Whidbey Island Center for the Arts Hosts AN EVENING WITH HEDGEBROOK WRITERS Tonight

Hedgebrook and Whidbey Island Center for the Arts present 'An Evening with Hedgebrook Writers' as part of their Literary Series at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Avenue, Langley, WA, tonight, March 16, 2013 at 7.30 pm.

An Evening with Hedgebrook Writers at WICA is a great opportunity to meet best-selling authors and connect with Hedgebrook Women's Writers Retreat. If you love books, writers, and great stories you won't want to miss An Evening with Ruth Ozeki and Karen Joy Fowler, as they read from their newly released books. Both authors will have their characters come to life onstage with the aid of local actors who will present scenes from these new releases.

Be the first to hear a preview of Karen Joy Fowler's latest book, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. Fowler's book is out in May-attendees have the exclusive opportunity to hear excerpts and ask the author questions. Hedgebrook Executive Director, Amy Wheeler will moderate a lively discussion with these fascinating writers about their work, their writing processes, career trajectories, and new works on the horizon. After a short Q&A with the audience, the authors will be selling their books and they will be available for signing them in the WICA lobby.

Ruth Ozeki is a filmmaker-turned-novelist-turned-Zen-Buddhist-priest. Her first novels, My Year of Meats and All Over Creation, were both New York Times Notable Books and garnered critical acclaim for their ability to integrate science, technology, environmental politics and global popular culture into unique hybrid narrative forms. A long-time meditator, Ozeki was ordained as a Soto Zen Buddhist priest in 2010. Viking Penguin is publishing her new novel, A Tale for the Time Being, and its release date is March 12, 2013. Be the first to experience Ozeki's new book at WICA.

Karen Joy Fowler is the author of six novels and three short story collections. Sarah Canary won The Commonwealth medal for best first novel by a Californian; Sister Noon was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner; and The Jane Austen Book Club was a New York Times bestseller. Her collection, What I Didn't See, recently won the 2010 World Fantasy Award. A frequent teacher at the Squaw Valley and Clarion Workshops, Fowler has taught Hedgebrook Master Classes on Fiction and storytelling. She has a new novel coming out from Putnam in May of 2013 entitled We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves.

Tickets are $8 and available by contacting the WICA Ticket Office (360) 221-8268 or (800) 638-7631, or online at tickets.wicaonline.com. For more information, visit www.wicaonline.com or www.hedgebrook.org.

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts and the Hedgebrook retreat for women writers have partnered to create a program that brings together writers and book-lovers. The Literary Series offers intimate conversations with bestselling Hedgebrook authors and a chance to see local artists bring an excerpt of the author's work to life in a short, staged reading. Previously featured writers include award winning playwright, novelist, television writer Theresa Rebeck, and celebrated poet Carolyn Forche. Upcoming writers include Carol Cassella, Ruth Ozeki, and Karen Joy Fowler.

Hedgebrook supports visionary women writers whose stories and ideas shape our culture now and for generations to come. Situated on 48-acres of forest and meadow facing Puget Sound, it is one of the few residency programs in the world exclusively dedicated to supporting the creative process of women writers and bringing their written work to the world through innovative programs. Founded in 1988, Hedgebrook's core residency programs host women writers at our Whidbey retreat, and our community programs connect the exemplary work of Hedgebrook alumnae to readers and audiences of all ages. Writers in Residence are housed in six handcrafted cottages, where they spend their days in solitude - writing, reading, taking walks in the woods on the property, on nearby Double Bluff beach or trails around the island. In the evenings, they gather in The Farmhouse kitchen to share a home-cooked gourmet meal, their work, their process and their stories. The women who come to Hedgebrook are writing in all genres, and are of all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds and levels of writing experience.

The mission of Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is to inspire, nourish, and enhance the artistic, social, and economic well being of the community. We do this by promoting, developing, and presenting a diverse offering of high quality theatre, music, dance, literature, and visual arts in an outstanding venue, and by creating educational and participation opportunities. WICA opened its doors in May 1996, culminating a 10-year grassroots effort to build a community performing arts center on rural South Whidbey Island. Serving Whidbey and outlying areas, the 246-seat theater hosts a year-round season of diverse offerings. A staff of five full-time and seven part-time employees, with input and assistance from over 400 volunteers, offers patrons a consistent, quality experience and a wide range of arts programs including performances, workshops, and lectures. WICA has an active 15-member board of directors made up of artists, business people, and other community leaders.