In 2007 I was fortunate enough to have my short stories published. My publisher also decided he wanted me to not only illustrate the cover, but create an illustration for each story! I honestly resisted this because I wanted the stories to stand on their own. Then I realized that I am an artist first, always have been. It’s a part of my DNA, so why not embrace it. So the book is interwoven with woodcut-style illustration and tailpieces that I believe add to its overall appeal. My publsiher also fought me on the title of the book, which I wanted to name Leaving Copper Corner. I felt the title from an unknown author like me would get lost in the world of dogs, or a Jack London-world of wilderness stories. That happened from time-to-time, and confirmed that people do judge a book by the cover. But the book is about so much more.
I had always been drawn to literature, specifically Hemingway, Jim Harrison, Pat Conroy, Pete Dexter and Norman MacLean. As a 13-year old camping in northern Minnesota, deep in the BWCA, I actually met Pat Conroy. The area was completely deserted, and our group was the only campers using the state campground that July of 1976. I was sitting on the bank of the Temperance River, sketching the scene, when I heard a booming voice say, “I want to make love to this river!” Long story short it was Pat and a couple friends doing some nature walk. He spent a few days with us in the nearby town of Tofte, partying with the adult teacher of our group, whose family was from there (his grandfather Chris Tormondson had founded the town). Years later to my delight and surprise, Pat agreed to right a glowing endorsement for my book. The book won some nice awards, including a Ben Franklin. You can still find it available at Amazon. I hope you’ll give it a try.
The hero worship a young boy feels for his shifty uncle is tested through the knowledge his policeman father has.
A tough, troubled young man of diminutive stature explodes in an impulsive act of violence.
A local builder known for leaving jobs incomplete picks the wrong man to press for money.
A jeweler with a penchant for busty women takes advantage of a young wife’s unhappiness.
A man staying at a friend’s cabin is surprised by a trio of hunters who reveal themselves to be more than they appear.
A lonely widow surprises a burglar.
A Detroit fireman gets lost in the Canadian wilderness during a surprise blizzard and is tested by the elements and his own will to survive.
A road rage incident is stemmed by a mysterious bystander.
A seemingly heartless hunter who names all his dogs, Jack, goes through a transformation after one of his training techniques goes horribly awry.
A visitor in the Upper Peninsula on a quest to buy a coonskin cap experiences the mysticism associated with a good luck charm a local bartender gives him.
Three young nephews visit their aging uncle, a WW2 hero, to spend the weekend fishing and hunting. When one of them shoots a farmer’s cat, the relationship and loyalty of family clashes with the farmer’s questionable temperament.
An urban youth who has a preternatural talent riding a trick bike finds himself in the middle of a robbery.
A Detroiter going to college in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula befriends a local couple who have never been below the bridge.
On a fishing weekend Up North with the family he married into, a man finds out that honesty is not always the best policy.
On a whim a man decides to make the 4 hour drive from Detroit to his friend’s cabin Up North, learning the hard way that it’s not a good idea to try to enter quietly.
I created the cover and back cover of the book, a color version of the story, Measure of a Man. In doings so, I’d hoped to pull people in with an impactful illustration thinking they might take a chance on an unknown author. Pat Conroy was kind enough to write a blurb for me. I found him through a fan website, wondering if he’d remember me after 30+ years, since I hadn’t any contact with him since our meeting in Northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Within an hour he replied that he did remember me and happily agreed to write the endorsement.