Community Spotlight: Charlie's Queer Books

 
 
 

Charlie Hunts, co-owner of Charlie’s Queer Books chatted with Seattle City of Literature board member Kalani Kapahua about what makes Seattle a uniquely literary city and what he’s reading right now.

Kalani Kapahua: Seismic was a collection that asked writers to consider what the UNESCO designation means for our city and how literature might be an agent of change; curious your thoughts on what being a bookstore owner in a City of Literature means to you?

Charlie Hunts: The designation as a City of Literature demonstrates the strength and camaraderie that bookstores in Seattle have. When our store was starting out, not only were the bookstores we reached out to answering our questions, but other shops were asking if we needed help. I was moved by the authentic sentiment that a rising tide lifts all boats.

KK: What does the addition of Charlie's Queer Books bring to the Seattle literary community?

CH: Having a bookstore that only carries books by and for queer people allows us to explore so many more ways of being in the world. We carry every genre you would expect to see in a general bookstore, but from this lens. So you know that whether you’re reading fantasy or about car repair, the author shares some understanding of this lived experience. It also gives much more space for intersectionality and nuance.

Like any bookstore, we’ve become a third space for our community. There are so few LGBTQ+ spaces that don’t center around nightlife or alcohol, so we offer events like author signings, crafting workshops, and drag performances to bring people together in creative, joyful ways.

It’s been nearly 20 years since Seattle had a queer bookstore. It felt like the right time to bring it back. Today, Seattle ranks no. 1 in households that are same-sex couples and on par with San Francisco in terms of residents who identify as LGBTQ+. We’re trying to serve this population as well as anyone who is interested in great literature.

KK: Charlie's Queer Books has been open for a year and half now, what has been the biggest surprise? The biggest challenge?

CH: The biggest surprise has been learning what our customers are interested in. Luckily we were able to pivot our inventory early on and had enough support to double the size of our Sci-fi/Fantasy, Poetry, Horror, and (of course) Romance sections.

The biggest challenge has been space! It’s amazing how quickly we’ve outgrown our store, especially when it comes to author events. Thankfully, we have some great partners that help us with larger venues. I wish we could carry every queer book! But alas, we curate our selection to fit our space.

KK: What has been the greatest reward, and/or, what has been a hidden joy or running Charlie's that you would've never predicted?

CH: The amount of emotion we see from customers has been a hidden joy. Our location in Fremont means we get so many tourists who say “We could never have a queer bookstore where we’re from,” or “I’ve never seen anything like this before.” They get to have that even if it’s just for the day. We’ve had readers cry in the kids' nook because they wished they had these stories when they were young. There’s a lot of healing that happens every week.

KK: Have there been any individuals or organizations that have been particularly instrumental in helping Charlie’s in its initial couple of years?

CH: Oh boy, that’s quite the list! Michael Wells from Bailey/Coy and the Office of Economic Development, Karen Maeda Allman from Elliott Bay and Red and Black Bookstore Collective, Spencer Ruchti and Rosa Hernandez from Third Place Books, Lee Hooyboer from the ABA, and so many more.

KK: What are you reading/recommending right now?

CH: Right now I’m recommending Woodworking by Emily St. James. It’s got a little bit of everything - heart, humor (reminded me a bit of the show English Teacher), and fabulous writing. As a trans man who is read as male, it really nailed the feelings and complexity around the line between blending in and disappearing.

KK: Describe your preferred reading setting.

CH: I’m a night owl, so I read for a few hours in bed. Nothing better than reading with my cats acting as a weighted blanket.

Thanks to Charlie Hunts for chatting with us! You can check out Charlie’s store in Fremont or online at charliesqueerbooks.com.

 
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"War Diary: Marisel and Panna Kota Saving Cultural Heritage"

February 24 marks the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our colleagues in Odesa have shared this comic by Olena Iliasova and Maria Apriatova, translated by Julia Manukyan. “War Diary” gives us a glimpse into daily life under siege, while two museum cats (Marisel and Panna Kota) work to keep Ukrainian cultural heritage safe by packing up treasures from the Bleshchunov House.

 
 
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Even MORE Residency Opportunities!

Do you dream of having an opportunity to work on your latest project in one of our sister Cities of Literature? Now is your opportunity to apply for a residency! Learn more below.

 

Reykjavik, Iceland

 
 

We invite a journalist or researcher from Seattle UNESCO City of Literature to spend 2-4 weeks exploring and writing about Reykjavík’s contemporary literary scene.

  • Applications are due before November 15, 2024.

    What is Offered:

    Reykjavík City of Literature will cover flights, accommodation at Gröndal’s House in downtown Reykjavík, and offer a per diem of up to 1,200 euros.

    Who is eligible:

    The program is open to established writers, editors, translators, poets, critics, literary professionals, journalists, and researchers with a connection to Seattle City of Literature.

  • Please complete the application form below and submit the required documents by November 15th, 2024.

    APPLY HERE

    All applicants should submit:

    • Extract from a published text (original language or English)

    • Biography/CV

    • Description of proposed research focus and publishing venue

  • The selected writer will be notified on December 15th, 2024.

  • What is Expected:

    The selected individual will produce an ambitious article focusing on Reykjavík’s modern literary landscape. This may include emerging writers, established authors, booksellers, or publishers, as long as the focus remains on contemporary Icelandic literature.

    The final piece must have a secured publishing venue and will be translated for publication in Iceland.

    This initiative aims to generate in-depth journalism on Reykjavík’s current literary culture, beyond the Icelandic Sagas and medieval manuscripts. The goal is to establish an annual residency, inviting participants from various UNESCO Cities of Literature each year.

 

Bucheon, South Korea

 

Bucheon City, South Korea

 

Bucheon City of Literature aims to increase international exchange and communication, contribute to the mobility of writers, translators and cartoonists by providing a new environment and an opportunity to present their work to Korean readers. Up to two applicants will be selected.

  • Applications are due by October 21, 2024.

    Residency dates are November and December 2024.

    What is Offered:

    • Round-trip flight tickets and rides from/to the airport

    • About 2-month stay at the Bucheon Residence

    • An opportunity to get engaged in the cultural scene of Bucheon and to be connected with the local community.

    • A contact person who is responsible for planning meetings and events and helps to engage in the local cultural life.

    Who is Eligible:

    The 2024 Bucheon Residency program is dedicated to all writers, poets, translators, graphic novelists having at least one published book working currently on creative writing.

    What to Expect:

    During the residency, the writer will spend 80% of their time working on their own project and 20% of their time participating in programs that are designed and personalized with enough talking with the Bucheon City of Literature Office.

  • • Fill in the application form available HERE

    Required Documents:

    • Completed application form

    • Extract from a published text (in original language or English), no more than 2 pages in length.

    • Biography/CV

    • Recommendation letter

    Application and required documents should be sent to : jsy97@korea.kr

  • What is Expected:

    • Connection with any UNESCO City of Literature outside of South Korea

    • A command of English or Korean for the purposes of communication

    • At least one published work (Literature, translation, comics, graphics, etc)

    • Interest in Korean culture and literature

    • Willingness to participate in the local literary life, including events, meetings, interviews and festivals.

    • Participating in at least one local literature event or exchange event in Korea

    • A text (work of fiction or non-fiction) that will feature the Bucheon City of Literature in some fashion or comic/illustrated book about living in Bucheon/Korea or Korean culture during the period of the 2024 Bucheon Residency; the text can be written in serials or submitted at a time, and the copyright of the work being submitted by the writer-in-residence belongs to Bucheon City, which will be used for promotional purposes.

    * Bucheon City of Literature does not grant an entry visa to you. It is the applicant's responsibility to get visa for entry of Republic of Korea. Bucheon City of Literature will provide an official document to help visa-obtaining process if necessary.

 
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Youth Voices from Our City of Literature

At the UNESCO Creative Cities Conference in Braga, Portugal in July, delegates from 35 Creative Cities around the world identified “Bringing Youth to the Table” as a theme for our shared work. According to the (UNESCO) World Youth Report (2020), there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population. As they write,  “Young people embody hope for better, innovative, and more effective solutions to the world’s challenges! UNESCO is working actively to ensure that their voices are heard because they matter.” 
Here in Seattle’s City of Literature, young people are writing, reading, and organizing the way forward with creativity and courage. Here are just a few ways that young writers in Seattle have been leading the way for our literary community globally:

A young woman with dark hair wearing a sheer white and blue top smiles at the camera. She is standing near a body of water and is surrounded by tall grasses, flowers and greenery.

Charlotte (Lottie) Soliven

On August 12, 2024, the Creative Cities Network celebrated World Youth Day. Nottingham City of Literature convened young literary minds from around the world, hosting two online roundtable events featuring 17 young writers from 13 cities around the world. that brought together emerging artists from the global UNESCO Cities of Literature network. Participants shared their creative journeys, discussed ongoing projects, and exchanged insights with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Seattle was represented by Charlotte (Lottie) Soliven (she/her) (a high school Junior and a Seattle Youth Poetry Fellow).

“Everyone has that ability to be a storyteller”
— Lottie Soliven, Seattle, United States

Some of the key discussion points from the group included:

●      A need to tackle existing gaps in school literacy curricula—where certain writing styles, and a diversity of writers and contemporary literature are missing.

●      The importance of building connections and networking, of staying in touch and taking creative inspiration from one another. More meetings with this international youth advisory group.

●      Ensuring opportunities are shared widely and with people who would most benefit from them—including in cities' peripheries. Domino effect of one opportunity leading to many more opportunities.

●      The importance of free spaces such as museums as centers of creativity.

●      The idea that storytelling and writing is for everyone—and how we can empower people through words.

●      How can we make getting into the creative industries less daunting for young people?

●      Opportunities for young writers to share work with one another—feedback on each other's work, international anthology, virtual open mics, joint writing projects.

“I think that every single person in this world has a story to write, everyone has a story to tell”
— Kieran, Durban, South Africa
 
An aerial view of Seattle's skyline.

Courtesy of Nottingham City of Literature

Another fantastic initiative of the Creative Cities Network was the “Letters to the Future” project, which included young writers from 11 Creative Cities to craft messages that speak directly to future generations. Check out this excerpt from Linus in Seattle, (courtesy of Nottingham City of Literature) and check out the link to read more letters from the young writers of the Creative Cities!

A person with long dark hair and wearing a red and gold patterned top looks off to the side of the frame while smiling.

Toa Ghatak

 

This month, Seattle City of Literature is highlighting UNESCO Sustainable Development Goal #11: Making Cities Safe, Sustainable, Resilient, and Inclusive. We asked a young writer named Toa Ghatak, a 17 year old senior in high school, to share her her thoughts  about the connection between literature and sustainable development goal (SDG) #11. Toa wrote a lovely lyric essay on the topic, which you can read on our website here!

“Literature and humanities must work in tandem with the focus on STEM in our world to be able to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. ”
— Toa Ghatak
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More Residency Opportunities!

Do you dream of having an opportunity to work on your latest project in one of our sister Cities of Literature? Now is your opportunity to apply for a residency! Learn more below.

 

Nanjing, China

 

A birds-eye view of Nanjing, China

 

The 2024 program is offering 6 residencies to writers, poets and translators from all UNESCO Cities of Literature, for a 2-week stay in Nanjing.

  • Applications are due before September 30, 2024.

    Residency takes place from October 30 to November 15.

    What is Offered:

    •  2-week in-person residency in Nanjing City of Literature;

    •  Tours to culture landmarks and literary places in Nanjing;

    •  A selection of local literary activities;

    •  Dialogue with Nanjing writers, poets, translators, literary organizations, and students;

    •  The flight tickets, food, accommodation and local transport will be provided;

    •  And stipend of 1200 USD for each writer-in-residency.

    Download a document with additional information here.

  • All applicants should submit:

    •  CV with a passport photo and a life size photo;

    •  Extracts from his/her published works;

    •  Proof in writing of his/her connection with a City of Literature, when applicable.

    Please send all the required materials to the following contacts prior to September 30, 2024.

    Attention:

    Danni Yang, Project Manager

    2308123125@qq.com

  • Must be fluent in spoken English, or Chinese;

  • The final selection will be announced October 10, 2024.

  • Selected participants are supposed to:

    •  Be connected to a UNESCO City of Literature (either a resident or one who works or studies in that city, or has other connections with that city as recognized in writing by a UNESCO City of Literature office)

    •  Have at least three-year experience in writing, or at least one published work ( book in print, all genres acceptable), or have received awards that are recognized by your local literary communities.

    •  Be willing to interact with Nanjing’s literary communities, emerging and established writers; as well as to partake in local literary activities;

    •  Write a piece of work in English (no less than 1000 words, or 50 lines for poetry) that is inspired by the residency, or translate Chinese stories, poems or prose into

    • English; (All the virtual writers will retain the copyrights of their works. Please understand the works might be used for promotional purpose by Nanjing Literature Center)

    •  Be fluent in spoken English, or Chinese

 

Bremen, Germany (Virtual Residency)

In order to promote literature in digital media, the Bremer Literaturhaus [virt.] e.V., with the support of the Senator for Culture, awards the Bremen Netzresidenz every two years as a three-month online scholarship at the virtual Literaturhaus Bremen.

  • •    Applications Due By: Nov 30

    •     Only writers who have already been published by publishing house are eligible to apply.

  • Please send your project outline and a short CV to:

    heike.mueller@literaturhaus-bremen.de

    Deadline is November 30, 2024.

  • The focus of the scholarship will be on the creative and critical engagement with current digital media.

    Emphasis is placed on the use of innovative literary or artistic methods. Digital literature projects that emphasize an open-minded exchange of literature will be supported. Authors from UNESCO Cities of Literature are particularly encouraged to apply with a project idea.

    As part of the scholarship, the recipient will create their own project website. Following the period of residency, the scholarship holder will be invited to present their project at a literature festival event in Bremen.

    Applicants should submit a short project outline (max. 1 DIN A4 page) that convincingly presents the idea and specific implementations of the project.

    The scholarship is endowed with a one-off amount of 2.500.- €. An independent jury will decide on the award.

    More information at https://www.literaturhaus-bremen.de/programm/bremer-netzresidenz-2024-25

 

Tartu, Estonia

 

Tartu University

 

Tartu City of Literature is offering a call for applications for a residency in November and December 2024. One writer will be selected.

  • Applications are due by September 25.

    Residency dates are November and December 2024.

    What is Offered:

    • 2-month stay at the Karl Ristikivi residency apartment

    • A scholarship of 600 euros per month

    • Compensation of travel costs to and from Tartu up to 350 euros

    • An opportunity to get engaged in the cultural scene of Tartu and to perform at different events, the interdisciplinary festival Crazy Tartu taking place from November 7th to 9th 2024.

    A contact person who is responsible for planning performances, meetings and tours and helps to engage in the local literary life

  • • Fill in the online application form available HERE

    • Please upload a sample (up to 5 pages) of a published text (in Estonian or English) or a sample of a published translation (from Estonian into another language) in the respective section of the form

  • • Upper intermediate level of spoken English.

    • At least one published book (fiction or non-fiction), screenplay, theatre script or

    translation from Estonian into another language by the applicant.

    • Interest in Estonian culture and literature.

    • Readiness to participate in the local literary life, including events, meetings,

    interviews, and festivals.

    • Literary work during the residency.

    NB! We are looking for writers and translators who are currently not residents of Estonia.

    Download a file with additional information here.

  • Upper-intermediate level of spoken English.

  • The resident will be selected by a committee of 4 consisting of the representatives of the Estonian Literary Society (coordinating organisation of Tartu City of Literature), the Tartu Department of the Estonian Writers Union, the Estonian Literary Museum and the Karl Ristikivi Society.

 
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