In her great Xtra Tuf ‘zine series, Moe Bowstern writes about life as a commercial fisherman. She’s a solid storyteller, and puts a lot of history, life, and philosophy into her tales of hardcore fishing. You can get her new book, Xtra Tuf #5, right here, but you can also see her in action tonight at Liberty Hall (311 N Ivy) where she’s participating in the Annual Winter Solstice Puppet Show.

What does this have to do with her ‘zine writing? I’m not sure, but considering I’ve dug everything she’s done so far (she also writes the This Little Light of Mine and Second Set Out ‘zines) I’m thinking tonight should be good. The time is 9 pm. The cover is free. The audience is YOU.

Here's the official word on her new book:

"Moe Bowstern has brought us the inside story about being a woman who
fishes commercially for years. If that doesn't seem fascinating to you,
you have another thing coming. Moe is an amazing storyteller and reveals
much about the history of commercial fishing in Alaska through a very
descriptive and personable narrative that can be understood by any
layperson. She tells great stories of the crews she's been involved with
and their dynamics as well being a woman involved in a very male dominated
profession. Moe has a passion for fishing and the sea and she shares this
with you in her zine. This is her story of being on the job and "how she
got xtra tuf" on a few different episodes of labor disagreements that held
up work (technically not "strikes") over many years. Fascinating reading
as she combines her artistic and DIY sensibilities with the labor tactics
in order to achieve the fishermen's goals and get everyone back to work!
The book sports a fancy letter pressed cover by Third Termite Press with 30
different colors schemes. Check out the new issue of Smithsonian Magazine
for an article about Moe and the Fisher Poets!"