By Peggy Sturdivant

You know those stressful dreams in which you are on your way to some important event and realize you’ve forgotten 1) wallet, 2) clothes, or 3) how to drive? Fill in your own nightmare. I just had mine this morning. After last November’s Big Event for Ballard Writers the Sunset Hill Community Association suggested that we set a date for the following year. It’s Friday, November 1. But I forgot to invite anyone.

We’ve had the date for a year. Ballard Writers Collective has been planning the event for months. But did I send out Save the Date cards? Give timely notice to the Seattle Times calendar? No. Sure, the other 100+ members of Ballard Writers know about Friday’s 4th Annual but it’s supposed to be for the public, not for us.

Then again, who are we? We are your neighbors. If there’s anything I’ve learned since the 2010 launch of Ballard Writers is that we are legion. It’s the woman next to me at yoga and the man who walks past my house with his dog. Either everyone has a story to tell or they have already been trying to write it, publish it, sell it, get it accepted by Modern Love in the New York Times Styles section.

Was it the fog? Was it planning so far in advance? Don’t worry about the RSVP; this is your invite. Just come to the 4th Annual Ballard Writer’s event on Friday, November 1st.

Why? It could be for the chance to ask your neighbor something you have always wanted to ask. All thirty of the participating author/writers have shared what makes their experience unique, what book they would recommend to anyone who wants to be a writer and what book they have to re-read or give as a gift.

There will be readings, the return of the amazing raffle gift baskets, a keg of a local beer, and wine purchased through Sunset Hill Green Market. There will be an “Ask the Writer” panel in addition to the opportunity to submit questions (anonymously) of any of the writers. New this year will be the opportunity to purchase your choice of three books through a $15 book pass from participating authors (while supplies last). Secret Garden will be selling additional books, as well as able to take pre-orders on forthcoming works.

In the years since we started connecting and creating events there have been publishing successes that have been recognized nationally (ask Ingrid Ricks), stuffed animals inspired (ask Nina Laden) and personal successes too numerous to mention (okay, ask Alison Krupnick, Helen Landalf, Joshua McNichols…). The world of self-publishing has changed. Secret Garden Books has survived, Egan’s Ballard Jam House has welcomed our live works and we’ve had a lot of great parties.

What we learned from a show of hands back in 2010 was how many attendees were interested in writing, whether as practitioner or a devoted reader. Having experimented with combining craft vendors (and everything short of jugglers) we’re returning to our literary roots this year.

When I asked all the participants what book they recommend to someone who announces “I want to be a writer” half of them cited Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird.” Just this week Ballard writer and “Ask the Writer” panelist Theo Pauline Nestor was able to announce she’s producing a January event “Bird by bird and beyond” in California with Anne Lamott herself. Nestor’s new book “Writing Is My Drink” (Simon & Schuster) will be available at the event, in advance of its official launch.

Secret Garden Books might like it to be otherwise, but when it comes to our annual events we don’t really care about selling books. We want to connect. Every year I reflect on the friendships and collaborations that have come about from meeting one another. We support one another, whether by being the chemotherapy partner or the editor, the writing partner or the one who knows an agent. Who better to be a friend to a writer, than another writer? Journalist, poet, essayist, young adult, memoir, writer’s craft, erotica, gardening, cooking, historical fiction, science fiction, children’s books or simply someone who has to write in their journal, we’re all connected.

Time to go pick up gifts donated by Romanza and Sweet Mickey’s for the baskets. See you Friday night.

The Writer Next Door: 4th Annual Ballard Writer’s Collective event

When: Friday, November 1st Doors open at 6 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

Where: Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th Street

More info: www.ballardwriters.org

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