I love libraries. When I was a student at the University of Illinois years ago, I worked at the library to help support myself through school. I remember pushing my shelving cart through the crowded aisles and wishing I could have a book in a library someday. I'm so thankful that dream has come true. Recently, I went to a new-to-me library with fellow writers Gail Helgeson, Stacy Monson, … [Read more...]

Five days, ten stops, and one close call. From June 23rd to June 27th, I had the privilege of assisting Julie Klassen on her book tour in northern Minnesota. We visited Kitchigami Regional Libraries in Longville, Pine River, Brainerd, Park Rapids, Blackduck, Bemidji, Walker, Pequot Lakes, and Wadena (and Bethany Book & Gift in Baxter). Julie presented at each library about her book The … [Read more...]

While vacationing in the Florida Keys recently, my family and I visited the Key West home of Ernest Hemingway, one of the most famous and influential American writers of our time. He received the Nobel Prize for literature and won a Pulitzer Prize. He wrote The Sun Also Rises at age 27, followed shortly by A Farewell to Arms. As my younger brother and I toured his former house, we teased each … [Read more...]