Christopher Zinn

Years ago now, Julie called and invited me to give 'pre-lecture' talks about the writers appearing in the Portland Arts & Lectures series. I said 'yes' right away and immediately after my first presentation--on Elmore Leonard--she was there to tell me how well it had gone. Thanks to her, I had the opportunity to learn and share observations about all sorts of writers in the series. She was always in the back of the room or behind stage, and always had something encouraging to say afterwards in that unmistakable way she had--"I didn't know you were so fucking smart" or something like that. It was a second literary education, a gift that Julie gave to me.

My story is of course comparable to many others whose lives were touched and lifted by Julie's work, her great personal charisma, and her generosity. She was also, in my mind, my big sister. We both came from the Diocese of Rochester and had survived our Catholic, Italian-American upbringings. She swore like my mom, though with a more advanced vocabulary, and I was pretty convinced she could walk on water if she had a reason to. She was always there to support and encourage me in my next steps. For the last fifteen years, I've been able to plan and lead Delve seminars through Literary Arts. I've met many remarkable readers through this experience, and have had the pleasure to continue studying and learning about books that I love. I've found an irreplaceable community of fellow souls, and for this, too, and for much else I'll leave unsaid, I have Julie to thank.