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Praise For The Pen and Key
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
November 2005 - "Small Press Bookwatch" "... From J. A. Jance's "Signore Bianco", to Kay Kenyon's "The Loyal Order of Beasts", to Kathleen Alcala's "Cities of Gold", to Stephen John Walker's "The Yoke", this is an impressive collection of genuine literary gems. Of special note is the section dedicated to "Writing About Writing" which consist of Marvin Bell's "The Case for the Arts and Humanities", Terry Brooks' "Facing Down the Monster", Elizabeth George's "Born to Write?", Mark Lindquist's "Bridget's Kitchen", and Bharti Kirchner's "The Kettle Boils--Out Pours A Novel". The Pen And The Key is a welcome showcase of first class literary talent and a highly recommended read for those who appreciate the craft of well honed writing."
LIBRARY JOURNAL August 2005 (starred review) While all the writers in this anthology of contemporary fiction, poetry, essays are well known, they wouldn't necessarily be identified as northwestern writers-not even by Northwesterners. What they have in common is their participation in the Pacific Northwest Writers Conferences, both as neophytes and as experienced writers. Part 1 opens with an enchanting detective story by J.A. Jance, in which the handsome detective happens to be a Venetian cat. Short stories and novel excerpts by authors like Craig Lesley, Marjorie Reynolds, Meg Chittenden, and Shawn Wong make this portion a thoroughly enjoyable read. Part 2, "Writing About Writing," includes brief, thoughtful, and sometimes humorous essays and poems by Elizabeth George, Bharti Kirchner, and Terry Brooks. This delightful collection belongs in all regional collections and in larger public libraries. -Mary Margaret Benson, Linfield Coll. Lib., McMinnville, OR
FOREWORD MAGAZINE When Lucile McDonald and Zola Helen Ross founded the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) fifty years ago, they could not have imagined, although they assuredly hoped, that their fledgling organization would still be around in 2005. That the success of their venture is so artistically displayed in this celebratory anthology is testament to their optimistic vision. Yet, it is a means of celebration fraught with challenges. In a society motivated by instant gratification and informed by sound bites, one would presume that the reading public embraces literature that can be read in one sitting. Paradoxically, this is not the case, and anthologies of short fiction and poetry, especially regional ones, have limited appeal. What, then, would make this collection as relevant to residents of Portland, Maine, as it is to those of Portland, Oregon? One need only look at the list of contributing authors to find the answer. Best-selling and award-winning writers-among them Terry Brooks, Stella Cameron, J. A. Jance, Marjorie Reynolds, and Ann Rule-bring a broad national recognition to the project. From Jance's whimsically irresistable canine detective, to Reynolds' affective tale of a fractious family reunion, to Cameron's horrific, hypnotic story of rape and murder, the anthology is united not so much by theme as by the transcendence of writing. At no time does the caliber of the writing by such powerhouses threaten to overshadow that of those writers whose works may not be as well known. Five of the PNWA's newest members are showcased in the "Emerging Writers" section, and Dr. Phyllis Hollenbeck's candid and cautionary essay, "Hollenbeck's First Rule of Medicine," alone is worth the book's purchase price. Pulling no punches, Hollenbeck asserts that it is "not the gender of the doctor that counts but the degreeof jerkdom," exhorting readers to "find a physician whose brain cackles with the thrill of science and can also make a patient comfortable enough to tell their story." Is such vibrant writing a natural gift or a learned skill? Such is the conundrum explored in the "Writing About Writing" segment, five discourses in which PNWA members weigh in on the art of their craft. Regardless of the source of their talent, says Brooks in "Facing Down the Monster," what unites writers is a commitment borne of courage and "a confidence of self that allows us to believe that we have something important and interesting to say." "Important" and "interesting" may not be the sexiest adjectives in the thesaurus, but they are solid criteria by which to judge all of PNWA's writers-established and emerging-who have succeeded beyond McDonald's and Ross's wildest dreams. (September 2005) - Carol Haggas
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
The prodigious Pacific Northwest Writers Association celebrates its 50th anniversary with publication of a fine, Boeing-funded anthology that includes work by some of the region's notable authors, including J. A. Jance, Robert Ferrigno, Stella Cameron and Shawn Wong. - Northwest Bookshelf (September 9, 2005)
SEATTLE TIMES
Honoring the Pacific Northwest Writers Association's 50th anniversary, this collection features works by 24 contributors based in the region, including J. A. Jance, Bharti Kirchner and Marvin Bell. - Tyron Beason (August 28, 2005)
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