Pacific Asian American Women Writers-West (PAAWW-West) - 1980s Photo taken after a reading that included Wanda Coleman
Front L-R: Amy Uyematsu, Akemi Kikumura, Joyce Nako, Naomi Hirahara, Emma Gee, Momoko Iko
Middle row L-R: Pam Tom, Velina Houston (behind Joyce), Cecilia Brainard, Ardis Nishikawa
Back Row L-R: Jude Narita, Fe Koons, Wanda Coleman, Chungmi Kim
I had a wonderful time last Saturday at the launch of Naomi Hirahara's new book,
Grave on Grand Avenue, second of her Ellie Rush series. The event was held at the Japanese American Library in downtown Los Angeles. There were bento lunches for those who wanted to eat, followed by Haiku readings by some Japanese American writers. Naomi then did a power point presentation of her evolution as a crime writer. She was articulate, funny, informative, and had the audience in the palm of her hand.
There was book signing afterwards.
My Guest Blogger is Elaine Sweet, American Peace Corps Volunteer, who had served in Azerbaijan and the Philippines, is now in Namibia, a country in southern Africa. 
Before I begin, let me tell you something about myself. My brother and I are owners of the Woman Who Opens Cans, otherwise known as Cecilia Brainard or Cecilia Manguerra Brainard. She likes to say she owns me and my brother, but that is false. We own her and her husband. This is evident in how they are the ones who serve us: they feed us, clean us, keep our box clean, and so on. 
Looming ahead is the Publication Party at the Writers' Program, UCLA Extension, in which I'm reading. That'll be on Thursday, June 11, 2015, 7-9 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., LA. It's best to make a reservation if you're going.
