Blog Archives

Intern - Kelly Sullivan

1/27/2023

In the Fall of 2022, Kansas Authors Club was aided by Kelly Sullivan, an Intern from Emporia State University. Kelly took care of several behind-the-scenes tasks for the organization, including the layout and design (also cover design) of the 2022 Youth Awards Book.

A belated thank you to Kelly for her assistance.

Enjoy this slideshow of fun KAC history facts, one of Kelly's many creations.

Member Published in Night Forest: Folk Poetry & Story anthology by Flying Ketchup Press

1/27/2023

Julie Ann Baker Brin is thrilled to have three pieces published in the Flying Ketchup Press Night Forest: Folk Poetry & Story anthology, launched January 21, 2023 after a long wait (submitted in February, 2020 and accepted in April, 2020 … take a wild guess at what caused the publication delay)! Excerpts and purchasing info are in the “lament” section of Julie's portfolio site (link below). For lack of a better category—they were actually submitted for a “love” theme call for entries, but fall lopsidedly toward the unrequited and/or imperfect side of that topic.

Excerpts at JulieBrin.org

Visit Flying Ketchup Press for More Info

Julie is a member from Park City.

If you have news of writing events that would be of interest to all Kansas Authors Club members, or if you are a member (dues current) who would like to announce an achievement, please submit your news via this form.

Book News from Iris Craver

1/20/2023

My latest book titled "Do Lizards Have Lips? And Other Tall Tales From Toronto, Kansas" is in publication with Ice Cube Press. Early orders are available through the publisher's website at:

Order from Ice Cube Press

Based loosely, or tightly (who knows for sure) on some real truths about life in and around the small town of Toronto, Kansas. These Lizard Lips stories will leave you smacking your own lips and wanting more–sweet romances and spicy adventures. You will learn about the importance of chocolate and what to do with old cans of Spam. There are local recipes for serving up a good time and Rumpledethumps. Why there’s even a remedy for using cow dung mixed with molasses for curing headaches! You might discover where to find lunch for $1, the tallest stack of pancakes, and dinner-plate-sized cinnamon rolls. And, of course, a whole menu of characters likely to show up on a Sunday afternoon at the Lizard Lips Gas Station Deli and Bait shop in Toronto, Kansas. Pick up a copy of this book and head on over to your nearest lake and discover some tall tales.

“In a casual, down-home, winking voice, Iris Craver spins her tall tales in Do Lizards Have Lips? Toronto, Kansas, a real place, is made more genuine and true for the tales told here, stories of character and characters, of missed chances, and odd romances. Craver preserves place and people by presenting fictions.”
--Thomas Fox Averill, Professor Emeritus, Washburn University, author, Found Documents from the Life of Nell Johnson Doerr

“Pack your bags and head to tiny Toronto (Kansas) in this rambunctious romp that mixes fact and fiction and a sense of old-time Kansas in the 21st century! Nonsense and common sense combine (or maybe collide?) Do Lizards Have Lips? offers up a thoroughly enjoyable read. Iris Craver’s true and maybe-not-so-true characters will stay in your imagination long after you put this book down.”
--Priscilla Howe, storyteller, author, Clever, Kind, Tricky and Sly

“Iris Craver’s fascinating collection of local folktales brings together vivid vignettes, tender humor, and lively portraits of small-town life with plenty of memorable and quirky characters. All circling around Toronto, Kansas, these tales will delight, surprise, and move readers while making visible the magic and promise of a place somewhat off the map. These stories, which make the mythical visible and sometimes whimsical, is also an homage to the enduring power of making art, making friends, and making community.”
--Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, author, The Sky Begins At Your Feet

Iris Craver grew up in a family of storytellers. As she says, “Well, some people would call us liars. The bigger the exaggeration, the better!”

Something New is Coming!

1/19/2023

We have some exciting news to share with all Kansas Authors Club members. However, we aren't quite ready to divulge the information yet. However, now that we have your attention (and your curiosity), watch the website and the Facebook page for the coming announcement!

Welcome New Member Linda Cook

1/18/2023

Today we have the pleasure of welcoming Linda Cook of Manhattan to D-4 and the Kansas Authors Club.

Hello, my name is Linda Cook and I recently retired from a 45-year career in the communications and public affairs profession.

I’m a native Kansan, a Kansas State University Wildcat with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Beaver with a master’s in business administration. I spent most of my career at General Motors in Detroit, MI., where I oversaw communications and public affairs.

About 10 years ago, I returned to Kansas to be closer to family and cap off my career as chief of staff and director of community relations at K-State.

My early writing career included reporting for a weekly newspaper, writing articles for local magazines and creating advertising copy. As my career advanced, my writing included executive speeches, news releases, newsletters, brochures, video scripts and web content.

I look forward to engaging in the many opportunities offered through the Kansas Authors Club and focusing my future writing on fiction and nonfiction, including short stories and a book or two.
Welcome, Linda!

Join us for our first program of 2023!

1/16/2023

Saturday, January 21, 2023
1:30 pm (CST)

(Join at 1:15 if you want a review of Zoom tools and processes.)

Presenter: Paul Epp

Marketing for Authors

Paul Epp

This workshop will break down the sometimes-daunting task of marketing into a series of focused steps that will enable an author to create and execute a marketing plan that is tailored to the author’s needs and abilities. Core pieces of the presentation include finding an audience, creating content about your content, and setting up your process. The presentation will include tips and tricks for marketing, including information about digital and social media marketing.

Here are some things to know about this first program being offered for members of Kansas Authors Club across the state.

You may opt to join your district members at a monthly meeting location to watch this presentation as a part of the gathering. Watch for notices from your district president for details on location.
You are also invited to tune in from home. No matter where you are in the state of Kansas (or beyond), you can join us via zoom to watch and participate in the live Q&A at the end of this program.
The program will be recorded and available for one month to members who can not attend on the January 21 date. The Zoom link and recording will always be available at this page. (You must have member access to sign into this page. Request access today if you do not already have it.)

Questions? Please feel free to join the zoom meeting early. At 1:15 we will provide some basic “how to” instructions for using Zoom meeting tools and for the breakout rooms which will be used by some districts after the presentation. Watch for instructions from your president.

The ZOOM link for this presentation was emailed to all current members on Friday, January 13.

2023 Program Schedule

Remembering Doris Schroeder

1/14/2023

Doris Schroeder 1933 - 2022

From Don Pady's History of Kansas Authors Club:
When Doris joined KAC in 1983, she was a member of District Seven until 1989 when the districts were reorganized, and she found that she was now a member of District Six. In 1996 she was elected secretary of her district for two years, and in 2000 she was elected district president for two years. That same year she took the office of state recording secretary, and in 2002 she assumed the duties of state vice-president for two years. During that time, Doris also took the office of state recording secretary, then assumed the duties of state vice-president for two years. She then served KAC’s 62nd state president (2004 to 2006).

Doris remained on the board as parliamentarian from 2008-2016. It is quite possible that Doris installed more state officers into office than any other member of Kansas Authors Club.

In 2012 Doris received a Service Award of Merit from the Club for "loyal and enthusiastic support of the organization," also saying that she was "instrumental in the Centennial Celebration of KAC." The centennial book that was published while Doris was president included poetry and prose entries from members of the club and was distributed to all members for free.

Doris wrote columns about "the good 'ole days" for the Hutchinson News and "I Remember" columns for the Rural Messenger.

Obituary

2010: Doris Schroeder (far right) installs new officers at the Lawrence convention. Also pictured (from left) Joann Williams, Don Pady, Tracy Million Simmons, William Karnowski, Maryann Barry, Carol Yoho, Anne Shiever, Reaona Hemmingway, Annette Wood, and Kristine Polansky.

Doris receiving an award in the inspiration category of the KAC Annual contests, with Nancy Julien Kopp and Evie Green. 2010.

Doris at the 2011 Convention in Coffeyville.

Writers give life flavor
by Doris Schroeder
Entry to the 2014 KAC Yearbook

The Kansas Authors Club is one of the oldest writing groups in the U.S. and possibly the world. It began in 1904, and life was very different from what it is today. To read somebody’s writing was one of the few things that could be done for entertainment.

On the 100th anniversary of the Kansas Authors Club in 2004, we enjoyed a play put on by the Topeka writers, showing the quiet determination of the members. Opportunities were not as abundant in the beginning of the twentieth century as they are today. Can you imagine having to write with a scratch pen that had to be dipped in an inkwell? Could you do your writing by the light of a dim kerosene lamp while you were wearing glasses without progressive lenses? While you were writing, you would occasionally stop to add coal or wood to the fire. You had to write out each copy. If you wanted more than one, you used a sheet of carbon paper.

In the time frame of the beginning of our organization life was tough in the physical sense. We had such illustrious members as Margaret Hill McCarter, the first woman to address a Republican National Convention. Another famous writer was William Allen White, the well-known newspaper editor from the Emporia Gazette. Who hasn’t heard of Arthur Capper, a two term governor of Kansas and a five term senator who demonstrated his interest in young people with the establishment of the Capper Foundation for crippled children and many more. They all had a gigantic vision for the writers of Kansas.

As writers, we have it all in 2014. We have modern technology. It is easy to type on computers, send e-mails and texts, getting information by pressing a button, getting information and taking pictures with our smart phones. “But what good is that if we lack purpose?”

When we are born into this world, we have some talents given to us. If we have Christ in our life, we are given spiritual gifts that God would like us to carry on. In other words, we are created for a purpose. The fact that we have the talent of writing certainly must have some significance as to our function.

We may not have all the answers but we can put our own thoughts down to get people to think about the possibilities. We can write stories from our imagination and/or experience to help come up with solutions. We can help people get their thoughts going and perhaps inspire others to get involved. We, as writers, can help flavor the thinking of the people.

Making the world a more interesting place to live the purpose-driven life, the writers in the Kansas Authors Club are definitely the salt of the earth!

Member Nancy Glenn pens second book about former member Irma Wassall

1/13/2023

Irma Wassall was a woman ahead of her time: a poet, musician, dancer, model, actress, and seductress. With her life spanning 103 years (1909-2012), she experienced the spectrum of the 20th century. She herded cattle as a girl in New Mexico, built aircraft in World War II, and held a variety of secretarial jobs - all while writing for national publications and helping build a cultural scene in her longtime home of Wichita, Kansas.

About the Author

Nancy Glenn is the author of a poetry book, Don't Ask Me for the Moon, and a book on her hero and mentor, Kansas poet Irma Wassall, Fierce Ones: The Love and Art of Irma and Fred Wassall, a Unique Couple in the Wrong Place. Nancy was active for many years with the Kansas chapter of the National League of American Pen Women and Kansas Authors Club. She likes to travel and spend time with family. She's working on a full biography of Irma.

Nancy has been a member of Kansas Authors Club since 1993. She was a long-standing leader of District 5.

Buy the Book

Group Enjoys Zoom Open Mic

1/13/2023

Each month on 2nd Tuesdays, District 3 & 4 members have been gathering on ZOOM to share their written work.

You are invited!

The featured reader in February is Duane Johnson (Topeka member and former state president, 2020-21). Duane will be reading poems from his 2022 award-winning chapbook. After the featured reader, attendees are invited to share their own work (prepare for reading 3-4 minute excerpts, please).

Updated: This event has been moved to March
Save the date: Tuesday, March 14, 7pm

Members Nila Jean Spencer (Maryland), Tracy Million Simmons, Kris Polansky, Duane Johnson, Vickie Guillot, James Kenyon, and Nancy Julien Kopp met in January on Zoom for an Open Mic. Districts 3 & 4 began hosting this 2nd Tuesday meeting in 2021. All members of Kansas Authors Club are invited to attend.

January 10 Open Mic - Invitation from District 3/4 of Kansas Authors Club

1/8/2023

You are invited, Tuesday, January 10, at 7:00pm (via Zoom)

District 3 and 4 members invite all KAC members and guests to join our monthly Open Mic (via Zoom). This month our featured reader will be Nila Jean Spencer. Nila, a member since 2020, joins us from Annapolis, Maryland. Nila was born and raised in Marshall County, Kansas. She writes memoir, nonfiction, and enjoys preserving family stories to share with her grandchildren.

How does Open Mic work?
7:00-7:10pm – we check in, sign up to read, greet each other and celebrate victories
7:10-7:30pm – our Featured Reader presents
7:30-7:55 – Readers share in order of sign-up. Plan on 3 minutes. If there is plenty of time, attendees will get a 2nd opportunity to read.

Time: Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

December Publishing News from Duane L. Herrmann

1/7/2023

The Adirondack Center for Writing posted three of my responses to their weekly prompts. Reiter's Block, the personal blog of Jendi Reiter posted a poem of his which he wrote in response to a comment. A review of Zephyrs of the Heart was posted on the Pegasus Literary site – a surprise to Herrmann. A poem of his from an anthology published by Poet's Choice appears in the compilation: PostCards, vol.2. Heron Clan X. An annual anthology of poetry, published his poem, "Feeding Cattle." Herrmann's poem, "Open the Door," is included in the first ever anthology of spiritual themed poems, entitled Offerings, published by Tiferet journal. And, on the very last day of the month, Kansas Public Radio invited him to come to their studios in Lawrence, Kansas, to record readings of several poems on disabilities that he had sent them in response to their call for such poems.

Mark Scheel Published in The Milk House

1/6/2023

Mark Scheel's essay "The Empty Road" appeared on the online publication The Milk House on January 5, 2023. It relates the childhood memory of a farm hand who suffered from alcoholism and is an excerpt from a memoir-in-progress. https://www.themilkhouse.org/the-empty-road-by-mark-scheel/

click image to visit The Milk House website

Call for Submissions

1/5/2023

The Heartland Review Press, a small nonprofit in Kentucky, has an Open Call for submissions for poetry, nonfiction, and fiction until May 1. We accept 5000 words for the fiction and nonfiction, but writer can submit up to 3 poems for this call.

More info: https://www.theheartlandreview.com/the-heartland-review

We also have a Poetry Chapbook contest for writers who wish to send us 30 pages of their best work. More information can be found here: https://www.theheartlandreview.com/chapbooks

All submissions are electronic and the details on our website.

Writing Goals for a New Year

1/2/2023

Have you made any writing-related resolutions for 2023?

Here's a challenge for our members. Share your writing goals with us in the comments section. (Now open for the first time!)

“Dip your pen into your arteries and write.”

― William Allen White

"Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it.

Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window."

― William Faulkner

"The first lesson to be learned by a writer is to be able to say, 'Thanks so much. I’d love to, but I can’t. I’m working.'"

― Edna Ferber

Books by New Member Steve Linder

1/2/2023

Welcome, Steve Linder, to Kansas Authors Club!

Steven Linder lives in Wichita, Kansas and writes novels of western history, adventure, and suspense.

SHATTERED WORLD, a suspense novel available in Kindle and Paperback on Amazon.

ISBN 9798352812 631

LOST CREEK, a western novel available in Kindle and Paperback on Amazon.

ISBN 9798361190584

Visit Steve's Author Page on Amazon