These are just distillations from a number of press releases I’ve received from the Nature of Words lately.

First:

Bend author and Nature of Words patron, David "D.H." Burns, reports that he is working with a Hollywood producer on a film treatment for Burns’ novel, "Day Follow Night: From Chaos To Redemption."

The link above takes you to Amazon, but the release notes that the book is available at The Book Barn as well.

Next:

Central Oregon Community College’s Word Cafe will feature local cowboy poets Ted Lyster and Don Crowell on Thursday, April 24, 2008. The event, which starts at 7:00 p.m., will take place in the COCC Robert L. Barber Library, Second Floor Reading Room. The Word Cafe is free and open to the public.

Sounds like it could be fun. Apparently Cowboy Poetry is (traditionally) recited from memory, rather than read aloud. I wasn’t aware of that—interesting.

Also, light refreshments will be available.

Finally, a writing contest for young writers:

With the May 10th submission deadline looming, young writers are encouraged to power up their laptops and email their best creative writing to The Nature of Words. The competition is open to writers in two age categories: 15-18 and 19-25. Winners of the competition receive their awards at The Nature of Words’ annual literary festival, Bend, Oregon, scheduled for November 5-9, 2008. Prizes will be awarded in fiction, literary nonfiction and poetry. First place winners will receive a $100 cash prize, recognition at the November ceremony, and a scholarship to one of The Nature of Words workshops in their winning genre.

There is a $5 entrant fee, and the full details are available on the NoW’s Writing Contest page.