If you’ve spent any time within Boulder’s literary circles, you probably have heard of Brian Buckley.

Buckley was a co-founder of the much-loved, much-missed Innisfree Poetry Bookstore, a University Hill staple for a decade. Innisfree wasn’t just a bookstore — it was Boulder’s poetic heartbeat. A sanctuary for authors, poets, bibliophiles and caffeine lovers alike, it was well known as one of the rare bookstores in the nation dedicated to poetry.

When Innisfree closed its doors in 2020, a piece of Boulder’s literary soul went with it.

But like any good story, there’s always a sequel: Buckley is now bringing his passion for the written word to Trident Booksellers & Cafe with the launch of a new Author Series. From local writers to nationally bestselling novelists, audiences can look forward to live readings, discussions and book signings from different authors each week.

After a decade of running Innisfree, Buckley said he’s looking forward to bringing a familiar warmth to the Author Series at Trident.

“The magic at Innisfree happened in those moments when the writers and poets came together with the audience,” he said. “It’s that space between where inspiration and connection thrive. At Trident, we want to recreate that energy — celebrating independent bookstores, local writers and everyone who loves books.”

Trident’s fall lineup reads like a who’s-who of modern literary talent, featuring everyone from acclaimed memoirists to graphic novelists.

According to Buckley, the authors featured are a mixture of

“We have so many great writers on the Front Range, that it was easy to find people who exemplified that richness and talent,” Buckley said. “We also have some national writers who resonate with issues important to Boulder — whether it’s self-discovery, the environment, politics, science fiction, or poetry. All genres have a place here, thanks to the strong reading community and the intellectual energy people bring to this region.”

Two standouts include Juliet Wittman, a seasoned journalist and memoirist with a deeply personal story, and Rex Ogle, an award-winning Young Adult and graphic novel writer with several alter egos.

At 7 p.m. on Oct. 1, Wittman — a Boulder local — will read from her latest book, “Again and Again” at Trident, 940 Pearl St., Boulder. A powerful exploration of life, illness and resilience, the novel was inspired by her battle with breast cancer. Having worked as an investigative reporter, theater critic and book reviewer, Wittman brings both gravity and humor to her writing.

“When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I read a book that felt overly sentimental, like something out of a Hallmark card,” Wittman said. “I wanted to write something that stood apart from all the

pink-ribbon narratives — something with more levity. There’s a touch of irony and maybe a bit of sarcasm, but my real goal was to capture a sense of life, something truly alive.”

“Again and Again” centers on Chloe, a fiery young woman with a terminal diagnosis who is determined to make the most of her limited time by helping a young boy in need of life-saving treatment. Wittman’s gift for balancing humor and grief shines through, making her novel an emotional rollercoaster that audiences will likely connect with on a deep level. Whether or not you have a first-hand experience with cancer or illness, Wittman’s story is universally relatable.

“If someone has a family member or friend with cancer, they may want to learn what it really feels like, how the journey unfolds, especially if they’re unsure how to talk about it,” Wittman said. “It might help to understand how people with cancer actually think. I’m not sure exactly who will be in the audience, but my goal is to show that this is the real experience — my real world.”

She added: “Everyone’s life and approach to illness is different, but it’s important for people facing a difficult diagnosis to know they’re not alone. Others have been through it before, and there are insights and words of comfort that can help.”

For those who attend her event, expect a raw, honest and occasionally funny dive into what it means to live fully when time is short.

At 7 p.m. on Oct. 8, Ogle will take the stage at Trident to share his journey as an award-winning author of children’s books, comics and memoirs. Those familiar with Ogle’s bestselling book “Free Lunch” — a powerful memoir about growing up in poverty — know him as a writer unafraid to tackle tough subjects with grace and grit. His background in comics

and his work with iconic brands like X-Men, Justice League and Star Wars means he isn’t your typical memoirist. His versatility shines, whether he’s penning heavy memoirs or middle-grade graphic novels like “Pizza Face” and “Four Eyes.”

“I’m a jack of all trades,” Ogle said. “I love talking about writing for kids, getting published, but also sharing my personal stories.”

Ogle said he’s looking forward to sharing with audiences his journey as a writer, editor and voracious comic-book reader. From his humble beginnings as a gay kid living in Texas, to his time working for both Marvel and DC Comics, he’s got plenty of stories to tell.

“It’s fascinating how much my work intersects with my personal experiences and life,” Ogle said. “When I first wanted to start my writing career, I didn’t feel confident enough to write books on my own, and that’s what led me to work for Marvel and DC. But I want to help anyone who wants to learn how to write on their own, and be that kind of sounding board that I wished I had when I was younger.”

Over the course of his career, Ogle’s work has won several prestigious awards, including a GLAAD award and a YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. For someone who originally dreamed of writing X-Men comics, Ogle said he’s still a bit in awe that his work has received so much attention.

“It’s important to talk about the real struggles kids face — whether it’s poverty, domestic violence, or homophobia from family or bullies at school — and It’s humbling to think about the impact that my work has had on people, especially since all I ever wanted to do was write comics,” Ogle said. “Now I’m writing books that librarians consider important. It still feels surreal to me.”

Whether you’re a fan of graphic novels, memoirs, YA fiction, or want to know how to become an author, Ogle’s appearance at Trident’s Author Series is one event you won’t want to miss.

For Buckley, the Author Series isn’t just about selling books — it’s about fostering relationships.

“The biggest thing I hoped for at Innisfree, and I’m seeing here at Trident, is the connection between writers and readers,” Buckley said. “It’s not just about

handing someone a mic and wishing them luck. We’re here to build community — introducing audience members to each other, sparking conversations and watching friendships form in the aisles.”

If you’ve ever walked into an independent bookstore and felt like you were stepping into a piece of history, then you’re likely familiar with the magic Buckley is talking about. Boulder’s literary scene is alive and well, and Trident’s new Author Series is a reminder that, in an increasingly digital world, there’s something irreplaceable about gathering in a cozy bookstore, latte in hand, to listen to an author read from their work.

As for Buckley, he’s optimistic about the future.

“These spaces are so important,” he said. “People bump into each other, start conversations in line for a book signing, and suddenly we’ve got a little hub of creativity. We’ve even had people meet and later get married after connecting at one of these events. It’s a beautiful thing.”

For information, visit tridentcafe.com/events. To join Trident’s Author Series mailing list, email Brian Buckley at: briantridentbookstore@gmail.com.