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 *JUST RELEASED* Cheryl Heide's At Leap of Faith Farm is the perfect summer read for people who love horses, animals and rural life. Now available through Anamcara Press.
Be sure to catch Cheryl on KLWN's "Timeline" radio show with Clenece Hills, Monday, August 3rd after the 9 o'clock news. The Mid-America Romance Writers published contest, The Carla: Crown Jewel of Books, closes on August 1, 2026. To be eligible, books must have been published in 2025 and must be romance or have romantic elements.
Stacy Thowe, Women's Contemporary Fiction and Romantasy writer, will be at the Wichita Public Library author's event on Saturday, August 8th. The event will be held from 1-3 p.m. in the Advanced Learning Library. Please stop by and check out some great local Kansas writers. The event is open to the public.  We look forward to hosting Deborah Linn McNemeee for the next state program. Zoom link is available to members via the email newsletter and/or the new membership site. The recording of the July program by Catherine Menefee is now available for viewing by members at this link. (Member sign-on required.) State programs remain online for viewing by members for approximately one month. Take a moment to watch today so that you don't miss it!  Program: Classics Inspired Writing
Presented by Deborah Linn McNemee Reimagining of classics literature is having its day, and why not? The great writers pen the story of humanity. Those stories educate us and inspire us. It’s no wonder readers and writers want to revisit those worlds over and over. This session will explore specific approaches to classics inspired writing for poetry and prose. Come with your favorites in your head and you’ll leave with tools to reimagine, retell, and reintroduce those stories to yourself and to your readers in meaningful and unique ways. Classics inspired writing goes beyond regurgitating characters and plots and encourages writers to grow our own stories from the best parts of classic literature. Deborah Linn McNemee’s poem, “Jem Touches the Wall”, was published in Kansas English and retells an iconic scene from To Kill a Mockingbird. Her young adult novel, Just Daisy: A Gatsby Retelling, explores for a modern audience why women stay in toxic relationships. She does her part to keep classics relevant at her blog, KeepingClassics.com. Writing To Publish Without Selling Your Soul Presented by: Maureen "Micki" Carroll “Writing to Publish Without Selling Your Soul” is an engaging workshop for emerging authors led by a seasoned publisher. The session explores key topics including Hot and Cold Genres, Putting Your Best Foot (and Words) Forward, Writing for Your Reader, and Editing for Appeal—offering practical strategies for navigating the publishing world while staying true to your voice. Participants will take part in a collaborative activity identifying genres and audiences for sample book ideas, followed by a short writing exercise crafting a compelling opening hook or book pitch. Writers will leave with tools to strengthen their work, connect with readers, and approach publication with confidence. Maureen Carroll is a writer, educator, photographer, graphic designer, and all-around cat herder! She founded Anamcara Press LLC to celebrate art and community and loves helping authors bring their stories to life. Her books include A Wyoming Cowboy in Hitler’s Germany, combining WWII correspondence and historic photos, and The Tree Who Walked Through Time, a collaboration with 17 artists. Carroll has also published children’s books, nonfiction articles, and training programs. A longtime Kansas Authors Club leader, she enjoys hiking, gluten-free baking, and studying quantum mechanics. Learn more about Micki
and other convention presenters. Early Bird Savings ends August 31. Members Robert Rebein and Leslie VonHolton will be in Dodge City on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Boot Hill Distillery, 501 West Spruce Street promoting the anthology Kansas Matters: 21st Century Writers on the Sunflower State. The public is invited to this free event. Rebein, a Dodge City native, is also the author of The Last Rancher, recently selected by Kansas Center for the Book and the State Library to represent Kansas in the 2026 Great Reads from Great Places program. The novel follows Leroy and Caroline Wagner, who run the Bar W Ranch near Dodge City. After Leroy is seriously injured, he can no longer work the land. Their three children return home to help save the ranch and rebuild family relationships. The Great Reads from Great Places program highlights one adult and one youth title from each state to celebrate local authors and encourage reading. Visit library.ks.gov/KSGreatReads for more information.
1st Person Autistic: “Own Voice,” “I Voice,” and a Call to Action for Disabled Writers Presented by: Kimberlee Bethany Bonura, PhD, MFA In this session, we will review disability representation in children’s literature. As an autistic person and mom of two autistic people, I will use the lens of autism as the disability through which I can best understand and analyze literary craft, using published examples to demonstrate that “own voice” is necessary for an authentic perspective, particularly for first person protagonists. We will work through writing craft exercises which will support participants in writing from their lived experiences. Our goal as disabled writers is to offer mirrors in which disabled readers can see themselves. Kimberlee Bethany Bonura has a PhD in Educational Psychology from Florida State University and an MFA in Creative Writing – Fiction from UT-El Paso. She is a Contributing Faculty member in the Walden University School of Psychology; a professor for The Great Courses; a yoga teacher (E-RYT), yoga therapist (CYT), and Reiki Master; and a student in the Hamline University MFAC, Writing for Children and Young Adults. She is a late-diagnosed autistic & ADHD person, mom of two AuDHD (Autistic-ADHD) teens, and caregiver for her disabled-veteran mom. Her work lives at the intersection of psychological research and creativity. She writes as self-care and to find self-acceptance, in a world that is not always accepting of difference. You can find her across social media as @kimberleebonura. Learn more about Kimberlee
and other convention presenters. Early Bird Savings ends August 31.  You are invited to join the authors at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2026, for a Book Talk, at Watermark Books & Café, 4701 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218. The event is free, but reservations are requested.
 KAC member Cynthia Mines launched her historical novel HEAVEN IN A WILDFLOWER (Meadowlark Press, 2026) on June 20 during Midsummer's Festival in Lindsborg, the prototype for the Swedish community in the book.
Upcoming author events include a book signing at Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita, from 2-3 p.m. on July 19; Coffee & Kolaches with the author (in honor of the book's Czech character) at Russell Specialty Books & Gifts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 25; and a book signing and art exhibit opening featuring pieces connected to the prototype for the feed and art dealer character in the book, from 2-5 p.m. on Aug. 1 at McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation. More info at cynthiamines.com. The Kansas Authors Club, supporting writers since 1904, announces the finalists for the 2026 Kansas Authors Club Book Awards. Each year the organization recognizes published books in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, Kansas history, poetry, children’s books, and book design. Finalists within each category are selected by a panel of readers made up of members, community members, and book professionals. The finalists from each category are then delivered to judges for the award decisions and announced at the 2026 fall gathering, this year taking place as the 2026 Kansas Writing Convention held at Rock Springs Ranch near Junction City, October 2-4, 2026. J. Donald & Bertha Coffin Memorial Book Award for Fiction – Five Finalists  Resistance! by Gretchen Cassel Eick The National Front Party has just been elected in France and millions of immigrants flee to Europe to escape climate extremes and rising sea levels. As Russia tries to militarily rebuild its former empire, accurate and uncorrupted Artificial Intelligence is the best hope of preventing world war. In the midst of this perfect storm are two young Americans, one a young Black woman studying Artificial Intelligence at the Sorbonne and the other heir to the world’s largest privately owned oil and gas company. The revolutionary changes occurring in France suck them both in. But are they on the same side? A prescient, terrifying, and hopeful story of political intrigue, love, and possibility as the resisters forge their path learning from the past and determined to bring about a better future. (Blue Cedar Press, 2025)  Kate’s Crucible: A Bleeding Kansas Novel, by Elmer Fuller In 1855, pro-slavery and free-state people flock to the Kansas Territory bent on winning the slavery issue for the new state—the conflict dubbed "Bleeding Kansas." Nineteen-year-old Kate Collins leaves family, safety, and a suitor in Boston, convinced God has called her to fight slavery by teaching in the wild territory. Constant problems challenge her, and the schoolroom she crossed the country to lead always seems out of reach. If God truly called her to teach in Kansas, why does he keep closing every door she tries to walk through? Will Kate sacrifice love for her calling, or discover that God can redeem both? (Allegiance Press, 2025)  Lunacy and Acts of God, a novel by Ruth Maus In this page-turning, laugh-out-loud novel, Lunacy and Acts of God is a coming-of-age story set against 1950s real life events in Topeka, Kansas. With plenty of quirky, humorous characters and a compelling murder mystery, the book reflects the impact of family and community on prejudice passed through generations, marginalized peoples, our differences, similarities, and choices. (Flint Hills Publishing, 2025)  The Hoping Well, by Michael Stewart Joshua Macallan knew the space shuttle would explode. That is why he was in Florida in January of 1986. He was trying to save the crew and finally make a difference after so many failures. Like when he tried to save Kennedy in ’63. Joshua was naive and full of hope That was then. Now he is an old man with a past composed of more tragedy than triumph. The FBI watches Joshua’s every move. Even though he currently lives in a Kansas nursing home staring at a blank wall most of the day. When he is not rambling about Victoria, that is, the young woman who had visited him on the farm in 1958 claiming to be from the future. She had done a lot of talking. He had fallen in love. Then Victoria disappeared. Until now. Riots are brewing in New York City over a controversial new technology. He sees Victoria on the news. Still alive and still as young as his memories of her. He needs answers. Joshua will head for the chaos in New York with his 5-year-old granddaughter in tow. Sure, the FBI will be in pursuit. So will his son. But finally, after all these years, Joshua Macallan has hope again. (Independent, 2025)  Saltwood, by Leon Unruh
A former Russian assassin using the alias Nick Deveraux has become a mysterious American hero but is kept under wraps following his spectacular capture. The FBI releases him after two years, right into the hands of the Russian mob. He is coerced to complete his former assignment — kill the Senate’s last moderate conservative, Harriet Gayfeather of Kansas. He finds himself caught between the twin grindstones of oil money and religious power and becomes oddly aligned with both the senator’s deputy and a woman who has made herself regionally famous by promising to kill an unidentified person in Kansas. (Meadowlark Press, 2025) Announcing the J. Donald & Bertha Coffin Memorial Book Award for Nonfiction 2026 Finalists7/13/2026
The Kansas Authors Club, supporting writers since 1904, announces the finalists for the 2026 Kansas Authors Club Book Awards. Each year the organization recognizes published books in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, Kansas history, poetry, children’s books, and book design. Finalists within each category are selected by a panel of readers made up of members, community members, and book professionals. The finalists from each category are then delivered to judges for the award decisions and announced at the 2026 fall gathering, this year taking place as the 2026 Kansas Writing Convention held at Rock Springs Ranch near Junction City, October 2-4, 2026. J. Donald & Bertha Coffin Memorial Book Award for Nonfiction – Three Finalists  Rebel Heart: Against the Wind, by Marietta Anderson What happens when a sharp-tongued girl from small-town Kansas dares to take on the forces of war, censorship, and injustice—and won’t back down? Set amid the cultural and political upheaval of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, Rebel Heart: Against the Wind is the riveting true story of Marietta Anderson, who grows up fighting bullies and defending the marginalized—and never stops. From a harrowing childhood confrontation with a kidnapper to standing on the front lines in Selma, her life is marked by courage and confrontation. As a young wife and activist, she joins the antiwar and civil rights movements, challenging authority at every turn. When a university suspends her for distributing antiwar leaflets, she mounts a First Amendment legal battle that reaches the U.S. Supreme Court. She and her husband face threats, blacklisting, and the burning of a cross on their lawn. Rebel Heart is a fearless account of love, betrayal, resilience—and the high cost of telling the truth. (Post Rock Press, 2025)  The Magic Eye: A Story of Saving a Life and a Place in the Age of Anxiety, by Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg The Magic Eye: A Story of Saving a Life and a Place in the Age of Anxiety is a memoir on journeying through a rare and deadly eye cancer in the middle of trying to save a fifth-generation Kansas farm. In this tender, humorous, poetic, wry, and courageous story, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg writes what author Harriet Lerner called "....a luminous, poetic meditation on survival, community, and resilience. With tenderness and humor, her memoir speaks to the fierce beauty of holding on to life, to land, and to hope when the odds seem insurmountable. A deeply human story, this book is a testament to courage and the power of place that will stay with you long after you turn the final page." (Mammoth, 2025)  Provocative Lines: The Art of Breaking and Arranging Lines, by Kristine Polansky
Two-time Poet of the Year for the Kansas Authors Club, Kristine A. Polansky shares more than a cherry-picking of her poems from the last three decades in Provocative Lines: The art of breaking and arranging lines into poetry. Polansky has given us—from fledgling poets to those delving deeper into their poetry writing practice—a course in poetic form, a book that is fine for front to back reading, but best experienced slowly, chapter by chapter, pen in hand, as the explorations into the “art of breaking and arranging poetry into lines” will make the reader want to stop and experiment with their own wordplay. More than just a book about writing poetry, this is a history lesson on language and poetic form. Polansky highlights the ever-evolving nature of language, the impact of poetry on words we speak in our everyday lives, and the influence speech has had on poetry over generations. Warning: Open this book with caution. Poetry may result. (Meadowlark Press, 2025) The Kansas Authors Club, supporting writers since 1904, announces the finalists for the 2026 Kansas Authors Club Book Awards. Each year the organization recognizes published books in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, Kansas history, poetry, children’s books, and book design. Finalists within each category are selected by a panel of readers made up of members, community members, and book professionals. The finalists from each category are then delivered to judges for the award decisions and announced at the 2026 fall gathering, this year taking place as the 2026 Kansas Writing Convention held at Rock Springs Ranch near Junction City, October 2-4, 2026.  A Gathering of Kestrels, by T.D. Keane A Gathering of Kestrels by T. D. Keane is a collection of poems inspired by the varieties of life in the Kansas prairie, specifically the Flint Hills. Mr. Keane knows the prairie well as he has been studying it for over 30 years as a Professor of Landscape Architecture at Kansas State University, Manhattan, which is on the northern edge of the Flint Hills. He has taken numerous students, semester after semester, out on the prairie to observe and study in depth the animal and plant life of the prairie and he has taught the effects of human interaction with the prairie. His poems reflect the beautiful and delicate landscape using unique and skillful poetic power. His poetic techniques fill the reader with wonder, delight, and careful sound, as one would step with respect and care into the complex world of the great plains. This collection of beautiful poems reflects the spectrum of light one will see watching the prairie, hour by hour, minute by minute, without ever seeing the same shade twice, and creating a relationship with beating heart of the grasses, the tiny insects, the coyote. Reading these poems, carefully and slowly, is a transformational experience. Each poem is a meditation that calls us to respect and love the world around us, especially the Flint Hills prairie of Kansas. (Blue Cedar Press, 2025)  Essential Workers, by Michael Poage In his 18th book, Michael Poage explores the lives and yearnings of “essential workers” in a time of reaction and repression. Powerful poetry from a prolific poet trained by Richard Hugo and Madeleine DeVries. (Spartan Press, 2025)  When I Go West: New and Selected Poems, by William Sheldon
In When I Go West, William Sheldon compiles nearly twenty-five years of poetic reflection into one august volume. These poems present snapshots of a life well-lived-working in one's garden, wandering through the woods, admiring the gift of an "orange-pink sky"-guiding readers to appreciate the simple joys and quiet beauty of life and reminding us how we are part of the same cycles as all of the natural world: birth, growth, and eventual decay. To Sheldon, death is not something to be feared, but rather a natural and necessary part of life. Ashes and compost will feed the next year's crops, and "purpose is assured only in the ground." (Meadowlark Press, 2025) The Kansas Authors Club, supporting writers since 1904, announces the finalists for the 2026 Kansas Authors Club Book Awards. Each year the organization recognizes published books in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, Kansas history, poetry, children’s books, and book design. Finalists within each category are selected by a panel of readers made up of members, community members, and book professionals. The finalists from each category are then delivered to judges for the award decisions and announced at the 2026 fall gathering, this year taking place as the 2026 Kansas Writing Convention held at Rock Springs Ranch near Junction City, October 2-4, 2026. Martin Kansas History Book Award – Four Finalists  The Crow Lady: Barbara Waterman-Peters, by Cathy Callen Barbara Waterman-Peters is an artist living in Topeka, Kansas. She has become well-known for her oil and watercolor paintings and for arts advocacy in her community. Her paintings have been exhibited worldwide and can be found in numerous galleries and museums. In part one of this book, children will learn about Barbara in this book through her fascination with crows. In part two of this book, we learn more about Barbara in her own words. This book contains more than 27 full-color images of Barbara’s work, including watercolor, oil on canvas, and sketches. (Meadowlark Press, 2025)  K-State’s Wrestling Legacy: Stories, Stats, and Personalities that Shaped the Sport in Kansas and Beyond, by Patrick Kelly For over 50 years, Kansas State University offered a wrestling program that became the state’s flagship at the collegiate level. However, K-State wrestling has now been dormant for half a century. K-State’s Wrestling Legacy gives readers a comprehensive look at the program’s history and connects it to the sport’s growth in the Sunflower State and its national influence. (Flint Hills Publishing, 2025)  Riding Rainbows Through the Storms: Finding Perspective and Hope by Journaling Through a Pandemic, by Anne Spry A transformative spiritual journey through a universal storm… Do you feel discouraged and overwhelmed by what life throws at you and your loved ones? Are there days you avoid the evening news because you can't handle one more thing? The storms of life seem to be blowing more fiercely these days, and none of us are exempt from the anxiety, fear, and turmoil they bring. In Riding Rainbows, author Anne Spry highlights lessons she has learned from journaling through one of the most challenging storms of her life. Anne handled it by praying, journaling, posting blogs, and doing livestream Facebook posts to understand and interpret the new normal that faces all of us. And now she's consolidated the lessons to help others work through their storms. Full of inspiration, insights, humor, and introspection, this book was written to accompany the Writing to Heal masterclasses she helped develop with her writing partner, Cheri Battrick. But Riding Rainbows Through the Storms stands on its own as a healing tool for anyone who has experienced a major difficulty. (Personal Chapters, 2025)  Old Man of the Fossil Beds: A Kansas Dreamer, His Family of Hunters, and Their Search for Prehistoric Sea Creatures, by Melanie Bonner-Thomas
Discover the untold story of Kansas paleontologist Marion Charles Bonner, as told through the eyes of his daughter in Old Man of the Fossil Beds. From the dusty plains of western Kansas to the bustling halls of North American museums, Bonner’s legacy stretches far beyond his groundbreaking discoveries of prehistoric marine animals. But it was his unconventional ways and larger-than-life personality that truly left a mark on those who knew him. As Bonner's family of eight navigates the challenges of farming, the war years, the movie theater business, and the unpredictable forces of nature, his passion for paleontology only grows stronger. Following the example of his mentor, George F. Sternberg, he unearths incredible fossils from the chalk beds of western Kansas, including plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, fish of all sizes, sharks, and even pteranodons. Full of heart, humor, and raw emotion, Old Man of the Fossil Beds is a gripping tale of one man's insatiable thirst for knowledge, and the enduring love of a family that stood by him through it all. Like unearthing a rare, buried fossil, this book brings to light an obscure area of the country, a hitherto unknown Kansas character, and a fossil-hunting family’s way of life. (Chalk Lily Books, 2025) The Kansas Authors Club, supporting writers since 1904, announces the finalists for the 2026 Kansas Authors Club Book Awards. Each year the organization recognizes published books in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, Kansas history, poetry, children’s books, and book design. Finalists within each category are selected by a panel of readers made up of members, community members, and book professionals. The finalists from each category are then delivered to judges for the award decisions and announced at the 2026 fall gathering, this year taking place as the 2026 Kansas Writing Convention held at Rock Springs Ranch near Junction City, October 2-4, 2026. Kansas Authors Club Children’s Book Award – Finalists Picture Book Category  Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray! by Dawn Feltrop Pip, zip,–hooray! Join Rosemary, a determined little chick, on a charming adventure as she works to break free from her shell. With encouragement from her brother Sassafras, Rosemary learns to pip, zip, and persevere through each challenge. Perfect as a kindergarten read-aloud and a farm animal story for preschoolers, this heartwarming tale gently teaches important life lessons. Young readers will be inspired by this children's book about courage, designed to nurture a growth mindset and highlight the power of perseverance. This uplifting story also serves as a confidence-building book for children and a meaningful social emotional learning picture book, helping kids understand that with encouragement and determination, they can overcome challenges and celebrate their own little "hooray" moments. A joyful story about courage, persistence, and the celebration of new beginnings–perfect for home, classroom, or story time. (Happy Horizon Publishing, 2025)  Ezra’s Valentines: A Story of Kindness and Love, by Sherry Krehbiel Each year, Ezra made valentines for his classmates, friends, and family—but this year was different. He didn't want to spend time making them, and he didn't care if he got any either. Valentine's Day isn't that important anyways, thought Ezra. But when he sees "show kindness" on his chore list, Ezra begins to reconsider. Follow along in this heartwarming story as Ezra discovers what truly matters—family, friends, kindness, and love. (Miriam Laundry Publishing, 2025)  Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town, by Ben St. James Cowboy Cooper sets out to explore a mysterious ghost town, he's on a quest to find treasures for his school project. But what he discovers is even more valuable—a lesson from the past! Cowboy Cooper & The Ghost Town is a charming story that teaches kids the value of history and why it's important to preserve it. Filled with excitement, spooky encounters, and a moral that resonates, this book is ideal for children who are curious about the past and love a good adventure. (Independent, 2025) Kansas Authors Club Children’s Book Award – Finalists Middle Grade Reader Category  Fires Burning Underground, by Nancy McCabe It’s Anny’s first day of middle school and, after years of being homeschooled, her first day of public school ever. In art, Larissa asks what kind of ESP is her favorite: telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, or telekinesis? Tracy asks how she identifies: gay, straight, bi, asexual, pan, trans, or confused? And thus kicks off a school year for Anny in which she’ll navigate a path between childhood and adolescence, imagination and identity. In a year of turmoil and transition, with a new awareness of loss after the death of a friend, Anny struggles to find meaning in tragedy, to come to terms with her questions about her sexuality, and to figure out how to negotiate her own ever-shifting new friendships. And when her oldest friend’s life is in danger, she must summon up her wits, imagination, and the ghosts that haunt her to save them both. (Regal House Publishing, 2025)  Living Fire: Zeb Finley and the Hornswoggled Thief, by Lois Ruby Twelve-year-old Zeb Finley, a New York street urchin, is half dare-devil and half day-dreamer. He’s the last boy off the Orphan Train deep into the Midwestern prairie, sweating in his itchy new clothes when he meets the lonely young widow, Idella Spurlock, waiting at the train stop. She’s alone, he’s alone, and so the two trudge off together. Neither imagines what will soon season their lives, including a train robber named Tucker, a stash of booty from Tucker’s heist, an encounter with a grey wolf, and swarming grasshoppers that darken the sun, level crops, stop trains in their tracks, and chomp wool off the shirts on their backs. And then there’s the murderous Bender family. Kate Bender promises, “Cross my palm with coin, and I’ll reach your pa in the World Beyond.” Can she, or is she a total fake? Zeb hankers to hop on a train back to New York where life was free and simple—except for freezing, starving, and sleeping in muddy gutters. But maybe he’ll make his peace with Idella, with a prairie girl named Lucy who teaches him how to shoot a cottontail, with Osage Indians, and with the lovable scoundrel, Tucker. Or maybe not. Before Zeb nearly loses himself on the vast Kansas prairie, he must find his heroic self in the story he’s secretly writing about Montague Mortis, and the Hornswoggled Horse Thief. Living Fire is a rollicking novel with humor and heart, in harmony with the Kansas motto, “To the stars through difficulties.” (Meadowlark Press, 2025) We look forward to hosting Catherine Menefee for the next state program. Zoom link is available to members via the email newsletter and/or the new membership site. If you have not yet signed into the new membership site, here are the instructions for members with dues current: Since this is a new website, you will need to create a new password. It is not connected to the password you had previously with Kansas Authors Club.
If your dues are not current, simply register to join at Wild Apricot and we'll get you back on the member roster! The recording of the June program by Laurie L. Dove is now available for viewing by members at this link. (Member sign-on required.) State programs remain online for viewing by members for approximately one month. Take a moment to watch today so that you don't miss it!  Program: Social Media for Authors
Presented by Catherine Menefee Social media is becoming an increasingly valuable tool for authors—but with so many apps to choose from and so much conflicting advice, how can you best spend your time and effort online? This session will explore the benefits social media offers to authors, the options for building a social media presence, and the practice of incorporating social media as an effective tool for community building, networking, and marketing. Perfect for any writer who wants to make better use of social media, either to expand their network or to find new writer friends. Catherine Menefee is a poet and fiction writer who lives in Bel Aire with her husband, kids, and pets. After completing her MFA in Creative Writing: Poetry at Wichita State University, she spent several years teaching at a variety of local colleges and universities before leaving academia to homeschool her kids. In the past fwe years, she has leveraged social media to stay connected to other artists and writers, and her debut poetry book, Witness: One American Year, took inspiration and subject matter from her online community. Just Like Selling Girl Scout Cookies: How to Create Your Community Presented by: Ann Vigola Anderson Remember selling Girl Scout cookies? You probably identified your audience (friends, family, teachers), practiced a little sales pitch for those Thin Mints, and closed the deal! In this session, we will elevate those concepts to help promote you and your book.
Learn more about Ann and other convention presenters.
Early Bird Savings ends August 31. Member Melanie Bonner Thomas's book, a family memoir and scientific biography, received a National Indie Excellence® Award (NIEA) in June. The book, published in October 2025, was chosen as Finalist in the Nature category. The organization's press release states: “For two decades, the NIEA has served as a highly respected honor in independent publishing, celebrating exceptional books from self-published authors, small to mid-sized presses, and university presses across all genres.” Since 2005, the NIEA has championed the physical book as a cornerstone of the publishing industry, evaluating titles on both literary merit and the quality of design, presentation, and production. Doug Fogelson, President, National Indie Excellence® Awards, stated, “Independent publishing today has never been more vital or more impressive. What we see in each competition is proof that when writers are free to tell the stories they believe in, the results are extraordinary. We are honored to celebrate that spirit, and to shine a light on books that deserve to be read.”   Marty Keenan was born and raised in Great Bend, a fifth generation Kansan. Marty worked on the Great Bend High School newspaper, Panther Tales. A graduate in political science and law at KU, Marty chose the family business of becoming a lawyer, but wrote Kansas or Great Bend history articles as a hobby. A lengthy article about pioneering black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, the son and grandson of Great Bend Exodusters, was turned down for publication so Keenan posted the article on the internet—which seemed like a miraculous invention at the time. This led to several film festivals in Great Bend and Marty became friends with filmmakers and writers. Marty encouraged author Patrick McGilligen to write a successful biography on Micheaux, but when Keenan learned that World War II spy Joan Bondurant (1918-2006) was a Great Bend native, he spent 15 years writing her biography in his spare time. The book was released on Amazon this year as BONDURANT: The Spy Who Cracked Gandhi’s Code (2026). Keenan was inspired to complete the book and release it by his neighbor in Wichita, Jillian Forsberg. Publishing a book was new to Keenan, but he has sold 150 copies and considers the book a success simply because it was published. Keenan’s Oscar-winning friend Kevin Willmott gave him this pearl of wisdom:” Don’t let other people define success for you.” The book deals mostly with India and Gandhi as Bondurant learned Japanese and helped crush Imperial Japan with bombs, but met Gandhi during the war and became the top author in the West about Gandhi’s philosophy of conflict. Bondurant is unknown outside a tiny circle of Gandhi scholars but he hopes his book faithfully captured her life’s work.  |
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