Bellingham-Born Author TJ Poortinga Celebrates Novel at Village Books

The author will host a reading, Q&A, and signing for his psychological thriller 'Electric Orange' on April 17.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:34pm

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An abstract, minimalist composition of stark, jagged geometric shapes and heavy black silhouettes in high-contrast red and white, conceptually representing the psychological thriller and speculative fiction themes of the novel 'Electric Orange'.A bold, graphic illustration captures the psychological depth and speculative elements of TJ Poortinga's novel 'Electric Orange'.Bellingham Today

Village Books in Fairhaven will host author TJ Poortinga for an evening celebrating his novel 'Electric Orange' on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 6 p.m. The event will feature a reading, an audience Q&A, and a book signing, bringing a timely work of psychological and speculative fiction to one of Bellingham's most beloved literary gathering places.

Why it matters

Poortinga's novel 'Electric Orange' blends psychological mystery, speculative fiction, and dark satire to explore themes of paranoia, power, and belief in a near-familiar America. The story's Puget Sound setting will resonate with local readers, and the event at Village Books celebrates the author's Bellingham roots.

The details

Electric Orange follows the story of Pieter Verboom, a man who has a nervous breakdown on national television and unexpectedly becomes a populist icon, despite wanting nothing to do with the movement. Poortinga, who was raised among dairy farmers in an immigrant enclave of Washington State, draws on his own background to craft a boldly cinematic and unexpectedly tender narrative that pulses with the energy of a fever dream.

  • The event at Village Books will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 6 p.m.
  • Poortinga's novel 'Electric Orange' was published in 2026.

The players

TJ Poortinga

A Bellingham-born author whose novel 'Electric Orange' blends psychological mystery, speculative fiction, and dark satire to explore themes of paranoia, power, and belief in a near-familiar America.

Village Books

An independent bookstore in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham, Washington, known as a beloved literary gathering place.

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What they’re saying

“I'm thrilled to be in Bellingham. Village Books was an inspiration for me as a young writer. For over a decade, my mom lived just a few blocksaway, and the bookstore was a sanctuary.”

— TJ Poortinga, Author

What’s next

Readers can register to reserve a seat for the event at Village Books on April 17, 2026. Poortinga's novel 'Electric Orange' will be available for purchase at the bookstore.

The takeaway

Poortinga's 'Electric Orange' offers a timely exploration of themes like paranoia, power, and belief in a near-familiar America, with a Puget Sound setting that will resonate with local readers. The event at Village Books celebrates the author's Bellingham roots and brings his psychological thriller to one of the city's most beloved literary spaces.