Framing the photo and the narrative

 The next Spotlight on Central Coast Authors will land on Bill Posner, guest of the Willamette Writers Coast Chapter this Saturday, March 15, at Newport Public Library.

Posner is a Newport-based photographer and the author of the Ping and Zippy Adventure Mysteries, written for readers aged eight to 12. 

Drawing inspiration from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys series, Posner’s stories feature 13-year-old friends Ping and Zippy, who solve mysteries along the Oregon Coast.

Posner will cover the development of his characters, how his photography influences his writing and how his series has grown from an initial concept to his third in-progress book, “The Lighthouse Legacy Mystery” from which he will read selected passages.

Whether behind the camera or at his writing desk, Posner is dedicated to creating content with the viewer and reader in mind. In addition to the Ping and Zippy novels, he is the author of the new short story collection “Whispers from the Shore,” “Walking Newport III: Places You May Have Missed” and numerous coloring books, prompt journals and photography books featuring the Oregon Coast.

An open mic will follow Posner’s talk. Participants who sign up in advance will have five minutes to read a work of their choice.

The Willamette Writers Coast Chapter hosts a mix of in-person and virtual events from September through June. Willamette Writers, the parent organization, is the largest writers association in Oregon and one of the largest in the nation.

Saturday’s program begins at 2 pm at Newport Public Library, located at 35 NW Nye Street. For more information, go to willamettewriters.org.