HACKENSACK — Over 30 Minnesota authors gathered recently at the Northwoods Art & Book Festival in Hackensack, Minnesota. The annual festival, now in its 31st season, draws crowds of artists, visitors and residents from the community together, including a strong showing of writers and book lovers, proving that Minnesota is a state rich in literature.
KAXE’s Morning Show host Heidi Holtan and What We’re Reading’s Tammy Bobrowsky attended the festival and interviewed the authors and share this special series of "lightning talks."
Rhonda Buerkle, Glencoe
Rhonda Buerkle loves writing and bringing art to children, especially in rural Minnesota. She is the author of a series of children's books all about her daughter. The latest book is Woofy's Camping Trip.
She explained, “They're based on my daughter and her favorite stuffed animal in the world she's had since she was two--a little stuffed wolf. She's 28 today and she still won't go anywhere without him. It's just awesome, which makes for really good material for my books.”
More information on Rhonda Buerkle and her books can be found here.
Richard Sherry, Twin Cities
Richard Sherry’s newest book is a political thriller called Thursday, Far To Go, the latest book in his Baker Mischief series, featuring a retired political science professor.
He is also the author of The Long Run: Meditations on Marriage, Dementia, Caregiving, and Loss, a memoir about caring for his wife during her decline from dementia.
A retired college professor, Richard explained what motivated him to become a writer.
“You look around and you see--I could tell a story about this and maybe help people see something new and different,” he said.
Find more information on Richard Sherry and his books here.
Margaret A. Blenkush, South St. Paul
Margaret A. Blenkush turned to writing as a second career after retiring. She is the author of the Dr. M.E. Senty series which takes place in 1959 England. The third book in the series, Christmas in Bellechester, will be released this year.
Margaret describes her books as historical fiction with a little romance. She said, “There’s always a mystery to solve. And they're just fun reads and they're clean books and so people just enjoy them. They're books that you can take to the lake or you can take on vacation and they're just escapist literature.”
She loves meeting and learning about readers and other authors.
“And who knows, something they say might end up in a book,” she said.
Learn more about Margaret A. Blenkush and her books here.
Jonathan Sweet, Chaska
Jonathan Sweet is the author of 12 books and his latest is a historic mystery/thriller called Lincoln’s Avenger which tells the story of the Hinckley fire and Boston Corbett, the man who shot John Wilkes Booth.
Jonathan has always enjoyed reading. He noted that as a child, “I'd take the comics and make up my own stories to go along with them even before I could read. And that just led to writing.”
Learn more about Jonathan Sweet and his books on his website.
Jodie Leigh Murray, Wisconsin
Recently from Buffalo, Minnesota, Jodie Leigh Murray is an author of romantic suspense and historical romance novels. Her latest novel is called The Pirate’s Daughter and it features a young woman who is blackmailed into marrying an influential baron until her fate entwines with her father’s rival.
Jodie loves books and started writing at an early age.
“The stories just turned longer and longer. I love going into different worlds and I love bringing those worlds to readers,” she explained.
For more information on Jodie Leigh Murray and her books, visit her website.
Niomi Phillips, Hawaii
Niomi Phillips is a writer from Hawaii who spends three seasons in Minnesota. Her latest book is a historical fiction novel called A Midwife's Journey.
Niomi explained that the book is inspired by her great-grandmother's life.
“She was a midwife, but I knew very little about her. I did a lot of research into the Mennonite culture and into the midwife culture. And it's the story of settling in--first they came from what is now Ukraine in the late 1800s and settled in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, and then homesteaded in North Dakota.”
Niomi noted that while she wrote in her professional life, she started writing fiction, some nonfiction, some poetry once she retired.
“It's just a very fulfilling occupation personally. Whether you sell or other people read it or not, it's very self-fulfilling,” she said.
Niomi Phillips’s books can be found here.
This was part 2 in our series of lighting talks with Minnesota authors at the Northwoods Art & Book Festival in Hackensack. We'll continue to feature more authors weekly.
Looking for a good book recommendation? Want to recommend a book you've just read? Check out our What We're Reading page on Facebook, or text us at 218-326-1234.
What We're Reading is made possible in part by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
