Tag: Literary Locals Page 2 of 6

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Christi Nogle is another one of those writers who took me introducing myself with “I’m probably not going to like your [mostly horror] stuff” with a smile. I think if I read horror, I’d have a blast going through her backlist. She’s got some events coming up in the next couple of weeks (dates are listed below). Local readers should make a point of going to meet her.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Hi! I’m a fiction writer, focusing on horror and horror-adjacent work. You can follow my writing journey at christinogle.com and at linktr.ee/christinogle

My first novel, Beulah from Cemetery Gates Media, won the 2022 Bram Stoker Award® for Superior Achievement in a First Novel and was one of five Shirley Jackson nominees in the Novel category for that year. The book has also been translated to Spanish by Dilatando Mentes Editorial. Beulah is a ghost story set in a fictional town of Beulah, Idaho. I’ve written two more novels also set in Idaho, which I hope will be available soon.

I‘ve had almost a hundred short stories published in a variety of magazines, anthologies, and my fiction collections from Flame Tree Press: The Best of Our Past, the Worst of Our Future, which is a current 2023 nominee in the Bram Stoker Awards®, Promise: A Collection of Weird Science Fiction Short Stories, and One Eye Opened in That Other Place.

I’ve co-edited two anthologies of horror, science fiction, and fantasy stories: Mother: Tales of Love and Terror with Willow Dawn Becker and Wilted Pages: An Anthology of Dark Academia with Ai Jiang, and I work as an Associate Editor for the horror fiction podcast PseudoPod.

Are you a native Idahoan? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I moved to Idaho at the age of ten and have lived here ever since. Previously, my family moved around the country a lot.

I’ve stayed in Idaho because my family lived here, and now that my family members have passed, I have wanted to move closer to the ocean, but suppose I stay here because this still feels like my only home.

“Feels like my only home.” Is possibly the best answer I’ve received to this question.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
Yes, I have a wonderful writing group here in Boise, the Sawtooth Alliance of Women Writers. [That name is a great way to say you’re an Idaho-based group without using the word Idaho. Also, I dig the initials.] I’ve known some of the members since college in the nineties and have been colleagues with others for almost that long, so it is a very comfortable and supportive group. The members of this group were among those who first encouraged me to send my work out for publication, and it has been wonderful to share my writing news and celebrate theirs each week. I’ve been meaning to check out the creative writing group at my local library, too, but so far I haven’t happened to be free during their monthly meeting time.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
Just lately I have begun appearing at local events such as library book fairs, the library’s ComicCon event, readings, signings at Rediscovered Books and Barnes & Noble, and the like. One of the most successful events for me was a reading at the Star library hosted by Tina Johnson—the attendees were so receptive and kind! Krampus Con Bizarre Bazaar at ABU Games in Boise was fantastic as well. The well-attended event featured comics, art, books, games, and cosplay, and as you would imagine there were a good number of people open to talking about horror. On June 15, I will be signing at Rediscovered Books 11:00-12:30. June 29, I have plans to do a signing at local author Brian McBee’s store, Kuna’s Book Habit from 12-2:00.

I desperately wish there were more of a local horror community here and am always envious when I see that fellow horror writers can go to regular horror events in New England, the Pacific Northwest, and California. I’ve wanted to start a local group for some time, and I ran a workshop through The Cabin called “The Art of Dread: Crafting Contemporary Horror” in hopes of meeting and cultivating some horror friendships here in Idaho. I then began looking for other Idaho horror writers on Facebook in hopes of starting an Idaho Horror Writers Association (HWA) chapter. There simply weren’t enough people, but just recently, the Wyoming-based horror writer Josh Hanson and I were able to open a chapter of the HWA for the “Inland North States” region including Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota, so I hope that will lead to more regional opportunities as well as more local and semi-local friendships. The HWA has been the most important organization of the several I belong to, as it offers opportunities to mentor and be mentored, other fascinating volunteering opportunities, and has put me in contact with some of my favorite writers. If any local writers reading this are thinking of joining the HWA, please reach out to me through my website contact form or through any social media and I’ll be happy to help you join our chapter.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
My local friends read my work, and I’m trying to meet more readers locally, but most of my readers are from other parts of the U.S. and the U.K. Due to the translation of Beulah, I am also happy to have some readers and reviewers in Spain. I don’t read Spanish, but I can read their comments and reviews due to online translation, and it’s wonderful to see the response to the book.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
It’s been a bit challenging for me to be based here instead of in one of the places mentioned above that have a greater number of horror writers and readers. That said, there are some generous organizations in the area that have helped me, such as our local literary center The Cabin and the Alexa Rose Foundation—I’ll be in the Alexa Rose residency at The Common Well starting in November, and I hope to be offering a new workshop though The Cabin soon. We have a great library system here, and we have the wonderful independent bookstore Rediscovered Books.
With the Inland North States chapter, you’re on the front line of addressing one of the biggest challenges. I’ve had a few other authors talk about “maybe” starting something or wanting something that meets their genre/subgenre/specialty—it’s good to see that someone making progress in that direction, too.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
There’s no one book that expresses everything that would need expressing about the state, but Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover comes to mind. Westover’s work with theme of isolation really spoke to me.
Great pick.

Thanks for doing this–I hope you enjoyed it!

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Melaney Taylor Auxier

By HCNewton

On June 4, 2024

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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This is going to look a little different than most of these posts, Auxier took my first round of questions and mashed them into a few paragraphs. I did ask some follow-ups that I didn’t think worked as well if I tried to incorporate them into those paragraphs, so you’re getting a hodge-podge I guess. It’s basically a nice monologue that I interrupt a few times.

Great questions! I’m just going to jump right in and go for it.
My parents were married 3 months out of high school and 9 months later started having a family. In order to support us, my dad joined the military. The Navy took us from CA to SC, with Illinois being ‘homebase’ of sorts since mom and dad both had family there. After 7years in the Navy, dad worked for an international company that moved us every 2-3 years. I’ve lived in 8 states and Europe, graduating HS from an international school in The Netherlands. I associate each place with a specific local food, lol! I would definitely say all these places play a part in my writing. I have now lived in Idaho for 20 years, so while not a native, I do love being here. I love the view of the mountains in all the seasons, sometimes snow-covered, or silhouetted in sunrise and sunset. It never gets old. I’m always in awe. Seeing elk in the wild fascinates me too. I love to watch them.

Yeah, probably not technically a native, but that’s long enough to get you honorary native status, right? What kind of food would you associate with Idaho? (or does that only work with the nations you lived in?)
The food I associate with Idaho, or at least my part of Idaho has changed since I first got here. There was this little Mom and Pop burger and shake place that we had to hit up if someone came to visit, if we were celebrating, or just out running errands on a Saturday, lol! But it has since changed hands, I’ve had to give up gluten and dairy, and it just isn’t the same. So now I’d have to say huckleberries. Since we’ve been here so long, we know where and when to pick them and load up the freezer bags to eat them all through the winter months in our own homemade df/gf baked goods and shakes.

I feel like I’ve been a storyteller my whole life. There were great negative consequences in my family for telling a lie but writing (or telling) a story for ‘entertainment’ was okay. I loved writing assignments in school. I would write my own song lyrics or mini stories in a tiny ‘office’ I made in my closet, complete with a tin can pencil holder. Back then, an author to me was like a movie star or a president or something. I didn’t know just anyone could become an author, that you could actually go to college to learn to write. I imagined authors were like, appointed or something or you were just born an author but that it was something ordinary me couldn’t be. This did not stop me from writing my stories, though.

Fast forward through many moves, a couple husbands, 6 kids, lots of animals, and I finally figured out anyone can be an author!
How long have you been publishing? What was it that made you take that step?
I think the timing was just right. For years I went to conferences, classes, tutorials, read writing books, etc. I was in my first critique group of very talented mentors. We believed traditional publishing was the only real way to publish a book. But when that disbanded, I queried agents only to be rejected because my books were ‘too quiet’, not edgy, no one died of a horrible disease, no abuse and I didn’t cater to what was ‘hot’ in the market at the time. (like werewolves and vampires) My current critique group got together and our computer genius talked to us about Amazon’s KDP. She said, I think I can do this. (meaning the uploading) So she taught me how to use Canva for my illustrations in my picture books and covers for my novels, worked her magic for the longer books uploading all those words and ta-da! I fulfilled a dream of being a published author. I wasn’t getting any younger, I was tired of waiting for a bunch of 20-somethings to decide what the next hot topic was going to be to force upon readers. So I write what I want, do my own marketing (which you have to do whether you are traditionally published or indie), set my own release dates. I have a great support system and it keeps it fun and exciting.

I have a weekly critique group I faithfully attend with a couple other authors that I have been friends with for many years. We each have a role in the group that highlights our strengths. One is great with story consistency and description, another is our computer genius. I am the grammar and punctuation police. We were all once a part of a bigger critique group that has since disbanded for various reasons. But we took away the foundation of that group into this one and are very productive because of it. If any author would like tips on setting up their own critique group, they can reach out to me through my website melaneytaylorauxier.com I’m always happy to share pointers and tips with other writers.
Oh, I love the idea of a critique group with specialties like that!

Small town Idaho definitely plays a big part in my middle grade and adult fiction. It’s a recurring setting that just inserts itself into my brainstorming sessions. Just about anything can spark an idea for a new book. The main character of my picture book “Don’t Judge O’dell by his Smell” was inspired by an actual stinkbug standing on its head as I did laps on the trail around our property a couple summers ago. The house that John lives in, in my book “Not Jingleheimer”, is based on a 100 year old home in my own small Idaho town.

I generally have more than one project going at a time. Currently I’m finishing up a (hopefully) humorous adult fiction. I have 3 picture books I’m working on, as well as a plot outline for another middle grade, and a play adaptation of my adult fiction, “Bad Coffee and Paws in Your Face.” It’s always good to have something else to work on when you get stuck on your current story.

I love participating in author events. I like meeting the other local authors and chatting with them. I like meeting the avid readers. There is always something new to learn by listening to others. It’s a wonderful surprise to hear from someone, “This is my child’s favorite book!” or “I bought your books online but I don’t have this new one! I have to get it!”

I have my full library of books on my website and on Amazon. My biggest surprise so far was when I randomly sold a book to someone in the UK! No idea who it is! But how exciting to see that on my Amazon sales.
I bet!

If I can tell a story that brings a smile or a chuckle out of someone or simply entertains them for a little while, I’m a happy author.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
I’ve tried to find Idaho-based books to send as gifts over the years and the ones that get all the hype are not what I’d consider the best. I’m not usually a big fan of Romance but I love the way author Sarah Hill incorporates small town Idaho into her books. ‘Since You’ and ‘Caterpillars in Glass Jars’ are a good example of this.

Margaret Fuller has a set of trail books and identifying Idaho berries and such that she has done extensive research for. For any outdoor enthusiasts, these are a must-have.

And I’d have to say, ‘(NOT) Jingleheimer’ , my middle grade fiction, is a fun book based in Idaho that is great for young readers or the young at heart, good for a chuckle or 2.

I do have a question for you, HC. I’d love to know how you got your name for your website. I’ve come up with my own theory but only you know the real story (wink)
I’m curious about your theory, of course. 🙂 There was a webcomic called Unshelved that several years ago had a strip about teaching kids to read irresponsibly (they even had a tshirt to that effect that I really lament not getting). It was just a phrase that stuck in my head. Basically, it’s about reading things I’m interested in, not what “I’m supposed to” read. What Alan Noble describes as reading based on whimsy.
When I first saw ‘Unshelved’ it made me think ‘crazy for books’ in a good way. If we didn’t have avid readers, there’d be no need for avid writers. I love those words, ‘Reading based on whimsy’.

Thanks for your time and participation!
Thanks for the questions! That was fun!

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Steve McGill

By HCNewton

On May 28, 2024

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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I had the pleasure of meeting McGill and having a brief conversation with him at the recent Library Book Fair–and am now happy to bring you this look at writing in Idaho from a relatively recent arrival.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
I’m a veteran teacher. I taught elementary grades for the first eight years of my career; for the next eighteen, I taught middle school. I’m now a professor of English at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California, where I’ve been an instructor for twenty-five years. I wrote “The Cave” in 2008. It was an exciting time for me, attending book signings at places like Barnes and Noble and Borders Book stores. I published “No Father No Son” in 2022. It’s interesting that when I honestly answer the question, “What’s it about,” with the reply, “It’s the sad story of a boy’s childhood and how he copes,” people get very quiet.

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I lived in California all my life until I moved to Idaho in January 2023. California has so much beauty, but it also has so much filth. The beauty is nature, and the filth is anything but nature. The filth stems from human interaction. It’s somewhat political in nature, but there’s more to it. Much more.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it
and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I am not a part of a book club or group. The reason is that any club I’ve joined in the past tends to consist of less than serious readers. My experience with “intellectuals” is saturated with ego.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
Most of my readers have been adults who enjoy an adventure story. Ironically, most of the readers of my young reader novel are adults.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
I hope the Treasure Valley consists of communities that are still readers, but social media has attracted even some of the most avid readers. There’s a vast difference between the experience found in deep reading and the experiences of cheap, shallow reading found online.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
See the previous answer.

Thanks for your time and participation!

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Few Quick Questions with…Shared Stories

By HCNewton

On May 21, 2024

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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This is overdue (as you can tell from some of the dated references), but sometimes schedules don’t work the way you want (and when you throw in the vicissitudes and orneriness of technology…things take even longer). A few weeks back, a new bookstore opened in Caldwell, ID–filling the lacuna left last year when Rediscovered Books had to close its branch. As you can imagine, I’m very happy to see Shared Stories open up–I actually ended up buying 1+ books there for the first three weeks they were open. Thankfully, life has intervened and I’ve been unable to make it there since. But I’ll be back very soon. I was able to ask Dr. Jocele Skinner, the owner, a few questions about their opening, plans, and so on. I hope this is the first of many times you see me mention them in the years to come.

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Let’s start off with a brief description of Shared Stories—how would you describe it (other than Caldwell/Canyon County’s newest bookstore). What makes you distinct? (at least in your mind/vision for the future)
Shared Stories is a new independent bookstore in Caldwell. It is woman-owned by Jocele Skinner, a local family physician. Her husband George Decker manages the day to day operations. We live locally and have been in the community for many years. We hope that what will make Shared Stories successful is that we are wholly committed to Caldwell and the surrounding area. Our goal is to work with local individuals, businesses, and organizations to support and to build our community. We live here. We work here. We spend our own dollars here. We want to share our love of books with Caldwell and see Caldwell and Canyon County grow and thrive even more than it already is!
Shared Stories Interior

Photo by Shared Stories

What inspired you to open this store? Has it been a lifelong dream, or just one that’s come around in the last few years? Was there one thing in particular that motivated you to get into action now?
George and I have always been book nerds! Our first date was at a bookstore. I think a lot of readers have a dream of working in or owning a bookstore. For many years, that’s exactly what it was – a dream. Jocele was busy working crazy hours, and George was at home with our kids and farm animals. When Rediscovered Books closed in Caldwell, we were devastated, but after a lot of discussion, we decided maybe it was really time to turn the fantasy into reality, and to hopefully fill what we saw as a huge need in downtown Caldwell.
We were pretty devastated, too–but you actually did something about it. Thank you!

I cannot fathom how much work had to go into getting the store to this stage—you’ve posted some on your Instagram page-—but how long have you actively been pursuing this once you moved from the “one day, I’d like to open…” thought to “let’s actually do this” stage?
It definitely has been a fair amount of work getting things up and going. We made the decision to proceed with opening a store in late June/early July of 2023. It took us about 5 months to find and secure the perfect location. It also took a ridiculous amount of time to come up with a name that we liked. I don’t even know how many options we tried out before Shared Stories stuck! Once we signed the lease in December, then we could really start making plans. We ordered custom shelves in January from a local business in Middleton. We went to Winter Institute (the national conference for the American Bookseller Association) in February, and after that we started working on ordering books, merchandise, etc. We began interviewing for bookseller positions in mid to late February, and I think managed to put together a great team. The books took a couple of weeks longer to get here than we had planned, so that was frustrating and held up our opening for a bit, but I think in the end it was all worked out! One thing that has been amazing is the support and help we have received from bookstores near and far! Bruce and Laura Delaney and their staff [of Rediscovered Books] have been so helpful in teaching us some of the basics, and the book-selling community has been nothing but encouraging and excited for us. I would also be remiss without thanking Ofelia Morales at the Caldwell economic developing office for being so incredible to work with and for helping get us connected with our eventual landlord and downtown businesses.
Shared Stories Nifty Lighting

Photo by Shared Stories

How was the first week? I know when I stopped in on Friday it was busier than I expected/feared. But that’s a limited 30 minutes—you know the big picture.
I think overall the first week went better than we had anticipated. We had our soft opening April 10, and quite a few people came in and made purchases. We appreciate their grace while we all worked to streamline our processes. We had a couple of slower days after the initial burst, but are getting busier each day. We’re hoping as the weather gets nicer and there are more events and people downtown in the plaza, that sales will continue to climb.

You’ve certainly had to learn a lot along the way, and encountered things you probably hadn’t considered. What were some of the biggest surprise challenges. Also, what was surprisingly easiest?
We still have lots to learn. 2 weeks in we’re still trying to figure out the best way to streamline orders and to determine what customers are interested in. We tried to build a pretty broad selection when we created out initial book order, but there’s always books that we didn’t predict would be in high demand. And of course, there’s only so many books we can fit on the shelves. It would have been awesome if we could have ‘nailed it” on day one, but we’re hoping that will come with time. If you are looking for something you don’t see, ask us! We want this to be a place where there’s something for everyone.
Shared Stories Comfy Reading Area

Photo by Shared Stories

Are you working on plans for the future of Shared Stories—or is keeping the lights on your primary focus for now? Do you have any events coming up that you’d like to share?
We’re definitely working on plans and future events going forward. Right now, we’re definitely focused on just continuing to get our feet under us, but we’re looking at starting store-sponsored book clubs in the next month or two, as well as some special events. This weekend is Independent Bookstore Day, so we’ll be having some fun specials and giveaways on Saturday. We’re partnering with Shutter Happy, a local photographer, for a children’s reading program over the summer, where kids can get discounts on books and win a mini-photography session here in the store. We’re also partnering with another downtown business for a Mother’s Day tea and book event. Watch our social media for updates. Children’s activities/storytime is starting soon, and there may be some fun game nights, crafts nights, and more ahead!

What books are you (and/or your staff) enjoying hand-selling the most right now? Feel free to give a quick pitch for a few—I can’t let people get away from here without a few recommendations.
It’s been fun to be able to hand-sell books to customers as they come in! Our staff all have different readings tastes, and so we are learning from each other all the time too! Probably our biggest seller has been The Women by Kristin Hannah. I am also surprised by how many are interested in reading the classics. A couple of other books that have sold well so far are the Wildwood Chronicles by Colin Meloy, the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, and a whole host of romance and fantasy novels, led by Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Some bookstores have resident dogs, many more seem to have store cats. But you all have taken a different direction–one that I absolutely love. Tell us about Cedric. Where did the idea come from? Who came up with it? Are people responding as well to it as I am? When can we purchase Cedric merch?
Good question. We had initially planned on having a store cat. But honestly, all our cats at home have bad manners, so they aren’t suited for being in the store. One dog is too big and sheds too much, and our other dog gets a little anxious around new people, so neither one of them would be great store pets, either. As for Cedric, not long after we opened, a young man came in asking if we’d be interested in stocking 3D printed dragons. Sutton lives locally and does a great job printing dragons and fidget spinners. George, always a sucker for cool shiny things, bought one just as a trial, and our amazing and creative staff took the dragon and ran with it! Before we knew it, the dragon had a name and was showing up on social media. It’s a fun way to feature new books or special displays. The dragons have been super successful, and we’ve had requests for custom colors and have already had to reorder. Kids young and old find them fascinating. And really aren’t most of us book dragons at heart?
Shared Stories' Cedric

A few snips I took of various Social Medial posts to try to give a flavor of how he’s being used. They look much better in the originals.

I know this is a crazy busy time for you all right now, and I cannot thank you enough for taking time to respond to me.
I just want to thank everyone for supporting our store so far. The excitement and support has been so fun to see, and we all enjoy sharing our favorite books with you, as well as finding new books ourselves. I mentioned above we are happy to place special orders, and you can also support us by shopping at our affiliate locations:

For physical books: https://bookshop.org/shop/sharedstories
For audio books: https://libro.fm/sharedstories
Yes–absolutely do that, readers!

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Grandpappy’s Corner: Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat by Neil Ballard, Steven Nosov (Illustrator): A Nice Rodent with an Unfortunate Nickname

By HCNewton

On April 19, 2024

In Fiction, Grandpappy's Corner, Literary Locals, YA/MG/Children's Books

Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat

by Neil Ballard, Steven Nosov (Illustrator)

DETAILS: 
Publisher: Bookbaby
Publication Date: December 23, 2020
Format: Hardcover
Length: 36 pgs.
Read Date: April 19, 2024

What’s Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat About?

This is the story about, well—it’s there in the title. Mostly, it’s about Cat, with his pal, Pat, playing a good supporing role (with Pat getting the lead-off position in the title, I assumed he’d be the focus, but he isn’t—and that might just be me).

Cat got his moniker as an insult, really—no rat gets nicknamed that as a sign of respect or friendship. So he wants to avoid those people who gave him that name. But he eventually has to go to the city for supplies, but his buddy, Pat, tags along for moral support.

While there, Cat enters a race, enticed by the prospect of winning a cheese trophy (and really, who wouldn’t want a cheese trophy no matter their species?). A little comedy, a little humility, and some chaos ensue.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

This is the first time that Nosov has illustrated a children’s book—and it better not be his last. Even before I talked to Ballard about the book at a Book Fair, I knew I was going to buy it based on the cover. The rat called Cat looks like a character from a video game I played forever ago—he’s not, but it felt like that when I saw him. Just an instant click. And Pat is almost as good.

The art is the clear star of this book—with all due respect to Ballard—it’s engaging, it’s energetic, it’s cute, it’s striking. In case I’m not being clear—I’m a fan.

There are some samples of this book on his website, but not all the images there are really kids-book-appropriate (there’s nothing scandalous or anything, just figured I should make the disclaimer). You can also see them on this tweet.

How is it to Read Aloud?

It’s fine. Some of the sentences are a little cumbersome to read aloud—nothing major, but there’s no real rhythm or zip to the writing. The text is just to convey the narrative, not to steal the limelight or tickle the listener. The story and the art are the stars of this book—which is fine, I should stress.

So, what did I think about Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat?

It’s a fun story elevated by the eye-catching illustrations. There’s a little bit of a lesson—maybe even two—but nothing that will hit you over the head with the moral if you’re not in the mood to focus on it with your listener.

Also, whoever did the typesetting/interior design should get some kudos—it pops off the page in just the right way.

Ballard indicated that a sequel is in progress—I’ll gladly grab it when I see it.

Good characters, a nice story, and there’s no way the little reader in your life doesn’t like the art—this is one to add to your shelves, for sure.

3 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

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LITERARY LOCALS: 2nd Annual Treasure Valley Book Fair/Book Haul

By HCNewton

On April 9, 2024

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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This past weekend, the Nampa Public Library hosted the The 2nd Annual Treasure Valley Book Fair and I wanted to take a minute or two to talk about it.

One thing they did this year was provide everyone who walked in a Passport with the names of every author present. If you got a stamp from every author, you got a free book from…I don’t know where they got this selection–but it was a pretty good one. I got a hardcover of Lee Child’s 61 Hours. The downside to this is that there were several people that just came by, got a stamp, and moved on. My daughter and I had a conversation of a decent length with all of them—and were interrupted more than once by someone just wanting that. It’s kind of a shame, because you could tell that too many people just out for that (we actually had to be reminded more than once by an author to get a stamp—we’d just get distracted by whatever we were talking about). We had some great conversations—too many. We spent about 4 hours at an event we’d planned on attending for 90 minutes. I’d have gladly talked to many of these authors for longer than we did.

We didn’t see nearly as many returning authors as we’d hoped (there was an event in Boise that some of them attended). The cool part of that was that there were many that we got to meet for the first time. I’ve already talked to some about showing up here—and will be reaching out to as many of the others as I can in the next few days.

All in all, it was a great event with a large range of genres, target audiences, and authors represented (which was pretty encouraging) and one I hope is repeated again and again.

Now, I can’t be expected to show up to an event like that and walk away empty handed can I? Were not for a budget (that I stretched to the limit) the stack could’ve been taller. I do have a shopping list of some of the left overs.
NPL Indie Fair Book Haul
(once again, I display my questionable photographic skills).

So much for the progress I’ve made on Mt. TBR this year.

I, again, really enjoyed getting to talk to all of the authors there. Here are the social media (and/or way to order the books of) everyone that I could find. Do yourself a favor and check these authors out!

bullet @artmuseum.edu – zines, etc.
bullet Melaney Taylor Auxier—Children’s, Middle Grade, and Adult Fiction
bullet Neil Ballard—Picture books
bullet Terri Bentley—Historical Romance
bullet Patricia Carroll—Christian thrillers
bullet Erica Dansereau—Christian Romance and Rom-Coms
bullet Death Rattle—Poetry, Zines, and More
bullet Echo Artwork—Pottery, Stickers, and Zines
bullet Jerome Goettsch—Vietnam memoirist
bullet Wayne Hawk—Thriller writer
bullet Sarah Hill—Contemporary Romance
bullet Britt Howard—Christian Romance
bullet Julie Howard—Historical Fiction, Crime Fiction, Supernatural, and probably many other genres before the year is out
bullet Laura Jenski—Cozy Mysteries
bullet Lori Josifek—Christian Children’s Books
bullet Katherine Ecrivain Joy—Christian Children’s Books
bullet Nathan Keys—(big, chonky) Fantasy
bullet Elliott P. Linker—Comic Books for Kids by a Kid (so good to see him again)
bullet Susan Lowe—writer of a story of survival
bullet Kataya Moon—Romance, Fantasy, Erotica, Sci Fi
bullet Patrik Martinet—Fantasy and Crime (with a hint of UF)
bullet Wendy Ann Mattox—Christian Children’s Books
bullet Steve McGill—dark, intense Contemporary Fiction
bullet Rachelle Nelson—YA Fantasy
bullet Christin Nogle—Horror with a touch of Sci Fi
bullet Carla Crane Osborne—Children’s Books (okay, didn’t actually talk to her, she couldn’t make it, but someone who works for her was there–and she was a great spokesperson)
bullet Debra Peck—Non-fiction
bullet Amy Maren Rice—MG Fantasy. One of the first people I met last year, the first person we talked to this year. Really great to see her.
bullet Robin Chadwick Rundle—Historic Romance
bullet R.M. Scott—YA Dark Fantasy
bullet Bonnie Schroeder—Women’s Contemporary Fiction
bullet Nicole Sharp—”Writer of Love, Coffee, Italy and Fearless Women”
bullet Norelle Smith—Fiction, Christian Fiction
bullet Julie Weston—Historical Mysteries
bullet Nancy Weston—Contemporary Fiction
bullet Arnold Ytreeide—Christian Children’s/MG Fiction

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Teaching Moments by Troy Lambert: A Tale of Horse Thieves and a Serial Killer

By HCNewton

On March 15, 2024

In Fiction, Literary Locals, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Teaching Moments

DETAILS:
Series: Max Boucher Mysteries,  #2
Publisher: Unbound Media
Publication Date: January 18, 2022
Format: Paperback
Length: 368
Read Date: August 24-26, 2023

What’s Teaching Moments About?

It seems that after the events of Harvested, Max Boucher has developed a specialty when it comes to his PI work—animals. Granted, most of these are pretty small cases without a lot of excitement, but work is work, right? And if he’s getting the bills paid, he can spend more time thinking about the new evidence he found at his old home at the end of Harvested.

But that’s for another time, really. Max has been hired to leave Seattle and come to Cedar Peak—a small town in Idaho*, where someone from out of town sticks out like a sore thumb. He’s been called upon to investigate a missing—presumed stolen—horse, worth a pretty penny.

* I kept changing my mind about what city it’s based on, and decided to stop trying because it really doesn’t matter.

But before he can even start this investigation, he stumbles across a murder. Now, that’s not why he’s in town, but he sort of befriends the woman dating the dead man (who turns out to be related to the horse’s owner). He’s warned off by the local police, but he ends up looking into the murder, too.

It’s not long at all before Max discovers that almost nothing is what it seems and that he might have bitten off more than he can chew this time.

The Other POV

Interwoven with Max’s story is the first-person account of a young woman becoming a serial killer. On the one hand it’s easy to see why we get this (her weapon of choice is used in the murder)—but it frequently feels like it could be a different book.

Actually, you could excise these chapters (or at least almost all of them) and publish it as a stand-alone novella. You’d probably need a different conclusion to make it satisfactory—but it’d work that w
This isn’t entirely a criticism (although it does feel a little out of place from time to time)—the way this story ends up merging with the rest of the novel really works and adds to the overall impact of the novel.

The only real complaint I have about it is that all these chapters are in italics, and it just bugs me to read that much italicized material, there’s gotta be a better way to set that kind of thing off from the rest of the text.

The Series Arc

After the way that Harvested ended (and well, the way that most of that book went), I assumed we’d get a lot more time and space devoted to the murder of Max’s daughter and the disappearance of his wife in this book. I didn’t expect that he’d solve everything so soon, but still.

And while Max (and/or Lambert) didn’t blow off the topic, the novel didn’t focus on it as much as I’d assumed. I think it’s good for the long-term health of the series, as long as Lambert doesn’t drag things out in this regard. The closing pages of this novel bring in a new twist to the series that can help out with the overall arc(s), too.

So, what did I think about Teaching Moments?

It feels pretty uncharacteristic of me not to mention Max’s dog so far. Russ is one of those rescued at the end of Harvested and he’s become an important part of Max’s life. He’s a very good boy, and a canine I’m pleased to make the acquaintance of.

I don’t think I was as surprised at a lot of the serial killer story as the novel wanted me to be. That may be because I read too many things in this genre. It was well-executed and I don’t have any noteworthy negative things to say about it beyond I thought it wasn’t that unexpected. I don’t need to be shocked, I just want a good story, and that’s what Lambert delivered.

A solid PI novel is one of my favorite things in the world. Lambert’s Max Boucher novels are good examples of the genre. Yes, the setting and the central crime might not be common for the genre, but they work well in Lambert’s hands. I’m definitely looking forward to more of these, and recommend them to you. Even if you’re not looking for a series, Teaching Moments could work as a standalone. Either way, you should give this a shot.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Grandpappy’s Corner: What’s in Your Howl? by Douglas Gamble, Illustrated by: Steve Humke, Terri Isaacson: If Only Ylvis Had Asked This Question Instead…

By HCNewton

On January 29, 2024

In Blog Series, Fiction, Grandpappy's Corner, Literary Locals, YA/MG/Children's Books

What’s in Your Howl?

by Douglas Gamble, illustrated by: Steve Humke, Terri Isaacson

DETAILS:
Publisher: Xulon Press
Publication Date: January 1, 2023
Format: Paperback  
Length: 36 pg.
Read Date: June 24, 2023

What’s What’s in Your Howl? About?

Alberto (an armadillo) is fascinated by Carlos (a coyote)–the way he runs and leaps, the way his fur looks, and especially his howl. But he doesn’t understand why Carlos howls–what’s he trying to say or accomplish by it?

So he asks–and Carlos answers, “It depends.” (not in the trickster coyote way, although that would be fun in a different way) He then explains some of the many things his howl can mean, depending on the circumstance. As he does so, Alberto takes it in and compares it to some of the things he does in similar circumstances. These two might be very different kinds of mammals, but they do have a lot in common after all.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

Oh, this is very nice. The art is fairly realistic, there’s a good southwest flavor to it all. The close-ups of the armadillo and the coyote are really eye-catching, and…well, if I keep going, I’m going to just do a poor job of describing each image.

Rather, than my continuing to fumble around, you can see a few samples on the author’s Facebook page.

How is it to Read Aloud?

It’s a little wordier than most books I’ve talked about as part of this series–that’s not a bad thing, it’s just a description. This isn’t a “fun” read with tongue twisters or rhymes, it’s simply nice, straightforward text that’ll work well for a time to settle down–or for someone who’s already settled and wants to hear “another story.” This isn’t really one to goof around with.

So, what did I think about What’s in Your Howl??

I heard of this book on Episode 137 of Let Me Tell You a Story Podcast, Gamble was talking about the creation of it, how the art was worked on, and so on. It was an interesting discussion and it prompted me to get this book. You might want to give it a listen.

I enjoyed this on several levels–the art, even the typeface, and the message. It’s a good combination of earnestness, cuteness, and scenery. If you’re looking for more in a book for toddlers, you might want to lower your expectations.

A sequel would be very welcome. Or an expanded edition, anyway. I know my 20-something daughter would appreciate it, she uttered an annoyed gasp after the last page, because she was really expecting an answer to Carlos’ question to Alberto.

Give this a shot.

3 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Brock Poulsen

By HCNewton

On December 12, 2023

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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Brock Poulsen is another writer I recently met at the Boise Library!’s Book Faire, I’m very glad he took a few minutes to chat with me then and now. Hope you enjoy this look at writing in Idaho.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Hi reader! I’m a genre writer, with stories that run the gamut from fantasy to sci-fi to horror. My main series is called Bizarre Frontier, and it’s my take on a weird western. There’s plenty of magic and lots of monsters, inspired by the folklore of the American west. Five books are out so far, with more on the way! My other stories have appeared in anthologies and online magazines, and I have a collection of short horror stories that was recently released on November 25th.
This seems like a good time to plug the new book—what’s it called, where can people pick it up, etc?
It’s called Gathering Shells and Other Stories, available at godless.com or at Amazon.

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I moved to Idaho about 6 years ago, to bring us a little closer to my wife’s family. We’d always enjoyed our visits before moving here, and we stay because it’s beautiful, and the food and people are wonderful!
I think you might be the first to mention the food in relation to this question. I’m tempted to ask several follow-ups about that, but this isn’t that kind of blog. But you’ve got me wondering where you like to tie the feed-bag on (note how cleverly I adopt a Western figure of speech while talking to a Weird Western writer).
Oh, one of my favorite topics! Thai Basil in Meridian is a favorite. If it were financially and physiologically viable, I would replace all the liquids in my life with their yellow curry. It is a triumph of flavor.

I also love getting banh mi from the Baguette Deli, and have eaten an absurd number of tacos from Fiesta Chicken. I’m sure I could go on, but writers aren’t really known for being overly verbose, right?

🙂 Thai Basil has been on our “we should try that” list for a while. I think their yellow curry is in my near-future. Thanks!

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author.
I’m a proud member of the Idaho Writer’s Guild, and I love attending their events. I’ve met several good friends there, and I love getting together and inspiring each other. They host great events with fantastic guests, and I think they’ve helped me become a better writer.
Not surprisingly, you’re not the first to mention IWG. What kind of events do they hold. What are some of the ways they’ve helped you become that better writer? In short, I guess, why should someone in the area check them out?
Writing can feel very lonely, and the social aspects of the IWG are great for counteracting that at least a little bit. Being around other writers is great for working out wrinkles in your story, talking about the craft and logistics, and generally encouraging each other to stick with it. They’ve also had more structured meetups where successful writers have come to talk about some of the more technical and business aspects of being an indie writer. They have helped me get a better grasp on things like advertising and building an audience.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
I’ve been attending a Creative Writing group at the Cole and Ustick library, which has been awesome for meeting other motivated writers. I’m trying to do more promotion and selling at local events, including the recent Boise Book Faire and the upcoming Krampus Con.
Did the Library’s Faire live up to your expectations? That is, if you had any. Did you learn (from your experience or talking to others) what to do more of or not to do at your next event? In general, what was your experience like? Have you attended Krampus Con (either as an author or just an attendee)–what’s it like? I’ve often wondered, but haven’t fit it into my schedule.
I really wasn’t sure what to expect at the Book Faire, but I loved hanging out with other indies from around the valley. One of my favorite parts was when I had a pretty in-depth conversation about my book series with a nine-year-old girl. She asked such great questions, and it was an absolute delight. That young lady’s parents should be proud of what a sharp literary mind she’s developed.

The tricky thing about local events–and about selling books in general–is getting my stuff in front of the right audience. The stories I write fit into some specific niches, so it’s about finding the right people, which is a challenge.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
I have readers spread out all over the world, mostly in the United States, but I’ve sold books to people in Europe as well. I’d love to connect with more local readers, because those in-person connections are amazing. Talking about stories with passionate readers is a thrilling, life-affirming experience, and I love it.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
Writing has the advantage of being a very mobile activity. I can do it from essentially anywhere, and people can access my work from all over the world. Treasure Valley is a smaller market than some, but I think the people here are no less excited about reading. Our library system is amazing, also, which is so good for writers and readers alike.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
This doesn’t have a direct Idaho connection, but Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente was an excellent western take on the Snow White story. Another recent favorite was A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher, a scarier book about the perils of returning home, and the way our past can reach into our present.

Interesting picks…I like the thinking behind them (I’ve been meaning to check out that Valente for a while, thanks for the reminder)

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!
It was a pleasure, thanks for reaching out!

Readers, be sure to check out the work of Brock Poulsen. His Horror and Weird Westerns look like they could scratch a particular itch or two.

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Taylor R. Gray

By HCNewton

On November 28, 2023

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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It’s time for the next (and hopefully not last) Q&A I arranged after the Boise Library! Book Faire. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
My name is Taylor Gray and I’m a software engineer turned author. I’ve always had an interest in sci-fi, fantasy, and superheroes since childhood. My urge to write stories first began in high school when my friends and I would pass around a notebook to write our own sci-fi fantasy story. Since then, I had been writing off and on, primarily focusing on my profession. Finally, in 2019, I decided to dedicate the time to sit down and finish my first novel which became the first book in the Trials of Incomplete Heroes series. Every book in that series is entirely self published. In 2022, I finally landed the attention of a publisher and, as of this year, published Mercury Snow.

Trials of Incomplete Heroes is available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L9J28Z4

Mercury Snow is available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Mercury-Snow-Taylor-R-Gray/dp/1961093057 or Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mercury-snow-taylor-r-gray/1143603816

I do have a Facebook page for my books here: https://www.facebook.com/TrialsOIH

Are you a native Idahoan? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I’m a native Idahoan, born and raised in Boise. In my high school years, I used to hike around the White Cloud mountains and camp at various lakes. The varied landscape of Idaho is fascinating. We have mountains, forests, deserts, lakes, rivers, etc… We just don’t have an Ocean. Why leave when I could have any scenery I wanted in this state already? Also, at heart, I’m a homebody who doesn’t like crowds or travel.

That last sentence sums up my primary reason for sticking around, too. 🙂

Why risk going somewhere you might not like to deal with crowds if you don’t have to. Idaho is a perfectly fine place to be. 🙂

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
In terms of local author groups, no. I am, however, a part of an author group through my publisher and we still meet at least once a month online. In the past, I attempted to join a few Facebook groups which I don’t think exist anymore. I was also going to form an in person group with a few local friends, but none of us ever got around to it. As both a software engineer and an introvert, joining or creating social groups is outside my expertise.

That’s a good point—particularly post-COVID, an online group seems like a no-brainer. Is this a critique group, a mutual encouragement time, or something else?
My publisher calls it a “mastermind” group where various other authors under this publisher get together to read segments of what they’re working on. The goal is to provide feedback from the standpoint of a reader such as:

How did this segment make you feel?
What questions did it leave you with?
What narrative or plot loops did it open that need closing in the future?
Did it make sense?

It’s effectively a group to workshop your books.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
The Boise Book Fair was really the first real event of this sort I’ve attended. In terms of other events, I’m in talks with my publisher for some online events at their discretion. In terms of events that I would like to see, it seems as though the online interview/podcast is becoming increasingly more valuable. Having videos on Youtube of recorded zoom or discord interviews of various people seems to be popular these days.

So, did the Library’s Faire live up to expectations? That is, if you had any. Did you learn (from your experience or talking to others) what to do more of or not to do at your next event? In general, what was your experience like?
I didn’t really know what to expect from the Book Fair. Part of me expected more people to show up and more books to be sold. I gathered from others a the event that this was typical of these events where most of the interactions are just to spark interest. Most people will take a card or a flyer, but will rarely walk out with a book at that time. As long as information on my book gets out there, I’ll be satisfied. I vastly oversubscribed on the number of books and cards to bring. However, I now have the supplies for other events. I would also like to have too much of something rather than not enough.

The fact that I have two different pen names, one for my self published series and one for my traditionally published book, also seemed to hamper me. People would walk up to me and want to talk to me about Mercury Snow, then want to talk to my assistant about my self-published books, believing he was T.G. This was not their fault as I separated things out and his chair was directly behind the Trials of Incomplete Heroes section. In the future, I will have to do a better job of making it clear both T. G. and Taylor R. Gray are me.

The other thing I learned was how important it is to have non-cash payment methods. It was only at the last minute I decided to have a Venmo option for payment. Venmo accounted for half of my two total sales. Several other people had card readers which is something I’ll need to invest in if I continue to do these sorts of events. In general, I’d say it was a good experience.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
The vast majority of my audience at this point in time is local to Idaho. I am making sales (numbered in single digits) worldwide including a few from the United Kingdom and even India.

Have you gotten any feedback from the UK or India? Any idea how you’re received overseas (by the ones of readers you have or otherwise)?
One of those sales was from a coworker I work with in my Software Engineering job, so the feedback is biased. Amazon doesn’t give me a clear view of where ratings come from, just that I have ratings. Feedback in general is positive.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
I do think that one of the disadvantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley has to do with finding a decent publisher. Most publishers are in New York or California these days or in large cities. In the online era this isn’t necessarily an issue until you realize you’re competing with celebrities and everyone else in those areas for the publisher’s attention. When you do find a publisher that will talk to you, they often want to insert New York or California ideas/ideals into your story. There’s also fewer people in a place like Idaho when compared to New York or California. I myself enjoy having empty spaces and fewer people and crowds around. However, more people also means more customers.

I do think there are also advantages to being a Treasure Valley writer. We experience most weather patterns and have varied landscapes we’re familiar with to pull from as settings for our own works. There’s also plenty of space to get away to think and write if we need to. Another interesting feature of the Treasure Valley is we have both a decently large city in Boise and extensive farmlands. It’s easy to gain perspective for both rural and urban lifestyles, often within a short walk from each other.

That second paragraph brings up a few things that no one else in this series has mentioned and is a great way to look at it.
Idaho has plenty of advantages for an introvert who doesn’t like crowds like me. If you were to ask me if I’d prefer to live in a city in New York or California so I could have a better publisher, I’d say no. I’ll stay here every time. Even presuming I could make millions in big cities, I’d be miserable there.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
It’s difficult to say. I don’t base my stories in Idaho and I try to write so anyone anywhere can understand and enjoy it. If I were to point to something that is directly inspired by Idaho is probably the varied landscapes within my stories. The main character in Trials of Incomplete Heroes is from a middle sized town surrounded by open fields and forests. Much of the action also takes place in a larger city near a mountain range and a sprawling woodland. It’s also possible my main characters have more of a Midwestern/Idaho attitude and moral compass. As an example, in both Trials of Incomplete Heroes and Mercury Snow, the protagonists don’t swear and they try to be polite and hospitable where possible.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
To be honest, I don’t really read or write through that lens. Most things I enjoy and write are science fiction or fantasy which could feasibly take place anywhere.

However, my uncle, Dale M. Gray, is also an author and an archaeologist who is fairly familiar with Idaho and the surrounding area. He has written two books that may be interesting to your audience.

His first book is about the history of the Cathedral Pines campground in Idaho titled, A Holy Place in Idaho: A Centennial History of Idaho’s First Church Camp. It can be purchased from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578474069

His second book is about his life and various adventures as an archaeologist in the area titled, The Zen of Dale: Tales of a Free-Range Historian. It is also on Amazon and can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVPLD4B7

Cathedral Pines played a big role in my early years, I’m definitely going to pick that up. You should get your uncle to give you a commission.
I’ll be sure to tell him to remember who his favorite nephew is this Christmas. 😉

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!

Be sure to check out the work of T. G. and Taylor R. Gray and see if anything sparks your interest (I’ll be at least dabbling in both ASAP).

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