The Nova Place-based publisher will release their first book “Two Sides, Three Rivers” in March 2018.

By: Nick Eustis

Bridge and Tunnel Books officially began as a publishing company in January, one year after the inception of the business. McAdams aims to publish mainly original and experimental work, and is particularly interested in showcasing Pittsburgh’s vibrant creative scene.

“There’s a lot of talent in the Pittsburgh area — literary talent, creative writing talent, but also artistic. There’s an artistic fever in the air here, particularly the Northside,” McAdams said.

Sharon Dilworth, a professor of creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University, is one such talent. Her short story collection, “Two Sides, Three Rivers,” will be Bridge and Tunnel’s first official publication.

McAdams and Dilworth found each other through a simple email.

McAdams sent out an inquiry to Dilworth and a few other professors at CMU explaining that Bridge and Tunnel had just launched and was looking for talent. Dilworth immediately responded.

“I was like, ‘I just finished this collection, it’s all about Pittsburgh, it would be amazing.’ So we met, and she liked the collection and took it,” Dilworth said.

“Two Sides, Three Rivers” is a series of short stories, each based in one of Pittsburgh’s many neighborhoods.

“I’ve lived here about 25 years now, so I feel like I have permission to write about Pittsburgh,” Dilworth said. “It started with one short story about Pittsburgh. Then I noticed I had one in Lawrenceville, one in Squirrel Hill, one in the Northside. So I thought, ‘This is a great idea for a short story collection.’”

Despite the collection being locally inspired, Dilworth grapples with universal themes throughout.

“I think it’s like people trying to find their place in the world and the world not cooperating,” Dilworth said. “I have a story about a private eye and he can’t seem to find his groove. I have a story about a Russian emigre, and no one is acting they way she wants them to act, so she gets really frustrated.”

Read our review of “Two Sides, Three Rivers” here

McAdams wants to continue releasing new and experimental books — ones that could possibly become part of school curriculums.

“I just want to keep collecting amazing stories that I love to read and I hope others love to read,” McAdams said.

Bridge and Tunnel Books will be hosting a book launch party for “Two Sides, Three Rivers” at 7 p.m. March 16 at Abandoned Pittsburgh. They also will host readings of the book next year on April 5 at Penguin Bookshop in Sewickley  and May 6 at Classic Lines in downtown Pittsburgh.

Readers can be pre-order the book online via Bridge and Tunnel Books website.