Eight Outstanding Writers In the summer of 2002, this small collection of writers got together and began a dedicated writing group. Meeting nearly every week, they shared meals together, wrote, read their work and listened. For four years they supported each other's efforts and something magical happened. They started taking their work out into the world in the form of public readings, pieces in local publications, and even the production of a successful play, titled Lakeside Stories, performed for more than 400 people. The book you hold in your hand is a sampling of creative work by eight outstanding authors. Their stories dramatize the humor and pathos of life. Their poems reflect on the meaning of everyday life. And their essays open our eyes to the world around us. This book is the fruition of years of hard work and dedication, giving you a collection of writings that will engage, entertain, and maybe even enlighten you. "These REEDS have been woven/ into a soul boat/ stout enough to weather/ the roughest seas." -J. Jennings, singer songwriter "Reads is a portal into the depth of the human experience.engaging, delightfully diverse and refreshing." -Carol Emery Normandi, co-author of Over It and It's Not About Food "This anthology certainly broadened my view of Lake County life and letters. I found it surprising, amusing, entertaining, edifying and titillating." -Dan Barth, author of Coyote Haiku