what's in a word?: October 2023

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

10/22/2023 Easton Book Festival - Pink Trees Press reading at the Quadrant Book Mart and Coffee House (catching up #7)

It might be argued that posting the most current event I photographed, only nine days ago means I already caught up but that's not correct. I have caught up coming forward but not going back in time. That will start with postings that follow this one.

The last event I participated in at this year's Easton Book Festival was a reading in the afternoon at the Quadrant Book Mart and Coffee House on N. 3rd St. in Easton, PA. Owners Jo Moranville and Andy Danielsons donated the space and stayed open late so we could read there. I was the emcee and read a story as well.

Most of the readers are published by Pink Trees Press in NYC and came to Easton to particpate in and celebrate this year's Book Festival. In addition, three local writers read, E. Lynn Alexander, Darrell Parry and Maddy Burns. Lynn and Darrell are among the organizers of the Book Festival and a big shout out to them for the effort they put out to make the event successful. I think Lynn, Darrell and Maddy were not expecting to read but their pieces were as wonderful to listen to as were Ron Kolm's, Phillip Giambri's, Madeline Artenberg's and Linda Kleinbub's. Pauline Findley was so touched by Maddy Burns' piece that she changed her program and read a piece she'd never read publicly before.

I'm doing some thing a little different today. I'm posting two pictures of each participant.

Enjoy and share.

Ron Kolm

Linda Kleinbub

Madeline Artenberg

Phillip Giambri,

Darrell Parry

Linda Kleinbub

E. Lynn Alexander

Maddy Burns

Pauline Findley

Phillip Giambri,

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Monday, October 30, 2023

10/22/2023 - Easton Book Festival: Zine swap and small press expo at the Easton Public Market (catching up #6)

The Easton Public Market opened their community room to the festival so that authors and participating publishers could display their wares, trade zines and even sell a few books. Some even took the opportunity to read for whomever wanted to listen. Lots of the participants knew each other so there was an air of reunion as well.

Of course as I wandered around the expo I took photos and chatted with participants and visitors. I regret I didn't get all their names. I guess there's always next year.

Pink Trees Press, whose reading later in the day I hosted was there.

He's a photographer, she's a poet. I think his name is David and her's is Anne.

Two volunteers from the very worthwhile ProJeCt of Easton, an NGO providing services for more than 50 years to low-income, at risk Lehigh Valley residents, including ESL, other educational services, a food pantry and more. They deserve a special shout out.

This woman writes in the horror and suspense genre she took the opportunity do dress up for the expo.

Josh Dale is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thirty West Publishing House. This was my first encounter with them but checking out their website, I am impressed.

Kat Giordano is a writer and guest managing editor of Thirty West Publishing House who, according to the Thirty West bio, doesn't know how to drive. I can sympathize since I didn't get a driver's license until I was in my late 30s. She has time, if she so desires.

Two youthful Book Festival volunteers taking a caramel popcorn break from the expo.

And now, some photos of the Pink Trees Press folks. That's Madeline Artenberg sneaking around behing Phillip Giambri and Ron Kolm, with Pauline Findley on their flank. Later they went around the corner to the Quadrant Book Shop and Coffee House for a reading.

Pauline Findley, Phillip Giambri, Ron Kolm

Linda Kleinbub

Linda Kleinbub, Phillip Giambriu, Ron Kolm

Phillip Giambri

Ron Kolm

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Friday, October 27, 2023

10/21/2023 The Unbearables at the Easton Book Festival (catching up #5)

Since the event shown here is less than a week ago, this isn't really catching up, but since I am not caught up yet, it's part of the series.

A big shout out to LITERACY, to READING and to ending censorship and book banning!

The fifth Easton Book Festival was held in Easton, PA from October 19-22, 2023. The Unbearables and friends held a reading at the International Fusionism Museum (IF Museum) last Saturday afternoon-evening in the back gallery, followed by music in the entry gallery. It was well attended and both the readers and audience had a good time. Nobody walked out on anybody.

I was the emcee and as I usually do when not constrained by time, opened up the mic.

Thanks to everyone who helped put this together and thanks to the readers and special thanks to Shalom Neuman opened the museum to us for the reading even though he was in Europe at the time with a showing of his own work.

Three of the founders and driving forces of the festival festival read, E. Lynn Alexander, Darrell Parry and Andy Laties. Also visiting from out of town and reading were Sean Hanrahan, Linda Kleinbub, Ron Kolm, Phillip Giambri, Madeline Artenberg, Pauline Findley, Abraham Frey, Generalissimo Bryan Franco and myself.

Here are photos of the readers and the musicians, of whom I don't have all the names. I know Marc Sloane on bass and Andy Laties on the saxophone.