Bring your questions and your friends to OWC’s next Literary Lounge. We’ve assembled a foursome of experts to answer your questions about publishing opportunities beyond the traditional agent/New York publisher route. Wednesday, April 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. at TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont St. Free for members and their guests; $5 suggested donation for nonmembers.

Mary Rosenblum, aka the Literary Midwife, is an award-winning author of science fiction and mystery novels published with New York publishers. She has taught writing for more than fifteen years and now helps writers find the best path for success with their books through her up-to-date knowledge and experience with craft, publishing, and promotion.

Laura Stanfill is the founder and publisher of Forest Avenue Press, which publishes quiet novels by Oregon writers. “We’re huge fans of community, and by focusing on publishing local writers, we get to have editorial meetings in person and we can organize events to connect local readers to local writers.” Forest Avenue Press received a 2014 Oregon Literary Fellowship and is now open to submissions.

Carolyn Martin is president of the board of directors of VoiceCatcher, a nonprofit community that connects, inspires and empowers women writers and artists in the Portland area. Their online journal, “VoiceCatcher: a journal of women’s voices & visions,” features poetry, prose and art work by local women. The Winter issue is available online, and the Summer issue is now open for submissions.

A.M. O’Malley is the program coordinator and co-founder of the Certificate Program in Creative Writing and Independent Publishing for the Independent Publishing Resource Center.  The IPRC is at the heart of Portland’s DIY artistic and literary communities, and has empowered thousands of people to create and publish their own artwork, writing, zines, books, websites, comics, and graphic novels.