Local Lit

Western Writers at the Payson Book Festival

By Marie Fasano

For six years, Arizona Professional Writers has brought you the Payson Book Festival, Inc. This year, on July 17, 2021 they will showcase 80 Arizona authors with fiction and non-fiction books at the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino. The goal of the festival is to promote literacy with a celebration of books for readers of all ages. Activities include: entertainment with cowboy poetry and songs, author discussions and Kid Zone fun sessions for youngsters. Headliners this year are Marshall Trimball, Buckshot Dot Strickland, and a group of Grand Canyon river runners - Tom Martin, Jon Fuller, Kern Nuttall and Dave Elston. One of the speakers, and always a favorite, “Buckshot Dot” Strickland Johnson is an Arizona Culture Keeper and author of several books of poetry. She has been awarded the Academy of Western Artists Female Cowboy Poet of the Year. You will be tapping your toes to Buckshot’s guitar music while she entrances you with her western poetry and songs in the afternoon. Joining Buckshot Dot with guitar songs and stories is Marshall Trimball, the official Arizona State Historian. His warm and inviting manner endears all those who meet him. He was inducted into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Marshall says “I look forward to coming to the Payson Book Festival each year.” The author of 22 books on Arizona and the West, he writes a monthly column, “Ask the Marshall,” in True West Magazine. He has won numerous honors and awards. Other western authors at the Book festival are Tom Alberti from Queen Creek who has written a six-book series based on the adventures of a Tucson cattle family. Many of his stories are from his own riding adventures throughout the state - a true horseman. Bob Boze Bell, is executive editor and co-owner of True West Magazine. He is a sought after speaker and has authored a dozen heavily illustrated books on the history of the West, especially books on the life and times of old west legends – outlaws & lawdogs – Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, and Wild Bill Hickok. Tom Martin, with his panel of authors, tells you stories about the rivers of Arizona and the people of the Grand Canyon that you never knew. Jon Fuller’s fascination with rivers began in early childhood, and he paddled his first real boat at age five. Now, a well-known hydrologist, he authored hundreds of reports about rivers throughout the West and he shares that knowledge with us. Kern Nuttall tells us about

those who have passed and the history you can learn from the cemeteries of the Grand Canyon. Dave Elston set himself a personal goal to spend a year, a few days and nights at a time, exploring the Grand Canyon. He will share his exploits with you about what he found. Parents can be sure there will be lots of activities for the Kids during the day on Saturday July 17, 2021. For more information, visit www.paysonbookfestival.org.

AAWM Book Hub Looking For More Book Lovers

The Arts Alliance of the White Mountains is expanding the BOOK HUB Group and looks forward to new members. Meetings are on the 2nd Friday of each month from 10:30 am - Noon at The Center for the Arts, 251 N Penrod Rd, Show Low. The AAWM looks forward to meeting you and for you to join the casual and always interesting group discussion. Participants present book recommendations. The AAWM Book Hub Coordinator, Eileen will assist you with any questions and can be reached at Eileen at ek_brooks@hotmail.com.