Literary Notes

Author and former WTBBL volunteer Kat Richardson comes back to the library to chat about the fourth book in Greywalker, her paranormal mystery series. The interview was conducted in July of 2009 by Jeff Cavanaugh.

In 2010, fantasy author R.A. Salvatore came by to discuss his series of fantasy novels taking place in the Dungeons & Dragons setting of the Forgotten Realms. He speaks with library volunteer R.C. Winter about the origins of the series.

Author Maya Prasad visits us to talk about her children's series Sejal Sinha, about an Indian-American girl with a big imagination and a bigger love of science. She sat down with library volunteer Sherlyn Menezes to discuss her career path, how her child inspired her writing, and much more.

Renee Patrick visits our studio to discuss Design for Dying, the first book in their murder mystery series set in 1930s Hollywood. Library volunteer Kymmberly Myrick chats with them about the origins of their novels, movies long forgotten by the public, and Seattle's Zig Zag Café.

Writer, activist, and nurse Kit Bakke joined us in 2019 to discuss her book Protest on Trial: The Seattle 7 Conspiracy. It details the trial of the Seattle 7, a group of activists accused of inciting riots during peaceful protests. She sat down with Library volunteer Florrie Munat for this conversation.

Journalist, author, and filmmaker Nora Ephron stopped by the WTBBL studios in 2010 to discuss her memoir I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections. She speaks with volunteer Heidi Lang about her start in writing, growing older, and what she sees in the future for writers and journalists.

Writer Samantha Allen stops by to discuss her satirical horror novel Patricia Wants to Cuddle, which follows the shooting of a Bachelor-like reality show interrupted by a Bigfoot-like monster. Library volunteer Ren Caldwell chats with Allen about reality TV, connection in the age of social media, and much more.

Prolific fantasy & romance writer Katie Cross joins us to discuss her many works, her writing process, and much more. She was interviewed remotely by library volunteer Abby Travers.

Author and translator of Japanese literature Jay Rubin joins us to talk about his debut novel The Sun Gods, a sprawling tale of a son searching for his Japanese mother in the wake of World War II. WTBBL volunteer Rick Sipe conducted the interview.

Filmmaker and bus driver Nathan Vass returns to the WTBBL studios to discuss his second book, Deciding to See: The View From Nathan's Bus. He reunites with volunteer Chris Snee to talk about writing a second set of stories, the many characters he encounters driving buses at night in south Seattle, being in Paris during the terrorist attacks of November 2015, and more.

Drummer and independent music mogul Nabil Ayers came by our studios in 2022 to chat about his memoir My Life in the Sunshine: Searching For My Father and Discovering My Family. The book details his deep passion for music and his relationship with his father, jazz musician Roy Ayers. The interview was conducted by former integrative services librarian Ryan Gelskey.

Seattle Bike Blog founder and editor Tom Fucoloro talks with WTBBL volunteer Merri Ann Osborne about his book Biking Uphill in the Rain: The Story of Seattle Behind the Handlebars, a detailed history of bike culture in the Pacific Northwest.

Writer Karen Tei Yamashita stopped by our studios to talk about her book I Hotel, a novel detailing the final years of San Fransisco's I Hotel. In the early 20th century, it was a hub for Filipino migrant workers and Chinese immigrants, and in later decades it became a hotspot of Asian American activism when its demolition was announced. This interview was conducted in 2011 by audiobook production...

Novelist Jesse Q. Sutanto comes to the WTBBL studios to discuss her new novel Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block. She speaks with library volunteer Ren Caldwell about the trophy-wife upbringing that inspired the novel, her passion for travel, living with ADHD, and much more.

Creative director and food stylist Andrea Pons stops by to discuss her cookbook Mamacita: Recipes Celebrating Life as a Mexican Immigrant in America, and the fascinating true story behind it. She joins WTBBL volunteer Margarita Muñoz to talk about immigration, compare pinto beans and black beans, and enjoy homemade conchas.

Poet Jane Wong stops by the WTBBL studios to chat about her memoir, Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City. Library volunteer Amber Wang, who recorded the book for our catalog, joins her to discuss researching her family without an archive, writing about memories from a distance, hearing new stories from her mom, and much more.

Glen Erik Hamilton joins us to discuss his crime thriller series following the adventures of former criminal-in-training Van Shaw. He joins longtime WTBBL volunteer Rick Sipe to discuss his background, the logistics of Seattle as a setting for a thriller, his favorite (and least favorite) parts of being a writer, and much more.

Sci-fi author Timothy Zahn stopped by WTBBL in 2008 to discuss his book Allegiance, a story set in between the original Star Wars film and its sequel, along with many of his other works. The interview was conducted by WTBBL volunteer Jeff Cavanaugh.

Children's book author, food writer, and "Seattle Soup Lady" Caroline Wright swings by to talk about her cookbook, Soup Club. WTBBL volunteer Beth Larimore chats with her about the book, as well as the COVID lockdown-era club that inspired her to write it.

Writer Diana Morita Cole joins WTBBL via video call to discuss her book Sideways: Memoir of a Misfit. Born in the Minidoka Relocation Center during World War II, she discusses her tumultuous childhood and what we can learn from her story today. WTBBL volunteer Jillian Igarashi, who recorded the book for our collection, conducted he interview.

Fashion journalist and Guinness World Record holder Eden Dawn joins us via video call to chat about The Seattle Book of Dates. Written and researched extensively by Dawn and her husband Ashod Simonian, The Seattle Book of Dates is a guide to exploring the Pacific Northwest for two! WTBBL volunteer Holly Chaffin conducted the interview and recorded the book for our collection.

Author and illustrator Amy Hevron sits down with us to talk about her Tiny Habitats books, a series of picture books that teaches kids about wildlife in peculiar places. She talks with WTBBL volunteer Rachel Glass about her illustrations and research, and they do a deeper dive into some of the habitats depicted in her books.

Writer Jonathan Tropper came by the WTBBL studios in 2009 to chat about his book This is Where I Leave You, about a family forced to stay under one roof after the death of their father. The interview was conducted by WTBBL volunteer Heidi Lang.

New York Times bestseller Robert Dugoni chats with WTBBL volunteer Courtney Maheras about the Tracy Crosswhite novels, a long-running crime procedural series set in Seattle. They talk about the origins of Tracy, researching for crime thrillers, and Seattle restaurants that may or may not be fictional.

Community historian Ellie Belew joins WTBBL volunteer Sara Ainsworth to talk about the first women to work at Seattle City Light and the severe challenges they faced due to racism, sexism, unfair management, and the dangerous nature of their work. She recounts the story in her book High Voltage Women: Breaking Barriers at Seattle City Light.