Beautiful illustrations by Portland artist Baba Wague Diakite help tell classic stories from West African folklore.

Our most geographically spread reading is hosted by Margareta Waterman, a poet, fiction writer and publisher who spends time in ruralDouglas County and Seattle. She is the author of 25 books, includingIteration, Tara's Consort and The Primordial Alphabet. She oftenperforms with music, and will be joined by Brian Cuteani, well-known and -loved troubador, who gigs mostly in the northwest, in Texas, and the heartland's queen city, Chicago. Coming down from Seattle is poet, critic, comics editor and language-magician Ezra Mark. Prepare to be amazed. Coming up from southern Oregon is Joseph Federico, a founding member of the Umpqua Valley Poets, the Douglas County chapter of the Oregon State Poets' Association, and active in the network of poets' groups in southern Oregon.