SULTAN — Kathleen Kohler quit her job as the manager of a Christian bookstore in order to write.
So far, she has stories published in seven of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books and seven other anthologies including “It’s a God Thing.” The most recently published collections of which Kohler is a contributor are “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cat Did What?” and “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Reboot Your Life,” available now in bookstores.
Her story “A Heart Restored” will print in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Forgiveness” in December.
Her cat story, “Hide and Seek Anyone?” takes place at a grocery store in Snohomish, where on a warm August afternoon she and her son lose their new kitty, who hides in the boxes of melons near the front door.
Her “reboot” story is about how she and her husband faced their empty nest when their youngest child went off to college.
While her stories can be found on her website, www.kathleenkohler.com, Kohler said she prefers books to reading stories on a screen.
“I’ve collected antique books, and there’s nothing like holding a two-hundred-year-old book in your hands, it’s a feeling you can’t get with the Internet,” said Kohler, 53. “And there’s value in passing books of consequence down to the next generation.”
All of the Sultan writer’s stories are autobiographical.
“That’s kind of my tag, the ups and downs of family life. The are real stories for real people,” said the mother of three and grandmother of seven. “All parents go through the empty nest, all parents have embarrassing moments in the grocery store, all families suffer tragedies. I try to mix laughter with the tears. ‘Chicken Soup’ has a wide circulation so I hope that I touch some lives.”
Book Calendar
David K. Hatch: The author of “The Leader in Me” plans to speak at noon Oct. 21 at Mount Pilchuck Elementary School in Lake Stevens. It is his only stop in Washington. Registration for limited seating costs $25 and includes a copy of the book. For information, go to store.theleaderinme.org/Book_Tour_seattle. The book inspires children to be leaders.
M. Allan Daly: The author will read from and sign copies of “Paradise Under the Knife: A Wild Adventure in Tropical Medicine and International Intrigue,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Mill Creek branch of University Bookstore, 15311 Main St, Mill Creek. Free.
Zach Davisson: Discover Japanese ghost stories from ancient legends to “The Ring” at noon Oct. 29 with Zach Davisson, author of “Yûrei: The Japanese Ghost.” Davisson will speak at Everett Community College’s Henry M. Jackson Center, 2000 Tower St., Everett. The event, sponsored by EvCC’s student Japanese club, is free and open to the public. Combining his lifelong interest in Japanese tradition and his personal experiences with yûrei, Davisson launches an investigation into the origin, popularization and continued existence of these vengeful spirits in Japan. His book juxtaposes historical documents and legends against contemporary yûrei-based horror films, exploring the persistence of this paranormal phenomenon in modern day Japan and its continued spread throughout the West. After Davisson tells a medieval ghost story, he’ll participate in a panel discussion, answer audience questions and sign books. His translations of Japan’s supernatural legends can be found at www.hyakumonogatari.com.
Bryan Alvarez: The Bothell author’s book, “The Death of WCW,” has been released in a newly-revised and expanded hardcover, paperback and ebook editions. Alvarez writes about the demise of World Championship Wrestling, sold to competitor World Wrestling Entertainment in a fire sale. Alvarez and his wife help run a local business, Evergreen Karate and Jiu-Jitsu on Main Street in Bothell, where he is the head instructor of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu program and where his book is available.
Foster Church: Oregon State University Press recently released “Turning Down the Sound: Travel Adventures in Washington’s Small Towns.” The author profiles 43 towns in the state, including Darrington.
Ed Skoog: The poet and Everett Community College instructor has won a Washington State Book Award in Poetry for “Rough Day,” a collection of lyric poems published by Copper Canyon Press. He’s been a member of the EvCC English department since 2009.
To submit news for the Herald’s book calendar, contact reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
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