News

I'm very happy 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 "The Great Tornado of 1925." It's a talk that has grown out of my research for the fifth and final Daybreak novel, which will be coming out in 2026 (more about that later!) Here's a link to the Speakers Bureau webpage about my presentation. E-mail me if you're interested! Next up: Viburnum Branch of the Ozark Regional Library, 6 p.m., Thursday, October 9 Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center, 6 p.m., Wednesday, November 5..

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.

Land of Joys has been named a semifinalist in the Society of Midwest Authors annual contest, in the Adult Fiction category. I'm delighted by this honor! Books that are "historical" often get overlooked in the general excellent categories. Here's a link to the announcement.

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 is now out. 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.