Pacific NW Author Kris M Smith will inspire attendees to dream big

If you’re a fan of the original Star Trek series, or if you know someone who is, mark your calendars for June 14-16 to attend the free (donations accepted at the door) Forks Rain Con at the Rainforest Arts Center in downtown Forks over Father’s Day weekend.

DeForest Kelley’s former personal assistant will appear on Saturday afternoon for an hour to explain the personal trek that took her from being a fan on the outermost reaches of fandom to being at his bedside when he passed away on June 11, 1999.

Like many school-age kids, Kris had a big dream: becoming a professional, self-sustaining writer. But she grew up in the ’50s and ’60s well before the Internet, cable stations, and the Information Age came clamoring for worthy wordsmiths. So, although her teachers encouraged her, her parents were scared to death, thinking she would starve if she persisted in pursuing a career that didn’t offer much hope for success.

But writing was in her DNA (literally!), so she kept writing. And one of the professionals who took early notice of her exceptional talent was DeForest Kelley. In fact, “De” launched her writing career in 1969. (Kris says her parents had to peel her off the ceiling, she was so ecstatic and excited. )

But that was just the beginning of a Kelley/Smith mentorship/friendship that would last a lifetime.

The author of ten books, Kris was born in Tacoma and raised in Cle Elum from the age of ten to twenty. In 2004 she returned to her roots (Tacoma) after spending thirteen years in Hollywood working at major motion picture studios.

A lifelong animal lover, Kris Kelley’s talk (and her book, “DeForest Kelley Up Close and Personal: A Harvest of Memories From the Fan Who Knew Him Best”) includes a mutual love of animals and the African serval cat that shared her life for 17 years and charmed the Kelley’s by adopting them readily into his kitty kingdom.

To find out more about Kris and to see and hear some of her Kelley stories (there won’t be time for all of them at the convention), visit https://yellowballoonpublications.com/. You can find her books at Amazon at: https://amzn.to/2HQ1xqG.

Kris will have 35 copies of her Kelley book (and a few copies of her other titles, upon request ONLY!) on hand at the convention, too. Bring your copy to sign if you already own one or more of her titles. She will have a table all three days and looks forward to meeting you! She will be sharing her memories of “De” on Saturday afternoon at the convention.

Rain Con 2019’s theme is “Thank You, Stan Lee!” and will feature comic books in abundance, local vendors and sponsors, good food, cosplay, games, exciting entertainment, and lots of fun.

Again, entry to the Rain Con is free and donations are encouraged. Everyone volunteering at the event is donating time and talent to help the Forks’ community (especially students) thrive.

Your donation will help ensure a THIRD annual Rain Con next year!