A selection of new titles by Washington authors, or of local interest.

"Steve Goodman: Facing the Music" by Clay Eals (ECW Press, $29.95). A massive (778 pages) biography of the singer-songwriter ("City of New Orleans") who was diagnosed with leukemia at 20, but survived — and performed — for 15 more years. The book features interviews with Steve Martin, Emmylou Harris, Hillary Rodham Clinton (Goodman's high-school classmate) and many others. Preface by Studs Terkel; foreword by Arlo Guthrie. Eals lives in Seattle. Includes tribute CD.

"Green Day: Rebels with a Cause" by Gillian G. Gaar (Omnibus, $17.95). The Seattle writer's biography of the rock band, published in England earlier this year, enjoys its U.S. publication.

"Defending Gary: Unraveling the Mind of the Green River Killer" by Mark Prothero with Carlton Smith (Jossey-Bass, $16.95). Paperback reprint of a book by the attorney who defended serial killer Gary L. Ridgway. Times reviewer Steve Weinberg praised the book's detail on "the workings of the criminal-justice system in a case with the death penalty in play." Co-writer Smith is a former Seattle Times reporter.

"Dreamquest: Tales of Slumberia" by Brent Hartinger (Starscape, $16.95). A fantasy novel for middle-grade readers about an 11-year-old girl who "falls through a hole between the waking and the dream world." Hartinger ("Geography Club," "The Last Chance Texaco") lives near Seattle.

"Count the Birdies" by Matthew Porter (Simply Read Books, $8.95, www.simplyreadbooks.com). A sturdy, attractive board book for preschoolers who are learning how to count. Porter is co-owner of the Bluebottle Art Gallery in Seattle.

Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times book critic