Now that the three November 2022 book signings have been determined, I wanted to share that information with you directly for your reference.

Saturday, November 5 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Reader's World in Sedalia, MO.

The address is here or 1400 South Limit Avenue, Suite 70, Sedalia, MO 65301. The phone number is (660) 827-0940.

Saturday, November 12 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Trails Regional Library - Warrensburg Branch. 

The address is here or 432 N Holden, Warrensburg, MO 64093. The phone number (660) 747-9177

Saturday, November 19 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Reader's World in Sedalia, MO.
The address is here or 1400 South Limit Avenue, Suite 70, Sedalia, MO 65301. The phone number is (660) 827-0940.

This collection was a labor of love for 14 members of the Writers of Warrensburg. We are excited to share this collection with you!

More information about the group can be found here.
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Several members have their own newsletter that you can subscribe to, and some even offer free books, etc., if you sign up for their newsletter. 

Hawthorn Creek. Charming town. Friendly people. But everyone has a secret.

Hawthorn Creek, Missouri is like many other small towns in the Midwest. The citizens are mostly friendly. Everyone knows each other. Gossip is exchanged at the usual gathering places. A local festival is a highlight of the year. However, upon closer examination, this little town has more than its share of secrets.

A police chief strives to regain his honor. An elderly man overcomes his hatred of a neighborhood cat. A visiting TV production crew provokes vicious quarrels. An aging couple come to grips with their fading mental prowess. The only stoplight in town malfunctions, triggering unexpected chaos.
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A delightful collection of short stories, each as unique as its author. Some are touching and sweet. Some are filled with otherworldly surprises. Some involve treachery and danger. But all of them take place in Hawthorn Creek, a small town just like any other. Or is it?

​If you are interested in reading the anthology, you have three options: 
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1. You can find the anthology at this link.
2. Or at my online store at this link. I will have signed softcovers in the near future, so please check back soon. 
3. Visit one or more of the authors at one of the upcoming book signings. You may be able to get all 14 authors to sign your book, depending on attendance. The November 12 signing will likely be your best opportunity!

“Life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future.” – Seneca

The end of summer 2022 offered a flurry of activity…my daughter’s two homecoming celebrations – one in Lee’s Summit and the other in Warrensburg…finishing up a short story for an upcoming anthology for Writers of Warrensburg…and keeping up on life.

Book Two is moving along at a good pace, but in late July, I dove head-first into the short story. It is written in a different genre from what I traditionally focus, but horror has always been a pursuit of mine. Between Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, and Edgar Allen Poe, I have always been fascinated by how humans handle fear. There are too many other authors to list here, but horror authors have terrified readers for centuries. Horror can serve as a cautionary tale, or it can serve as a way in which to learn how to contend with something which may evoke fear in a person.

If horror isn’t something you enjoy or normally read, that’s okay, too. The Writers of Warrensburg anthology will reach a wide audience – there are numerous genres offered in the collection…suspense, adventure, comedy, and so much more.

Writing highlights

• I continued making progress on the first draft of The Blighter’s Shadow.
  
  • Final chapters are being written and editing has begun.
    
  • A late-winter 2023 publication is planned.
• Writers of Warrensburg is finishing work on a short story anthology. Sixteen of the group’s authors have provided a story for inclusion in the collection. The anthology is scheduled to be out in late October.
• I completed an interview about the anthology, writing, and my inspirations. Once the interview is ready, I’ll send out a follow-up update for your convenience.

Inspiration: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

The WPA is an organization quickly fading from the public’s awareness. In essence, it was vital to the United States during the recovery from the Great Depression. The WPA offered jobs to folks who had been unemployed, while also benefitting communities.
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The WPA’s workers created public works in many communities throughout the nation. Their work was not a temporary solution, as several long-range goals were implemented. Much of their work still stands today for visitors and customers to behold. For example, many state parks throughout the United States are a product of the WPA. Murals in older post offices are likely a product of a WPA artist.

The WPA is an inspiration to me, as it elevated society to a higher tier of effectiveness and general camaraderie. The leaders looked forward, not just to the next few years, but to the far future. The WPA pulled citizens out of unemployment to help benefit their communities, while also giving money toward their family’s survival. It also illustrated that government can pull together society during the toughest times to seek out options for effectiveness and compassion.

Perhaps we can even witness positive and effective echoes of the WPA in modern politics and leadership.
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Challenge for October:
Take a few moments to visit a place that inspires you. A forest you've not seen in a while (especially as the leaves change color). A favorite bookstore. A beloved book that will transport you to another time and place.