When Jody Seay was on the 2000 Oregon Book Award tour promoting her novel "The Second Coming of Curly Red," one of the things she enjoyed most was hearing the stories other writers on the tour shared. These writers shared the stories they had written, but also the stories behind the stories.
Seay thought of the way readers turn to the back page of a book to search for the stories behind the stories, and the concept for her TV interview show, "Back Page," was born. Filmed in Corvallis in a studio at Oregon State University, "Back Page" has now been on the air for over three years, with 24 episodes produced in 2007. On the program, Seay interviews book authors, playwrights, and songwriters, among others.

"Everyone has a story to tell. When we tell them, we're connected," Seay says. "When we honor those stories, we can change the world."

Seay's goals for the show are to help readers understand writers' motivations and to help authors promote their work. Aired on the Oregon Public Access Network, Seay's program has the potential to reach 400,000 homes in Oregon. To learn more about the show, visit JodySeay.com. To find programming information, visit OPAN's Web site at opan.org. Writers interested in appearing on the show can contact Seay by phone at (503) 449-1156 or by e-mail at jodybobfromtexas@yahoo.com.

Open Mic in Silverton

The Silverton Poetry Association, led by President Michael Smith, hosts monthly open mic poetry readings at the Rolling Hills Bakery at 106 N First Street in Silverton. The next open mic event is scheduled for May 18 from 3 - 5 p.m.

Smith advises first-timers who would like to read to look for the sign-up sheet upon arriving. Readers may read their own work or the work of other poets, and are not restricted to particular line limits.

For more information, contact Michael Smith at (503) 949-6822 or visit Silverton Poetry.

Editor Adam O'Connor Rodriguez visits Salem

The Salem Chapter of Willamette Writers will welcome guest speaker Adam O'Connor Rodriguez for their next meeting on May 8. Rodriguez is the Associate Editor of Hawthorne Books in Portland. Hawthorne Books publishes literary fiction and nonfiction; recent titles include Monica Drake's "Clown Girl" and and "Mine" by Gin Phillips.
Rodriguez plans to speak about the submission process and the elusive question of what editors want.

"I can at least speak about what one editor wants," Rodriguez says.

Meeting will be held at the West Salem Roth's store, 1130 Wallace Road NW. Networking begins at 6:15 p.m. Meetings are free to members or $10 for non-members.

Writer Shannon Riggs lives in Salem. Her picture book, "Not in Room 204," won the 2007 Oregon Book Award for Children's Literature. Visit www.shannonriggs.com.