A14
Hood River News, Saturday, May 16, 2015
J OE
Continued from Page A1
This fall, the tour will ex-
pand past the Pacific North-
west — he has tours sched-
uled in North Carolina,
Georgia and Colorado, with
more being added.
It helps that ‘Rebels of the
Kasbah,’ his first of the se-
ries, is in more Battle of the
Books contests than any
other book in America.
“North Carolina is the big
one,” he said. “They have the
biggest Battle of the Books
contest of any state, includ-
ing Oregon.
“That was totally unex-
pected,” he added. “I don’t
even know how they got the
book.”
His favorite stops, howev-
er, are in Hood River.
“I love being involved with
the local community, doing
talks at May Street, Hood
River (Middle), Wy’east,” he
said. “It’s really fun being in-
volved with the local schools,
the local teachers, the local
kids. I’ve toured all around
the state, all around the
country, and what we have in
Hood River is very special, in
terms of the kids and the at-
titudes.”
O’Neill has been a writer
“since elementary school,”
and he minored in creative
writing at Washington State
University, where he gradu-
ated with a major in interna-
tional business in 1991. (His
day job? CEO and founder of
Waquis, a mortgage process-
ing center located in Sri
Lanka.) “Rebels of the Kas-
bah” wasn’t his first book,
but it was “the first thing
that I’ve written that I think
is really good and am really
proud of,” he said. “It just
flowed and came together on
that book. Now we’re in the
third book. It’s been a
process — the stuff you
write when you first start
out is pretty bad, but then
you refine the craft.”
“Kasbah” took him four
years to write and nine revi-
sions; the second, “Wrath of
Author reception
Waucoma Bookstore is host-
ing local author Joe O’Neill on
May 16 for the release of the
third book in his “Red Hand Ad-
ventures” series, “Legends of
the Rif,” from 1-3 p.m. The au-
thor reception and book sign-
ing will also include signed
posters for young fans and a
treasure hunt with prizes.
The event is free, and all
ages are welcome. Waucoma
Bookstore is located at 212 Oak
Street in downtown Hood River.
For more information, call 541-
386-5353
or
visit
www.waucoma bookstore.com.
the Caid,” took two, and
“Legends” only one.
“It’s easier when you’re
writing a series because you
understand the plot struc-
ture, the flow, the narration,
the characters,” he said. “It
all becomes very familiar, so
it’s easier to jump back into
that world.”
He’s working on another
book, about a fictional Ore-
gon town, which he’s finding
more difficult “because you
have to create the characters
and the setting — there’s a
lot more refinement when
you start a brand new book.”
But that doesn’t mean the
Red Hand Adventure series
is over with “Legends.” His
fourth, “Thieves of the Black
Sea,” is almost complete and
has a slated release date of
April 2016.
“I honestly don’t know
how many books will be in
the series … I suppose until I
get tired of writing them and
there’s no sign of that hap-
pening anytime soon,” he
said. “Each time I sit down to
write the ‘Red Hand Adven-
tures,’ it’s like being trans-
ported to a distance time and
place and visiting old
friends.”
To research the books,
which are set in a land and
time far removed from 2015
Oregon — 1912 Morocco —
O’Neill goes abroad “once or
twice a year,” he said. “Last
year it was Nepal and Sri
Lanka and this year it will be
Istanbul and perhaps France
and even Morocco for the
fifth book.”
Research consists of
“learning about the history
and culture as well as
scenery,” he said, “trying to
capture the texture, feel,
smells, and sounds of a place
to give the book added accu-
racy and depth. A lot of it is
walking around, studying ar-
chitecture, eating local cui-
sine, talking to people, and
just being an observer.”
He calls the books a family
affair, as wife Kirstin has
done all of the art design.
Her covers, specifically,
helped get the book into
Barnes and Nobel, which is
practically unheard of for a
small, independent press
such as his.
The Bar nes and Nobel
buyer “looked at the books
covers and said, ‘these are
some of the best book covers
I’ve ever seen,’” O’Neill said.
The two started Black Ship
Publishing (blackshippub-
lishing.com) about four
years ago, and he feels it was
a “really smart decision,” as
it’s allowed him to retain the
copyrights. They have na-
tional and international dis-
tribution through Pereus,
and as such, his books can be
found in Canada, England
and Australia in addition to
the US. Foreign markets —
France and Germany — are
in the works for the next year
or two.
“It’s been a fun process,
learning along the way, mak-
ing mistakes, saying, ‘I’ll
never do that again,’ and
moving on,” he said.
To learn more about the
Red Hand Adventures series,
visit
redhandadven-
tures.com.
BOOK SIGNING / EVENING LECTURE
COLUMBIA
RIVER GORGE
Local First
Timers!
Haven't been to our
Tasting Room
on the Rivers?
Well, here's an
enticement: Stop by,
and you can take home
a sample 6-pack of
our vibrant wines
for just $89.
Just show ID
and mention this ad.
Salud!
National Scenic Area
Photography by Peter Marbach
Essay by Janet Cook
Join
photographer Peter Marbach and author
Janet Cook for the unveiling of their new book:
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea
P ATIO E XPANSION
M EMALOOSE
Concrete Cowboys owner Josh Green, left, and Brian Dunn complete the pour Thursday on the
expanded patio at Kickstand Coffee Kitchen, formerly 10 Speed. Owner Nick Hardin said more
changes are in the works: he’ll expand the café and add a service counter by adding an annex
to the east. 10- Speed Roastery will move into the annex, which will also house offices for 10
Speed owner Brian McGeeney and Hardin. Dirty Fingers Bike Repair shares the south half of
the building, at 13th and State streets. Green formed Concrete Cowboys about a year ago to
focus on his favorite sphere of work, concrete.
May 27 at Columbia Center for the Arts
Book signing starts at 6:30,
public program “Wild at Heart in the
Columbia River Gorge” starts at 7PM
Memaloose / Idiot’s Grace
34 State Street (HWY 14)
Lyle, WA 98635
WinesoftheGorge.com
Event sponsored by Weinstein PR
PRINTED BY COLUMBIA GORGE PRESS
Corner of 2nd and Cascade, Hood River
541-386-3700 www.nakedwinery.com
Open daily at Noon
Naked Winery
At Naked Winery, we strip
away the pretense and slip into
something a li le more relaxed.
When we say “we aim to
tease,” we mean that a glass of
Naked Winery or Oh! Orgasmic
wine served up with a dash of
risqué can be the perfect prel-
ude to a lovely evening with the
one you love.
Turn off the TV, close the lap-
top and se le down with your
best bud for a li le social. Using
grapes from the finest vineyards
in the Pacific Northwest, Naked
Winery produces a full line of
white and red wines for any and
every occasion.
Sip into one of our selec on of
food-friendly whites, perfect for
summer sipping. Chardonnay,
Muscat, Pinot Blanc and Pinot
Gris marry well with good friends
and plates full of grilled chicken,
fresh fish, and veggies.
Do you like your wines a li le
more buxom? Tap one of our big
red varietals – Barbera, Caber-
net, Merlot, Nebbiolo, San-
giovese, Tempranillo and
Zinfandel. Perfect all by them-
selves, or paired with a juicy
steak or bold, silky Bolognese.
And lest we forget, Naked
wouldn’t be a Northwest winery
without our own expression of
Pinot Noir. Goes great with
Northwest favorites like grilled
lamb or salmon.
And when you and yours are
ready to “take it outside,” Naked
Winery has you covered with its
Outdoor Vino line of wines bot-
tled in ultra-lightweight, BPA-
free, completely recyclable PET
plas c bo les. At one-sixth the
weight of wines in glass bo les,
Outdoor Vino wines make the
perfect picnic partner or back-
pack addi on.
If you have heard about Naked
Winery, but not yet tasted our
wines, we invite you to join us at
our downtown Hood River tast-
ing room. Let us customize a
tas ng, or help you tour a flight
of reds, whites or sweets.
Open 7 days a week, we have
space to host everything from
par es to corporate team-build-
ing events. Child and dog friendly,
our tas ng room welcomes the
whole family. Share the Naked
vibe or learn more about us on
our Facebook, Twi er, Instagram
accounts or at our web site,
www.naked winery.com.
No shoes? No shirts?
Full service!
ANICHE CELLARS
CATHEDRAL RIDGE WINERY
71 Li le Buck Creek Rd, Underwood, WA
Wed-Sun, noon to 6 pm
360.624.6531 • anichecellars.com
Open Daily April - Nov 11 am - 6 pm
Dec - March 11 am - 5 pm
4200 Post Canyon Dr., Hood River, OR
800.516.8710 • cathedralridgewinery.com
Food pairing, ar san wines and excellent
views! Specializing in wine blends.
2007 Oregon Winery of the Year &
Top 10 NW Wine Country Picnic Spots
MARYHILL WINERY
MEMALOOSE
Open Daily 10-6 509.773.1976
maryhillwinery.com
Highway 14 (34 State St.), Lyle, WA.,
at Klickitat River Bridge
Open Daily 11-6
360.635.2887 • wineso hegorge.com
SPRINGHOUSE CELLAR
SYNCLINE WINERY
"2014 Winery of the Year" San Francisco
Interna onal Wine Compe on. 40 wine
por olio, stunning views, Bocce, family &
pet friendly. Free live music summer
weekends. 9774 Hwy 14, Goldendale, WA.
Bou que, European style wines.
Enjoy a tas ng with our friendly staff or
a glass in our rus c tas ng room.
Be sure to ask about our re-fillable
bo les! 13 Railroad Ave (1st & Cascade)
Open Daily noon-6pm
541-308-0700
Stunning tas ng room on the River!
Enjoy elegant "old world" style wines
from our Gorge vineyards.
World class wines from WA state’s finest
vineyards. Join us, taste and stroll in the
Vineyard. Pack a picnic and unwind in
sunny Lyle, WA.
111 Balch Rd, Lyle, WA
Thur.-Sun. 11am - 6pm
509.365.4361 • synclinewine.com
HOOD RIVER VINEYARDS & WINERY
Visit the Gorge's oldest winery! Taste reds,
whites, ciders, port & sherry,
all grown and made by our family.
4693 Westwood Dr. Hood River OR
Open Daily 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
hoodrivervineyardsandwinery.com
541.386.3772
MT. HOOD WINERY
Fabulous estate wines, stunning views and
a friendly staff to welcome you!
JACOB WILLIAMS WINERY
Dedicated to producing high-quality
wines. Our beau ful NEW tas ng
room overlooks the Columbia River
with a spectacular view of Mt. Hood.
3 Avery Rd, Wishram, WA
OPEN 10-6 Daily
541.645.0462 • jacobwilliamswinery.com
NAKED WINERY - WE AIM TO TEASE!
2882 Van Horn Drive, Hood River, OR
Open Daily 11am-5pm
541.386.8333 • mthoodwinery.com
Set the mood for romance and fun with
premium wines, exo c brands and
provoca ve back labels.
Corner of 2nd and Cascade, Hood River
541-386-3700
www.nakedwinery.com
Open daily at Noon
VIENTO
WY'EAST VINEYARDS
Come Wine Tas ng! New Releases!
Beau ful space, great wines and views.
Start your Gorge wine adventures here!
11-5 Daily
301 Country Club Rd
541-386-3026 • vientowines.com
Taste the award winning wines from our es-
tate grown grapes! Relax on the pa o with
a picnic lunch and a glass of wine.
Enjoy our new Bocce Courts. Just 7 minutes
from downtown Hood River.
3189 HWY 35, Hood River. Open daily 11-5
541.386.1277 • wyeastvineyards.com