Books Are Us

Authors Stephen Wallenfels and Maureen McQuerry

I find it extraordinary how many published authors live in the Tri-Cities. To me, having one—New York Times bestseller Patricia Briggs–living among us is a pretty big deal. So two more writers with big time publishers releasing their novels this week just knocks my socks off.

When I think of the literary world–poets, novelists, and the like–I picture men sporting goatees wearing turtlenecks and tweed coats (patches on the elbows) and women in cocktail gowns fondling their strings of pearls exchanging chit-chat at Manhattan book parties.

I don’t picture little ol’ Tri-Cities. Not us. We’re a post World War Two landscape of scientists in chinos and plaid shirts with pocket protectors and cell phones clipped to our belts. 

Not so much, anymore.

Stephen Wallenfels and Maureen Doyle McQuerry both write for younger readers (click on their names to visit their web sites). McQuerry, who has taught at Hanford and Enterprise High Schools and Columbia Basin College, says she still relates to young adults. “My own young adult person is still talking to me, ” she says.

“I can still remember being in that place, trying to figure out who I am and all those questions young adults deal with all the time,” McQuerry says.

McQuerry’s novel THE PECULIARS, is about a young woman’s search for her father.  As her website describes it, “This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance.”

Fans of science fiction–of all ages–get ready for Wallenfel ‘s debut novel POD,  an alien invasion that starts in Prosser. The local setting will draw you in, the story will keep you there.  Since its release last year in Australia and Europe, Wallenfels says many adult readers have discovered POD.

“Originally it came out as a YA release, but Penguin is actually marketing it as an adult science fiction novel now,” Wallenfels says.

It’s pure coincidence two major publishers have released the writers’ books at the same time, but Wallenfels and McQuerry will take advantage by holding a joint book launch party 4-6 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday April 28th) at Barnes and Noble at Columbia Center Mall, where they’ll sign copies of their books.

Spaceships descend on Washington’s wine country

People in Prosser don’t know it, but they’re about to be invaded by space aliens.  Just in time for Christmas; spring time,  if the publisher pushes back the tentative release date of POD.

Stephen Wallenfels’ debut novel tells the story of  a global invasion through the eyes of two kids, a 12-year-old girl trapped in a parking garage in Los Angeles, and a teenage boy, who even before the invasion, feels imprisoned in his small hometown.

“I wanted the feeling of claustrophobia,” Wallenfels says. “I grew up in a small town (New York State) and I know how that felt, and Prosser is about the same size as the town where I grew up.”

Originally published in 2009 by a small publishing company, POD has been released this summer in Australia and Germany. The Tri-Cities author’s novel will appear in bookstores throughout Europe in the fall, and Penguin Books has tentatively set the American release for December. Wallenfels says a Spanish translation is also in the works. 

 “What’s great to know is that it has universal appeal. The story I wrote isn’t just about people in the United States or in their small towns. It can really appeal to people throughout the world.”

But it’s cool to imagine black spheres of spaceships hovering over the Horse Heaven Hills, vaporizing anyone who dares to steps foot outdoors.

And if Wallenfels sells the movie rights, who knows. Prosser could be invaded again–by Hollywood, looking to shoot on location.

Watch the trailer.

Here’s Wallenfels’ website.

The story aired on KNDU & KNDO.