PENDLETON — Gail Carriger’s first foray into telling stories was inspired by the end of “The Lord of the Rings.”

“I was very put out by the ending,” she said.

So she wrote her own version.

Writing, however, wasn’t her first career of choice, and she instead became an archaeologist. Her focus was materials and artifacts, such as ceramics, that she would analyze after excavation.

But even as she worked on her Ph.D., Carriger was writing fiction.

“I always needed to write fiction,” she said.

Then she published “Soulless” in 2009, which became a New York Times bestseller and won an Alex Award from the American Library Association, among other honors.

She didn’t give up her day job.

“Let’s write something else and keep digging up stuff,” she said.

Then her second novel “Slow Burn” also made the New York Times list.

“Everything changed after that,” she said.

By the time her third book published, Carriger decided it was too tough to balance two careers.

She chose writing.

She’s now published more than 30 books — at least two per year, and sometimes more. She also tours the country.

“I’ll go to a place that wants me and hang out with readers and librarians — my two favorite types of people,” she said.

Her book genres are steampunk (defined as an alternate history), urban fantasy/paranormal romance and science fiction.

Most of her novels are arranged by series: Tinkered Stars, The Parasol Protectorate, The Finishing School and The Custard Protocol.

Library visit

Carriger is part of two events in Pendleton during the first weekend of May.

First, she will attend the Pendleton Friends of the Library’s annual meeting on Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. at the Vert Club Room, 480 SW Dorion Ave. The evening includes a dessert bar and an author presentation. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required.

Tea with Your Quiet Neighbors

Carriger will also be a guest at a fundraiser on Saturday, May 4, that features her favorite beverage — tea.

“Tea with Your Quiet Neighbors” will be held at Olney Cemetery, 865 Tutuilla Road, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/3yua98m8. The event is open to anyone age 16 and up, and space is limited.

Each October, Pendleton organizations put on “Quiet Neighbors,” a living history tour highlighting notable residents of Olney Cemetery. During 2023, organizers discussed putting together a spring fundraiser to help promote both Quiet Neighbors and some project needs for the cemetery.

“Last October, the Quiet Neighbors committee discussed options of raising funds to assist with future projects at Olney Cemetery and the idea of a tea party of the front lawn was born,” said Melissa Porter, who is with Pendleton Parks and Recreation.

Tea with Your Quiet Neighbors will feature a catered meal and four types of tea, all in the tree-lined setting of the historic Olney Cemetery. Carriger, a tea afficionado, will attend as a special guest.

In addition to sampling catering and enjoying tea, attendees will be encouraged to walk the paved pathways at the cemetery. Spanning 50 acres, the historic Olney Cemetery first opened in 1891 and is the resting place for many of Pendleton’s early pioneers, including Aura Goodwin Raley, Til Taylor and Lot Livermore. The cemetery also boasts the only tree-canopied street in Pendleton.

“It’s a great way to spend the afternoon with friends at a by-gone era gathering and learn a little about the history of the cemetery and town,” Porter said.

For more information, call Pendleton Parks and Recreation at 541-276-8100.