May-June, 2014

Biblio File ‘Wonderful work is still Dennis Cremin won the 2014 Russell P. Strange book of-the-year award from the Illinois State Historical Society for Grant Park: The Evolution of Chicago's being honored, celebrated’ Front Yard. ... On June 4, Edward BY THOMAS FRISBIE Love” from Selected Poems, the Poetry Gordon was a panelist in a program on he Society of Midland Authors winner that year and a selection from the future of work force development at annual awards banquet is a Harry Mark Petrakis’ The Odyssey of which Vice President Joe Biden spoke Tvaluable forum for recognizing Kostas Volakis, the Adult Fiction winner. and Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez led fine work by Midwest authors, Referring to a poster on display at the the discussion. A report on the discussion emcee Paul Durica said at this year’s dinner that listed SMA winners back to will be issued by Third Way, a Wash- event. 1957, Durica said, “All of you [should] go ington think tank that sponsored the “It is interesting to be here at the back and look it over and hopefully dis- event. Also, Ed reports he is teaming up dinner that marks the 99th anniversary cover some sort of treasure.” with a British historian to write a history of the Society of Midland Authors,” Following Durica’s remarks, former of World War II, said Durica, the founder of “Pocket SMA President James Schwab presented which should be out in Guide to Hell,” a series of free and the Society’s Distinguished Service 2019. ... Gillian Flynn interactive walks, talks and re-enact- Award to another former president, was the subject of the ments. “Every year all this wonderful Richard Lindberg, who unfortunately May 11 By the Book work is still being honored and celebrat- was not present because of an illness in feature in the New ed.” the family. York Times Book This year’s event was held May 13 at “Rich has contributed in a number of Review. ... Loyola The Cliff Dwellers club in Chicago to ways over the years,” Schwab said. “He University Chicago honor the best books by Midwest authors has contributed a lot of ideas and time to has acquired the published in 2013. this organization. He is simply someone Gillian papers of Margery Flynn Durica said he decided to take a random who loves to be part of this community Frisbie for its Women look at the 49th anniversary of the [of writers].” and Leadership Society of Midland Authors, which took Former SMA President Carol Carlson Archives. A key part of the collection place in 1964. read a note Lindberg wrote when he real- consists of taped interviews, correspon- “It was an important year,” he said. ized he would miss his first SMA banquet dence and other materials pertaining to “Earlier that year, [the Society] had a in 20 years. her biography of Msgr. John J. Egan, An special event at the Sheraton Hotel, where In the note, Lindberg lauded the Society Alley in Chicago. She has written several they honored founding member George for “championing the voice of the heart- other books and many articles for maga- Ade. More than 200 people attended to cele- land.” zines and newspapers. She was a colum- brate.” Next, Tracy Friend presented the James nist for The New World (since renamed The dinner itself was held May 22. Friend Memorial Award for Literary and the Catholic New World) and Marriage “At that time there were still a ... num- Dramatic Criticism to Chris Jones, magazine as well as children’s book ber of founding members of the Society Chicago Tribune theater critic, arts columnist for National Catholic Reporter. of Midland Authors who were still alive, columnist and reporter. She has served pro bono as president, most notably Edna Ferber and Alice Friend said her father, for whom the Northwest Community Services; member, Gerstenberg,” Durica said. award is named, “had a great fondness for Board of Councilors, Alexian Brothers He read Gwendolyn Brooks’ “To Be in Turn to Page 2 Hospital; chairperson, Family Life Commission, National Council of Catholic Women; and member, Family Committee, Illinois Status of Women The Society New Literary Landscape Commission. At 91, she still writes a at Printers Row Books Taylor Pensoneau monthly column for the Arlington PAGE 5 PAGES 4-5 PAGE 7 Turn to Page 2 Biblio File n Awards Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1 those who were truly skilled at writing lit- Heights Daily Herald. ... The movie ver- erary and dramatic criticism, those who sion of John Green’s The Fault in Our could effectively bring their expertise, Stars had a “spectacular” opening week- insights and personal scholarship to their end, the June 9 New York Times said. ... evaluation of the writings of others. This D. Leigh Henson recently wrote the lead year’s award winner is just that type of article, 11,000 words, in the Journal of person.” the Association. It was Jones said a critic tends to get a warm titled “Classical reception for praising a particular work Rhetoric as a Lens for but a cold shoulder if the review is nega- Carl James Reading the Key tive. Phillips Tobin Speeches of Lincoln’s “The most wonderful thing is to get an Political Rise, 1852- award from fellow writers who don’t have reads like an action-packed spy mystery.” 1856.” ... On June 24, a dog in the game, so to speak, who are The other judges were Ann Bausum Burt Levy wrote just there to say, ‘Well done,’ ” Jones and Andrew Medlar. Biblio File to say, “My said. “It just means an enormous amount For Children’s Fiction, the winner was first novel, The Last to me.” Amy Timberlake of Chicago for One Open Road, has In the Poetry category, the winner was Came Home (Knopf Books for Young D. Leigh Henson become a bit of a cult Roger Bonair-Agard of Chicago for Readers). The finalists were Clare classic on the motor- Bury My Clothes (Haymarket Books), and Vanderpool of Wichita, Kan., for sports and collector-car scenes (it’s also the finalists were Carl Phillips of St. Navigating Early (Delacorte Press) and on the recommended reading lists at Louis for Silverchest (Farrar, Straus and Patricia Polacco of Union City, Mich., many libraries and book clubs and is Giroux) and Averill Curdy of Chicago for The Blessing Cup (Paula Wiseman being used in some high school and col- for Song and Error (Farrar, Straus and Books/Simon & Schuster Books for lege-level English classes) and is now Giroux). Young Readers). heading into its ninth hardcover printing Judge Donna Seaman said Phillips’ Judge Marianne Malone said it was with approximately 50,000 copies sold. book was “quite provocative” and difficult to pick a winner because “in this Curdy’s was a “particularly beautiful swath of the country we have some amaz- Turn to Page 3 work.” ingly great writers.” Introducing the winner, judge Haki R. The Blessing Cup is “a touching tribute Madhubuti said, “When I read Roger’s to family traditions and love with the work, I saw the discipline and the crafti- story of Anna, a poor Jewish girl in ness of his language.” Czarist Russia,” Malone said, The book “is the sound of language Navigating Early has “beautifully ren- breaking open,” he said. “[It’s] gut-level dered characters” and the prose is 2014, Society reading, one that you must prepare for “absolutely astounding [and] masterful.” of Midland Authors with not only your head, but also your One Came Home “is one of these great P.O. Box 10419, Chicago IL 60610 body.” Midwestern tales that you cannot put Editor: Thomas Frisbie Bonair-Agard said, “I’ve always known down,” Malone said. “I loved everything [email protected] that ... poetry could solve, could heal, about this book.” could bring truth and respite where some Timberlake, who grew up in Wisconsin, Copy Editor: Beverly Offen other methods couldn’t.” said she set out “with the desire to write a www.midlandauthors.com The third poetry judge was Mark Western set in Wisconsin.” Follow the Society on Eleveld. The story takes place in 1871 when Twitter@midlandauthors For Children’s Nonfiction, the winner Wisconsin was home to a nesting of at was Neal Bascomb, who grew up in St. least 100 million passenger pigeons that Louis, for The Nazi Hunters: How a Team covered an area three times the size of Society of Midland Authors members of Spies and Survivors Captured the Chicago. can now pay their membership dues, World's Most Notorious Nazi (Arthur A. The other judges for Children’s Fiction buy tickets to the annual dinner and Levine Books). were Charlotte Herman and Gary make donations on our website with Judge Marlene Targ Brill said the Schmidt. PayPal (there is a $1 fee to help cover judges’ choice was difficult “because For Biography & Memoir, the winner PayPal’s fee). To make a donation, visit was James Tobin of Ann Arbor, Mich., our home page at www.midlandau- this title had a lot of quality competi- thors.com and click on the "Donate" tion.” for The Man He Became: How FDR button in the upper right corner. Of Boscomb’s book, she said, “Even Defied Polio to Win the Presidency” with all the amazing detail, this book (Simon & Schuster). The finalist was 2 LITERARY LICENSE, MAY-JUNE 2014 n Awards Continued from Page 2 Biblio File Michael Shelden of Bloomington, Ind., Continued from Page 2 for Young Titan: The Making of Winston Churchill (Simon & Schuster). We are currently in the middle of an on- In a note read at the dinner, Judge line promotion for the Kindle and Nook Gerry Souter said the two books were e-book versions, which have sold over a “virtually tied on the strength of their sto- thousand downloads in the last five days. rytelling.” Pretty good for a book that was originally Reading The Man He Became was a self-published back in 1994.” ... The June “pleasure and an inspiration,” Souter 21 Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette pro- Amy Hassinger wrote. Young Titan “leads a reader filed . ... The Chicago Paul Durica through a minefield of politicians and Michael Rick Reader in June called “Best Rita Emmet personages striving for power and recog- Sheldon Atkinson Popular Historian.” ... t Rick Kogan nition.” joined May 31 on his radio The other judges were Ray show to talk about Boomhower and Diane Diekman. managing stress. ... For Adult Nonfiction, the winner was The June 5 RedEye Rick Atkinson, former reporter for the (Chicago) profiled Victor David Giron Kansas City Times for The Guns at Last . Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944- ... Robert Pruter was 1945 (Henry Holt and Co.). The finalists interviewed May 13 were Ted Anton of River Forest, Ill., for on BBC Radio 4 by The Longevity Seekers: Science, Business, poet Selena Godden Christine Chinelo about legendary and the Fountain of Youth (University of Sneed Okparanta Rita Chicago Press) and Larry Chicago R&B star Emmett Haeg of St. Paul, Minn., for President James Merriner. Little Miss Harriman vs. Hill: Wall The Adult Fiction winner was Cornshucks. Also, Robert’s article, “Ann Street’s Great Railroad War Christine Sneed of Evanston, Goldstein: Putting the Lie in Chicago to (University of Minnesota Ill., for Little Known Facts the Unathletic Jewish Female,” was pub- Press). (Bloomsbury). The finalists lished in May by Nashim: A Journal of Judge Re`Lynn Hansen said were Chinelo Okparanta of Jewish Women’s Studies and Gender of The Longevity Seekers, West Lafayette, Ind., for Issues, edited in Jerusalem and published “What we find in this really Happiness, Like Water by Indiana University Press. In addition, beautifully written book is that (Mariner Books) and Bryan he presented at the national Popular Culture Association/American Culture the mutability of the cell struc- Bryan Furuness of Indianapolis for Association conference in Chicago on ture is a poetic metaphor for Furuness The Lost Episodes of Revie our lives.” Bryson (Black Lawrence). April 19, discussing the Chicago For his part, Anton said, “Thank you, Judge Patricia Ann McNair said The woman’s basketball team of the 1920s, scientists, flawed heroes, for being such Lost Episodes of Revie Bryson is “remark- the Taylor Trunks. ... The Winter 2013 compelling and funny and riveting char- able.” issue of a newsletter called the Buckskin Fred Egloff acters.” Quoting fellow judge Bayo Ojikutu, Bulletin reminds us that is Judge John Hallwas said Harriman vs. McNair said Okparanta in Happiness, one of Westerners International’s “Living Dick Hill is “a fine, engaging volume ... a Like Water “crafted a fine set of intercon- Legends.” The late SMA President Dunlop beautifully told story, very powerful, very nected tales.” also was named a Living Stuart Dybek compelling portraits of Hill and Harriman.” Quoting judge Billy Lombardo on Legend, in 1983. ... (See The Guns at Last Light is the third vol- Little Known Facts, McNair said of the New Books, Page 5) won the Near South ume in a trilogy about World War II in characters, “The surprise is that we care (Chicago) Planning Board’s 2014 annual Europe, and Hallwas said it is the best of enough about them to understand the Harold Washington Literary Award. Gillian Flynn the three. trickiness of the world they live in. ... Stuart also was No. 1 and “This book is fabulous,” Hallwas said. Christine takes them off the big screen was No. 2 on Newcity Lit’s “Who Really “[It has] masterful historical perspective, and seats them in the restaurant next to Books in Chicago” this year. Also on the Christine Sneed Scott Turow great tactical analysis, personalized and us.” list were , , Aleksandar Hemon Marcus Sakey compelling portraits of the leaders, empa- Sneed thanked the Society for support- , , Audrey Niffenegger Sara Paretsky thy for the ordinary soldiers on the front ing authors through the book awards. , , Kevin Cova Chris Abani Joseph Ep- lines and engaging prose.” “A night like tonight’s banquet is a true l, , The third judge was former SMA grace note,” she said. Turn to Page 4

LITERARY LICENSE, MAY-JUNE 2014 3 Biblio File New Books THE CONFESSIONS Continued from Page 3 OF FRANCES GODWIN stein, Sam Weller, Joe Meno, Roger NO TURNING BACK: STORIES Bonair-Agard, Simone Muench, Rick Perlstein, Jonathan Eig, Renee Rosen, and Rebecca Makkai. ... Greg Borzo’s Dan Burns’ new book (April 29, The Confessions of Frances Godwin next book, Chicago’s Fabulous Chicago Arts Press) is an eclectic mix of (Bloomsbury USA, July 8) is Robert Fountains, will be published by SIU stories. Hellenga’s fictional memoir of a retired Press. Also, Greg discussed his most Each of the stories shines light on char- high school Latin teacher looking back on recent book, RAG- acters who, as a result of a particular a life of trying to do her best amidst BRAI: America’s experience, realize that they can't go back transgressions – starting with her affair Favorite Bicycle Ride, – in time or to the way life used to be. with a man she later marries. June 24 at the Moving forward is the only option, and Library Journal wrote, “In this highly Glenview (Ill.) Public what comes next is anyone’s guess. original novel exploring the hidden Library. ... Linda Burns accompanies each story with his depths of one older woman, Hellenga Nemec Foster was the personal notes regarding the thoughts (The Sixteen Pleasures) shows that he is a national judge for the and ideas that inspired him to write the writer who deserves to be more widely 2014 Dyer-Ives Poetry story. known.” Competition. She par- Greg Bill Ott, 2004 winner of the James ticipated in the awards Borzo Friend Award for Literary and Dramatic ceremony on June 7 in Criticism, wrote, “Hellenga ... is one of THE DOG PARK Grand Rapids, Mich., held during the those writers who inspires a special kind city's annual Festival of the Arts. On May of devotion in their readers.” 18 she gave a poetry reading in Laura Caldwell’s 15th book, The Dog Publishers Weekly said, “Hellenga's Philadelphia at the Ryerrs Museum as Park (Harlequin MIRA), will come out feisty and learned narrator, who travels part of The Fox Chase Reading Series. July 28. from the Casa di Giulietta in Verona to Her poem, “The Dream of ,” was The Dog Park is about a Gold Coast TruckStopUSA in Ottawa, is an entertain- selected by the Series to be printed as a Chicago couple who share joint custody ing guide.” limited edition broadside and was distrib- of their goldendoodle, Baxter. When the uted at the reading. Another poem, “Mt. dog is in a video that goes viral, Baxter Fuji,” was short-listed for an international becomes famous, turning their lives EYE TO EYE: PHOTOGRAPHS poetry award sponsored by the Fish upside down. Anthology in Ireland. She also gave poet- BY VIVIAN MAIER ry readings at the main branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library on June 3 and at the Dog Ears Book Store in IMMIGRANT VOICES: Richard Cahan and Michael Northport, Mich., on 21ST CENTURY STORIES Williams’ Eye to Eye: Photographs by June 13. On July 19, Vivian Maier (CityFiles Press, July 8) she gave a poetry pres- includes never-before-published photo- entation at the Water The 18 short stories written by recent graphs by Vivian Maier, the subject of Street Gallery in immigrants to the in Cahan and Williams’ earlier book, Vivian Douglas, Mich. ... Immigrant Voices (Great Books Maier: Out of the Shadows. Aleksandar Hemon Foundation, March In the new collection, the subjects in has written an e-book 15), co-edited by France, Italy, Malaysia, Yemen, Puerto collection of essays on Achy Obejas, are Rico and America look directly at the soccer titled The about daily life in a camera. Gregory changing America. The Wall Street Journal wrote, “Her Harms Matters of Life, Death, and More: Writing on Aleksandar work alternately brings to mind Lisette Soccer (FSG Originals, June 3). He also Hemon is among the Model, Leon Levinstein, Harry Callahan, wrote a June 22 New Republic article authors included in Garry Winogrand, Weegee, Helen Levitt headlined, “Its Dragons Felled, Bosnia the book. and Robert Frank. But the uncracked nut Reflects on Defeat.” In addition, he will Achy A reviewer in the at the core of her mystery is this: Why be artist-in-residence at the University of Obejas April 11 Chicago didn’t Vivian Maier show anyone her pic- North Texas during the 2014-15 academic Tribune said, “I tures?” year. ... In May, Gregory Harms visited wanted to stand and read aloud the bril- Turn to Page 5 liant selections.” Turn to Page 5 4 LITERARY LICENSE, MAY-JUNE 2014 Sunny day for bookselling Biblio File Continued from Page 4 at this year’s Printers Row Amman, Jordan. Greg says, “I like BY ROBERT LOERZEL Koko, Private Clown. And by the end of Amman very much. It's relatively inex- ixteen SMA members sold their Garner’s two-hour slot, he’d given away pensive – especially when one stays in books June 7-8 at the Printers Row all of those Circus Peanuts and sold a hostels and eats street food and eats at the SLit Fest in Chicago’s South Loop bunch of books. various small cafes and restaurants area — and it turned out to be lovely Although Edward McClelland’s most around downtown. A good dinner can be weather for outdoor book shopping. recent publication is Nothin' but Blue found for about 4 to 8 dinar, or $6 to $12. Joseph Peterson sold nearly all 34 of Skies, the one that seemed to get people The people are among the friendliest any- the books he brought, standing behind the talking at Printers Row was his first book, where, and it’s genuine. Perfect strangers SMA table and giving a sales pitch to Horseplayers. Maybe it was because the in a cafe routinely ask where you are countless passersby: Belmont Stakes were happening later in from and then say ‘Welcome!’ about three “These are three nov- the day. or four times.” ... Judy Valente had sev- els set in Chicago, and Stan “Tex” Banash set up a laptop to eral events involving both her Atchison I wrote them!” play a recording of the official Illinois Blue and The Art of Pausing: Meditations Peterson had copies state song as he sold copies of his book for the Overworked and Overwhelmed. ... of his novels Gideon’s about the state, Roadside History of In the closing days of the recent legisla- Confession, Wanted: Illinois. His cowboy hat may have attract- tive session, the Illinois House of Elevator Man, Inside ed some attention, too. Representatives adopted House the Whale: A Novel in It isn’t always easy to persuade people Resolution 1124, which congratulated Verse and Beautiful Joseph Peterson to buy your books at the fair, but even Stan “Tex” Banash on completing his Piece — or at least, when folks didn’t plop down any cash, third book, Roadside History of Illinois he did when he arrived. they often stopped to chat with the authors. (Mountain Press, 2013). He is promoting James Finn Garner had another way Other participants at the SMA tables the book throughout the state, speaking at of attracting the attention of fairgoers: He included John Knoerle, Marc Sheehan, public libraries, before historical soci- bought three bags of those candies people Sue William Silverman, Scott Dominic eties, and at elementary schools, in addi- either love or hate, Circus Peanuts, and Carpenter, Michael Raleigh, Jim tion to appearing at history-related festi- set them out in a bowl on the SMA table. Bowman, Arthur and Elena George, vals. ... Starting in June, Patrick That wasn’t a completely random choice Patrick McBriarty, Dan Burns, Gerry McBriarty will help lead two-hour cruis- of candy, since Garner is the author of and Janet Souter, Joan Kufrin and es touring Chicago’s remarkable bridges. mysteries featuring the character Rex Katherine McCaughan. McBriarty will guide patrons through the history, architecture and engineering of

New Books Straus and Giroux, June 3). The June 13 Turn to Page 6 Los Angeles Times said his stories “occu- Continued from Page 4 py a territory somewhere between Vladimir Nabokov and Nelson Algren – SMA Support beguiled by the play of language but also ECSTATIC CAHOOTS gritty and specific, fundamentally urban Dues cover mailings and other organi- at their core.” zational expenses, but the Society always The May 30 Chicago Tribune said, “ ... needs additional money for programs his new collections Ecstatic Cahoots and such as the awards at the annual May Paper Lantern: Love Stories feel more PAPER LANTERN: banquet. Thanks to these members who like poetry than prose, as if what drives made contributions since the last newslet- LOVE STORIES them is less the need to tell a story than ter: Richard Bales, Greg Borzo, to evoke – through closely observed, Richard Frisbie, Edward Gordon, carefully rendered images and free-asso- Shirley Haas, Haki R. Madhubuti, Stuart Dybek has simultaneously pub- ciative visual memories – physical sensa- Marietta Marcin, Charles Masters, lished two books: Ecstatic Cahoots tions.” Patricia McNair, Margaret F. O’Hara, (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, June 3) and On June 19, Flavorwire named Ecstatic Robert Remer, Dick Simpson and Paper Lantern: Love Stories (Farrar, Cahoots its Book of the Week. Darwin McBeth Walton.

“When they met, one of the things she liked about him right away was that he let her finish her own sentences, even if she had to pause for a sec- ond or two to find the right words.” – Little Known Facts, Christine Sneed, 2013

LITERARY LICENSE, MAY-JUNE 2014 5 Biblio File Society of Midland Authors Continued from Page 5 set to celebrate centennial “these mechanical marvels.” ... The Seattle Times put Rick Atkinson’s The he Society of Midland Authors is It’s been a colorful Guns at Last Light: The War in Western turning 100 in 2015, and we’re Europe, 1944-1945 on its 2014 “summer Tplanning a series of special events, century since the Society reading” list. The Wilkes Barre Times- including a weekend festival with read- “ was officially launched. Leader chose Blue Balliett’s The Wright ings, panel discussions and social events; 3 for its list. ... Richard Baer’s 2007 a more extensive than usual awards pro- Switching Time: A Doctor’s Harrowing gram; and a drive to sign up new mem- led a popular riot against me, and ”the civil Story of Treating a Woman with 17 bers. government, in an attempt to protect my Personalities is now a movie project. Jen It’s been a colorful century since the person, was forced to declare me a pris- Kleiner, director of “Nina Quebrada,” is Society was officially launched in 1915 oner of state until the popular clamor had writing the script. ... by a group of more than 50 authors who subsided." Catherine Browder included George Ade, Mary Hastings Thanks to that government protection, was among the faculty Bradley, Clarence Darrow, Edna McGovern went on to become the and authors who Ferber, , Emerson Society’s 14th president. attended the June 27- Hough, Vachel Lindsay, Harriet McGovern wasn’t the only Society 29 University of Monroe, Howard Vincent O'Brien, president to encounter difficulty overseas. Missouri-Kansas and William In April 1945, the Society’s communica- City’s New Letters Allen White. Authors who joined shortly tion with then-president Mary Hastings writers conference. ... thereafter included Jane Addams, Edgar Bradley, who was on assignment in Italy A. Guest, Ring Lardner, Edgar Lee writing about a Wac unit, was impeded by Blue Polly Carlson-Voiles Balliett was among the Masters, John T. McCutcheon, Gene wartime censors who took “several big authors appearing Stratton Porter, Lew Sarett, Walter Dill snips from her last letter,” according to a June 8 at the Ely (Minn.) Arts & Heritage Scott, Vincent Starrett, and report in the Chicago Daily News. Just Center. ... In May, Scott Turow received Brand Whitlock. like a modern publisher. an honorary degree from Illinois’ It hasn’t all been smooth sail- But thanks to the efforts of Governors State University. ... Michael ing. On Oct. 23, 1922, the Society members over the years, Ebner wrote a May 25 History News Chicago Daily News ran a news we’re still here. Network article titled, “You Know Jackie story with the headline “CHICA- As stated in our Constitution Robinson, but Shouldn't We Remember GO'S LITERARY FIELD DAY and By-Laws, one of the objects Moses Fleetwood JOLTED: Future of the Society of the Society is the “creation of Walker, too?” ... The of Midland Authors Is in a closer association among writ- June 20 Richmond Doubt.” ers of the Middle West.” Times Dispatch quoted That very same year, the That’s why we plan events in Walter Podrazik in a Society almost was deprived of a our centennial year that not future president when William Harriett story about TV recap- Monroe only help authors but also help pers. ... Peter Geye Montgomery McGovern sneaked to maintain the Midland states was the guest June 16 across an 18,000-foot-high pass as a literary and cultural center – as this at the Brown Bag into Tibet in midwinter. organization has been doing for almost a The pass was blocked with snow and Lunch Summer Author Walter century. supposedly was closed to all travelers, Series in Brainerd, Podrazik If you’d like to help, contact our Minn. ... The June 9 even natives. But that didn't stop Centennial Committee chair, Beverly San Jose Mercury News said of Julie McGovern, who – like all Midland Offen, at [email protected]. authors – would do anything to get Hyzy’s Home of the Braised (A White Or you can make a special centennial enriching details for a first-class book. House Chef Mystery) (Berkley, Jan. 7), donation by mailing a check to Society of “Arrived in Tibet, I was required to “White House chef Olivia ‘Ollie’ Paras’ Midland Authors, P.O. Box 10419, disguise myself as a Tibetan coolie and to seventh adventure is a lively mixture of Chicago IL 60610. travel as such through the heart of coun- food and crime.” ... Edward “Ted” You can make a donation via PayPal by McClelland was quoted June 5 on try,” McGovern wrote in To Lhasa in Disguise: A Secret Expedition Through visiting our home page at www.midlan- WESA, Pittsburgh’s NPR station, in a dauthors.com and clicking on the story on adjunct professors seeking Mysterious Tibet. “ ... At last I arrived in Lhasa. Here I was foolish enough to “Donate” button in the upper right corner. reveal myself voluntarily to the authori- We hope to see you at our centennial Turn to Page 8 ties with the result that the Lhasa monks events. 6 LITERARY LICENSE, MAY-JUNE 2014 An author and reporter looks back

ere’s what Taylor Pensoneau tells eventually the top aide to Jim Edgar. do credit Illinois House Speaker Mike Literary License about his new When Edgar was governor, the late Sun- Madigan with organizational prowess on Hbook, Reporting on Life – and Times political columnist Steve Neal the legislative scene not witnessed since People Along the Way (June 29). (Part of labeled Lawrence the “shadow governor” the days of Arrington, a Republican high- this Q&A also was published on the of Illinois. ly admired by Democrat Madigan. Chicago Sun-Times politics portal.) Literary License: Some people tend to Literary License: You’ve worked with Literary License: You spent 12 years look back at the ’60s and ’70s as an era such publishers as American Literary as the Illinois political correspondent of when Illinois legislators worked together Press and Southern Illinois University the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in the 1960s better than they do today. Is that accu- Press, but now you and your wife operate and 1970s. What were the highlights dur- rate? Downstate Publications, which has pub- ing those years? lished your more recent works. What’s Taylor Pensoneau: It probably is true. your advice to fellow authors who might Taylor Pensoneau: Coverage of Illinois Major issues facing the state, such as be considering a similar move? politics was a terrific beat. Chronicling financial challenges, were dealt with then heated electoral contests, society – and done so in a bipartisan fashion. This Taylor Pensoneau: Without any hesita- upheavals through the civil rights and in no way does not mean there wasn’t tion, I recommend going the way Liz, my antiwar movements, the Illinois General plenty of political polemics, backbiting editor as well as wife, and I have tra- Assembly, the first Mayor Daley and five and undercutting back then. But, in the versed. national political con- end, ideological and We long ago cast aside any stigma tied ventions, especially the personality conflicts to self-publishing. In fact, the bulk of the raucous 1968 Literary often were set aside for regional books coming out in our Democratic one in the so-called common Downstate world are self-published. Chicago, were cover- Landscape good. This is no longer Assuming one is writing a book that is age highlights that the case in the current going to sell, the benefits of self-publish- assured me of count- Taylor General Assembly. ing are readily visible. You keep control less front-page stories. Extreme polarization of the book in its marketing and distribu- Pensoneau between the parties has tion. Publicity is the key to successful Literary License: produced a treading marketing, and in my case I can rely on Who are the main characters in your new water atmosphere in which compromise my journalism contacts south of the book? has become nearly impossible. Chicago area for feature stories, columns and reviews. Taylor Pensoneau: The book traces the Literary License: You’ve written biog- With big-time New York and other lives, along with my own, of persons raphies of former governors Dan Walker “regular” publishers, an author usually is close to me who have achieved success in and Richard Ogilvie and former Illinois at the bottom of the food chain even if the life. I love Horatio Alger stories, and Senate leader W. Russell Arrington. How book sells. Not so with self-publishing. there are a number of them in the book. did they compare with the top Illinois After taking into account the standard 40 One is about Edward Pound, a poor kid political leaders of today? percent discount in selling books to stores from St. Louis, who – while never gradu- and other outlets, the rest is gravy. In ating from college – went on to become a Taylor Pensoneau: First off, I think regard to my two books on infamous premier investigative reporter, first in leaders like Ogilvie, Arrington and Walker Downstate gangsters, the big turnout at Springfield, then Chicago, and, finally, in were considered more dynamic in the the initial signing in southern Illinois for Washington. public eye than their current counterparts. each of the books retired in one swoop After breaking disclosures with me in They were real newsmakers and two of our costs incurred in publishing them. Springfield, Ed went on with the Sun- them, Arrington and Walker, had feisty Times in Chicago to spur the downfall of personalities that made for great journalis- Literary License: What’s your next a number of Democratic machine stal- tic copy. State government was more book? warts, including Tom Keane and Matt respected in their era. Danaher. Subsequently, he has figured Today’s Illinois government leaders, for Taylor Pensoneau: As the final chap- prominently in umpteen scandalous dis- the most part, seem to wallow in a ter in my new books says, Liz and I are closures involving the high and mighty in swampy quagmire of indecision that com- lucky in retirement to be living the good Washington. Another featured in the book mands little respect and, indeed, has given life. is Mike Lawrence, who went from the our state a dubious reputation on the As for my future as an author, I am Illinois Capitol pressroom to become national level. Having said that, though, I open to suggestions.

LITERARY LICENSE, MAY-JUNE 2014 7 Final chapters try it. ... We were stupid enough [to take it on one in which Mr. Naifeh did most of on],” he said. the “clearing of the land” – gathering Mr. Smith, who grew up in Columbus, information – while Mr. Smith said he Ohio, and Naifeh also won a Pulitzer Prize would take what Mr. Naifeh found and Gregory White Smith, who, with co- for a 1990 biography of . “sift it into words.” author , won the 2012 As for the work of authors, Mr. Smith Mr. Smith said he had appeared on the Society of Midland Authors Biography said, “Most of us labor, I think, radio show of the late Studs Award for Van Gogh: The Life (Random fairly much on our own and over Terkel in the 1990s, and that House), died April 10 at his home in long periods of time, and these during a lunch afterward Terkel Aiken, S.C., at age 62. things accrete like the delta of a said he was impressed that Mr. Naifeh told the Washington Post the river. This one took 10 years. Smith, whose parents owned a cause was a rare type of brain tumor. The last one, the Pollock book, small Midwest motel chain, In delivering the SMA award in 2012, took eight years.” challenged some prevailing Judge James Schwab said, “I was The two men, who met on their views of art history. stunned by what these folks put together first day at The Los Angeles Times said ... [an] incredible piece of research.” in 1974 and were married in 2011 Gregory White the Van Gogh biography, “was In accepting the award, Mr. Smith said in New York, wrote 18 books Smith praised by many critics as a the idea for the book began in New York together, five of them best-sellers. magisterial work, rich with when a woman asked, “Why hadn’t the “We both knew to a certainty we did insights into the personal and intellectual scholarly community attempted a defini- not want to be lawyers,” Mr. Smith said. underpinnings of the tortured artist’s tive biography of the most beloved and “By the time we finished law school, we influential paintings.” best-known artist ever? had written our first book.” At age 8, Mr Smith already was dictat- “Her fellow scholars knew what a great The two men tried a variety of co- ing short novels into his father's task it was, and they knew better than to authoring techniques, but finally settled Dictaphone, the Times said.

Biblio File Gunter Nitsch attended the June 14 May 31. The panel is on Social Chicagoland Authors Promoting Success Networking & Writers.” Dan Burns Continued from Page 6 event. ... David Radavich is scheduled fielded questions from Penny on June 26 unionization on some college campuses. to read July 8 from his poems at the at the Beverly (Chicago) Arts Center...... In June, Thomas Frisbie won a first- Taste Full Beans coffeehouse and John Knoerle wrote in a June 5 letter to place Illinois Press Association editorial- gallery in downtown Hickory, N.C. ... the Chicago Tribune, “The [Chicago] writing award. ... Kelly O’Connor Arnie Bernstein Machine doesn’t want any changes to McNees is scheduled to talk about her writes Biblio File to its rigged system and will stop at new novel The Island of Doves July 8 at say, “My friend Penny nothing to keep the status quo.” Here’s Saturn Booksellers in Gaylord, Mich. ... Golden is looking for part John says the Trib deleted: “It At the invitation of the Kresge authors to partake in reminds me of that quote from Lilly Foundation, Jim Schwab joined other her Author Afternoon Tomlin: ‘No matter how cynical you experts in its May 27-29 symposium on series. It’s a good get, it’s impossible to keep up.’ ” ... climate change and community behavior time (I’ve done it Steven Lubet was quoted in a June 17 at the Garrison Institute, in Garrison, twice) and Penny is a Forbes article about Los Angeles N.Y. ... JSOnline wrote a June 5 profile John great live interviewer. Clippers owner Donald Sterling. ... of the art in Kathie Giorgio’s Knoerle She reads the books Robert McClory on June 18 reviewed Wisconsin condo. “Every nook and and knows how to Crisis of Catholic Authority: Faith and cranny offers a treat for the eyes, and a drill down into the writing process and Power in the Diocese of Lincoln, story,” it said. ... Patricia McKissack content. Penny is looking for more Nebraska for the National Catholic was scheduled to be on a panel “Let Our women writers, although men are cer- Reporter. ... The State Library of Kansas Rejoicing Rise: 45 Years of the Coretta tainly welcome, too. She can be contact- in June named Clare Venderpool’s Scott King Book Award: A Conversation ed at [email protected]. Navigating Early a 2014 Kansas Notable with Past and Present Winners” at the Also, I'm participating in a Career Day Book. American Library Association’s June 26- panel for the Northwestern University July 1 convention in Las Vegas. ... MFA/MA Creative Writing program Biblio File is on Twitter@BiblioFile_SMA

“Shalom flicked his headlights, and they all knew at once that the figure cast in silhouette was Eichmann. The way he walked – bent forward, a determined gait – was unmistakable.” – The Nazi Hunters, Neal Bascomb, 2013

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