Inland Northwest Writers Guild

Elena S. Smith, local author and member of the Inland Northwest Writers Guild, will help book lovers kick off a brand new year when she visits the Local Authors Book Club to discuss her writing history and her first two books.

Elena S. Smith was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, but by leap of faith, she moved to Moscow…Idaho in 1993. Why it happened is described in her fiction-documentary novel Why Birches Are White (2006), an insight to the depth of culture intricacies. Elena published her second novel, a contemporary romance – Truths and Lies – in 2023, which has garnered praise for her writing skills.

Dr. Smith taught English, Russian, film and culture at Washington State University for almost twenty years, and has recently retired. She now enjoys her freedom to travel, hike, read, golf and party with friends. She is thinking about writing a new story, “maybe this time a mystery.”

You are invited to join in the discussion with this engaging author. The event will begin at 2 pm (Pacific time) on January 1st, via Zoom. Those who are not members of the group may request to receive the Zoom link by writing to lindathewriter@gmail.com.

Joan M. Kop will discuss her re-released memoir – Spies, Lies & Psychosis – at the October 2nd meeting of the Local Authors Book Club (and INWG). Joan’s history, which includes working with the CIA, is fascinating. But her primary goal here is to share her personal experience of mental illness, and she hopes her book will help others find encouragement and help for their own mental health issues.

The full title for Joan’s book is Spies, Lies & Psychosis: Surviving Betrayal, Mania, Depression and the Schizoaffective Disorder. Copies are available for purchase at Auntie’s Bookstore. Members are looking forward to her presentation and the discussion should be a lively one. For more information, contact lindathewriter@gmail.com. This meeting will be held via zoom. You are also invited to visit Joan’s website: https://joanmkop.com/