Local Authors Event April 30

The second annual national Independent Bookstore Day is coming April 30! At Chapters, we're joining 420 other bookstores across the nation to celebrate and thank our customers for supporting us, keeping independent bookstores viable and thriving. We wouldn't be here without you, our loyal customers, and Independent Bookstore Day is a way for us to offer special merchandise, sales and events to show our appreciation of our communities.

Chapters will celebrate by hosting more than fifteen area authors for a signing event. The morning will feature authors of children's and young adult books from 11:00 a.m.-noon. The afternoon session from 1:00-2:00 p.m. will feature authors of books for adults.

Confirmed authors for the morning include: Charlotte Endorf, Rebecca Gomez, Nichole Hansen, Nona Morrison, N. L. Sharp, R. K. Vetter, and Karla Wendelin.

Confirmed authors for the afternoon include:  Bobbi and Rod Adams, Lucy Adkins, Michael Curd, Brian Hale, Bonnie Lacy, Mark Langan, Bud Phelps, James Reisdorff, and William Spradley.
 
I'm posting brief biographies of each of the authors below. For more information, visit their individual blogs or websites or stop by the store and see the books in real life!

 

Bobbi and Rod Adams live in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Bobbi teaches kindergarten and Rod is a computer programmer and a photographer. Their book My World Volume 1 is intended to be an invitation to spark memories and conversations when a loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s. My World Volume 1 can be a vehicle to past memories and bring pure joy, without any expectation to remember. They will be signing at Chapters from 1-2:00 p.m.

Lucy Adkins (with Becky Breed) is the author of Writing in Community, a guide for writers' groups. Her poetry has been published in various anthologies, journals, and magazines. Her chapbook, One Life Shining: Addie Finch, Farmwife, was published in 2007 by Pudding House Press. She also co-writes a blog of encouragement and inspiration for writers which can be found at www.writeincommunity.com. Lucy has conducted workshops and has worked with writing groups for many years. She grew up in rural Nebraska and now lives and writes in Lincoln. She will be signing from 1-2:00 p.m.

Michael Curd, formerly a pastor in Milford, returns to Chapters to sign his book Through the Valley, a fictionalized account of a hospital chaplain in a major trauma center. Mike is a great supporter of Chapters and our events, and we're looking forward to his return visit from 1-2:00 p.m.

Charlotte Endorf, a lifelong Nebraskan, specializes in speaking to elementary schools, women's groups, museums, town festivals, senior centers, and libraries, bringing the characters in her books to life through her presentations. Charlotte and her daughter Sarah have published ten books. She has also developed three documentaries and a CD with an Orphan Train rider. She will be signing her new book Always on Target: Adventurous Annie Oakley from 11 a.m.-noon.

Rebecca Gomez, an Omaha resident, is co-author of What About Moose? and the forthcoming Hensel and Gretel: Ninja Chicks with Corey Rosen Schwartz. She celebrated Read Across America Day in Seward by reading to kindergarteners and first graders at Seward Elementary School, and she returns to town from 11 a.m.-noon to sign books at Chapters.

Brian Hale, a Colorado native, was injured in a chain saw accident as a youth. After hearing for years how lucky he was to survive the accident, he wrote Are You Lucky? in an attempt to understand and clarify what luck is and how it works in our lives. He'll return to Chapters from 1-2:00 p.m.

Nichole Hansen and her husband Tevin own Handersen Publishing, an independent publisher of books for children and young adults, and edit the YA literary magazine Stinkwaves. Together and independently, they write for children, blog, and raise their kids in Lincoln. Nichole will be at Chapters to sign from 11 a.m.-noon.

Bonnie Lacy of Osceola, Nebraska, is the author of six novels, a nonfiction book, devotionals, several children's books, and many short stories. She blogs about writing and life at www.bonnielacy.com. She will sign her recently published novel Released at Chapters from 1-2:00 p.m.

Mark Langan, a retired Omaha police officer from the burglary, vice and narcotics units, drew on his work experience to write Busting Bad Guys, true crime stories from the seamier side of Omaha. He'll be sharing stories and signing his book from 1-2:00 p.m.

Nona Morrison, debut author of The Ghost Juggler for young readers, will be visiting Chapters from 11 a.m.-noon.

R. G. Bud Phelps, a lifelong Nebraskan, lives in Lincoln. After a career in accounting and a stint in the Navy, he now concentrates on writing. His books include historical fiction based on his life's experiences and accounting books. You can meet him at Chapters from 1-2:00 p.m.

James Reisdorff of David City has been to Chapters to share the stories behind his railroad books many times over the years. He and his wife own South Platte Press and publish railroad-related titles, some of which he wrote. He will be signing from 1-2:00 p.m.

N. L. Sharp's first book, Today I'm Going Fishing with my Dad, was published in 1993 and was a Nebraska Golden Sower nominee. In 2003, Sharp created Prairieland Press to publish and market her books. She released Effie's Image in 2005, and it was also a Golden Sower Nominee. The Flower Girl/The Ring Bear: A Flip-Over Book was named a Nebraska Center for the Book award winner for Cover Illustration and Design. Sharp is also the coordinator for the Nebraska Novel Retreats, a series of retreats for middle grade and YA authors, held at the St. Benedict Center in Schuyler. Her first middle grade novel, Keeping Captain, was released in February. She will be at Chapters from 11 a.m.-noon.

William Spradley, though born and raised in Nebraska, has traveled throughout the world as an engineer with McDonnell Douglas. He now lives and writes in Missouri, and his latest work is a collection of short stories titled Cold Trail. Meet him at Chapters from 1-2:00 p.m.

Rosalie (R. K.) Vetter grew up on a farm in Iowa and began her education in a one-room school house. After serving 20 years in Nebraska elementary school classrooms, she lives in Lincoln with her helpful hardware-man husband. Currently, this storytime lady, better known to preschoolers as Library Kay, blogs at www.rkvetter.wordpress.com. She will make her debut appearance at Chapters from 11 a.m.-noon.

Karla Wendelin is a former elementary school teacher; university professor of reading, language arts, children's literature, and library media; and elementary school librarian. She served as a consultant for the PBS program "Reading Rainbow" and author of the teacher's guide and math guide for the series. Class Pictures is her first book for young people. You can meet her at Chapters from 11 a.m.-noon.

I hope to see you Saturday, April 30! 


On another exciting note. . . 

We will host a book release party for Ted Kooser's new picture book,  The Bell in the Bridge on Saturday, May 7 at Chapters. Time TBD.

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I've posted anything here, but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy at Chapters. I should have posted photos from our fall and Christmas events and our signing with Jan Brett at Concordia in December--they're on Facebook if you want to see them. I'll try to do better about posting them here, too.

2016 is off to a great start. We hosted a book fair at Immanuel Lutheran School in Columbus this month, and the school earned more than $450 for their library. Our writers' group continues to meet the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you're interested in joining us, everyone is welcome.

Next week, we're looking forward to a busy week as we kick off our special events for the year. Monday night, February 29, Rachel Pozehl of Two Dog Pond will join us for a Zentangle workshop. Registration is closed as the session is full, but we'll offer another in March, so don't despair. Rachel says zentangling is easy. I'm not so sure. I'll let you know after the workshop!

Next week is also Read Across America Day and a celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday. Highlights of our week will include a storytime and signing with author Rebecca Gomez at Seward Elementary School on Wednesday, March 2, and birthday cake at Chapters on Saturday, March 5. To pre-purchase a book for Rebecca to sign, contact Chapters by March 1. An Omaha resident, Rebecca is the co-author with Corey Rosen Schwartz of What About Moose? Illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi, it's a fun, rhyming picture book with a gentle lesson about teamwork. Rebecca's May release with Corey Rosen Schwartz and illustrator Dan Santat, Hensel and Gretel: Ninja Chicks, is an action-packed fractured version of the traditional story that's anything but traditional.

In April, we'll participate in the second annual Independent Bookstore Day, again hosting a day of local authors and special merchandise available only on that day. So far, eleven authors are on the schedule. Many are returning to Chapters for repeat visits, but a few are new to us, so you won't want to miss this opportunity to meet them and purchase signed books. More details, a list of participants, and author biographies will be coming soon. For now, put Saturday, April 30 on your calendar.

Add Saturday, May 7, to your calendar, too! That's when we'll host Ted Kooser in a release party for his new picture book, The Bell in the Bridge. Look for this to be a unique event. We visited a "house held up by trees" for his last picture book's release. This time, we're hoping to head to a steel bridge like the one in the book. The book is a sweet story about a lonely boy who finds a way to entertain himself while visiting his busy grandparents. You'll never look at a bridge the same again after reading it.

Twenty-five Authors to Sign at Chapters November 21

Note: I've updated the author information below to include newly added author John Kalkowski, who will be signing at Chapters from 1:00-2:00 Saturday, November 21.

The holiday season is fast approaching. Thanksgiving is only about two weeks away, and Christmas just a month after that. During this busy season, independent businesses such as Chapters celebrate Small Business Saturday as a time to thank all of our loyal customers, the people who recognize the value of local retailers in keeping their communities strong, vibrant places with much to offer residents and visitors. We appreciate your business year-round, and on Small Business Saturday, November 21 and 28, we're planning many special promotions and events as a way to both showcase what Seward has to offer and to thank our customers for shopping locally.

At Chapters, we're celebrating on Saturday, November 21, with a Local Authors Extravaganza from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. We'll have authors signing at the store all day, most of them from Nebraska or with Nebraska connections. Some big names will be here--Ted Kooser, Stephanie Grace Whitson, Alex Kava--and some who live right here in Seward, including Robert Bimler and Jeanne Wiemer. Some of our featured authors have been to Chapters before for signings or other events. Others we're hosting for the first time. Some write for children and young adults (Lydia Kang, Tonya Kuper, Toni Morehouse, Nancy Sharp Wagner, Tevin and Nichole Hansen). The others write in a variety of genre, including memoir, poetry, short stories, historical fiction, romance, and other forms, for adults. They include Angela Hiskett, Mark Langan, Connie Spittler, Gary Jones, Bill Spradley, Jim Reisdorff, Shawn Farritor, Gina Barlean, Mike Curd, Annette Snyder, Brian Hale, Sharon Raimondo, Bud Phelps, and Scott McPherson.

Read more about these authors below, or visit their individual websites for more information on them and their books. If you can't make it on November 21, stop by the store and browse our Local Authors Section, purchase a book, and leave it to be signed. And thanks again for shopping locally!

Gina Barlean of David City, Nebraska, has published six books under the name G. M. Barlean, including her newest, Thorns of Rosewood, the story of a woman’s search for her birth mother about whom she knows little except that she was accused of murder many years earlier. A member of the Nebraska Writers Guild, Gina will be signing from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Robert Bimler is a Seward resident, author of humorous books such as Do Vegetarians Eat Animal Crackers? He also has t-shirts made from sayings in his books. Join him for an hour and ask him your own silly questions from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  

Michael Curd, formerly a pastor in Milford, returns to Chapters to sign his book Through the Valley, a fictionalized account of a hospital chaplain in a major trauma center. Mike's a great supporter of Chapters, and we're looking forward to his return visit. He’ll be here from 11:00 a.m.-noon.

Shawn Farritor, author of novels about Native Americans in Nebraska territory before the Civil War, is also making a return trip to Chapters. He grew up in Ravenna, Nebraska, and now lives in Grand Island, where he works as a lawyer and author. His newest book is The Pawnee War, and he’ll be here from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Brian Hale, a Colorado native, was injured in a chain saw accident as a youth. After hearing for years how lucky he was to survive the accident, he has written Are You Lucky? in an attempt to understand and clarify what luck is and how it works in our lives. He’ll be returning to Chapters from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Nichole and Tevin Hansen own Handersen Publishing, an independent publisher of books for children and young adults and edit the YA literary magazine Stinkwaves. Together and independently, they write for children, blog, and raise their children in Idaho. They will be at Chapters—though they’re not strictly local—signing from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Angela Hiskett of Beatrice, Nebraska, has written Our Legacy, a Bible study guide for families for studying the Gospels together. She will be available to talk about her book and sign copies from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Gary Jones’s novel, Doc’s Codicil, is the story of a veterinarian teaching his heirs a lesson from the grave. In order to claim their inheritance, they must work together to solve the mysterious puzzle he leaves for them. Jones lives in Omaha and will be signing with us from noon-1:00 p.m.

John Kalkowski, an Omaha author and middle school teacher, is the author of Red Cell and its brand new sequel The Betrayal, about a teenager with a secret life as the government's youngest intelligence operative who helps prevent terrorist attacks, including one at a Husker football game--a timely topic given recent events around the world. Meet him from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Lydia Kang, an Omaha physician and author, has written Control and Catalyst for young adults and those who enjoy YA literature. Set in a futuristic society in what now is known as Nebraska and Iowa, her books combine medical science fiction, romance, and mystery and are thrilling reads for fans of The Hunger Games and other dystopian novels. She's also an incredibly nice person and happy to share her thoughts on ways to incorporate writing into a busy schedule. She’ll be at Chapters from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Alex Kava, originally of Silver Creek, Nebraska, now lives in Omaha and Pensacola, Florida. Her Maggie O'Dell books and other thrillers have been published in over thirty countries and have been on bestseller lists in the UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Poland as well as the US. Stranded was a Nebraska Book Award recipient. Silent Creed is the second book in her new series featuring Ryder Creed. Alex will be signing from 11:00 a.m.-noon.

Ted Kooser needs little introduction. He'll be signing his two latest books, Splitting an Order, a poetry collection, and The Wheeling Year, a collection of very short prose which will receive a Nebraska Book Award on November 15. Ted will be signing his books from noon-1:00 p.m.

Tonya Kuper, a YA writer from Omaha, will visit Chapters to promote her book, Anomaly, the story of a girl who can bend reality with her thoughts. Her next book comes out in early 2016. Tonya has an interesting publication story and is a good resource if you’re looking for answers to questions about navigating the publishing process. Meet Tonya from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Mark Langan, a retired Omaha police officer from the burglary, vice and narcotics units, drew on his work experience to write Busting Bad Guys, true crime stories from the seamier side of life in Omaha. He’ll be sharing stories and signing his book from 11:00 a.m.-noon.

Scott McPherson is a Lincoln, Nebraska, physician and author of a series of mystery/thrillers about a doctor named Jack Sharp, who finds danger and romance in such diverse settings as the Congo and an urban bike path. He’ll be signing from 2:00-3:00 p.m. He and Lydia may have to share stories about dual careers in medicine and writing.

Toni Morehouse, a speech-language pathologist from Lincoln, Nebraska, has written Junie's Unicorn Horn, a picture book of a unicorn's troubles on her first day of school. Happily, in the end, Junie's horn saves the day. Even more happily, you can meet Toni from 11:00 a.m.-noon.

R. G. Bud Phelps, a life-long Nebraskan, lives in Lincoln. After a career in accounting and a stint in the navy, he now concentrates on writing. His books include historical fiction, based on his life’s experiences, and accounting books. You can meet him at Chapters from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Sharon Raimondo grew up listening to stories of the Dust Bowl years and based her debut novel Big Sky, on those accounts of life in the Nebraska Sand Hills during the 1930s. She She currently lives in Columbus and is working on the sequel, and she will be signing at Chapters from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

James Reisdorff of David City has been to Chapters many times to share the stories behind his railroad books. Reisdorff and his wife own South Platte Press and publish many railroad-related titles, some of which he also wrote. He will be signing from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

N. L. Sharp, of Fremont, is a retired teacher and avid writer and organizer of workshops and resources for writers. She writes children’s picture books, including The Flower Girl-The Ring Bear: A Flip Book. Meet her from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

 

Annette Snyder is a prolific writer of historical and contemporary romance novels and lives in Brainard. Her newest book is Arpetta Honor, and you can meet her from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

 

Connie Spittler’s novel, The Erotic Book Club for Nice Ladies will grab your attention with its title! It’s actually a cozy mystery about women’s friendships and books by Emily Dickinson and Jane Austen. You can meet her and find out more from 11:00 a.m.-noon.

William Spradley, though born and raised in Nebraska, has traveled throughout the world as an engineer with McDonnell Douglas. He now lives and writes in Missouri, and his latest work is a collection of short stories titled Cold Trail. Meet him from noon-1:00 p.m.

Stephanie Grace Whitson, of Lincoln, writes thoroughly researched historical fiction with a Christian touch. Her newest book, a collaboration with Judith McCoy Miller and Nancy Moser, Basket Brigade Christmas, is set in Decatur, Illinois, during the American Civil War. I enjoy Whitson's strong female characters and always learn something of the time period in which she sets her books. Stephanie will sign from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Jeanne Wiemer is a Seward resident and owner of The Red Path Gallery. She is an artist as well as a writer. Her book, My Pleiadian Brother, introduces readers to Pleiadian Theory through the story of Jason, a Pleiadian child with human parents. You can meet her and learn more about this from 10:00-11:00 a.m.