Portland author to read at WordFest

On Tuesday at WordFest in Longview, Portland author Robert Hill will read from his new novel, The Remnants, published by Forest Avenue Press.

The novel's plot involves the town of New Eden, which has arrived at its last days. As two near-centenarians prepare for their annual birthday tea, a third vows to interrupt the party with a bold declaration. With wit and inventive wordplay, Hill delivers a bittersweet elegy to the collective memory of a dying community.

Hill is a recipient of a Literary Arts Walt Morey Fellowship and a Breadloaf Writers Conference Fellowship. His debut novel, All Is Said and Done (Graywolf Press,) was short-listed for the Oregon Book Award’s Ken Kesey Award for Fiction.

David Rorden will read from the manuscript of his legal novel, A Method to Her Madness, which tells the story of a young public defender who finds himself thrust into a high-profile jury trial defending a mental patient found sitting in the middle of the freeway. The attorney soon learns that his client staged the event in order to put the state's system of forced mental treatment on trial. But she has another, and darker agenda.

Steve Anderson, WordFest regular and author of the novel, Book of Hours: The Beguilement of Brother Alphaios, will be reading from his memoir.

There will be an open mic period following the presentations.

The monthly gathering of readers and writers meet the second Tuesday of each month, 6-8 p.m., at Cassava, 1333 Broadway in Longview. The events are free and open to the public.

Cassava offers a dinner menu for those who wish to enjoy a meal with the readings, as well as local wines and brews.

For more information, contact Alan Rose at www. Alan-rose.com.