roxas, and Monda Van Hollebeke at their book launch on July 28th from 2~5 p.m. at ArtWorks, Edmonds. Edythe Stromme and Julia Niebuhr Eulenberg will be celebrated in memoriam. We spoke to Kizzie about this anthology.
What inspired the anthology?
The Writing Sisters have met monthly as a critique group since 2002. Over the years "lots of writing has gone under the bridge." Several pieces have been published or submitted to contests, i.e., WOTS, but much of it has been stuffed into folders/drawers/archived on computers. One of the Sisters, Reni Roxas, owner of Tahana Books in the Philippines, encouraged us for years to assemble an anthology. We had a wake-up call when one of the Writing Sisters, Julia Eulenberg, unexpectedly died (2015). The urgency to compile our work for an anthology—a fruit of our labors—became apparent. Sadly, another Writing Sister, Edythe Stromme, passed (Dec. 2017) just a month after she presented the pieces she wanted to be in the anthology. We are grateful we had that final visit and she had the opportunity to make her desires known.
EPIC Members Kizzie Jones and Joanne Peterson will join their "writing sisters" Andra Lawrence, Reni Roxas, and Monda Van Hollebeke at their book launch on July 28th from 2~5 p.m. at ArtWorks, Edmonds. Edythe Stromme and Julia Niebuhr Eulenberg will be celebrated in memoriam. We spoke to Kizzie about this anthology.
What inspired the anthology?
The Writing Sisters have met monthly as a critique group since 2002. Over the years "lots of writing has gone under the bridge." Several pieces have been published or submitted to contests, i.e., WOTS, but much of it has been stuffed into folders/drawers/archived on computers. One of the Sisters, Reni Roxas, owner of Tahana Books in the Philippines, encouraged us for years to assemble an anthology. We had a wake-up call when one of the Writing Sisters, Julia Eulenberg, unexpectedly died (2015). The urgency to compile our work for an anthology—a fruit of our labors—became apparent. Sadly, another Writing Sister, Edythe Stromme, passed (Dec. 2017) just a month after she presented the pieces she wanted to be in the anthology. We are grateful we had that final visit and she had the opportunity to make her desires known.
Did all of you steer your work to a central theme?
No, there was no central theme. We each chose our writings and there was consensus among the Sisters which works would be included. As we arranged the order, there was consideration given to themes/subjects.
How long did this project take to come to fruition?
Our anthology process will be about 3 years.
Will you and your (surviving) "sisters" do more?
No, we do not foresee another anthology. However, we are eager to get busy and share new writing with one another.
Did all of you steer your work to a central theme?
No, there was no central theme. We each chose our writings and there was consensus among the Sisters which works would be included. As we arranged the order, there was consideration given to themes/subjects.
How long did this project take to come to fruition?
Our anthology process will be about 3 years.
Will you and your (surviving) "sisters" do more?
No, we do not foresee another anthology. However, we are eager to get busy and share new writing with one another.
ArtWorks 201 2nd Ave S, Edmonds
Sunday, July 28, 2019 2–5 pm
Books will be available for sale and autographs.
Come help us celebrate! All are welcome!
Books will be available for sale and autographs.
Come help us celebrate! All are welcome!
This interview, slightly edited, first appeared in the EPIC monthly Newsletter, June 22, 2019. It is reprinted with permission.
