December 2007 Apple Seeds

It’s Official—Cold weather is here!

We just added another Area Author:  Mark Munger.  District Court Judge Munger (from Duluth) recently met with writers groups in Park Rapids for a writing/publishing/book signing session.  Each of the five novels is a stand-alone.  Munger’s two other books, can be purchased through www.cloquetriverpress.com.

James Oliver Rigney, Jr., (Robert Jordan) well-known fantasy author, passed away September 16, 2007.  It is difficult finding more information.  Birth date: 10-17-48.

RomanticTimesBookReviews magazine (RT) had an article on e-books.       Problems:  1) No affordable readers, 2) Hard on the eyes, 3) Cost, 4) Too many formats—may not fit your particular reader.  Advantages:  1) Easy ordering for rural areas, 2) Ease in downloading.         Looks like they need a little more work.

Harlequin will soon be entering the non-fiction publishing world.  Under consideration is a memoir by Ida Cook, who wrote as “Mary Burchell”.  She (now deceased) used some money from her 129 Harlequin books to finance smuggling Jews out of Germany between 1937 and the start of WWII.

Carole Nelson Douglas:  “Dancing with Werewolves” is claimed to be a great read.  Publishers Weekly (PW) already awaits the sequel to this fascinating suspense.

A November PW listed 150 Best Books of 2007.  Again, a lot of the authors are not familiar names here in the mid-west.  However, reading through the Non-Fiction Religious Listings, I found some interesting book summaries relating to current interests such as liberal theology, evangelicals and fundamentalism.

Court TV:  This popular channel features actual court cases, with police, victims, witnesses and court officials involved in each proceeding.  ALSO on scene are very popular mystery authors such as, Sandra Brown, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, the Kellermans, Lee Child and Lisa Gardner.

I sent an e-mail to J.A. Jance, thanking her for having an easily accessible printable list of her books—without having to print all the (ink costly) book covers.  Well, I immediately received a reply and she said it was due to her husband’s redesigning of her web-site.  Mine was the first message she received.    J

Already sick of politicians, I wish there was someone who REALLY knows what families go through just to keep a paycheck ahead of the bill collectors.  High heating costs mean choosing between warmth and food.  Did you know the minimum fuel/gas you can order is 200 gallons?  Multiply that one out!

“Gallop!”  An innovative design patented by Rufus Butler Seder called Scanimation is used in this children’s “the pictures really move” book.  Yes, the animals DO move with each turn of the page.  Because the book had to be hand assembled in China, it took many workers to complete each one.  Reports are that adults are buying the book for themselves, and the fascinated (big kids) just keep turning and turning the pages.  It’s already on my Christmas Wish List.

Ken Follett’s latest “World Without End” (hardcover) is a sequel to his most popular novel, “Pillars of the Earth”.  His latest novel hit the No. 1 spot in PW’s bestseller list the first week out in October.  “Pillars” (now re-released – and added to Oprah’s list) is again a best seller.

Rosie O’Donnell’s “Celebrity Detox” (hardcover) has a big chapter/section on Donald Trump.  Huh.  Whoda thunk.    M

Yes – “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin is in paperback.  (Haven’t seen any in the store yet.)

Magic Tree House and Junie B. Jones remain popular books for the kids.

One of Chicago Tribune’s Literary Awards this past October went to a familiar Minnesota name, Gary Paulsen.  He was given the Young Adult Book Prize.

Jan Karon’s recent release of “Home to Holly Springs” starts a new series with her ever-popular Father Tim.  Did you know the Mitford Series sold more than 25 million copies?

An informative article by Jodi Picoult in a recent Writer’s Digest had an end note which surprised me.  I did not know that she has written five issues of Wonder Woman (DC Comics).  Or, of course, I’d forgotten.  Again.

One of our writers in the Walker Writers Group has joined the (Whoa! I dropped the RT magazine and it opened to an – um—shocking page…) – oh, yeah, about the writer:  she joined the NaNoWriMo.org, which you sign up for (and pay) to write a novel in 70 days.  She said it’s really hard, but you have to write about 2000 words a day; forget spelling & proper sentence structure, just write!

Updates are on 70DaysOfSweat.com

Arvid Lloyd Williams & Bonnie Shallbetter:

Their newest Hawk novel (Hawk’s Quest—a superior pursuit) will have a Book Release Party on Saturday, Dec. 8^th at “Just Up North” in Outing (Corner of Hwy 6 & Cty Rd 58) from 1:00 to 4:00.  Bonnie assured me that we will receive books as soon as possible.  Watch our store windows for information.  This is the third and final book in the series.

Norman Mailer:  1923 – 2007

Sometimes, due to agent/publisher changes/agreements, an author has no choice and his/her earlier books are “lost” forever.  Those who can afford the costly buy back of their rights are indeed republishing.

Lindsay McKenna’s website is terrific.  She has a complete printable list of the books she’s written since 1982—and in the listing she indicates the “Morgan’s Mercenary Series” which began with Silhouette #22.  She also has other very popular series, which are indicated by codes within the listings.

Stephen Kings “Dark Tower:  The Gunslinger Born” been adapted by Marvel Comics.  The review that I read was so-so, but the reviewer did find it interesting.  Pricey, but fans most likely will pay the $24.95.

Mr. P is out in the woods again, following tracks of the illusive deer, his black powder at the ready.  He has seen quite a few deer, but none are decent shots—which he’s not too upset about, as the freezers already have a winter’s worth of venison.  He loves it out there!  We have actually had tracks in our backyard (right next to the Catholic Church).

Prof. Bill doesn’t hunt.  So a deer was hunting him and ran into the side of his pickup.

Visit and join our Walker Writers’ Group.

We meet at the store every 2^nd & 4^th

Thursday at 5:15 pm. Christmas month off.

A great book for Christmas:  “The Fish House Book” by Kathryn Nordstrom.  (Pictorial book includes some from The Eel Pout Festival.)  We have them in stock!

Gotta go…Happy Holidays!……