Tag: Literary Locals Page 3 of 8

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Goettsh’s memoir had only been in print for a couple of weeks before I met him at the Library Book Fair. I wish I’d noticed that before I sent him my questions–I’d have tweaked them a little bit–not that there’s any problem with his responses, I’d just have framed things in light of the date.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
I’m a veteran of 9 years in the Marine Corps, 16 years in the Army, and 7 years working as a Navy civilian. I did 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. The first tour the book is based on as a rifleman and Fire Team Leader for 13 months, and a second tour for 12 months in ordnance. Over 25 years in the military I worked as a rifleman, an ordnance man, a military policeman, a rifle, and shotgun coach, and in administration. As a civilian for the Navy, I worked on the docks unloading munitions off ships and as a document editor. I edited operations manuals for navigation systems on nuclear submarines.

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
My wife and I moved here 21 years ago to be with our children. We have 2 children, 2 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren in Idaho now.

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?
This is all very new to me. I’m learning to tread the waters of authorship. I have a Facebook page: The Cocoa Kid, and I belong to a few Facebook groups: The Writer’s Forum, Writers For Writers, and Creative Writing. Also, the Kindle Community is very supportive.

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 did my first book fair at the Nampa Library where we met. I made a few good contacts there. I’ve been talking with local librarians and hope to have something in the future. I need to reach out to new bookstores and book clubs. It’s challenging balancing my book promotion with my artwork.

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 readers are from all over the US, but mostly veterans like myself. However, I like to point out the book is not just all about the war. It’s not all shoot ’em up bang bang. It’s about a young man’s journey from childhood to war. About struggle, loyalty, and sacrifice in the face of adversity. It’s about survival and moving on.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
It’s not just Treasure Valley. It’s the book community in general. Lots of people are going to e-books. Paperback books are slowly but surely going the way of hardback books. They will be obsolete collectors’ items someday. I’m not a Luddite; or a technophobe in today’s vernacular. I’m going to be putting an e-book version out soon.

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?”
I consider myself an Idahoan as I’ve been here 21 years now. I have family and roots in Idaho. But I was born and raised in Green Bay Wisconsin. Later I lived in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Chicago Illinois, Dallas Texas, Phoenix Arizona, and California. After joining the military I was stationed in California, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Indiana. I did 2 tours (still not sure why they call them tours) in Vietnam. I’ve visited Mexico, Japan, China, Greece, Africa, and most of Western Europe. Working as a civilian for the Navy I traveled to Washington DC, Washington state, New York, Florida, and Georgia. I’m like a sponge, and have picked up some of the customs and language of most everywhere I’ve been.

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’m a rockhound and photographer, as well as a writer and artist. I love to explore Idaho, so I have several books such as Rockhounding Idaho, Roadside Geology of Idaho, and books on Idaho’s history. I found reading about how Idaho’s Capitol was moved from Lewiston to Boise most interesting. I would highly recommend reading about the State Capitol’s history. Overall I’m a history buff, and I’m in the habit of reading a few books at a time. I like to pick one up and read a chapter or two, then put it down, pick up another, and repeat. I am presently reading Eiffel’s Tower by Jill Jones, The Greater Journey by David McCullough, and a book written in 1890, How the Other Half Lives by Jacob A. Riis. Riis was part of a movement that led to changes in society such as the Audy Home that I was locked up in, and which is in my book. Riis wrote his book in 1890 and the Audy Home was created by the women of Hull House in 1899.

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

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Grandpappy’s Corner: Under the Barnyard Light by Carla Crane Osborne, Brandon Dorman (Illustrator): A Quiet, Wintry Night’s Chores

By HCNewton

On July 2, 2024

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

Under the Barnyard Light

by Carla Crane Osborne, Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Gogonago
Publication Date: November 17, 2020
Format: Hardcover
Length: 26 pg.
Read Date: June 29, 2024

What’s Under the Barnyard Light About?

This book follows a young girl as she takes care of some farm chores on a cold and wintry night.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

No slight intended toward the text, but the art here is the star of the show. That’s a commentary on the art, not the text. Few authors would be able to compete (not that it’s a competition). Dorman’s just fantastic. In these pages, he combines realism with a style that will appeal to the younger readers. The colors might not be bright enough and the art “loud” enough to get the youngest readers, but he’ll draw in those north of two (I think). It looks painted, not drawn and colored.

When I checked out his website, I realized I’d held other books that he’d illustrated and/or done the covers for–several of them, actually. My kids even owned some of them growing up.

How is it to Read Aloud?

Like Every Dreaming Creature, this book seems to demand a quiet reading voice–this is a book for settling down for the night (or at least a nap).

I will admit that the first time I read this myself, I got distracted by the rhyme scheme and ended up spending more time paying attention to it and trying to suss out the pattern. Take it from me–don’t do it. Just read it line by line–or couplet by couplet–while being ready to deal with frequent non-rhyming lines. If you go looking for a pattern or a rhythm, you’ll be lost.

Just sit back, adopt a hushed tone, and read. If you do that, you’ll find it to be a nice, soothing read. The text–and the art–are gentle and cozy. You read it that way and you’ll be set.

What did the Little Critter think of It?

He seemed to like the pictures, but had no patience for the book, we only got three pages into it before he was finished. In fairness, he’s young–and I picked a wrong time to try it. He wasn’t in the mood for a quiet book.

But I’m confident that when I try again, he’ll be fine with it.

So, what did I think about Under the Barnyard Light?

I enjoyed this–it did make me think of Every Dreaming Creature and settling down for the night–it’s a quiet book, it’s a calming book. Between the atmosphere, the soft edges of the art, and the way the text carries you along–I imagine this is going to be a bedtime favorite for many. Including the grandcritter in a few months.

This definitely inclines me to read more by Osborne, I’m curious to see what she does with different kinds of stories (for example, I doubt Pony Express is the kind of book you curl up with on your way to sleep).

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 Carla Crane Osborne

By HCNewton

On July 2, 2024

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

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It sometimes seems like half of the local authors I encounter write books for young children–which is great, it’s just not what I ever expect (I will learn one day). Carla Crane Osborne’s work for children is about as Idaho as it gets (from my limited exposure to it, anyway). I hope you enjoy this quick Q&A with her.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
My name is Carla Crane Osborne and I am an Idaho Children’s Book Author. I write children’s books based on my experiences growing up on a farm in southern Idaho. I currently have 5 books out and another 2 in the works! I sell my books through my own website, www.gonasreadingranch.com, Amazon.com, and I regularly post about my books, animals, and projects on social media. You can find me on Instagram and Facebook at Gonas Reading Ranch!

Are you a native Idahoan? What brought you to Idaho in the first place? (answer whichever question applies) What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I am a native Idahoan! I was born and raised in Burley, Idaho and that is where I grew up alongside my siblings on my parent’s farm. We grew crops and had livestock and we all grew up learning how to tend to and care for the crops and animals and it gave us a sense of responsibility from a young age. Life on the farm as a child was the best experience, in my opinion, and it is the inspiration for my books! We worked hard and we played even harder when the work was done. It allowed us the freedom to expand our imaginations and be as creative as we wanted because we could wander and explore and make up our own little worlds.

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?
Being a full time mom, grandma, and author has not left me a ton of time to get as invested in local groups as I would like. However, I do try to attend local events as often as I can and always enjoy chatting with the other local authors!

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?
Most of the events that I attend are local author meet and greets, book fairs, and local school events! I love being able to connect with our community and other local authors. My favorite activity is when I am invited into a school to do book readings with the kids! I love to share my books when they are still in progress and get feedback from the children. A lot of times I end up using bits and pieces of ideas that the kids give me and find a way to include them in my books. I have been to some author events outside of the Treasure Valley, mainly in my hometown, Burley and a couple in Coeur d’Alene. I have done a couple author meet and greets in Burley and a couple author events in CDA. My books are carried in the library and at a lovely little books store called, Fig Pickels in CDA, and I love being invited to attend author get-togethers, meet and greets, or book signings that are put on by either place.

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 are local. I sell the most books here at local events and I have my books in quite a few of the local libraries as well! I also like to donate books to our local hospitals and toy drives, so I believe most of them end up somewhere in the valley.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
I think the biggest challenge to being a author in the Treasure Valley, or just in general, is the fact that we live in an increasingly digital age. I feel that a lot of times it is easier for parents to use a digital media to entertain kids than it is to sit down and read to them. However, I think that in the Treasure Valley, we have a large population of people who are shifting to a mindset of slowing down and taking more time to do things like sitting to read with their children. I see a lot of parents on social media talking about their children’s education and incorporating more books, outdoor learning, and practical, functional learning and it’s really encouraging to see! There’s nothing that can replace the feeling of holding a real book in your hand!

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?”
I definitely think that I bring Idaho to my books! The books are all about growing up on a farm and a lot of us in Idaho can relate to that! I think it especially shines through with the illustrations in my books. I have had the chance to work with two fantastic illustrators, Brandon Dorman and my own nephew, Michael Crane, who have captured some truly beautiful representations of Idaho landscape. From the mountains in “Alex the Wonder Lamb” to the beet fields in “Gona’s Halloween Hunt,” it all looks like something you could see within a 30 minute drive, almost anywhere, in Idaho.

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?
If had to choose one book that embodies the Idaho spirit, it would probably be the book that I have in the works, “Buster the Brave.” I’ll say as much as I can without spoiling the book before it comes out but, it is themed after our very own Boise State Bronco mascot, Buster. It tells the tale of a young horse who dreams of being the Boise State mascot someday and the determination and bravery it takes to overcome his fears. I think that most of us in Idaho tend to have that “fighting spirit” in us and don’t typically shy away from challenges. I am so excited for this book to be published and I hope that the people of Idaho and fans of our beloved Boise State Bronco’s, love it!

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

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The Hijacked Conscience by Debra Peck: An Obsession for Assurance and Certainty

By HCNewton

On June 30, 2024

In Literary Locals, Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Hijacked Conscience:
An Informed and Compassionate Response to Religious Scrupulosity

by Debra Peck

DETAILS:
Publisher: SacraSage
Publication Date: February 10, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 158 pg.
Read Date: June 9-16, 2024

What Exactly is RSOCD?

This book focuses on Religious Scrupulosity Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (RSOCD) and I want to be sure that I describe it carefully and accurately. The best way to do that is to let Debra Peck do the honors (obviously, she goes into more depth, but this’ll do for starters):

The International OCD Foundation describes it as “A form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involving religious or moral obsessions. Scrupulos individuals are overly concerned that something they thought or did might be a sin or other violation of religious or moral doctrine.”’ In simplest terms, people with Scrupulosity OCD see sin where there is none.

Those who suffer from Scrupulosity usually have an overly sensitive moral conscience which causes their faith to be experienced as anxiety and fear instead of as peace. The French call it “the doubting disease.” People with Scrupulosity hold themselves to a rigorous level of spirituality and practice, not out of love or even out of obligation, but out of deep-seated fear and anxiety that not doing so imperils their eternal soul.

Like all forms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Scrupulosity is marked by unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions), overwhelming anxiety that demands resolution, and either outward or internal rituals (compulsions) that relieve the anxiety for a time.

What’s The Hijacked Conscience About?

Peck tries (fairly successfully, I think) to introduce RSOCD to believers, pastors, counselors, and others to the concept. Using her own life and experiences she walks the reader through the struggles she endured (with help and hindrances from family, friends, and fellow Christians) until she was diagnosed. And how having this diagnosis—and the better treatments that came from it—have helped, and how it hasn’t (enough).

Throughout, there’s an attempt to generalize from her experience—or at least show how things she went through can be similar to things others go through.

She also brings in some of the research she and others have done about the disorder alongside her own experiences—which is essential.

I Can’t Help But Wonder…

Early on, Peck describes things that people say in response to questions and concerns raised by people with RSOCD. I’ve heard some of these given to questions by people without it—and I found them just as troublesome and almost as damaging. I put in my notes around that time—these people need a good dose of the Heidelberg Catechism (and the rest of the Three Forms of Unity/Westminster Standards). And, yes, I know—that is not a panacea here, and there’s a lot more going on than bad theology. However…it’s sure not helping them.

Peck herself says,

For those from a Wesleyan-holiness position which emphasizes that the heart can be completely cleansed from sin and living a sin-free life is the expectation of those who are “sanctified,” this can be especially debilitating.

I’ll leave it to others to deal with Wesleyen perfection and the myriad problems it has and that stem from it. But I absolutely see where it’d be debilitating to anyone honest with themselves about their spiritual condition—for someone who is compelled to be “overly concerned” with spiritual matters, debilitating seems like an understatement.

Now, people in the Wesleyan-holiness traditions don’t have a monopoly on this tendency—R. Scott Clark talks about many Evangelical strains affected by what he calls the QIRC and the QIRE—RSOCD really seems like a super-powered version of the Quest for Illegitimate Religious Certainty (with a dose of Quest for Illegitimate Religious Experience, too). Clark defines the QIRC as “the pursuit to know God in ways he has not revealed himself and to achieve epistemic and moral certainty on questions where such certainty is neither possible nor desirable.” The QIRC is problematic for anyone—you add OCD to it? And forget it—you need to fight this with medication, therapy, and better theology.

I don’t for a second believe that Reformed believers can’t struggle with this—the Heidelberg isn’t an inoculation against it. But I do wonder how it would present itself from someone within the Reformed tradition. (I’m curious about Muslims, Universalists, or Wiccans struggling with RSOCD, too).

So, what did I think about The Hijacked Conscience?

This is clearly Peck’s story—or, better, a look at RSOCD through Peck’s story. And as such, it’s good. What would’ve made this better is seeing a few other people’s stories—not the whole thing, but more. Sure, we’re told that there are others—given a couple of historical examples that are likely true, or at least possible—but as it is, it’s harder to get an idea about how RSOCD affects people who aren’t Debra Peck. It’d also be nice to see things others have done to help themselves.

Again, I know that’s not the design or intent of the book. I just think it’d have made this a stronger book—maybe that’s what a future sequel holds? (I don’t know if Peck has plans/intentions for a follow-up, I’m just spitballing here)

But as for the book we do have? It was good—it’s a solid introduction to the concept of RSOCD, a good look at how undiagnosed/untreated it can affect a person, and how—with help—someone can cope (for lack of a better term) with it. There’s even a nice little discussion on the use of medications for this, and similar, afflictions.

The writing is clear and approachable—frequently engaging and pleasant. There’s nothing to be daunted about here, just a good primer to help you weep with those who weep.

3 Stars

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Arnold Ytreeide

By HCNewton

On June 25, 2024

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

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Arnold Ytreeide made me chuckle more than I expected to reading his responses–so, obviously, I went and bought all his books immediately. Not really–but it wouldn’t have surprised me if I did.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
I come from Seattle where I was a police officer, television producer, and business man for many years. I moved to Idaho in 1988 and here found my true love. We married, and I wrote a little Christmas story for our kids. Somehow an editor at a publishing house heard about it (we never did figure out how) and asked to see it. I sent it, they called back and said they wanted to publish it, and suddenly I was a published author. That was in 1995, and the book was Jotham’s Journey.

A year after that first book came out, the publisher wanted another, then another. I just turned in the manuscript for #8 in the series, and we’re taking it to 10. Also when it was first published, New Line Cinema called me up, very excited to make Jotham into a movie. But then their company got sold, and the new owners decided – much to their disgrace and humiliation – to make a movie about a different kind of lord and some kind of ring or something. Obviously a bad move.

I also have a self-published adventure series for pre-teens, and several novels. All of my books are, at their heart if not on their shirt sleeves, Christian, though my real goal is to reach a wider market with just good stories – which I thought I had done when New Line called.

I was a university professor for 20 years, and wrote when I could, but I’m retired now and it seems like I’m always fighting a deadline. Which is a good thing – it keeps me young.

We keep up a website at JothamsJourney.com, but other than that I am shamefully little involved in social media.
I’m sure the bean-counters at New Line have spent a lot of time second-guessing that choice…

Are you a native Idahoan? What brought you to Idaho in the first place? (answer whichever question applies) What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
School initially brought me to Idaho, but only for three years, I told everyone. I’d get my degree, and then be returning to Seattle.

Then the women who I instantly decided would be my wife walked in the door one day, and, well, here we are. She was a widow with two small children and, for their sake, we decided to make this our home.

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’m not, really. I enjoy meeting with other authors, but am so busy (with a lot of things, not just writing) that I can’t seem to make a long-term connection.

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 done a couple book fairs at libraries, but that’s about it. But with the advent of Zoom and the like, I also do a lot of talks to school children around the world about writing and about my books. I think my record is a high school in South Africa. Those are a lot of fun, and maybe are a way that local authors could reach out to schools and groups in the more remote parts of Idaho, or even the not-remote parts. It’s easy, and takes very little prep and no travel time.

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 Jotham series is world-wide, and that is certainly the bulk of my sales. But my self-published series (Mike Danford Adventure Series) also gets strong sales in Canda, the UK, Australia, and parts of Europe. By far, though, the biggest percentage of sales come from the U.S.

I have no way of knowing for sure, but just from the emails and comments we get, I believe I have a pretty big footprint in the HomeSchool market.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
Well, since Doerr lives and writes from here (or at least did) I’m guessing the challenges are minimal😊 I’ve been writing for forty years, and I would say that, in the past, location did actually have an impact on success. But with the internet, that has completely changed – as I said, I spoke face-to-face(ish) to high schoolers in South Africa. In the last few months I’ve taken many online meetings with publishers and movie producers, including a publisher in London. No one cared where I was. And if they want a face-to-face meeting – which is always nice and usually preferred – we can always make that happen. In January a group of three producers came to meet with us, and we actually met in a meeting room at the Nampa Library. So we seem to always work it out.

Certainly we don’t have the direct access to in-person events that we might have in large cities, but that’s about the only drawback I can see. My wife and I often meet with fans at a local Starbucks when asked, but by far these days the most contacts are through Zoom and other social media.

In fact, when New Line was all gung-ho to make Jotham, we scouted the entire south end of Idaho and mapped out shooting locations.

My Danford series is set in a fictional small town on the ocean, but much of the inspiration for that town comes from right here in Idaho. My protags are seventeen and smart, but they also have small-town ethics, and a sense of right and wrong. All of that came from right here. They do not, however, talk a lot about potatoes😊

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?
Oddly enough, I’d have to say anything Zane Grey. Though the writing style is antiquated, the stories certainly are not. I read to my wife every night – an eclectic collection of most anything – and a while back we tried a Zane novel. It reminded us both of Idaho!
I’m not sure how odd that is–makes perfect sense to me.

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it! (I sure did)

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Sarah Hill

By HCNewton

On June 18, 2024

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

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When I met Sarah Hill, I told her that I’d probably never read her stuff–I’m not her audience, and she probably wouldn’t appreciate the 2 Stars that I’d probably give her book. We still had a nice conversation, thankfully—and she was kind enough to take part in this. If you read her first answer and say, “I like books that can be described that way,” I encourage you to check out her stuff. You’d be paying a very nice person money when you buy her books.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Hello! My name is Sarah Hill and I am the author of five heart-warming, small-town romances set in Idaho. I started out as a fade to black only, but after seeing that intimacy on the page can be beautiful and doesn’t mean erotica, I opened those doors in my last two books. All are available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, with my first two, Call of the Blue Heron & Hanging Stars on Big Willow Creek being on audio as well. You can find all my books via this link – https://linktr.ee/SarahRylie7

Are you a native Idahoan? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I am not a true native. My parents moved here when I was almost two. I’ve been here over forty years, so I do consider myself all Idahoan because it’s the only life I remember having. I love Idaho, it’s four seasons, especially fall, and all it has to offer. Idaho is home and I don’t see myself ever leaving.

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 have met several local authors and exchanged knowledge and experiences with them. I consider many of them friends! Though I don’t “belong” to one group in particular I do have an author tribe of women who I love getting together with whenever possible. It is filled with three from Idaho and five from Utah and they are the heart of my writing. We’ve done a retreat together and learned so much from one another. I do believe it is SO important to have close friendships with other authors. And I love having camaraderie with other authors. So much so I went to my local library and helped set up the Middleton Public Libraries Author Palooza, which is filled with so many local authors!

I tried to make it to that event—it looked nice. Tell us a little about it (or is it them, there were a couple of them, right?) Will there be another one?
There were two last year. One in May and one in October. We tested two different times to see what worked best and found October to be the winner. There will be more in coming years in October! And it was so much fun with all the authors and so many activities for the kids. We also had food trucks and coffee. I’m so proud to be a part of it.
I’ll keep an eye out in October!

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 have been to a few library events in Middleton, Nampa and Ontario. I’ve gone to the Boy’s & Girls Club, attended a private event at an author’s parent’s home and done a signing at Barnes & Noble. I’ve also traveled out of Idaho to the Tremonton Library Summer Kickoff in Utah. It was my very first event and where I got to meet many of my tribe! I plan to attend it every year!

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 do have a good local support system, but I think a majority of my readers are from all over the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. The first time someone across the pond read and reviewed my book I was floored! But so thankful!

Do you do anything in particular in terms of marketing to reach out beyond the local area? I’m curious about how people get the word out.
I get it out to greater areas using Instagram and talking to bookstagrammers, helping me reach far beyond Idaho. I also run Amazon Ads every so often and maybe once or twice a month post on TikTok.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
Both, but not just for authors in the Treasure Valley. I think being an indie author anywhere is challenging because the majority of readers hear “indie” and think “not a real author”. And I get it, I do, but there are so many indie authors who deserve the accolades that those in big publishing houses get and many missout on their talent simply because they are independently published. To those who are scared of the word “indie” give us a chance, there really is some outstanding talent among us! But it can – also be rewarding to be an indie in a smaller community like the ever-growing Treasure Valley because many of our libraries, book stores and other events embrace and welcome us.

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?
All five of mine! But outside of mine the first that comes to mind is The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. It’s not set in Idaho but the small-town feel is there, the beautiful wooded areas, the lakes, the simplicity and a strong sense of pride for our military, which I feel many Idahoans have, is encased within those pages. It isn’t for the faint of heart though because it WILL make you cry. It will gut you and shred your heart, but it will make you FEEL like no other book has. It’s a book I will never forget.

I love how when we recommend books, we think it’s positive to say “it will gut you and shred your heart.” (and, yes, I did go look at this book on Goodreads as soon as I read this sentence…because something that effective deserves at least a glance…).

Thanks for your time and participation in this—hope you enjoyed it!

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Christi Nogle

By HCNewton

On June 11, 2024

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

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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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