PORT TOWNSEND — Author Matt Nienow will sign copies of his book of poetry, “House of Water,” during a reception this evening at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St.
During the signing — taking place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — one of Nienow’s paddleboards will be on display.
“From my first days at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding to building a home out on South Discovery, these poems integrate and work to capture one version of life on the Peninsula,” Nienow has said.
“House of Water” — published by Alice James Books of Farmington, Maine — marks Nienow’s debut on the poetry scene.
Nienow’s work has appeared in such publications as Poetry Northwest, New England Review and Poetry magazine, the latter of which awarded him a 2013 Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowship.
The $15,000 scholarship was intended to encourage further study and writing of poetry.
Nienow also was recognized with a 2011 Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and a 2012 Fellowship from Artist Trust of Washington State.
He received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Washington and a degree in traditional small craft from the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding.
Throughout the past several years, Nienow has read his poems all over the country, including readings in Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles.
He officially launched his new book at Elliott Bay Book Co. in Seattle on Nov. 16.
Nienow lives in Port Townsend with his wife and two sons, and designs and builds high-end wooden paddleboards at his shop, Good Story Paddle Boards, 151 Otto St.
For more information, visit nwmaritime.org.
