Award-winning Lopez Island author at Orcas Library April 21

Submitted by Homebound Publications.

If you’re looking for information, insight, and inspiration about climate change, put on your life vest and settle in to thirty-six lyric essays about the Salish Sea by Lopez Island author Iris Graville. Orcas Island Library and Darvill’s Bookstore will host her at the library on Thursday, April 21 at 6:30 pm. She’ll be joined by special guest, Orcas singer/songwriter, Tom Rawson. Come in person or register to attend online:

Drafted when Graville served as the first Writer-in-Residence for Washington State Ferries, Writer in a Life Vest explores threats to Southern Resident killer whales (orcas), highlights the voices of climate activists and marine scientists, and relates the joys (and challenges) of ferry transport among the San Juan Islands. Graville tackles complex interconnections and conflicts with a storyteller’s hand, following the advice of poet Kim Stafford to, “Figure out playful ways to write hard news that bring hope, that end in a song.”

Described as “nature writing at its best” by Washington State Book Award finalist Ana Maria Spagna, Writer in a Life Vest leads readers to ask questions and find hope. If you’re angry, fearful, or despondent about the climate crisis, these heartfelt ruminations will buoy you to act on the planet’s behalf.

Iris Graville is the author of four nonfiction books including the award-winning memoir, Hiking Naked. She was the Orcas Island School District school nurse 2010-15. In 2018, Graville was named the first Writer-in-Residence for the Washington State Ferries system, drafting essays as the vessel coursed among the state’s San Juan Islands. An environmental activist and a retired nurse, Graville lives with her husband on traditional Coast Salish lands, now called Lopez Island, Washington. For more information about the event, visit orcaslibrary.org.