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| Headwinds, by Edna Bell-Pearson 2020 Kansas Notable Book Award |
December 31, 2020
Dear Reader-Dear Friend,
It has been a difficult year on so many levels, yet we have
been fortunate to add some amazing books to the Meadowlark bookshelf. We are
growing, and the community that supports us is growing too.
I
thought I’d take this time to share just a few of the highlights from our year.
· The city of
Iola chose ToLeave a Shadow, by
Michael D. Graves, to be their winter, Community Reads book. We also released
the 3rd Pete Stone novel, All Hallows’ Shadows, at this time.
· Our first YA
novel, Opulence,Kansas, by
Julie Stielstra, was published and quickly claimed as a great read by book
lovers of many ages.
· Our first
audio book was launched, thanks to the patience and diligence of Ruth Maus,
author of Valentine (2019 Birdy finalist).
· The BigQuiet: One Woman’s Horseback Ride Home, by Lisa D. Stewart, became a quick favorite with readers,
garnering some of the most heart-felt reviews we have ever received.
· Linzi Garcia
joined the Meadowlark Team as publicist!
· Edna Bell-Pearson made the 2020 Kansas Notable list with Headwinds, A Memoir.
· Michael D.
Graves was awarded the 2020 J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award for All Hallows’ Shadows at the Kansas Authors Club virtual
convention in October.
· We were
honored to add Arlice W. Davenport to our list of authors, with the publication
of his first poetry book, Settingthe Waves on Fire.
· Our second YA
novel was published, ATime for Tears, by
Jerilynn Jones Henrikson.
· With Cheryl
Unruh/Quincy Press, we began planning for the launch of 105: Meadowlark Reader, a new literary print journal
featuring true Kansas stories written by Kansas residents (past or present).
· Three of our
authors, Jerilynn Henrikson, Julie Stielstra, and Mike Graves, were invited to
present at the Kansas Library Association Conference (online) in October.
· We published
Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg’s master collection of poetry, How Time Moves: New and SelectedPoems.
Caryn was the 2009-13 Kansas Poet Laureate. The virtual book launch, hosted by
The Raven Bookstore and Lawrence Public Library, was attended by more than 100
guests.
· James Kenyon
completed his second book on closed high schools, this time covering the state
of Iowa. The book will begin shipping in 2021.
· The Birdy Poetry Prize had its biggest year yet, with 120 entries! We hope you will join
us for a reading and announcement of the 2021 winner in March (stay tuned for a
save-the-date announcement and invitation).
And a preview
of what is to come:
· We will kick
of 2021 with the release of the 2020 Birdy Poetry Prize Books. Winner, JC
Mehta’s SelectedPoems: 2000-2020 and
finalist Brian Daldorph’s KansasPoems are
now available for ordering on our website.
· We are
working with Kevin Rabas on his newest collection of poetry titled More Than Words.
· Our first
illustrated children’s book will be published, a project with the Kansas
Wetlands Education Center. We are working with Mandy Kern, program specialist
for the center, and Emporia artist, Onalee Nicklin.
If you have a
Meadowlark book on your bedside table or bookshelf, we count you among our
blessings for this year. Thank you, and I look forward to checking in with you
next year.
Much love and good reading,
Tracy
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