About this Event
Third Place Books welcomes Nancy Lord for a conversation about , a vibrant and immersive celebration of Alaska's wild beauty, blending science, storytelling, and stunning artwork. Poet Jill McCabe Johnson will join in conversation.
"The bountiful abundance of this wild collection is artfully packed for a bush plane flight through head and heart." —J. Drew Lanham, author of The Home Place
For important updates, RSVP is highly recommended in advance. This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!
Tickets:
This event is free to attend. Registration is recommended in advance.
Please note: While RSVP helps us anticipate attendance, your RSVP may not guarantee a seat. Seating is first-come, first-served, and all events at our Ravenna neighborhood store are free and open to the public. Only standing room may be available for events with high interest.
We are happy to accommodate any accessibility concerns. Please contact us at [email protected] or call our Ravenna store at (206) 525-2347.
About Alaska Literary Field Guide . . .
- Highlights more than 90 species of flora and fauna from a variety of ecosystems
- Includes writings and original artwork in a wide range of styles from diverse Alaskan voices and artists
- Every entry features an informative, science-based natural history, including traditional knowledge
This unique anthology brings together a diverse range of the state's most respected contemporary poets and writers--including Kim Heacox, Seth Kantner, dg nanouk okpik, Heather Lende, and Frank Soos--alongside original, full-color artwork from 19 Alaskan visual artists such as Alvin Amason, Ray Troll, Sara Tabbert, and rising talents like Valisa Higman and Crystal Jackson.
More than 90 species and natural elements--from grizzly bears and glaciers to lichens, loons, and the aurora borealis--are brought to life through poetic reflections, vivid prose, and detailed scientific natural histories. Each "Being" is paired with a piece of writing and illustration that captures its essence, while also offering cultural knowledge, ecological context, and insight into population health and environmental threats.
Organized by ecosystem, Alaska Literary Field Guide is both an artistic tribute and an educational invitation to connect with the land, water, wildlife, and spirit of the Last Frontier. It's a field guide like no other--both a reference and a work of art.
NANCY LORD, a former Alaska State Writer Laureate (2008–2010), is the author of three short story collections, a novel, and five books of literary nonfiction. Her environmental writing has appeared widely in journals and anthologies. She has taught creative writing at the University of Alaska and currently teaches science writing for Johns Hopkins University. She lives in Homer, AK. writernancylord.com
JILL MCCABE JOHNSON is the author of four poetry collections and the memoir, Learning to Spar, forthcoming from Unsolicited Press. Honors include Nautilus Awards in Poetry and Nature Writing, Longreads' Best of 2021 Stories, eight Pushcart nominations, and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Artist Trust, and Hedgebrook. Jill spends her free time writing, hiking, and in close observation of the natural world. https://jillmccabejohnson.com
About Third Place Books
Founded in 1998 in Lake Forest Park, Washington, Third Place Books is dedicated to the creation of a community around books and the ideas inside them. With locations in Lake Forest Park and Seattle's Ravenna and Seward Park neighborhoods, Third Place Books is proud to serve the entire Seattle metro area. Learn more about their event series at thirdplacebooks.com/events.
Event venue & nearby stays
Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, United States
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