Author Extravaganza
Cheryl Unruh
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
A swarm of writers filled the Town Crier Bookstore.
Actually, the small store could not contain them all; some were at sidewalk tables, signing books alfresco.
On June 9, 42 writers showed up for a two-hour Author Extravaganza.
Becky Smith, store manager, had originally considered a pre-Father’s Day book signing with Don Coldsmith. But because this is Emporia’s 150th anniversary, “We thought maybe we should do something a little bigger,” Smith said.
In March, Town Crier sent invitations to authors via the Kansas Center for the Book and the Kansas Authors Club.
“We thought maybe one or two might want to come,” Smith said.
Forty-two writers! Some I had met; others I looked forward to meeting.
Tom Parker is an author that I had known only through the written word. I’ve been envious of the way he puts thoughts together.
I loved his book, “Dispatches from Kansas,” which is also the name of his Internet blog. A devoted birder, much of Parker’s writing describes nature around his Blue Rapids home.
Parker is an animated storyteller. He might talk about his ongoing war with box elder bugs, a brown recluse spider bite on his foot, a bee sting in the eye, and coming face-to-face with a skunk.
“I think they put out a hit on me,” he said of the small creatures.
Sitting next to Parker were Jim Hoy and Don Coldsmith, Emporia authors who have entertained and enlightened us for years with their consistent, fine writing.
Wandering down the line, I looked through “Title Towns: Class BB Boys Basketball Champions of Kansas,” by Steven Farney of McPherson.
“Is Pawnee Rock in here?” I asked.
“Nineteen-sixty-seven,” he said.
My hometown didn’t win in ’67, but it was in the playoffs. Farney mentioned Steve Crosby, a standout athlete for Pawnee Rock, drafted in 1974 by the New York Giants.
“Crosby is now a coach with the...,” I paused, thinking.
“Chargers,” he said. Steven Farney knows his Kansas sports trivia.
I spoke with Lisa Harkrader from Tonganoxie. Her novel has been nominated for the 2008 William Allen White Children’s Book Awards.
Harkrader wrote “Airball: My Life in Briefs,” the story of a non-athletic boy who plays basketball in hopes of meeting the NBA star that he thinks may be his father.
One of the books I purchased was Michael Haddock’s “Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas” because I’ve often used his website to identify plants. Haddock is a professor at Kansas State University.
Mike Everhart of Derby had sharks teeth with him that came from a Cretoxyrhina mantelli.
“These teeth are tough enough to bite through bone,” he said, making me wince.
Everhart wrote “Oceans of Kansas: A Natural History of the Western Interior Sea.” He has been working with National Geographic on his next book — and on an IMAX movie called “Sea Monsters,” due out in October.
Lawrence residents Joe and Suzanne Collins have published numerous books about the world of animals. They’re especially fond of reptiles and amphibians.
Joe Collins, a herpetologist, handed out free copies of their co-written booklet, “A Pocket Guide to Kansas Snakes.” Suzanne Collins was the primary photographer for this publication of 38 snakes.
Alice Bertels proudly showed me her illustrated biography for children called “John Steuart Curry: The Long Road Home.” Like Curry before her, Bertels grew up in Jefferson County.
While teaching art appreciation to her fourth graders, Bertels searched for a children’s book about Curry and found none. So she wrote her own book.
At Town Crier, I had two hours to spend with 42 authors. That just wasn’t enough time. So, bring ‘em back, Becky. Let’s do this again.
“Flyover People” is online at www.flyoverpeople.net.
F Cheryl Unruh can be reached at cheryl@flyoverpeopl.net.