Launch Party for A Dance of Birds: Poetry and Paper Collage at Churchill School in Baker City, OR on July 25, 2026

What a success!!! The community came out and supported Sherri Kay Linnemeyer and me on a magical summer night. With ambient violin and acoustic guitar music played by Amarina and Robert Anders, the mood was set. Stray Cat Coffee generously donated their rich and wonderful cold brew to complement Eastside Bakery’s delectable bite-sized cookies and cakes, free for the public to enjoy. Brian and Corrine Vegter, owners of Churchill School, provided their auditorium, which filled up quickly at 6:00 pm, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the offer to host our book launch; they are such a gift to our small-town community, bringing live music, comedy, and indie film to Baker City.

Sherri and I presented the book’s process over the past year and bounced off each other with ease. The collaboration with Sherri was a dream come true. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to launch the children’s division of Sea Pony Books. A Dance of Birds was a smooth and easy ride, organically created, truly written in the stars. I read some 5-star editorial reviews and thanked my children, Ruby and Jade Williams, for their essential contributions to the book’s final touches, which greatly benefited from a youth’s perspective. It made the book more kid-friendly by tweaking some of the poetic verses into a simpler form. And it was Jade’s brilliant idea to add the coloring page!

All in all, the event was a warm and wonderful experience. We sold and signed books, Sherri sold her original artwork, and the community showed up with grace. Thank you, Baker City, for all the love and support. We are forever grateful.