Meet the author everyone is reading

JoAnne Tompkins discusses her book, ‘What Comes After,’ at area venues

Everybody Reads, a regional program designed to bring communities together over a shared reading experience, culminates in the coming week with a visit from JoAnne Tompkins, the author of this year’s selection, “What Comes After.”

The novel, set in coastal western Washington, examines the relationships of a father who has lost his son, a mother whose teenage son committed a heinous act and a teenage girl whose arrival forces all involved to face what happened and find a way to move forward.

Tompkins, whose first career was as a trial lawyer and mediator, “explores the small moments that hold the possibility of transformation and for finding grace in life’s darkest times” in her work, according to her website.

She has a Master of Fine Arts from Goddard College in Port Townsend, Wash., where she resides. Her work has been published in journals including High Country News, Lithub, Writer in the World, Stratus: Journal of Art and Writing.

Tompkins’ appearances in the area include:
  • Noon Nov. 7, Colfax Library, 102 S. Main St., Colfax.

  • 7 p.m. Nov. 7, Neill Public Library, 210 N. Grand Ave., Pullman.

  • Noon Nov. 8, Latah County Library District, 110 S. Jefferson St., Moscow.

  • 7 p.m. Nov. 8, Winchester Community Library, 314 Nezperce Ave., Winchester.

  • Noon Nov. 9, Asotin County Library, 417 Sycamore St., Clarkston.

  • 7 p.m. Nov. 9, Lewiston City Library, 411 D St., Lewiston.

  • 1 p.m. Nov. 10, Lewiston High School, 3201 Cecil Andrus Way, Lewiston.
More information is at everybody-reads.org.