Writer Wins Grant, Seeks To Give Back

Eliot Treichel came to Eugene searching for a mecca of kayaking that he knew he wouldn’t find back in his home state of Wisconsin. Eugene then became a haven for him as a writer. Twice now, Treichel, an author of two books and an occasional reviewer for Eugene Weekly, has been a recipient of a Career Opportunity Grant from the Oregon Arts Commission and The Ford Family Foundation.

The first grant Treichel received was for his first book, Close Is Fine, a collection of short stories. His latest book, A Series of Small Maneuvers, is his first young adult novel and is due out in November.

The novel follows the story of Emma Wilson after the loss of her father during a canoe and camping trip. The book confronts many of the struggles most teenage girls can relate to from fighting with their parents over clothing choices to having a cell phone.

Treichel’s stream-of-consciousness writing also captures the deeper, complicated feelings that accompany the transition from childhood to adulthood. Asked how he empathized so deeply with the character of a teenage girl, Treichel says, “I was a dad to a 12-year-old girl when the book started,” and that Emma “was a voice that just kind of came to me.”

Treichel says he is excited about the opportunities the grant opens for him. He says he wants to return the support that his publisher, Ooligan Press, has shown him, and he also wants to fundraise for libraries. Ooligan’s nonprofit status meant there wasn’t a budget for a book tour before Treichel won the grant. Now, he is planning an unconventional tour that promotes the book but also allows him the opportunity to offer writing workshops at high schools and local libraries.

Treichel says he believes reading and writing have the ability to impart empathy. He says his experience of empathizing with and writing about Emma’s grief “broke me open pretty hard.” Those experiences are important for young writers, and Treichel says he seeks to teach them how to put themselves in other people’s shoes.

Treichel is not the only wordsmith who will receive grant support this year. Wordcrafters in Eugene was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust. The grant will give professional writers residencies in Lane County schools through the Writers in the Schools Program (WITS).

To contact Treichel, find him at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association’s fall trade show Oct. 2-4 at the Holiday Inn – Portland Airport or contact him through his website, eliottreichel.com.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!