Juniper Yarnall-Benson

“A lovely ode to the tumultuous transitional space between dependence, freedom, and adulthood spoken from the soul of an artist.  Juniper Yarnall-Benson’s poetry allows us a look into the joyous and painful times of youth in an ever changing world; reminding us of the periods in our lives where we began to open our eyes to the vastness of the universe, expanding and challenging our childlike visions of home and small comforts. ” – Staff recommendation

Juniper Yarnall-Benson was born in November of 2001 in Portland Oregon and grew up on the San Juan Islands in Washington. She graduated high school from Baker Early College in Portland Oregon in June of 2019 and is currently taking a gap year to travel. Much of her poetry is inspired by her travels as well as her home in the Pacific Northwest. This is her first collection of poetry.

Author’s note on The Capacity of Open Spaces:

I wrote this on a balcony in Greece, with calloused hands and no cell service.

I wrote this in a hotel room in Paris, with a cup of scalding coffee and a handful of papercuts.

I wrote this on a park bench in London, where I couldn’t afford a jacket.

I wrote this on an airport carpet, with a skateboard as a desk.

I wrote this about moving on,

The things you leave behind,

And the open space that’s left.

Kip Robinson Greenthal

“A haunting, lyrical, and startling debut novel set in a close-knit Nova Scotian fishing village. In these treacherous currents, selkies and a drowned villager’s ghost greet a young American woman, Kate, as she escapes New York City life, disillusioned by the Vietnam War and her troubles past. Shoal Water is a revelation of the changeling characters of sea and self– a poignant reminder that survival is not ever as predictable as the tides.” 

– Brenda Peterson, author of the New York Times “Notable Book of the Year,” Duck and Cover 

Kip Robinson Greenthal has dedicated her career to the written word, storytelling, and literary endeavors. For eighteen years, she worked as a librarian in schools and public libraries. In 1993, she became the Education Director for Seattle Arts & Lectures, and founded and directed the Writers in the Schools program (WITS). She was selected for the Jack Straw Writers Program, and awarded a Hedgebrook residency. Her short story, “Tattoo Emporium,” was published in Secret Histories: Stories of Courage, Risk, and Revelation, edited by Brenda Peterson, Laura Foreman, and Meredith Bailey in 2013, and has appeared in Currents, an anthology published by the Lopez Writers Guild in 2004. In January 2007, Washington state Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen selected her short story, “Stealing,” to air on KUOW’s On the Beat.  

Her first novel, Shoal Water, won the Landmark Prize for Fiction sponsored by Homebound Publications, and was published in October 2021. Homebound Publications nominated Shoal Water for the Pushcart Prize, and in May, 2022, Shoal Water received a silver medal from the Nautilus Book Awards. The story takes place in Nova Scotia, where Kip lived for twelve years.

You can learn more about Kip and her work at http://kip-robinson-greenthal.squarespace.com

Shari Lane

Reviews of Lopez author Shari Lane’s book, The Un-Fairy Tale, include: Writer’s Digest Judge: “Humor is the strength of this novel . . . The dialogue is lively and comic . . . . The prose is exuberant . . . It’s wonderfully entertaining . . . The ending . . . is funny and satisfying.” Reader’s Favorite: “Shari Lane’s book, The Unfairy Tale, is a story that is sure to delight readers of books like The Princess Bride and The Neverending Story. With whimsical flair, Lane weaves both the fairy tale Amanda is being told with the story of her everyday life. Anyone who has ever had to cope with the constant interruptions that occur while reading to children are sure to be amused with the commentary and questions Amanda has throughout her readings of The Unfairy Tale. This would be a wonderful addition to classrooms or the library of any upper elementary age students as it has wonderful lessons on how to cope with bullies and how to befriend those who may seem unworthy of friendship. I would highly recommend this story to parents and teachers, and I hope to read more from Shari Lane.”

Abigail Morgan Prout

“Walk Deep is an award- winning collection of poetry inspired by daily walks on Lopez Hill during the Pandemic.  During a year of walking the same trail, Abigail turns towards the familiar and writes into the gifts of relationship- honoring the places and people that shape us in our daily lives.”

Abigail grew up as a wild island hippie child on the bitsy island of Lopez in the Salish Sea. She surprised herself by returning to raise a family here. She is passionate about the role that poetry plays in personal transformation and leadership.  Specializing in feminine-forward leadership through online courses and in-person retreats, she has worked with thousands of leaders throughout her coaching career. She is a leadership coach and trainer for the Co-Active Training Institute.  She is passionate about poetry and creative imagination as a way to cultivate leadership. Walk Deep, her first book, won the 2021 Homebound Publications Poetry Prize. Abigail lives with her husband, Clive, and their children Iona and Jax on Lopez Island in the forests and on the beaches where she rambled as a child. Every morning you can find her singing to the island forest with her silky black lab, Bella. 

You can learn more about Abigail and her work at www.abigailprout.com and www.spiral-leadership.com

October’s Featured Writer is Charlie Washburn

Charlie Washburn, native Lopezian born in 1945, recounts his adventures and misadventures of growing up on Lopez Island. He includes other people’s stories to give the reader deeper insight into island living. Charlie explores the historical paths of people and events which are part of this close-knit and caring community.

June’s Featured Writer is Gretchen Wing

Like Jocelyn Burgowski, Gretchen Klopfer Wing occasionally needs to go for a good fly to get a handle on life. Unlike Jocelyn, she can’t actually fly. But riding her bike or walking in the beautiful San Juans helps…as does scribbling longhand; strumming her guitar and singing with friends; road-tripping with her husband; curling up with a good book, or baking kick-ass pie. A high school teacher for 20 years, Gretchen now bakes at Holly B’s Bakery and writes, while plugging into the Lopez community in various roles.