Dispatches from Islandport

Ahhhh, the glories of the Maine Coast in summer!

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay was the perfect spot Sunday for Islandport authors Dahlov Ipcar, William Andrews, F. Benjamin Carr and Lynn Plourde to chat with readers and draw new fans. Under a big white tent on the garden grounds, they were among 70 or so other authors signing their books at the fourth annual Books & Blooms book fair. The gardens were absolutely spectacular. If you haven’t visited them yet, put it on this summer’s to-do list. There are lots of peaceful spots along the garden’s trails to sit and read (an Islandport Press book, maybe?) among the flowers.

Dahlov Ipcar signs copies of The Little Fisherman

Lynn Plourde chats with readers and signs books

Launch party ...

The launch party for Becky Rule’s “Live Free and Eat Pie: A Storyteller’s Guide to New Hampshire,” on Friday night was even better than we hoped for. The Northwood (New Hampshire) Town Hall was packed with more than 125 of Becky’s friends and fans. Becky, a natural performer, told some stories, read from her book and then asked people to tell their own tales. It was a great night and a fantastic celebration for Becky.

Read the Manchester Union-Leader account of the night.

Also, here’s another review of Becky’s book, this one from the Concord Monitor.

And there was lots of pie to eat, including a pie auction to wrap up the evening.

Some photos from the night:

Becky signing books

Becky Rule speaking to a packed house

And let's not forget the pie!

Islandport authors at Books and Bloom

Islandport Press will be well represented at the fourth annual Books and Blooms book fair this Saturday, July 12, at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens on Barter Island Road in Boothbay. The popular event starts at 12:30 p.m.

 

Dahlov Ipcar, illustrator of the newly re-released "The Little Fisherman" written by Margaret Wise Brown; F. Benjamin Carr (pictured at right), author of the brand new "A Maine Summer Island, The Story of Bustins;" William Andrews, author of "Stealing History;" Ruth Grierson and Richard Johnson, author and illustrator, respectively, of "A is for Acadia, Mount Desert Island from A to Z;" and Lynn Plourde, author of "At One, In a Place Called Maine," will be among the more than 60 authors participating.

Books & Blooms, co-sponsored by the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, is free for garden members. Non-member admission is $10 for adults, $8 for those 65 and older, and $5 for ages 5-17, or $25 per family (two adults and two children under age 18). MWPA members who are not garden members will receive a reduced rate. 

Come meet the authors and take in the gorgeous gardens.

And the "Live Free and Eat Pie" countdown is on....

Don't forget, Rebecca Rule's side-splitting Live Free and Eat Pie: A Storyteller's Guide to New Hampshire is out this Friday, July 11! 

The reviews are starting to come in. 

Read one here from Seacoast Online.

Live Free and Eat Pie!

Everyone likes a funny story, especially when it takes a jab at New Hampshire. And we’ve never met anyone who could turn down a slice of homemade pie. 

That’s why we’re expecting a big, fun-loving crowd at the launch of our latest title, “Live Free and Eat Pie: A Storyteller’s Guide to New Hampshire” by the hilarious and popular Rebecca Rule. At the event, which starts at 7 p.m. July 11, at the Town Hall in Becky’s hometown of Northwood, N.H., Becky will read from her new “guide” in which she tells how to talk—and understand—New Hampshire-ese, details the state’s rich history, provides her take on great local activities and places to visit, explains how to dress like a native and much more. The free event, open to the public, also will serve as a benefit for the Friends of the Chesley Memorial Library in Northwood. And don’t forget about the pie! There’ll be lots of them to enjoy as well as a traditional pie action that will raise funds for the library.  Hope to see you there!