John Keeble & Josip Novakovich visiting Anchorage this July

Short post today, as I’m trying to get some offline writing done (I know you forgive me).

But speaking — yesterday — of conferences, Kathy Tarr at the UAA CWLA low-res MFA program reminds me that among the many excellent writers converging in Anchorage this July will be John Keeble, one of several visitors who will provide talks open to the public. I missed last year’s talks and plan to do better this time around, not only by attending, but by planning to read at least one novel by a visiting writer.

Keeble’s Yellowfish — set in the Pacific Northwest — looks interesting. Here is the official description, care of amazon:

Wesley Erks, itinerant machinist and adventurer, takes a hefty fee for smuggling a group of illegal Chinese immigrants (“yellowfish”) from Vancouver, B.C., to San Francisco in the 1970s. Three are teenaged “Hong Kong boys,” one of whom is dying from an earlier stab wound; the fourth is the son of a rich Chinese casino owner who wants to settle some debts with The Triad, a secret Chinese society. The story of the perilous and suspenseful journey of these five men, filled with colorful fictional and historical characters, is as memorable as the story of the West itself.

Keeble’s name rang a bell for me, but I couldn’t remember why. Turns out he also wrote Out of the Channel: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Prince William Sound.

Also visiting will be Josip Novakovich, author of Fiction Writer’s Workshop, as well as a novel, several story and essay collections, and more. I’m looking forward to reading his work as well. (So much to do! So many great opportunities here in Anchorage!)