Lilac City Local (Spring 2024)

SPOKANE PUBLIC LIBRARY LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

All Spokane Public Library buildings sit on the traditional homelands of the four bands of the Spokane Tribe of Indians: sntútʔulixʷi, snxʷmeneʔi, s̓qesciłni, and slʕʷotéw s̓ i (Upper Band, Middle Band, Lower Band, and Chewelah Band). Since time immemorial, the Spokane Tribe of Indians has lived and cared for these grounds. Identifying themselves as “sqélixʷ,” or “Flesh of the Earth.” We pay our respects to their Elders—past, present, and emerging. We show gratitude to the land, river, and peoples who have been fishing, hunting, harvesting, and gathering here for generations. May we learn from one another’s stories so that we may nurture the relationship of the People of the Spokane Tribe and to all those who share this land.

On the cover: Artist Keith Oka’s conceptual illustration of Expo ‘74 from the Inland Northwest Special Collections Digital Archive.

Skyler Noble

Contributing Writers

Alina Murcar

Amanda Donovan

Dana Bronson

HF Brownfield

Leonard Kransdorf

Remelisa Cullitan

Kristen Zimmer

Sharma Shields

ViAnn Myer

Executive Director

Andrew Chanse

Board of Trustees

Lara Hemingway

Gary Stokes

Danielle DeJaegher

Shelby Lambdin

Mari Margil spokanelibrary.org

A Season of Growth

Ahhhh spring…a time of rebirth, growth, and letting go of things that no longer serve us. Each season serves as a repeating reminder of life’s most important lessons: winter: rest, spring: new beginnings, summer: adventure, fall: reflection.

Our ancestors entire lives were structured around the effects of each season. We’re hardwired to flow WITH nature and as a result of nature. Yes, many of us have access to modern comforts like running water, shelter, cars, grocery stores, and more, but when we strip away these comforts, we’re left with fundamental truths. That we all need safety, connection, and belonging, and that we are just as much a part of nature as animals, plants, and (dare we say) insects.

As you enter this new season, look for how you can let go of things that no longer serve you; whether they are unhealthy habits, material items you’re holding onto, or even toxic relationships. You can acknowledge the way these things helped you grow while also recognizing they no longer need a role in your life anymore.

When you think of how you can grow as a human being, what comes to mind? Is it the knowledge you have or the wisdom you gain? Is it being brave and putting yourself out there? Taking chances? Maybe it’s all of the above. When you’re looking for new opportunities to grow, you need only look as far as the library. Yes, we have books to get lost in, to inspire, to help you reflect, but we also have things like Open Mic Nights where you can be brave and share your talent with the world, gardening events to grow your green thumb, writing events to help you understand the art of creating your own works, entrepreneurial resources to help you start and expand your own business, and so much more. The best part is that these resources are accessible to you FOR FREE using your library card.

In this edition of Lilac City Local, you’ll hear from our friends at The Inland Empire Gardeners, local LGBTQ+ authors, water conservation experts, and more. The first step of growth is stepping into your journey with curiosity and wonder. As you flip through the pages of this magazine, we hope you feel inspired to grow through your very own journey, whichever way it may take you.

Now off you grow…

There is something about gardeners and reading that naturally go together. The art of gardening is a search for horticultural fulfillment and knowledge. Reading is a natural desire to learn and grow. I doubt there is a gardener out there that does not own an impressive collection of garden books. Gardening and books go handin-hand.

As the President of The Inland Empire Gardeners (TIEG) for the past 25 years, I have been honored to host a wide and fascinating variety of authors.

I have watched our garden club members enthralled by speakers and proceed to line up and purchase a signed copy of the writer’s latest offering. There are, of course, as many gardening books as there are gardeners. Picture books with photos from some of the most

beautiful gardens in the world, the “how you do this and that” book, children’s gardening books, books for every type of plant, environmental nature guides, and my favorite, the stories behind the garden books.

Over the years our garden club has had many homes for our monthly meetings but in the last couple of years we have naturally gravitated toward Spokane Public Library. The moment I stepped into Shadle Park Library I was comfortable and felt welcomed right away. I felt at home. We now meet there the first Thursday of every month and all are welcome!

We have featured hundreds of speakers over the years from all over the country and the world! From The Natural World of Winnie the Pooh by Kathryn Aalto to Sex in the Garden (21 and over please!)

ABOUT THE INLAND EMPIRE GARDENERS

by Angela Overy, our guests have covered a wide variety of topics. We’ve highlighted a list of books to the right that are available for check out at the library from authors we’ve featured during our monthly chats. Visit go.spokanelibrary.org/ GardenReads for more.

When we aren’t gardening and reading, we plan two popular events for gardeners of the Inland Northwest every year: The Garden Expo, which is on May 11th this year featuring over 275 vendors, and The Spokane in Bloom Garden Tour on June 15, featuring 10 wonderful gardens on the south and west side of town. You can find more information about these events and more at tieg.org.

The Inland Empire Gardeners was founded in June 1994 by a group of friends around a dining room table. They had the idea for a new kind of garden club—innovative, creative, dynamic, and adventuresome—men, women, families, couples, young, old, novice or expert gardeners. A general interest garden club encompassing veggie lovers, flower fanatics, tree huggers, and the whole wide world of plants, nature, community, and friendship. The Inland Empire Gardeners continues to grow, create, and thrive thanks to our wonderful, dedicated, and enthusiastic members.

“This is a win-win situation. We are able to develop a vacant property that the Library has owned for decades without additional taxpayer dollars and we’re turning it into greater use for the entire community.”

Danielle DeJaegher, Spokane Public Library Trustee

JNEW PROJECT COMING SOON TO NORTHEAST SPOKANE: AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SHARED-LIBRARY SPACE

BY AMANDA DONOVAN

ust off of Nevada in Northeast Spokane, a vacant lot has long stood as a symbol of untapped potential. Proving a difficult lot to develop, the land has sat untouched for decades since the Library purchased it in the 1990s with voter-approved bond funds. Now, with the vision and expertise of Thrive International and the library team, the space at 6980 N Nevada is set to be transformed into affordable housing and sharedcommunity space.

Commitment to inclusivity and social cohesion lie at the heart of this project. The development will feature at least 45 units of affordable housing, with half reserved for refugees and the remainder available to the general population. This mixedincome model not only addresses Spokane’s pressing need for

Credit: Thrive International

affordable housing, but also seeks to foster a deeper understanding and connection between new Americans and long-term residents.

“The new housing in northeast Spokane will allow us to provide comprehensive wrap around services to ease the transition for refugees, with a focus on self-sufficiency and permanent housing within two years,” said Dr. Mark Finney, Director of Thrive International. “Onsite services will include healthcare, job training, language classes, and social services, all coordinated by Thrive.”

The library’s partnership with Thrive International will bring more community space to another region of Spokane without asking voters for more tax dollars, and with the added benefit of more affordable units to the local housing inventory. The project will also bring library services, like free access to meeting space and a library kiosk, to an underserved neighborhood of Spokane. Based on the success of The Hive® on East Sprague, and the usage of event spaces at other library locations, Spokane residents are seeking accessible free space to gather, engage, and belong to a community.

Public-private partnership to create co-located library spaces and

housing has been done successfully in other cities, including New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago. However, this is the first known library-private partnership that will provide housing for refugees and the first housing partnership in Spokane.

At the March 2024 Board of Trustees meeting, trustees voted to sell the Nevada Street property to Thrive International for a nominal fee in exchange for a no-cost 50-year lease of the community space, garden space, and 24/7

Library Kiosk space. This project is powered by Courage Housing, who is supporting financing and investment.

Initial site improvements will begin in spring 2024, groundbreaking is expected in late 2024, with opening expected in 2025.

Draft work-In-progress of the site plan as of March 2024.

Illustrating Expo ‘74: The Artistic Legacy of Keith Oka

BY DANA BRONSON

As Spokane prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1974 World’s Fair, we’re diving into the Inland Northwest Special Collections to highlight the work of artist Keith Oka.

Keith Oka was a professional advertiser who was born in Okayama, Japan in 1916. He attended school in Seattle and was unjustly incarcerated at Camp Minidoka in Idaho during World War II. During his internment, Keith helped organize and teach art classes, and used his talents to support the war effort by creating canvas signs urging Americans to buy war bonds. After the war, he moved to Spokane where he became the Art Director for the advertising firm Coons, Shotwell, Clark and Associates. This firm was hired to promote and write copy for Expo ’74, and Oka played a key role in creating the concept art based on King Cole’s vision for the fair.

Oka created drawings to help promote the exposition, since finding visual imagery was difficult because the riverfront was essentially a large construction site right up to opening day. These drawings were packaged into a slide presentation that was used as part of a campaign to bring in exhibitors, advertisers, and funding leading up to the exhibition. Keith Oka donated his original drawings and sketches from the campaign to the Inland Northwest Special Collections, where members of the public are welcome to come enjoy this unique collection of Expo ’74 history.

The Inland Northwest Special Collections also houses a published book of sketches by Keith Oka documenting Spokane’s Trent Alley before it was completely transformed by Expo ‘74’s beautification efforts. Sketches from this book will be highlighted at Central Library in an upcoming exhibit, “Searching for Trent Alley: Asian American Footprints in Downtown Spokane,” created by Asians for Collective Liberation. The exhibit will help us trace the areas of downtown that historically served as home to Spokane’s vibrant Asian communities beginning in the late 19th century, and will be on display at Central Library May 4–June 2.

Keith Oka’s rendering of Expo ‘74

Browse more of Keith Oka’s vibrant work in the Inland Northwest Special Collections Digital Archive at go.spokanelibrary.org/KeithOka

Keith Oka’s rendering of the Expo ‘74 site at night

A conceptual drawing created by Keith Oka of Expo ’74 behind Spokane Falls

Keith Oka’s conceptual rendering of the Gondola SkyRide

Did you know incorporating art and creativity in a child’s life can help with the development of fine motor skills, language and literacy, and social and emotional learning? According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, “…even short spurts of creative time greatly impact social, cognitive, and emotional development of children in their earliest formal years and create long-lasting memories.” I see this firsthand in the variety of ways kids engage with the events I host!

Youth Art programs at Spokane Public Library can be divided into two categories: experiential and technical.

Technical art is a style of learning that helps define motor skills based on understanding art theory, proportions, perspective, and other artistic elements. It can be practiced using new materials, tools, art expression styles, and help discover new ways to use traditional materials like pencils and crayons in varying ways. Some events we have hosted that fall into this category are Crayon like a Pro or Learn to Draw: Hands.

Experiential art activities are more immersive and hands-on. This style encourage kids to engage with their project on a deeper level and push the boundaries of their creative

expression. I aim to teach between 5 to 15 minutes so that the rest of our time is focused on making and exploring. There is never a hard expectation of what young artists should be making. As long as they are engaging with the program in positive ways, then they are free to create and make as they see fit.

As an experienced art teacher, I see time and time again the importance of kids teaching each other or their grownups about their art project. By providing opportunities for them to teach in their own words, it reinforces what they know. The amount of pride in their work and their knowledge is immeasurable, and I can see how they proudly carry themselves throughout the rest of the program. Last year at my embroidery class, Fiber Art: Stitched Lines, I saw kids showing one another how they tied their knots and incorporated different stitches they learned from home in order to add to their creations.

In addition to sharing what they know, I always encourage kids to share what they made. Many are eager to share with each other and are curious to see what others have made. Even kids who are on the shy side light up when they talk about their art.

If you’re interested in incorporating more creativity and art into your children’s lives, visit events.spokanelibrary.org.

Dave Nichols stood to the side of the stairs, a look of satisfaction on his face.

“It was good as a background shot because the athletes were able to stand on the different stairs with room to move around for the cameras,” said Nichols, the high school sports editor at the Spokesman-Review newspaper, which recently did its winter sports photos on Central Library’s second floor with the staircase as its primary location.

That photoshoot on the social staircase is among the variety of unique uses for the 11 steps that extend from the library’s second floor to its third.

“The social stair was something that originated with our architects. When we were designing the building, it

was a trend in educational facilities to install these extra-functional staircases—they also appeared in the new middle school renovations, for example,” according to Deputy Library Director Caris O’Malley. “I think it’s great that we’re able to squeeze some extra functionality into an often-overlooked building element, and I always appreciate having more venues for programming. I love how kids interact with it, as it brings another element of wonder and whimsy to the space. And I love seeing people just hanging out there.”

On any given day, people of all ages can be seen sitting on the staircase.

Central Library's Social Stair: A Versatile Hub for Community, Creativity, and Connection

BY LEONARD KRANSDORF

connection with stadium-style lounging. The Social Stair has been the site of educational lectures, kindergarten field trip lunches, and even a stunning floral art show.

An interesting feature of the staircase is that it, like other library rooms, can

One day, an eighth grader named Lynn was reading on the Social Stair.

“I like the room up here. I’m up here at least once a week because it is quiet and I can do my English homework.” she said. Then there was Danny, 42, who enjoyed it for other reasons.

“I like it better than working at home because I can stretch out and send messages to my friends (on my computer),” he said.

The architects envisioned an opportunity for community

be reserved for use. The location has been used for school classes, lectures and wedding photos like those by Kendra and Thomas in 2023.

“Everyone thought it was so cool that our wedding was in the library,” said Kendra. “Our photographers appreciated the uniqueness of the space too, and they took pictures of us around the library to showcase the venue, including the staircase. We did our send off on the stairs because that was the perfect place for everyone to stand and still see us as we left. It was dreamy and the space was perfect.”

Katie Lyla’s River of Flowers art installation at Central Library in 2022, featuring a sturgeon nose canoe crafted by Shawn Brigman, PhD (former Artist-inResidence at The Hive). Photo Credit: Brooke Ashley

Thomas and Kendra’s staircase sendoff in 2023. Credit: John Martin.

THE RAINBOW & THE OLIVE BRANCH

By HF Brownfield

For me, queerness feels like a cheerful hum. An innocent tune that has always bounced around inside my chest. Some days I don’t even notice it. Then sometimes—without warning—the tune morphs into an emotional dirge. A heavy-handed reminder of the loss I’ve known since choosing pride over that musty old closet.

I’ve learned the hard way that there is great peace in curiosity. Dogma was a burden I’m glad to be rid of. As a creative, I cherish the idea of exploring perspectives that are different from mine. I like to keep a satchel full of olive branches handy for the moments when this curiosity uncovers hard conversations that challenge my perspective or the perspectives of my community. Pride will thrive when we can learn to embrace these conversations with grace rather than going at it like a juicy episode of Real Housewives. When it comes to my bookshelf, I gravitate toward reads that help me suspend immediate judgment in favor of a philosophical and emotional expansion. Our communities are in desperate need of the ability to connect and learn from one another. As a non-binary individual who is often misunderstood, there are several books that have helped me leave my armor behind so I can navigate the world with a more compassionate heart.

BOOKS THAT HAVE INSPIRED MY WORK

The Practice

by Seth Godin

There’s a cultural misconception that creativity is a mystical force that a lucky few are born with. The Practice dives into the not-so-romantic discipline that art requires. Shipping good work means making micro commitments every day. It means doing the thing when you’d rather be staring at a screen. It requires us to become friends with vulnerability. This book is a must-read for creatives of all stripes.

TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read): Creativity isn’t a magical power. Anyone can become a disciplined artist if they’re willing to put in the work.

Fusion for Beginners and Experts

by Rebecca Sugar

As someone who grew up in a nomadic lifestyle, the principles of long-term friendship don't always come easily for me. It’s simple, really. And this darling book by Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar breaks it down in a beautiful way. It’s a bedtime book that will remind littles of the basics and encourage grown ups to remember that community doesn’t have to be rocket science. Rebecca’s non-binary, queer perspective shines through in this quick story snack.

TLDR: This book is so short that, if you make it to the end of this article, you’ve already stayed with me longer than the time this book would require.

BOOKS THAT HAVE INSPIRED ME

The Song of Achilles

by Madeline Miller

Miller’s wordcraft is intoxicating. This enchanting retelling of the Trojan War from the endearing perspective of Patroclus had me hooked from the first page. It’s a story of love unbound by gender. It’s a visceral exploration of heartbreak and the temptation to conform to norms for the sake of peace.

TLDR: A timeless, deliciously tragic, queer love story. Perfect for lovers of artful prose.

The Power of a Positive No

by William Ury

Queerness can sometimes make one feel as though they’re an ambassador to the United Nations. Emotional algebra is hard. Navigating Bigotry 101 isn’t taught in most high schools. This book has helped me learn to “go to the balcony” when emotional roadblocks emerge. It has helped me craft communications when I’ve faced hard conversations with queer-fearing loved ones. William is a master at negotiation, mature solutioning, and empathy. This book is a great read for anyone interested in building better communication with people who have stark perspective differences, whether in their work or personal life.

TLDR: If you want to build a bridge, leave your axe behind. Product conflict is a real thing and it can be done delicately and with rich kindness and resolve.

Walking the Bridgeless Canyon

by Kathy Baldock

This one is for my queer pals who grew up in the church and lose sleep at night wondering whether they must abandon church forever if they’re going to embrace their truth. I grew up with Romans 1 ringing in my ears. It was my father’s favorite passage from the pulpit. Paul sure knew how to get us all swept up in fear and self-loathing.

As someone who has wrestled with faith and queerness, Walking the Bridgeless Canyon was salve on my scars. Kathy is a scholar who shares her journey from queer-phobic Christian to staunch ally. Her work here has helped to ground my approach when initiating delicate conversations with

HF Brownfield offspring. Once upon a time, Brownfield earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Since then, their career has taken many surprising twists and turns to places like the coffee world, technology, and marketing. work in the financial industry and are always scanning the world for creative inspiration. Brownfield is often found roaming green fields, purple fields, and brown fields in the Pacific Northwest with their kids, partner, and fur babies. They’re determined to find Sasquatch one day, but so far he’s still winning at hide and seek.

HF Brownfield is co-author with Kayla Coombs of the Quinnelope graphic novels, including Quinnelope and the Cookie King Catastrophe and Quinnelope and the Mystery of the Missing Moon, both published by Simon and Schuster and great for middle readers (ages 8-12) who love graphic novels like The InvestiGators, Dog Man, and Narwhal and Jelly.

While sitting on the side of a decadent multilayer wedding cake may be out of the ordinary for Madam Twirl, for Ryan Tucker, Video Education Specialist at Spokane Public Library, it’s just another Tuesday.

On any given day, Ryan can be seen helping yoga instructors make accessible videos for individuals who can’t make it into studios, helping a seven-year-old make a video tour of the construction of her LEGO® house, preparing skits for our “late night” quarterly talk show, Lilac City Live, or helping create matrimonial magic with his editing skills! As a retired wedding and events planner with more than 800 celebrations and weddings-worth of experience, Madam Twirl wanted to create a fourmodule wedding guide for couples who are doing DIY weddings to help them get the most for their money.

BY ALINA MURCAR

“Celebrations are the fabric that holds society together and I believe that everybody deserves to be wellcelebrated. That’s why I really want to help get this course out there at

an affordable price. The people that most appreciate first-class service are the people who don’t always get to sit in first class,” said Madam Twirl.

With this four-module coursemeant to represent four tiers of a wedding cake - Madam Twirl knew she needed higher-quality videography than just what she could use on her phone. When Madam Twirl found out about the Video Studio at Central Library, she immediately booked a session with Ryan.

Together, Ryan and Madam Twirl produced 8-9 “Weducational” videos ranging from 3-15 minutes long throughout multiple sessions. They also had enough time to shoot some promo videos to market this series!

You may still be wondering how Madam Twirl ended up perfectly perched on the side of a wedding cake. The answer is simple: the Video Studio green screen! Along with a green screen, patrons have access to a black background, plain white walls, special overhead and directional lights, a variety of video cameras, microphones, and an editing bay complete with Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premier, OBS,

and Davinci Resolve. Access to all of this cutting-edge equipment is available for free with your library card!

“Without the library and without Ryan’s help, inspiration, and guidance, I would probably have given up by now. I have the creative side and knew what I wanted to do but putting it all together and sorting it all out was too much. I am super grateful for the services that the library offers,” said Madam Twirl.

Whether you have a video idea and simply need the equipment or you need some help along the way, you have access to multiple options at Spokane Public Library. You can book the Video Studio during open hours or you can reserve time with our Video Education Specialist, Ryan, in addition to getting access to the Video Studio. Find both options on our website at spokanelibrary.org/media-studios.

Bring your memories back to life with our Digitization Station in the Video Studio. You can reserve time to digitize your old VHS, SVHS, 8mm, film slides, photo negatives, and mini DV into a modern file you can more easily view and share.

One patron came in to use the Digitization Station after finding a VHS tape in her grandmother’s basement that had featured footage from a family reunion with multiple family members who have since passed. We received this message from her recently and it reminded us of how important it is to offer these accessible resources.

“I let the cat out of the bag and sent that video to about 100 family members. The response was over the top, tears of joy from so many who thought that was a lost video. Especially my grandmother, she got to see all her children happy, healthy, and together one more time. I can't thank you enough… Your help is greatly appreciated, highly recommended, and will not be forgotten. I hope our paths cross again someday.”

To reserve time with the Digitization Station, visit spokanelibrary.org/media-studios and reserve the Video Studio.

Harnessing the Power of Water Conservation: Transforming Spokane's Future

By Kristen Zimmer, City of Spokane, Conservation Program Manager

As the summer sun beats down on the Inland Northwest, the importance of prudent water usage becomes more pronounced. Spokane relies entirely on the Spokane ValleyRathdrum Prairie Aquifer (SVRP), a vital resource replenished by area lakes and the Spokane River that is shared between three counties and over 600,000 people.

While Spokane is fortunate to have access to the SVRP aquifer system, these resources are not limitless. Population growth, urban development, and agricultural activities all place strain on water supplies, especially during the arid summer months. Water usage in Spokane surges during this period, jumping from an average of 90 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) in winter to 450 GPCD in summer. Moreover, climate change exacerbates these challenges by altering precipitation patterns

and increasing the frequency of droughts and heatwaves.

Water conservation is essential for maintaining the ecological balance of rivers and streams, safeguarding aquatic habitats, and ensuring a sustainable water supply for future generations. By reducing water consumption, we can help mitigate the strain on local water sources and minimize the need for costly infrastructure upgrades to meet growing demand.

Within the realm of water conservation lies the power of incremental change—the ripple effect of individual actions resonating across communities. Consider the humble act of fixing leaks: a seemingly minor endeavor, yet capable of saving hundreds of gallons daily. Pair this with efficient irrigation practices and native landscaping, and the impact becomes exponential.

Top Tips for Saving Water in the Summer

Find and Fix Leaks

Inspect faucets, toilets, and irrigation systems for leaks and repair them promptly. A dripping faucet or running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day.

Water Efficiently

Water outdoor plants and lawns early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize evaporation. Follow the City’s Conservation Ordinance by watering on an odd/even schedule and avoiding the warmest hours of the day between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Choose Native Plants

Landscaping with native plants that are adapted to the local climate requires less water and maintenance. Explore programs like SpokaneScape to create stunning, water-efficient gardens tailored to local conditions.

Sweep, Don't Hose

Instead of using a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks, use a broom to sweep away debris. This simple change can save 5-10 gallons of water per minute.

As Spokane stands at the brink of change, a new chapter begins to flow—one characterized by stewardship and sustainability. The journey toward a sustainable tomorrow begins with each of us, as we chart a course towards a Spokane where water conservation is not just a practice but a way of life.

A Celebration of Pride and LGBTQ+ Stories

By Sharma Shields

When I think of Pride Month in the Inland Northwest, I think about the wealth of LGBTQ+ literature we have here in Spokane. Poet Kathryn Smith won the Jake Adam York Prize from Milkweed Press for her “lush and deathy” collection Self-Portrait with Cephalopod (I love the word ‘deathy’). Novelist Alexis M. Smith has won the nationally lauded Lambda Literary Award and a Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award for her exquisite novel Marrow Island. Her breathtaking novel Glaciers was just reissued with a new cover by Tin House Books. Erin Pringle’s latest story collection, Unexpected Weather Events, is a wintry wonderland of emotion. Former Spokane Public Schools librarian

Stephanie Oakes’ latest novel, The Meadows, is a deep dive into the horrors of conversion therapy and is one of the very best novels I read in 2023. Local queer columnist Kiantha Duncan publishes advice in The Spokesman-Review, where she has urged readers to “cancel fear and focus on inclusivity,” a message all of us need to carefully and thoughtfully absorb. There is an abundance of wealth, too, in the greater Northwest literary scene. Richard Fifield’s The Flood Girls—set in a tiny town in northern Montana— saved my life when I was getting sober. Nicola Griffith’s So Lucky—about multiple sclerosis and the monster of ableism—helped me handle a particularly grueling MS relapse of my own (Griffith is known worldwide, too, for her meaty queer Arthurian novels, Hild and Menewood). Megan Kruse’s Call Me Home explores themes of abuse, family, and home with wondrous complexity—no wonder Kruse was a National Book Award Foundation “5 Under 35” Honoree.

exterior symbiosis of a gay Black man finding refuge from the threat of depression and death in love and desire.” Corinne Manning’s story collection We Had No Rules, has been called “weird, scary, hilarious, hot, and revelatory” (Melissa Febos). Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore’s widely praised new memoir Touching the Art, in part about the writer’s relationship to a grandmother that, as Sycamore says in an interview on Shondaland, initially nourished but then disparaged her for, “everything that made me different—my femininity, my introspection, my creativity, my empathy...everything that made me queer and femme.”

Putsata Reang’s memoir, Ma and Me, also discusses the complexity and pain carried within both individual and familial bodies, centering the experience of refugees. All four of these fantastic writers are based in Seattle, and Reang has Spokane ties, too, and was once a reporter for The SpokesmanReview.

And for those who love teen/ YA literature, check out nonbinary writer Candice “Cam” Montgomery, whose novels include Home and Away and By Any Means Necessary. My 11-year-old daughter loved the anthology Transmogrify!, which features Montgomery’s work.

Our current Washington State Poet Laureate, Arianne True (Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations), is currently editing an anthology of queer poetry by WA State writers. I love the work True is doing to amplify a platform for queer voices. Follow Arianne True on the ArtsWA website, arts.wa.gov.

There have always been queer people, queer communities, and exceptional queer artists. The books I’ve mentioned here are only a small sampling of the LGBTQ+ writing we’re lucky enough to engage with in our region.

And there’s more from these Seattle writers: Luther Hughes’s beautiful new poetry collection, A Shiver in the Leaves, which “wrestles with the interior and

Sharma Shields is the Writing Education Specialist at Spokane Public Library.