91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Writers Celebrate Author Richard Brautigan at National Unpublished Writers' Day

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VANCOUVER, Wash. – The vision of Washington-born author Richard Brautigan of a public home for personal narratives is the theme behind National Unpublished Writers' Day. The event will take place 1 - 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Clark County Historical Museum. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

National Unpublished Writers' Day is an annual event held in partnership between the Clark County Historical Museum, the Washington State University Vancouver creative media and digital culture program and the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø writing center. Activities include workshops, presentations, discussions, readings and a series of "creative stations" that will offer participants the opportunity to strengthen their writing skills. All genres of writing are welcome.

Professional writers from 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø and the local community will provide encouragement and lead activities. Writers include Dene Grigar, director of the creative media and digital culture program; Kandy Robertson, associate professor and coordinator of the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø writing center; Megan Trevarthen, editor-in-chief of the Salmon Creek Journal; Teresa Phimister, 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø academic coordinator; Katherine OIson, adjunct professor in the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø College of Liberal Arts; Ron Carr, author; and Christopher Luna, poet laureate of the City of Vancouver.

As head of the Salmon Creek Journal –91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø's student-run art and literary publication– Trevarthen is excited for her staff to share their expertise at National Unpublished Writer's Day.

"The Salmon Creek Journal is on a mission to cure writers' block. By hosting some of the creative workshops, we hope to find a cure and show attendees that everyone can be a writer," said Trevarthen.

A partnership between 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø and the Clark County Historical Museum resulted in the at the museum last October. The Brautigan Library is a unique collection of nearly 400 unpublished manuscripts inspired by Brautigan's vision of a library where anyone could deposit a copy of their self-authored book.

John F. Barber, faculty member in the CMDC program, spearheaded the effort to bring the library collection to the Clark County Historical Museum and organized National Unpublished Writers' Day. An expert on Brautigan, Barber believes the library fulfills Brautigan's vision as a welcoming space for writers of all levels.

"Brautigan felt strongly that everyone should have a place for their voice to be preserved. In his day, before the Internet, such a place was a library. The Brautigan Library was inspired by his vision and imagination," said Barber.

Brautigan, born in Tacoma in 1935, moved to San Francisco in 1956. He rose to international prominence as an author who captured the zeitgeist of the counterculture movement during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He is best noted for his novel, "Trout Fishing in America," his poetry collection, "The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster," and his collection of stories, "Revenge of the Lawn."

For more information about The Brautigan Library, visit .

The Clark County Historical Museum is located at 1511 Main Street in Vancouver's 1909 Carnegie Library. Regular museum hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is charged. The museum is free from 5 - 9 p.m. during the First Thursday Museum After Hours program. For more information call 360-993-5679 or visit .

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