Oregon Public Broadcasting

MANZANITA - The North Coast Citizen and the Manzanita Writers' Series coordinators have partnered to bring out a literary journal, the North Coast Squid.

Writing entries were called for in the fall. Even with a short turnaround time, more than 50 writers submitted 120 pieces. Fifty-six submissions were poetry, 18 fiction, 16 memoir, 13 nonfiction, and six Flash Fiction. In addition, more than 20 people submitted photography or art.

Entries were judged by two accomplished authors from outside the local area. Novelist Jennie Shortridge of Seattle read the prose submissions. Oregon's sixth and current Poet Laureate, Paulann Peterson, read the poetry.

"Jennie and Paulann have a passion for increasing literacy and broadening the love of reading and writing," said Vera Wildauer, of the Manzanita Writers' Series. "They eagerly read through their stacks to support this endeavor and selected 38 pieces."

A committee of five chose the artwork to be included.

"Sponsors stepped up to cover publication costs," added Kathie Hightower. "We're very pleased with the results, especially for an inaugural issue where people had just one month to submit. Of course, we have a vision that future journals will be even more expansive and stitch-bound volumes. But this is a great start and a way for many local writers to see their writing published for the first time. We hope many of the writers will read their entries during our open mic events this year."

The North Coast Squid will be available for purchase at every Manzanita Writers' Series event as well as at a number of retail outlets along the coast. Fifty percent of the $2 cover price will go to the Hoffman Center to help with operational costs that provide programs such as the Manzanita Writers' Series. The series is a program of the Hoffman Center and is held at the Hoffman Center at 594 Laneda Ave., with the next NWS event to be held Saturday, Feb. 18. Further information and the 2012 schedule are available at hoffmanblog online or contact Wildauer at vwildauer@gmail.com

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