Kansas Authors Club - Fall 2022 Newsletter

State Newsletter

Convention Issue

Convention 2022 in Pictures

by Curtis Becker Newsletter Editor

District 2 member Kevin Rabas volunteered to take pictures at our convention in Lawrence. We had hoped to get a few shots for the newsletter and yearbook and were surprised with a treasure trove of pictures that captured the convention so beautifully. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity these pictures present and share a small samping with you. Thank you, Kevin!

Hazel Hart shops in the book room during the 2022 convention held in Lawrence.

H.C. Friesen and her husband greet convention attendees moving through the main hallway.

President Tracy Million Simmons and Convention Committee Member Cheryl Unruh continuing to work as the convention is in full swing.

D2 Members Kerry Moyer, Toni Cummings, and Ann Anderson take a break outside of the main ballroom.

Convention Chair Curtis Becker observes from a comfy chair.

Notes from the Desk of the President

by Tracy Millon Simmons Kansas Authors Club President

From the Desk of the Kansas Authors Club President:

Dear Writing Friends,

And in the blink of an eye, here we are, nearing the end of another year. A round of applause goes to the District 2 Convention Committee led by Curtis Becker. They worked hard to put together our first hybrid convention. The event was absolutely brimming with good energy, and I am thankful to the team that put in the hours to make it all happen: Ann Vigola Anderson, Micki Carroll, Toni Cummings, Cheryl Heide, Deb Irsik, and Cheryl Unruh. Thanks also to our volunteers who hit the ground running at the event: Lindsey Bartlett, Linzi Garcia, Beth Gulley, Kerry Moyer, Perry Shepard, and Brenda White.

I hope that you are in the habit of watching the Kansas Authors Club website for news and updates. KANSASAUTHORSCLUB.ORG provides the answers to your membership questions, as well as

keeping you up to date on book and publishing news by your fellow Kansas authors. In the very near future, we look forward to launching a new member perk, which will help you explore and shop for the books being written by members. (For a little preview, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/kansasauthorsclub)

In the meantime, please keep submitting your member news. We are happy to celebrate with you by sharing news of upcoming books, as well as essays and poems accepted for publication online and in print journals.

KANSASAUTHORSCLUB.ORG a NEWS FOR ALL MEMBERS a CURRENT NEWS FEED

Subscribe on the website to have news items delivered directly to your email inbox.

Much love and good writing—

Tracy Million Simmons

Kansas Authors Club President, 2022 and Transitional Manager

Note from Curtis Becker: Although she is much too humble to list herself as a member of the committee, Tracy Million Simmons advised us. Her knowledge of past conventions and access to notes/procedures from previous committees were integral to our decisionmaking process. Thank you, Tracy!

The Convention Committee and Helpers

Front Row L-R: Tracy Million Simmons, Toni Cummings, Micki Carroll, and Cheryl Unruh

Back Row, L-R: Kerry Moyer, Deb Irsik, Ann Vigola Anderson, Cheryl Heide, and Curtis Becker

Missing Submissions

It was brought to our attention that several member entries were left out of the 2022 yearbook. These entries will be added to the electronic version of the yearbook, and we are sharing them here for you to enjoy. A double-check system will be put in place for future yearbooks to assure that all members who submit to the yearbook are included.

Yearbook Guidelines

Due Between August 1 and October 31, electronic receipt or postmark.

Every Member having paid current dues is invited to submit ONE literary contribution for the yearbook. That submission can be either prose or poetry. Prose is limited to one printed page (no more than 500 words). Poetry is limited to one printed page (no more than 40 lines including spaces between verses).

All literary contributions remain the property of the individual authors. Authors may continue to use or distribute their work without requesting permission from the Kansas Authors Club. No work printed in the KAC yearbook may be copied or distributed in any form without explicit permission from the author. Yearbook Submissions are preferred via the online site, Submittable. There is NO CHARGE to submit a yearbook entry.

Sleepless

IN the deep, dark quiet SOMe time creeps by NIgh on to dawn A lark trills, refreshed and oblivious

Aimee L. Gross, District 1 Agross9999author.com

The Last Kansas Evening

Rusted ranks of milo Wave my passage, Furrowed lines bending past Like the fletching of an arrow Shot to the horizon.

Windows down, I pitch through patterns, Trailing memories and music, Shedding light from the mirrors. Even as darkness swells I think I know the way.

I speed, the earth tilts, Mile markers slide behind. Milo flits and streaks, Sweeping me in its contoured current Away from home.

Behind me the fallow sun Falls into the arms of fields The color of old blood As the horizon before me cries, O, Maranatha!

I come, I come

Ungathered moments Fly loose in my current. I am coming untethered, And the horizon

Is becoming home.

But the fields, the fields will not be moved They sing for joy An evening song, Their beloved never absent More than a day.

Heidi Unruh, District 6

Lions Lounging in Winter Grass

Sun sets low on dry land grasses, casting a muted honey like glow over December’s prairie.

From the turnpike, we see resting hills of chestnut colored bluestem and russet switchgrass. Mellow colors of buttery pale yellow blend with tawny trusses like lions’ manes.

hurried to the bathroom.

Pulling up my robe, I heard a loud, wet “thunk.” Realization hit. My little cell phone had landed in the indoor water feature. Taking time to utter a loud, resounding expletive appropriate for my location, I retrieved it from the fortunately clean pool of water. Rushing to the kitchen with no regard for shadowy forms, looming or otherwise, I grabbed paper towels and quickly performed cellular triage. Off came its tiny leather case, then its black front and silver back.

Next, its battery—its life force—lay naked and vulnerable. Could I save it?

We slow down and gaze at dozing lions as they pause, yawn, and shake their manes in twilight winds.

Judy Hatteberg, District 5 Morning

Early one dark chilly morning I shut off the alarm and made my way back into the warm cocoon of my blankets for a few more precious minutes: a luxury of enormous proportions which I enjoy as a true hedonist. However, the inevitable lists of deadlines and chores flitted through my brain, so I reluctantly rose and slowly found robe, slippers, phone, glasses, and water glass. Fumbling around half-asleep is not my idea of fun, but those of us who do not wake with a smile (in other words, we normal people) must endure that initial agony every single predawn hour of our lives.

I found the hallway and made my way carefully to the kitchen, watching with one bleary eye for the shadowy form looming somewhere underfoot. My beacon is always the range hood light, faithfully glowing.

Putting down my various accouterments, I started to reach for the coffeepot when I was struck with a very sudden need to stumble back through the blackness. For some unknown reason I grabbed my cell phone, crammed it into my pocket, and

I did: it came back from nearly drowning ignominiously. Watching the condensation form behind its tiny display screen was heartwrenching, but it gradually disappeared. Finally, I reassembled the minuscule parts and turned it on. Bless its heart, it bravely asked me to update its clock and date function after the time change. What a trooper! I could also make and receive calls. There was one poignant note: the light behind its display remained very weak, so it was not totally unscathed.

A further piece of this story deserves a bit of attention, too. I performed all this rescue and emergency surgery with my eyeballs floating and no caffeine!

And the shadowy form? He wisely stayed that way.

Waterman-Peters, District 1 barbarawatermanpeters.com

Little Ann

“Little Ann,” Grandma calls. Oh, why is the down bed with its layers of homemade quilts so hard to leave? The walls of the spare bedroom are painted the palest shade of yellow and catch the morning sunlight. My grandma let me pick the paint color. I choose yellow like the sunflower

Barbara

that turns its head to follow the sun. In the night, I heard ice pelting, and it is snowing when I look out the window.

I put on my old Wrangler’s with patches sewn on the knees, two T shirts, a sweater, and run down the sixteen stairs. In the kitchen, my senses are tricked by the warmth and bright light. On this frigid morning, Grandma is frying bacon and corn grits. In another skillet, bacon grease becomes thick gravy with cream mixed in.

My grandparents and I put on boots, big coats, and hats. Each of us has a job to do. I feel important to be able to be a part of the farm life. My job is to take warm milk and leftover biscuits to the farm cats. Grandpa fusses that they are fat from barn mice, but Grandma feeds them on the coldest of Kansas days. I carry the bowl carefully as I walk up the hill to the barn. I call “kitty, kitty, kitty.”

The chicken coop is surprisingly warm and dark. I hear the low cooing of chickens and hold the basket as Grandma gathers eggs. Back at the house, Grandma will pour us a cup of coffee, more milk than coffee in my mug and a big spoonful of honey. We take Grandpa a cup as he is milking the cows. When chores are done, Grandpa goes to the basement to fill the furnace with chunks of coal. We are never cold in the big farmhouse. Grandma lays out paper, pencils, and crayons. For the rest of the morning, we listen to country western music on the Philco radio and draw. I always draw the farm cats. When I am not happy with one of my pictures, Grandma says, “Draw what is in your heart.” She tapes my pictures up around her kitchen and I feel so special to have my own art show.

I look out at the snow today and remember every moment of those winter days at my grandparents’ farm. Grandma was always teaching me to be true to myself and I have never forgotten that lesson.

Ann Vigola Anderson, District 2 https://annvanderson.wordpress.com/

Remember to say Thank You on Halloween

They could barely see with the masks, and she tripped once on her long ill-fitting costume. He pulled her too fast, but here was one last house with a light and he was greedy for more candy. He had showed his sister how to work the street, hurrying from house to house where there were lights and out-pacing other children. At one place there had been the little candy bars they liked and those were unwrapped and gobbled down immediately... ummmm soft nougat centers. They hurried to another house a little further up the street which had been dark earlier in the evening. She was getting tired and wanted to go home. The number of kids were less and it was more scary also. Greedily he moved ahead and complained, “Okay, This is the last house.” They rang the bell as a taller, third figure joined them at the door. She glanced sideways, it was a witch. He prompted her again, “Remember to say thank you.” They could hear someone moving about and impatiently waited until a Zombie opened the door. They almost stepped back because his costume was really good and there was a horrible stench. The Zombie’s eyes sparkled as he said “Trick or Treat?” before the kids were able utter the words. The door opened and the witch behind pushed them toward the Zombie who grabbed them saying “Thank You.” The third figure said “You’re Welcome.” He closed the door and couldn’t wait, biting their heads off to get to the soft yummy centers.

Myron Dunavan, District 1

Dawning

On the rocks you’re sitting Staring-out to sea. You don’t know I’m waiting For you to come to me. Gradually, you’re shifting, turning; Mind and eyes perceive. Finally, awareness dawning You see the smile you need.

Myron Dunavan, District 1

Family Reunion

The first time I went to Germany and met the family my great grandfather had left behind, I heard a very different story about why he left. He had told us that he left Bavaria to avoid being drafted into the army. That made sense. He was 17 and turned 18 on the ship.

Over there, they said he fled because he was wanted by the police.

At the time he left, his region was owned by the Pope in Rome. The Pope could not govern the area, Franken, personally, so he appointed Bishops to rule in his place. Some were kind, some were not. Today they are referred to as: Prince-Bishops. The Pope not only owned the land, but the forests and everything in the forests—all the animals.

My great grandfather was the oldest boy and felt a responsibility to help feed the family. He caught an animal in the forest for food. This act was a crime; a crime against the Pope, a crime against God. The police were after him, so he fled.

He had two sisters already in America, so the destination was obvious.

My cousin said his father never seemed to stop crying and died a few years later of a broken heart. His mother soon followed.

My great grandfather homesteaded in Dakota Territory, met a young widow who had fled drought

in Nebraska where she had just buried her husband. Her family lived nearby in the territory. They married. My great grandfather sold his homestead and bought a farm near hers. My grandfather was born there.

My great grandfather saw wild plumbs on their Sunday drives and decided to move south to Kansas where they were plentiful. My father and I were born here because of the plumbs.

I was the first to go back. When I told the German family about my great grandfather’s life, they were astonished. His youngest brother and remaining sisters had stayed in their village all their lives.

“He lived a life of adventure!” A younger cousin exclaimed. They all marveled how much the two brothers were alike despite living so far apart and not knowing each other. Both had a temper. Both were stubborn. Both consumed tobacco in some way. Both could cuss up a storm. There was no question they were brothers. And, for the first time in my life, I found other people who had the same twist in their middle finger as I do. I was part of this family!

We have stayed friends and some on each side have visited the other. I recently took my youngest daughter. She was astonished as I asked a cousin about other members of the family, their news and progress.

“You really know them!” She exclaimed. This was a side of her father she had not guessed existed. “Yes.” I said.

I’m happy to know this side of my family. We are whole again.

Duane L Herrmann, District 1 https://dlherrmann.wixsite.com/home

Hutchinson Memories

by Jim Potter D6 President

Tammy Gilley, KAC District 6 vice president, had an idea that refused to go away. She wanted to promote writing while collaborating with community groups in Hutchinson. This led to a call to all D6 members to write a nonfiction short story about Hutchinson. Thirteen members responded.

After checking with the Hutchinson Public Library, Gilley learned that they would be eager to display the essays in the library’s auditorium during the month of September 2022. The library asked that the stories create a positive narrative of the community since Hutch was celebrating its 150th anniversary.

To add color to the display, Gilley approached two Hutchinson Community College students who had recently completed a photography class. Cora Stokely and Paul Evans agreed to take photos in Hutchinson that would support the short story topics. Soon, their creative images gave the display an inviting “pop,” bringing the writing to life thanks to Tammy and Cora.

While the show “Hutchinson Memories” was up, Charlotte Crawford, D6, inquired in a Facebook post: “Will there be an ebook of the show?” She asked because she lives in Tennessee and would not be able to visit the exhibit. Jim Potter, D6 president, responded to Charlotte in a post: “Are you volunteering?”

Now, Tammy Gilley and Charlotte Crawford are editing an ebook of the library’s show. Cora Stokely will contribute a cover photo. Gina Laiso, D6, Integrita Productions,

will design the cover. The goal is to have the ebook ready to be submitted to Amazon for a Kindle book by the end of October.

I give thanks to Tammy for her idea and follow through, giving our district members an opportunity to write and be published. I welcome the eagerness of Charlotte for her willingness to volunteer to work, for stepping up, not down, and sharing her publishing expertise.

District 6’s Tammy Gilley and Charlotte Crawford created Hutchinson Memories.

How Can You Help?

District Representatives: Each district needs a representative to the board. The commitment includes attending 3 board meetings each year plus the annual membership meeting in October. This is a great way to get to know Kansas Authors Club in more depth and to perform a service for your local community of writers. If you are interested in helping out at the district level, talk to your district leadership about the many ways you can be involved. Note that District Representatives are elected or appointed at the district level.

City Groups, Small Writing Group Leaders: If you live in an area that is not currently served by regular gatherings of the Kansas Authors Club, we’d like to assist. In 2023 we will be testing the option of statewide programming (see below) for our members and supporting the formation of smaller, city-based and writing-focused groups.

Social Media Contributors: If you follow us on Facebook, you already understand the power of teamwork to give an organization a presence. If your district (or area of writing interest) is underrepresented, perhaps you would like to join our team of social media contributors. We also could use assistance with Twitter and Instagram.

Publications and Website: Do you have experience with layout and design? Are you proficient (or willing to learn) programs such as Microsoft Publisher and/or Adobe InDesign? Would you like to gain experience with website work or email newsletter services? Perhaps you would be interested in joining our publications team. We currently produce a print yearbook and an electronic newsletter, and publication opportunities within Kansas Authors Club may just be growing! Extra eyes for editing and proofreading are also always appreciated.

Consolidating Programming 2023 Changes

In 2023, we will begin a trial of consolidating programming for the Kansas Authors Club. The programs will take place on the 3rd Saturday of each month, starting January 21. Program Start Time will be 1:30 pm, expected to take approximately one hour per program (30- to 40-minute presentations followed by 15-20 minutes Q&A and announcements).

GOAL: To provide top-notch programming for Kansas Authors Club that all members/ districts/cluster groups will be able to access. The programs will ideally be “hosted” in various locations across the state as live events, with the expectation that locals would be able to attend in person with the rest of us tuning in via Zoom. In some cases, programs would be entirely via Zoom. A calendar of programs and their descriptions will be set in advance. Recordings will be made available to members for a period of one month. This will allow groups to utilize the program other than the 3rd Saturday of the month, if they prefer.

EXPECTATIONS: This will be the central program each month for Kansas Authors Club members. It could take the place of monthly district programming or become monthly programming for areas of the state not currently served by active meetings. IF districts wish to continue doing their own programming instead of, or alongside, state programming, this is entirely up to district leadership. All members, regardless of district affiliation, will have access to state programming.

It is expected that districts (or city groups, cluster groups, small writing groups) will use the

statewide program as an opportunity to gather, watch the program together, and to incorporate their own more hands-on writing group meetings before or after the programming. Groups also may determine that meeting at a different time is more appropriate for them, and members might still choose to tune in from home via Zoom to the monthly state programming.

Groups being led by a KAC member are invited to host viewing or participation parties/meetings/ gatherings to take advantage of the state-wide programming. These meetings need not be limited to KAC members, though the links for joining will only be provided to members.

We expect to communicate via monthly notices that will go to district leaders, cluster group leaders, and hopefully public libraries. These notices will include details about accessing each meeting, as well as the in-person location, when applicable. This will be a note that goes only to organizers. All members will have the opportunity to opt-in to a similar monthly note focused on those who want to participate but aren’t necessarily taking charge of leading groups or meetings. Watch the website and your email for options to subscribe to these notices.

Contact Tracy Million Simmons for questions: kansasauthorsclub@ gmail.com

Kevin Rabas volunteered to act as official photographer for the event. He captured many wonderful photographs including most of those in this issue. Kevin is also an award winning poet, author, and playwright. He served as Poet Laureate of Kansas from 2017-2019.

Micki Carroll, District 2 Co-Chair, moderates a panel of artists talking about “Blending the Arts.” L-R: Yanfei Gao, Stephen T. Johnson, and Perry Shepard.

Tracy Simmons (D2) talks to Christy Exstrum with POD Print from Wichita.

Julie Sellers talks about “Forging Your Writing Future with Purpose and Inspiration” in the main ballroom.

Ready to meet the readers! Janice Northerns with her books in the book room.

Anne Spry and Kerry Moyer waiting for Kim Horner McCoy’s presentation to begin.

John Queen talks to Taylor Stucky between sessions.

Kris Polansky, 2023 State President, and Tracy Million Simmons, 2022 State President, address convention attendees.

Renee’ La Viness discusses “Editing: Less Equals More.”

District 2 Co-Chair Micki Carroll and Linzi Garcia, Poetry Contest Manager, observe the convention “from the wings.”

Three hard-working guys! Curtis Becker served as Convention Chair. Kerry Moyer hosted Brazilian Room B for the entire convention. Kevin Rabas served as offical photographer.

District 2 members helping with the convention include Kerry Moyer, Cheryl Unruh, Lindsey Bartlett, Brenda White, Curtis Becker, and Toni Cummings.

Keynote Speaker Max McCoy addresses the main ballroom where attendees have gathered. McCoy is a prolific author and journalist.

Book Room Manager Deb Irsik and helper Brenda White look over the convention schedule. Displayed on the table: Brenda’s Book, Blue Collar Saint, a Kansas Notable book in 2022.

Kerry Moyer (D2) drinks coffee.

District 2 Co-Chair Micki Carroll introduces Keynote Speaker Max McCoy.

District 2 Co-Chair Deb Irsik welcomes members to Lawrence.

State President Tracy Million Simmons opens the convention.

Toni Cummings and Ann Anderson enjoy a moment between sessions.

Anne Shiever prepares to present “Daily Journaling, Motivational Writing” while Curtis Becker and Kerry Moyer make sure technology is ready to go.

Lindsey Bartlett shares “Writing Rural: The Importance of Rural Voices in Writing Today.”

Ralvell Rogers III discusses literary matters with Gretchen Eick.

Convention Committee Member and District 2 Secretary Cheryl Heide appears to be taking great notes.

Danielle Ramirez explains how to “Kickstart Your Book.”

Michael Poage joins the conversation with Eick and Rogers

Randy Carlson and Kevin Rabas, members of The Petroglyphs, entertained convention attendees during the social hour on Saturday night.

James Kenyon and Perry Shepard chat.

The Write Way to the Future! Toni Cummings, Ann Anderson, Cheryl Unruh, and Cheryl Heide have fun while working the registration table at the convention. All four were members of the convention committee.

Hazel Hart shares information about her book during Friday night’s Coffee House and Book Share.

Kerry Moyer, Barbara Waterman-Peters, and Ann Anderson share a moment between sessions.

Thumbs up! Curtis Becker and Tracy Million Simmons celebrate the end of a successful convention.

Kim Horner McCoy talkes about breaking the line in poetry during her presentation, “I Jump, You Jump: Vulnerability and the Line Break.”

Michael Poage asks an amused Rachel Berbiglia a question as Gretchen Eick looks on.

Beth Gulley introduces Renee’ La Viness who presented two sessions, “Editing: Less Equals More” and “How to Find or Create Critique Groups and Survive Them Until You Love Them.”

questions.

Mike Graves, Curtis Becker, and Kerry Moyer discuss rural voices after attending Lindsey Bartlett’s presentation.

Leonard Krishtalka sits with his books in the book room, ready to answer

Keynote Speaker Max McCoy reviews his notes shortly before taking the stage in Lawrence.

Kansas Authors Club

P.O. Box 333 Emporia, KS 66801