Christopher J. Jarmick
Writer/Poet Christopher J. Jarmick recently opened BookTree, the only new and used general interest bookstore in Kirkland, Wa. He co-owns the store with Mary Harris. He is almost as surprised as some of you that he would open an independent bookstore. It was a necessary thing, however. The Bookstore hosts author events, story time for pre-schoolers and of course poetry readings and open mics (every 3rd Saturday).
Chris' latest published poetry collection is Not Aloud (September 2015) by MoonPath Press. Please pass the word and possibly consider reading it—even if you actually have to buy a copy. Remember, you can always re-gift it to someone or slip it into a white elephant gift exchange and foist the thing on some unsuspecting acquaintance. If you have actually survived reading it and enjoyed it please say something complimentary about it. You might also ask your library to order a copy so that people could borrow and read it.
Chris was born on the East Coast and lived with his parents first in Bloomfield, New Jersey and after 7 years tagged along with them (it was a legal requirement) when they moved to Poughkeepsie,New York. He grew up as an upper middle class child suffering grievous oppression when he was forced to go to school and visit relatives (who still lived in New Jersey).
He published his first poem in a national magazine when he was 12, and re-located himself to Los Angeles (in 1975) eventually getting paid to co-write, ghost-write and consult on screenplays. He later worked at KCET Los Angeles on several documentaries and eventually produced/directed/wrote segments for programs like Hard Copy and Entertainment Tonight. He also wrote the award-winning one act play Clash of Cultures (1984) for the Western Avenue Theater Project.
In 1994 he migrated to the Pacific NorthWest, co-produced a radio talk show (about real estate) and co-wrote the 2001 novel The Glass Cocoon eventually switching careers to become a Financial Advisor.
Since 2001, he has hosted and curated several regularly scheduled poetry nights including the 2nd Wednesday poetry night at Kirkland Washington’s Park Place Books (which ended in 2015 when the store and Park Place mall were demolished). He has read his own poetry and curated guest poets to read at the Seattle City Council (Wordsworth) and has performed poetry and spoken word as part of multi-media programs combining music, dance and theater. His poetry (plus articles, interviews, editorials and film reviews/analysis) have been published by national and local magazines, newspapers and literary journals (including:Los Angeles Magazine, Seattle Weekly, Poetry Quarterly, Real Change, Raven Chronicles,etc.) and in several anthologies: Poeming Pigeons(2015 - Poetry Box), Jump Start (2009-steel toe books), Between Sleeps (2006 - en theos Press), Many Trails to the Summit (2010 - Rose Alley Press) etc. His online film reviews at several websites have over 3 million views.
Poetry Collections include the 1983 chapbook: Poems for the Working Class (Fishwrapper Press - out of print), the 2009 limited edition Audio CD Radio Pictures Aural Anxieties featuring Los Angeles Pulitzer nominated, poet Michael C Ford (produced by Kevin Gershan), and Ignition: Poem Starters, Septolets, Statements and Double Dog Dares (2010). Available at Amazon and here: http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/christ...
Thanks for being interested enough in books to be on this website.
And if you are ever in the Kirkland, Washington area be sure and visit Kirkland's friendly neighborhood independent bookstore - BookTree at 609 Market St. Kirkland Wa. 98033. New and gently-used books await.
