Fun at the Kansas Book Festival

 The only bad thing about the Kansas Book Festival is that you can't be everywhere!  While books are the main reason for the festival, music and activities are also part of the fun.  Last year I was honored to be one of the recipients of a Kansas Notable Book award at the Festival.  This year I was invited back to the Festival as a speaker.

Our panel was moderated by well-known author and journalist, Max McCoy, who selected wonderful questions that allowed us to share important topics from our books.

My co-speaker was Steve Cox, from Pittsburg State University.  His book, When Sunflowers Bloomed Red, deals with socialism in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s, so while Prairie Bachelor deals with populism, there were issues that overlapped to discuss.  A special surprise was the arrival of Steve's co-author, R. Alton Lee, although he preferred not to participate on our panel.  

What a wonderful audience we had.  There are at least four different program choices for each hour-long session, and attendees are free to go to whichever programs they wish, so you do not know until people begin arriving how many will be in attendance.  We had a full house, as you can see...about seventy people in the audience, which was exciting.  They were attentive, laughed at my jokes, and even asking a few questions.

Most were strangers to me, but I had a few special guests...people from FHSU, special life-long friends from Kansas City, a relative of Isaac Werner, and my wonderful husband.  (I never give the same talk twice, so at least he does not have to sit through the same thing over and over!)  

I also had one very special surprise.  It is the tradition at the Festival for the spouse of the Kansas Governor to present the Notable Book Awards, and last year First Gentleman of Kansas, Dr. Ted Daughety, presented me with my award.  I was very pleased that this year he made the effort to attend our session and even to drop by after the session ended to say "Hello."

Releasing a new book during Covid has been rather challenging, but I have so many people to thank for hosting and attending virtual talks, book club signings, and book talks.  At least two people have attended 3 or 4 talks, telling me that since I never repeat a talk they have enjoyed attending more than one.

My next book signing is at Watermark Books in Wichita, a wonderful independent book store.  It is located at 4701 E. Douglas in Wichita and my talk will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 13th.  The public is welcome, so if you live in Wichita or are nearby, I hope you might come.

Thank you for so many of you who have supported my talks, have bought my book, or have enjoyed reading it from your local library.  Now, people from coast to coast know who Isaac Werner is and what a significant role Kansas played in the late 1800s, championing things that our two primary political parties implemented, things we take for granted today that were ideas from the People's Party.

Kansas Book Festival 2021

Display of 2021 KS Notable Books at Watermark Bookstore  
Photo Credit:  Larry Fenwick

 This weekend is the Kansas Book Festival 2021 in Topeka, hosted by Mabee Library on the campus of Washburn University.   Friday, September 17, at 4 p.m. Rebekah Taussig kicks off the Festival with a book talk about her book, "Sitting Pretty, The View From My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body."  Admission is free and the public is welcome. 

Saturday morning at 9 a.m., September 18, the Notable Book Award Ceremony starts the full day of activities. State Librarian Eric Norris will describe the Notable Book Program, followed by the introduction of the recipients which will include a short description of each of their books.  The books recognized with an award may include Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction (history, biography, memoir, essays), Cook Books/Food Related, Poetry, Children's Literature, and Art & Architecture.  My book, Prairie Bachelor, The Story of a Kansas Homesteader and the Populist Movement, falls within the narrative nonfiction category.  This year's selections include youth books, as well as  poetry, memoir, art, and narrative. 

Photo Credit:  Larry Fenwick

In addition to recognizing books, the Kansas Book Festival program includes a grant program, begun by former First Lady Mary Brownback.  This year, ten libraries received grants, among which were both public and school libraries.  Grants included not only books but also technology, especially important during the pandemic.  The director of the Wamego Public Library explained, "The effects of the pandemic have pushed many into isolation in a way that once seemed unfathomable. ...technology is no longer just a luxury but a necessity." 

Among this year's recipients of a Notable Book Award is Aimee Nezherkumatathil's World of Wonders:  In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments, for which she was also recognized by National Public Radio and Barnes and Noble as a Book of the Year.  As the New York Times concluded its review of her book, "A very fine book indeed."

A part of the celebration of books and authors has included a Youth Writing Contest for students Grades 3-12, and although it has been interrupted by Covid, plans for its return in 2022 are being made.

During the time my husband and I lived in Georgia, I received the Georgia Author of the Year Award for my book Should the Children Pray, which was presented to me at the state capital by the Governor.  It is customary to receive the awards for Kansas Notable Books from the Kansas Governor, but because our governor has a conflict, we have the privilege of receiving our awards this year from Dr. Ted Daughety, the First Gentleman of Kansas.  Later that afternoon, I will be visiting with Kay M. McIntyre  of Kansas Public Radio.  Between my two scheduled meetings, I have the challenge of deciding which of the multiple programs available to the public during the day to attend.  Unfortunately, I can't attend all of them and must choose from among some tempting topics! 

I am looking forward to a wonderful day celebrating books and reading at the Washburn University Mabee Library!  Perhaps I will see some of you there.