News

I'm delighted to be rejoining the Missouri Speakers Bureau, a joint project of the Missouri Humanities Council and the State Historical Society of Missouri. Libraries and other nonprofit organizations have access to a wide range of speakers on Missouri-related topics. And if they're located in a rural area, defined as any county outside of St. Louis, Jackson, Greene, or Boone, the speakers are free! It's the bargain of the century. My topic this time around is "Missouri's Utopian Communities." Here's a link to the Speakers Bureau webpage about my presentation. E-mail me if you're interested! I have presentations scheduled for Canton on January 31 and Rolla on February 17.

It was a grand occasion for me when Scattered Lights was honored by the Missouri Library Association with its Missouri Author Award for 2022. Libraries hold a special place in my heart, and recognition by the state's librarians is about as good as it gets. Here's a longer rumination on the library award from my blog. And here's a link to my remarks at the association's annuan conference.

I was thrilled to learn that Scattered Lights was named to the shortlist of finalists for the PEN/Faulkner Award! It was such an honor to be among the distinguished company.

The next book in the Daybreak series will be coming out in September 2023. I'm excited beyond words!

The book is entitled LAND OF JOYS, a title that is drawn from the old gospel song "I'll Fly Away.": "Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away to a land where joys will never end."

This book takes place in 1903-1904, and it involves the inhabitants of Daybreak coming into the twentieth century. It's a brave new world, one full of unexpected challenges and opportunities. A new generation is taking over, but the older generation abides. I think people will find it interesting.