by John Byrne Barry
There are likely to be few BAIPA members who live in or around Manteca, but just in case: I’ll be giving an author talk at the Great Valley Bookfest on October 11, 2 pm at the Writer’s Nook.
The Great Valley Bookfest, at the Bass Pro Center at Orchard Valley, right off Highway 120, is free and includes author readings, cookbook authors demonstrating their recipes, and plenty of author and arts and craft booths. I was a featured author seven years ago and they invited me back again this year.
I’ll be promoting my most recent novel, Pirates of Sausalito: Houseboat Wars Murder Mystery, a colorful retelling of true events in the late 1970s in Sausalito. My author talk is about the history the novel is based on. I’ll be sharing slides of photographs and videos from back then, as well as reading accounts from houseboat residents and journalists.
The “houseboat wars” erupted in Sausalito on the site of Marinship, the abandoned World War II shipyard. Hippies and squatters were living free and easy on houseboats in a ramshackle shantytown, but public officials and developers wanted to evict them and build new docks to attract more affluent residents. The houseboaters resisted eviction with street theater, civil disobedience, monkeywrenching, and more. Like jumping in their dinghies and pushing away the police boats with oars. All in front of TV cameras.
(If you’re interested in the history, but can’t make it to Manteca, you can see a similar talk I gave at the Mill Valley Library last year here.)
Author
One of my favorite things about BAIPA is its culture of generosity, the willingness — even eagerness — to share what we have each learned in the process of bringing stories to life. We provide educational programs, networking, marketing opportunities, encouragement, and information on industry vendors and services. And lots of one-on-one advice and mentoring.
We welcome all who have an interest in making connections within the world of independent publishing and learning more about how to publish and sell their work successfully. Together we are raising the standard of independent publishing and helping our members thrive.
Do join us!
—Becky Parker Geist, BAIPA Board of Directors, President
Quick Resources
Current BAIPA members do not need to register for our monthly meetings. The night before the meetings, they will receive the Zoom info. For workshop registration, members can buy a member ticket and will receive the Zoom info the night before the meetings, as well as in the confirmation email.