No my dearest fans, I have not gotten eaten by giant worms! I am just busy trying to figure out my life plus trying to console myself in the wake of the devastating news that I did not win the Blooker Prize! No! Not even close! Some Iraq vet guy won. Now come on! Would people really rather read about WAR and TIMELY ISSUES than Rachel Cooper’s obsession with Anthropologie blouses and huge c*cks?

Apparently so.

Now I know I’ve been elusive but you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of me at an upcoming Hugo House fundraiser called “Write-O-Rama,” this coming June 17 and then again starting on July 11 where I will be teaching a blogging class at ye olde Richard Hugo House. It’s going to be loads of FUN and we’re gonna party our asses off in that class so you’re gonna be sorry if you don’t take it.

And that’s all I have to say about that.

Besides reading and writing, travel and the outdoors are my biggest passions. I’ve published travel articles in a variety of newspapers, magazines, and books, including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, Lonely Planet Seattle, and Alaska Airlines Magazine.

Pristine Paddle: Venturing into the rugged wilderness of Glacier Bay (PDF)
Alaska Airlines Magazine, February 2009

The Key Peninsula: Where less is more
Seattle Post Intelligencer, June 2008

A sunny winter day on Mount Rainier is Paradise on ice
Seattle Post Intelligencer, March 2008

Rocking out: Families find jewels and geology in the Northwest dirt (PDF)
Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, January 2008

On the right track (PDF)
Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, August 2007

The wild and rugged Adventure Route is a perfect initiation to the Olympic Peninsula
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 2007

Extreme Roadtrip: Patagonia
Seattlest, May 2006

Mt. Rainier Journal
Lonely Planet Seattle, 2004 (PDF)

Hoofing vs. hiking: Backpacker gains new perspective in the saddle
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 1999

Iron Goat Trail traces the history and route of the Great Northern Railway
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 1999

Outside shots: Taking good nature photographs requires basic skills, savvy eye and the right gear
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 1999

Six places for people in love — and in love with the outdoors
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 1999

Orienteering is a sport of skill that teaches players how to read nature’s clues
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 1998

Growing number of dedicated parks help skateboarders shed their negative image
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November 1998

Strathcona Park: Vancouver Island’s well-kept secret is brimming with treasures
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 1998

High spirited: Rock climbers find great rewards in extreme challenges
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 1998

Just a note that the Seattle Weekly recently featured me in an article again – thank youuuu Seattle Weekly! Me loves any kind of publicity. Oh, also thanks to my friend Diane Mapes who mentioned my book in her hilarious Seattle P.I. column about dating.

Other book news. Hmm. The book is doing well in local boutiques. It’s now being stocked in a lovely litle store right near my house called Peridot that you should go visit. Where I bought my oh-so-stylish headband!

If you have a book club that would like to read my book, by the way, I would love to come talk to you or to call in if you live far away. BreakupBabe hearts personal (or phone!) appearances and will take my payment in booze, thank you very much. Just think – you can say you met me before I was famous!

I am anxiously awaiting news of the Blooker Prize and have already talked about it so much that I’ve no doubt jinxed it but hey, it was nice to be shortlisted anyway. I’m sure one of the other very worthy contestants will win (because I’m all humble like that.) Really, the other books do look quite good and – oh, what the hell am I talking about – I want to WIN! My book is the BEST! Well it might not be the BEST but I still want to WIN! Please give me the effing prize, already so I can get on with my life!

Sheesh. I mean thank you.

Love,
Rebecca