By ELLA WALTERS
On Friday the 18th CELEB’s Gallery ABBA hosted a book launch party for Professor and English Department chair, Chris Fink’s, new book “Forage like a Bear” which features a collection of short prose accompanied by delightful illustrations from comic book artist and fellow Beloit Professor John Porcellino.
Faculty, students, and a student’s grandma alike all gathered – perhaps a little a little wet from the day’s downpour – into the warmth of lively chatter of good company, snacks and, yes, free booze.
“You’re at a book launch party” Professor Fink refrained, thrice by my count, as he opened up the event. “This is what is like.”
The launch began with John Porcellino, who actually convinced Fink to put on the event, showing and reading a number of his comics, some shorter, some longer, some more poetic, some more humorous, all enthralling and charming.
And as the main course, Fink welcomed us into the rich world of his writing. Fink has been on Public Radio for around 10 years. In which, he has resolved to create content, quite compactly, around 90 seconds in length and with less opinions and politics and more experience and story focused around his family, nature, and other things that make him happy.
He then described how he and Porcellino created this book together, a cute small book (with fancy french folds) that Beloit seniors India David’25 and Gray Jensen’25 describe as a future coffee table staple, published by Bored Wolves who’s runner, Stephan Lorenzutti told Fink “was made to publish books like these.”
“What’s nice about them” Fink said from the podium talking about the different stories “they’re short. If you don’t like them, they’re over quickly.”
What’s not as nice is that if you do like them, they’re over too quickly.
Accompanied with Porcellino’s homely illustrations illuminated on a tv screen, Fink took us through the landscape and mindscape of his life. From trains chugging through generation to generation, woodpeckers upon dead oaks wrapping tongues around their brains, worrying a bottle cap revealed to be an acorn while walking Public Radio famous dogs, unsuccessful turkey hunting, building decks and the magic of shims, spiders weaving, writing, and writing still. Least chipmunks, and the divine in supposed small insignificance. We even were privy to a piece rejected from the radio…
I spoke to Fink’s child, the iconic Iris Fink, whose four year old self was featured, the opening piece in the book entitled “Cooch” Iris said that they “don’t remember [a specific moment in the piece] but when I hear the story I feel like I do.”
But Iris was not the youngest child there, I spoke with10 year old Eero Moore, burgeoning comic book artist and author himself, who also loved attending the event and even gave his own comic to Porcellino.
Many of Finks past students like Lily Purcell ‘27, Kristen Laiosa ’27 and Imogen Riteir ‘27 all loved the event. Imogen even pointed out that they enjoyed seeing Fink’s teachings of “writing what you see” were put into practice in his own work.
Donna Oliver, the Provost Dean of the College (Fink’s boss), complimented the event, praising the partnership and opportunity it offers. Becka Dudley, King Cat associate and similar artist/author, found the whole book “beautiful” and the audience awesome.
Ella Aizeki ‘25 shared in the ongoing praise of the Portecillo’s art saying some even “moved me to tears” and talked how “John’s artsicle lends well to the simple joy of short story and nature”
Professor Fink said he didn’t read the titular poem as “that’s how I get you to buy the book” and maybe it worked because I and 24 others sold out the books there.
So I HAVE read the book (evil giggle) and I won’t spoil it here and plummet Polish poetry book sales for all, but what I will say is:
Launching books may be a lot like foraging like a bear; grasping upon the papered ground, upon branches of inked words, inhaling the short prose like blueberries.
Featured Image: Forage Like a Bear cover; boredwolves.com
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