Poet Prodigy Joins The Nature of Words Guest Authors
Ekiwah Adler-Belendez, young poet from Mexico, complements existing guest author roster
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellen Waterston, Director
The Nature of Words
Phone: 541.330.4381
Email: info@thenatureofwords.org
Website: www.thenatureofwords.org
Editors: Author photos are available upon request.
Poet Prodigy Joins The Nature of Words 2008 Guest Author Roster
Ekiwah Adler-Belendez Hailed on Mexico’s Literary Scene
Bend, Oregon. June 26, 2008. Ekiwah Adler-Belendez, a 19-year old poet prodigy from Mexico, will join seven other noted guest authors at The Nature of Words literary festival in Bend, Oregon November 5-9, 2008. Adler-Belendez began writing poems and stories at age 10, and became a literary sensation at age 12 when he presented his first book at an event in the Jardín Borda in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Adler-Belendez now has four volumes of poetry to his credit, including Soy (I Am); Palabras Inagotables, (Never-ending Words); Weaver (2003), his first book in English, and The Coyotes Trace. He lives in Massachusetts, has dual citizenship and is bilingual.
“We are delighted to welcome Ekiwah to The Nature of Words,” said Ellen Waterston, director of the organization. “The addition of his literary perspective complements the work of guest authors Luis Urrea and Charles Bowden, and builds on a theme focusing on the Latino experience.” Luis Urrea, author of The Hummingbird’s Daughter and the 2005 Pulitzer Prize-finalist The Devil’s Highway, uses his dual-culture heritage to explore themes of love, loss and triumph. Charles Bowden, a non-fiction author, journalist, and essayist, writes about the environment and social issues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bowden is an outspoken advocate for the desert Southwest.
Ursula LeGuin, Pam Houston, Craig Childs, Judith Barrington and Patricia Smith complete the guest author lineup for The Nature of Words 2008.
The Nature of Words includes two nights of author readings in Bend’s Tower Theatre, two days of writing workshops conducted by the guest authors at the OSU-Cascades Campus, a dinner and panel discussion at the High Desert Museum, the Rising Star Creative Writing Competition awards for young writers, and an open mike session for aspiring writers at the Bend Public Library.
About Our Sponsors
The Nature of Words is made possible thanks to the generous support of Central Oregon Community College, Collins Foundation, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus, The Shops at The Old Mill District, Starview Foundation, Writing Ranch, and an anonymous donor. Additional support is being provided by Brooks Resources, Cascade Publications, Clear 101.7 FM, Craig and Linda Moore, Deschutes Brewery, Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, Devore’s Good Food, Emily Bonavia, Greer, Mahr & Associates LLP, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, John Martin Landscapes, Margaret Heater, Mike and Sue Hollern Advised Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Nancy and Trent Tyler, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Bend, Ray Lansing and Angelina Montoya, Robberson Ford, Ron and Molly Foerster, Sally Russenberger, Samuel S. Johnson Foundation, S. Park Shaw Foundation, Shelk Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Sun Forest Construction, The Bulletin, The High Desert Museum, The Roundhouse Foundation, The Source Weekly and Umpqua Bank.
For more information, visit www.thenatureofwords.org, email info@thenatureofwords.org or call 541.330.4381.