NARROWSBURG — The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is thrilled to announce the upcoming book launch event for the highly anticipated debut memoir, “Sayonara Cowboy,” written by local author, William Yukikazu Fellenberg, published by Redhawk Publications.  Sayonara Cowboy is a coming-of-age story that navigates the turbulent waters of racism, familial complexities, and the search for identity in the aftermath of World War Two.

Join us in Krause Recital Hall on Saturday, May 18th, from 3:00-5:00 pm for a book launch event and reception. The author will be reading excerpts from his memoir, followed by a Q&A session moderated by DVAA Director Ariel Shanberg.

Fellenberg, known for his previous contributions to literary magazines such as Clementine Unbound, The Orchards Poetry Journal, and The Narrowsburg Literary Gazette, brings forth a lifetime of experiences. From his humble beginnings as a teen-age reporter for his hometown weekly to his distinguished career in university advancement and advocacy for refugees and immigrants, Fellenberg’s journey has been one of diverse paths and rich encounters. 

The memoir follows the author, born to an American G.I. and a Yokohama shopgirl, as he grapples with the legacy of war and the challenges of being caught between two worlds. In Japan, he’s scorned as an “ainoko,” a mongrel boy. When he arrives in America and begins kindergarten, he’s shunned by his classmates.

He soon faces other personal crises. When he’s eight, his mother abandons him, returning to Japan. Meanwhile, his wayward father thrusts him into the care of his paternal grandparents. The boy embarks on a quest for selfhood amid the clash of cultures and the failures of his parents.