The next monthly Words and Wine event hosted by Kona Stories Book Shop is Tuesday.
This free event is open to the public and offers a chance to meet some of Kona’s favorite authors while enjoying complimentary pupu and wine. October’s event featured authors are Clear Englebert, Richard Diedrichs and Alice Ray.
Diedrichs’ “Spirit of Tabasco” is a collection of nine stories that open the blinds on the brief experiences of people young and old. Stories include a man giving care to a mute conniving ex-con dying of tongue cancer; an enraged woman meeting her ex-husband who has something unique to offer; a man confronting an ogreish uncle who abused him as a boy; and a man who attends a lecture on compassion only to be held captive by a wayward and ominous fellow-pilgrim. Four stories relate the adventures of young people caught in circumstances that ultimately change their perspectives including a young man who discovers an immense insect in his car, and is humiliated by his father, who has to extract the menacing bug. In another story, a man goes with his friend to steal back a rifle, only to have the friend aim the gun at him and then shoot himself (in the foot).
Diedrichs, who grew up in Los Angeles, edited travel and health magazines in Seattle, worked as an editor at the schools of engineering and public health at the University of California, and then taught in public elementary schools near San Francisco, has published short stories in literary journals and two novels. He currently lives in Kona.
Ray is a long time child advocate who has developed videos, films, TV shows, public service announcements, training software, and curricula to prevent child injury and promote child health, safety and school success. These efforts have earned her eight regional Emmys, more than a dozen national film awards, 29 software awards, and leadership awards from groups as diverse as business schools at the Universities of Washington and California at Berkeley, the National Association of Women Business Owners, and the Federal Association of Investigators. She is also the CEO of Ripple Effects.
She is also the author of “Born for Greatness: me, you and the Dalai Lama,” which features captivating illustrations and a heart-warming story that makes the case that leaders – even very young, poor and misbehaving ones – are found and trained for greatness. They do not arrive fully formed.
Englebert, a Kona resident, recently released “Feng Shui for Love & Money.” The publication offers easy-to-follow advice for promoting prosperity and attracting and enhancing relationships. Englebert is the author of six books on feng shui that are available in five languages.
The event starts at 6 p.m. with an informal meet and greet that will lead into a more formal book presentation from each author. It will conclude around 8 PM after a Q&A session. Kona Stories is located in the Keauhou Shopping Center. For more information, call Brenda or Joy at 324-0350.