About

WHO ARE WE?

MARGINS is a collaborative space for readers, writers, poets, nerds and creatives alike. A network of friends that gather to discuss good Lit and talk shop; from Writing Techniques to Book Trends to New voices in Literature. We are looking to build community in and around Whatcom County and hope to be a resource for anyone looking to get into reading or writing. The founders (O + L) met in a book publishing class in Portland, OR in 2017. The idea for MARGINS was born in that classroom, during the late night philosophizing, the constant reading and frequent writer’s block. It’s time to share that passion with more of the community. Everyone is welcome - we hope to meet you soon.

THE BOOK CLUB:

MARGINS Book Club meets every other month, allowing readers of all paces to join and participate in discussions online with the occasional in-person events. The “Book Shelf” will be hand selected by our curators, focusing on finding contemporary classics, mind-bending genre-fiction, and tear-jerking prose/poetry that shakes us to our roots. 

STRUCTURE:

  • 6 Books/Year - Announced every other month!

  • “Meet Ups” are Discussion Posts and Book Reviews made by ALL OF YOU using an online discussion platform.

    (More on Sign-Up and what this will look like soon! Follow us on IG for updates.)

  • Implements a technical focus we call: R.A.A.W. (Reading as a Writer) - where book club curators will focus on 1-2 writing techniques that the author(s) utilize in their work and bring these writing techniques to the group for discussion.

  • Thematic/Artistic questions provided to help guide discussion(s)

  • Join us for discussions or simply add the books to your TBR for later! We are an all-paces reading group that loves to talk shop any day of the year, and all are welcome!

  • Rules of the club are simple: be kind, be respectful and recognize that we are all here because we have a love for words, storytelling, and/or art. We won’t tolerate any discriminatory language or abuse of the discussion platform in any way. Any inappropriate posts, comments or media will result in immediate removal from the club. Please refer to our Statement of Inclusivity below. Thank you!

  • Please reach out via IG if you have any questions or concerns.

MARGINS CREW

Oscar W.

Oscar is a MFA Graduate from Pacific Lutheran University, RWW. His writing background includes Speculative Fiction, Poetry and Flash Fiction. He enjoys reading/writing stories that exemplify the strange, dark and uncanny aspects of the human experience. When he’s not face-first in a book or his laptop, he is probably oil painting or chilling with the rabbits.

Favorite Books:

  • Blood Meridian - Cormac McCarthy

  • Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

  • In the Distance - Hernan Diaz

Lydia W.

Lydia is a Creative Writing Graduate from Western Washington University. Her writing background includes Short Fiction, a constant Novel-in-progress and sparse poetry. When she is not writing (or thinking about writing), she is reading, running or hanging out with the buns.

Favorite Books:

  • Her Body and Other Parties - Carmen Maria Machado

STATEMENT OF INCLUSIVITY

MARGINS will reflect its founders’ belief in inclusivity, and will ask that no participant or guest disrespect or discriminate against another person (or group of people) based on their actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other distinguishing characteristics.

We are all welcome here. Behavior or language that doesn’t abide by this statement will not be tolerated. Thank you.