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PENNING A CAREER
Unbound Book Festival guests talk about writing PAGE 16
CHAPTER TWO
Alex George chats about his book fest’s second year PAGE 18
IN THIS ISSUE
ONLINE
APRIL 13, 2017 VOLUME 19 ISSUE 13 | PUBLISHED BY THE COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN
FEATURE Calling all writers. It’s time to get that manuscript completed and published. Local authors reveal what it’s like to be writers in CoMo and how they got their work on bookshelves and e-readers. PAGE 6 NEWS & INSIGHT It’s mythbusters: tenure edition. Vox took a look at the tenure debate in Missouri with three MU faculty members. No fake news here. PAGE 4 THE SCENE Although Alley A is off the main roads of downtown, businesses have found success at this hidden location. Learn how three businesses make it work off the beaten path. PAGE 13 MUSIC Eager for Jackie Greene’s performance at The Blue Note on Saturday? With connections to the Grateful Dead and The Black Crowes, it’s a performance to check out. PAGE 14 You’ll be steppin’ all night long with the Hooten Hallers and Rum Drum Ramblers this Friday at Rose Music Hall. Survive the hillbilly soul and rock ’n’ roll concert with our guide. PAGE 15
CAN’T STOP THE CROP TOP Crop tops are in style and appropriate for a daytime look. Pair these shirts with items such as high-waisted skirts and jeans to make that crop top work all day long. A DRINK WITH A KICK As the weather warms up, so do CoMo drinks. Well, the flavor that is. If you’re craving a spicy cocktail, find out the best places to satisfy your thirst around town. FOR RENT: YOUR CLOSET Tired of those old dresses hanging in your closet? Need some cash? Curtsy allows MU students to lend their dresses to other students and just went live at MU. Looks like it is time to do some spring cleaning.
EDITOR’S LETTER
ARTS & BOOKS Unbound Book Festival fans rejoice, the event is back for its second year with more authors. Read up on writers such as Aliki Barnstone and Candice Millard before seeing them next week. PAGE 16 Q&A Vox sat down with author and Unbound Book Festival founder Alex George to get the scoop on his rituals, story ideas and festival. PAGE 18
COVER DESIGN: MARY HILLEREN COVER PHOTOS: CLAIRE ROUNKLES AND PIXLOV
Correction: An article in the April 6 issue misspelled the name of the Greene County Drug Court, where David Stoecker works.
CHRISTINE JACKSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
320 LEE HILLS HALL COLUMBIA MO 65211 EDITORIAL: 573-884-6432 vox@missouri.edu ADVERTISING: 573-882-5714 CIRCULATION: 573-882-5700 TO SUBMIT A CALENDAR EVENT: email vox@missouri.edu or submit via online form at voxmagazine.com TO RECEIVE VOX IN YOUR INBOX: sign up for email newsletter at voxmagazine.com
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Columbia knows how to put on a festival. We gather to celebrate film, history, music, food, pride and now, thanks to Alex George, books. George founded Unbound Book Festival last year with the help of a massive volunteer team, and it immediately earned the love of Columbia’s readers and writers. After just one weekend it was beloved enough that, when we asked readers to vote on their favorite fests, it made it to the quarterfinal round, falling only to True/False Film Fest. With Unbound coming up next weekend, we decided to pack this issue with writers you should know (and not just the usual ones on the masthead). Get an introduction to Columbia’s author community in this week’s feature (Page 6) and let them guide you through the world of publishing. The business has changed over the past couple of decades, and an agent isn’t the only way for your story to end up in readers’ hands anymore. Interested in attending Unbound but not sure who to see? Let us be your guide to visiting authors. You’ll find 10 profiles of writers and where they’ll be speaking, reading and signing starting on page 16. And, like any good story, we’ve got a strong ending. On page 18, you’ll find a Q&A with the man himself, Alex George. So, read up, Columbia. That’s what Unbound is all about.
VOX STAFF Editor: Christine Jackson Deputy Editor: Dan Roe Managing Editor: Madison Fleck Creative Director: Madalyne Bird Digital Managing Editor: Abby Holman Art Directors: Mary Hilleren, Elizabeth Sawey Photo Editor: Annaliese Nurnberg Online Editor: Lea Konczal Multimedia Editor: Mitchel Summers News & Insight Editors: Madelyne Maag, Elaina Steingard, Jing Yang The Scene Editors: Lauren Kelliher, Alyssa Salela, Danielle Zoellner Music Editors: John Heniff, Taylor Ysteboe Arts & Books Editors: Claudia Guthrie, Renee Molner, Zachary Van Epps Contributing Writers: Corin Cesaric, Gerard Edic, Emily Hannemann, Max Havey, Lis Joyce, Meghan Lally, Rick Morgan, Rachel Phillips, Jessica Rendall, Karlee Renkoski, Tyler Schneider, Kelsie Schrader, Erika Stark, Samantha Stokes, Catherine Wheeler Editorial Director: Heather Lamb Executive Editor: Jennifer Rowe Digital Director: Sara Shipley Hiles Writing Coach: Berkley Hudson Office Manager: Kim Townlain
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PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF MONIQUE WOO, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
RADAR
Vox’s take on the talk of the week
SOMEBUNNY TO LOVE 59%
EARS FIRST
4%
FEET FIRST
According to a study by The Laryngoscope, there is a right way and a wrong way to eat your chocolate Easter bunny. In a survey of more than 28,000 people, they found that ears first is the way to go.
PLEASE DON’T EAT ME!
37%
NO PREFERENCE
Change your world view in less than 20 minutes TEDxCoMo will put on a one-night event tonight at the Missouri Theatre. To get you in a TED Talk mood, we’ve selected a few our favorite local speakers: Ibtisam Barakat: Palestinian-American poet Caritas Habimana: Survived the Rwandan genocide Jordan Reeves: 11-year-old inventor and advocate Nanette Ward: Found Central MO Stop Human Trafficking Coalition
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PIXABAY, FLATICON, FREEPIK, ELAINA STEINGARD, EVAN VUCCI/AP
Written by: Claudia Guthrie, John Heniff, Madelyne Maag, Elaina Steingard
PASSOVER TIPS FROM VOX’S JEWISH MOTHER It’s the week of Passover, one of the major Jewish holidays, which commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. News and Insight editor Elaina Steingard has some Passover grub suggestions for everyone this holiday. 1) Matzo ball soup: This version of chicken noodle soup contains two to three hand-rolled matzo balls. Elaina’s take: “Imagine diving into a bowl full of joy.” 2) Chocolate matzo toffee: Layers of kosher chocolate chips and homemade toffee are spread on top of matzo for this sweet treat. Elaina’s take: “Some people refer to it as ‘Jewish crack,’ but I think that is culturally insensitive.”
Elaina Steingard at her bat mitzvah in December 2007.
3) Fruits and veggies: For people who just aren't sure what to eat during Passover, fruits and veggies are always a safe choice. Elaina’s take: "Passover is like the one week of the year where I know I won't get scurvy."
And the award for this week's biggest blunder goes to... Sean Spicer — which is saying a lot considering our runner up, United Airlines, had one of its passengers dragged off a plane this week. But Spicey's comments take the proverbial cake, going against common sense in his recent remark that Adolf Hitler didn't use chemical weapons. Our advice for Mr. Spicer: Open. A. Book.
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NEWS & INSIGHT
Red light on the tenure track?
Missouri is wrapped up in the tenure debate, and MU professors are here to moderate
Although a bill aimed at eliminating tenure at Missouri universities was sidelined, the debate about the effectiveness of tenure is nationwide. Proposed changes to tenure in states like Wisconsin and California worry many higher education groups, including the National Education Association. The NEA argues that tenure promotes academic freedom, job security and better instruction for students. Vox looked into statements surrounding tenure and asked MU professors — both tenured and not — to weigh in on the truthfulness of commonly held arguments that are fueling the tenure debate.
Cutting tenure saves universities money
It depends.
In the short term, cutting tenure could be cost effective. Commentators for outlets such as Inside Higher Ed and Freakonomics
A P R I L :
have argued that tenure allows faculty to not work as hard as adjuncts or that tenure is a costly process that pays few dividends in the long run. In his blog post for Freakonomics, economist Steven Levitt wrote that “tenure does an outstanding job of protecting scholars who do no work or terrible work.” Commenting in The Atlantic, Megan McArdle wrote that: “Hiring someone on a five-year contract at $80,000 is much less expensive than hiring them on a 40-year contract at $65,000. One is a liability of perhaps $350,000; the other, of millions.” Eliminating tenure and relying more heavily on instructors and lecturers might save an institution money in the short term. But some MU professors argue that cutting tenure would be a detriment to educational quality and have negative financial consequences. Sandy Davidson, a Curator’s professor at the Missouri School of Journalism, says many universities are replacing tenured faculty with
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adjuncts who aren’t well-paid and have fewer benefits than instructors on the tenure track. Davidson isn’t wrong: according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, in the 2014-15 academic year, full-time associate professors and professors in Missouri made an average of $72,000 and $98,000, respectively. Full-time instructors, lecturers and assistant professors made about $44,000 to $60,000. At MU, when a teacher is granted tenure, he or she is normally promoted from assistant professor to associate professor, according to the MU Policy and Procedures for Promotion and Tenure. Marvin Overby, a professor of political science at MU, says that with tenure, professors forgo higher salaries for employment security. Overby says without tenure, universities would have to offer much higher salaries to attract the best employees, which would be more costly for the university in the long run.
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“When you get to the end of the road you can either turn around and go back the way you came — or you can make a new path.”
by Daniel MacIvor
Adults Students Seniors
12 $ 10 $ 10
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF PIXABAY AND FLATICON
ONCE YOU’RE TENURED, YOU CAN ONLY BE FIRED FOR CAUSE. SO, THERE HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF ESTABLISHED RATIONALE — LEGAL RATIONALE — FOR FIRING YOU.” – MARVIN OVERBY, MU PROFESSOR
Tenure promotes academic freedom
Yep. Often missing from discussion about eliminating tenure is the topic of academic freedom. Supporters like Davidson, Overby and Matthew Martens, an associate dean at the MU College of Education, all agree it’s a vital component of the debate. The American Association of University Professors established the principles of tenure in 1940 to support academic freedom. The AAUP wrote, “Teachers are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLATICON
the adequate performance of their other academic duties.” Tenure allows professors to do research and state opinions that might be unpopular without worrying about dismissal, Davidson says. “Tenure is around to protect academics and, if not truly in the legal sense, maybe it’s just the mental freedom,” Davidson says. “You can let your research take you where it does, and you don’t have to fit it into the mold that the (hiring body) would want.” She says the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of speech applies to tenured and non-tenured faculty. However, nontenured faculty
who express unpopular opinions and subsequently do not have their contracts renewed could have a hard time proving their job loss was a violation of freedom of speech.
A tenured professor can’t be fired It’s difficult but not impossible.
The university may dismiss nontenured faculty by not renewing their contracts, Davidson says. She notes tenured professors can be fired for “real misbehavior,” such as harassing students or violating academic integrity. Overby agreed. “Once you’re tenured, you can only be fired for cause. So, there has to be some sort of established rationale or legal rationale for firing you.” At MU, tenured professors can be fired for violating their contracts, after which they are usually paid until the end of the contract year, according to MU’s Faculty Handbook.
What you need to know about tenure • According to the American Association of University Professors, tenure is “an indefinite appointment that can be terminated only for cause or under extraordinary circumstances such as financial exigency and program discontinuation.” • The AAUP and Association of American Colleges and Universities outlined the principles of tenure in 1940. • NTT, or Non-tenure-track faculty, make up 43 percent of the faculty at MU. The schools with the largest percentage of NTT faculty are the MU School of Journalism and the MU School of Medicine. • In 2013, The Atlantic reported that tenure and tenure-track professors now make up less than 25 percent of university instructors, down from a high of 45 percent in 1975.
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PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF
INKING THE DEAL •
r Eric Prasc ho
sp d Su ense an
h r i l le n•T r ha
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ERIC PRASCHAN AUTHOR THRILLER AND SUSPENSE
Praschan has self-published five suspense novels. His most recent, The Burden of Silence, was released in 2015.
“I realized I didn’t want to live in fear anymore, and I needed to go after what I really wanted. And that included this dream of publication.”
The book publishing business is no longer black and white. Learn from five local authors what it takes to get read all over. STORY BY TYLER SCHNEIDER PHOTOS BY CLAIRE ROUNKLES On any given weekday, local novelist Eric Praschan can be found at the Noodles & Company on Ninth Street enjoying his favorite dish, the pad thai. “Ever branch out?” a waitress asks. “No. I’ve had it at other locations, but it’s the best here.” Praschan knows most of the staff by name. “I guess that’s a sign that I’m probably here too much,” he says. He’s sitting at a booth over by the soda machine as students pour in and out of the restaurant. To the left of Praschan’s large noodle bowl is a sleek, new copy of his 2015 novel, The Burden of Silence, a thriller set in the Ozarks. Although he’s a native Ohioan, Praschan has spent the past several years establishing himself as one of the most-acclaimed thriller and suspense novelists in Missouri, and his connection to the state is evident in his prose. Since 2012, he has written and self-published five books that have sold more than 25,000 combined copies through online book distribution sites such as Amazon and its affiliate, CreateSpace. Praschan has sent his sixth novel, Chasing My Shadow, to 22 agents and counting and is closer to achieving his dream of securing a publishing contract than ever before. The Show-Me State is no stranger to literary success. It has produced a list of homegrown talent that rivals any other state in the union, a list that includes legendary figures such as Mark Twain, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and T.S. Eliot. They are historic figures who have transcended their lifetimes and changed the way modern authors approach their crafts. However, in recent years, Missouri has quietly ushered in a new wave of literary go-getters. More specifically, Columbia, with its passion for artistic expression, has become a waypoint for Missourians looking to become successful writers. Five local authors are continuing this literary tradition. Some have been established for long enough that they are now considered sages in a town chock-full of creativity. Others are well-respected but have been trying for years to pen their breakthrough work. All of them have learned lessons that can help the next generation of mid-Missouri scribes find success.
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STEP 1 FIND YOUR VOICE Praschan almost never made it to this point. He had intense fears that had kept him from chasing any form of publishing for many years. “I always wanted to pursue publishing, but I was always afraid of it,” he says. “I was afraid of rejection. I was afraid of failure. I was afraid of negative feedback. Because of that, I wrote in a vacuum. It was kind of like this metaphorical wall in my mind, and I was afraid of trying to climb it — it just seemed insurmountable.” It took a series of health episodes that had Praschan in and out of hospitals for four and a half years to finally give him the motivation to overcome his fears and pursue his writing. Praschan’s condition, known as complex migraines (the effects of which are similar to stroke symptoms) was difficult to diagnose, but he has found a medication that could reliably curb the excruciating pain. Praschan’s experiences over this period led him to reconsider the way he thought about himself and his writing. In 2009, while he was still confined to a hospital bed, Praschan began preliminary work on his first novel, Therapy For Ghosts. He would finish it in 10 months, working primarily out of his home office while recovering.
“I realized I didn’t want to live in fear anymore, and I needed to go after what I really wanted,” Praschan says. “And that included this dream of publication.” Writing has been a therapeutic outlet for him ever since. Praschan sent pitches to a handful of agents. The book was rejected, but, not deterred, he chose to selfpublish his work instead. While self-publishing has often carried a negative connotation within the industry, Praschan saw the option as an opportunity to both grow as a writer and start connecting with fans. Sometimes finding a voice is simply the result of finding inspiration in the right place at the right time. As an MU history professor, Steven Watts is expected to publish as part of his academic position. He describes his first book, a historical study of the War of 1812 titled The Republic Reborn, as essentially a revised version of his original dissertation. His second release delved into the life of one of the first American novelists, Charles Brockden Brown. At that point, he hadn’t yet put any thought into entering the world of trade book publishing. Something finally clicked, however, when he took a vacation with his wife to Disney World in the early 1990s. “I just started thinking in the back of my mind about the people who were there and, in a broader fashion, about Disney’s big role in American culture,” Watts says. “I got home and looked at the literature on Disney, and there was a lot of shallow stuff but not really all that much on Disney at a higher level, a sort of cultural analysis.” Watts ran with the idea and got permission from Disney Studios to have free reign of its archives. The collection is immense, and it took him several years to compile the necessary information to make his vision a
reality. The final product was titled The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life and was released in 1997 to positive reviews from The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, among others. The success of The Magic Kingdom helped launch Watt’s career as part biographer, part cultural analyst. He would go on to pen full-length books about Henry Ford, Dale Carnegie, Hugh Hefner and, most recently, John F. Kennedy. Novelist Jill Orr provides another exceptional story of a Columbia writer finding inspiration. A 1995 graduate of the MU School of Journalism, she worked in various departments at MU before having her first child, Fletcher, in 2001. For the next five years, Orr took a step back from writing but found herself missing it. When an opportunity to freelance for Columbia Home and Lifestyle magazine presented itself in 2006, she took it. Five years later, when the magazine rebranded as COMO Living, Orr began a monthly parenting column. It wasn’t until 2012 that she tried writing fiction. She received more than 100 rejection letters for her first two attempts, but she persisted long enough to consider a bold change in approach. Although her first two novels were what she calls general women’s fiction, she decided to try to write her third submission as a mystery. “Having the structure of the mystery was the thing that finally clicked,” Orr says. Adopting a new genre gave her “that framework to write from within.” The genre swap paid off, and Orr signed a contract with independent publisher Prospect Park Books to publish her novel, The Good Byline (released April 11) and plans to expand the story into a trilogy.
3. Play the waiting game Interested agents or agencies request a partial or whole manuscript. “You want them to see the full arc of the story,” Praschan says. If an agent likes what he or she sees, they shop the manuscript around to publishers.
5. Promote the finished work Once the book is ready to hit the open market, the author will typically travel to book stores, festivals and other events to do signings and promote the finished product.
Publishing 101
Some writers spend decades trying to break into the mainstream literary market, while others become success stories after just a few attempts. Either way, to secure contracts, writers have to go through the process of pitching their books to agents and publishers. Eric Praschan walks us through this procedure. 1. Write and revise Practice, practice, practice. A writer rarely gets his or her very first manuscript submission published — many go their entire careers without earning a contract. Those who do make the leap successfully usually do so after a long period of trial and error. 2. Submit query letters to agents Once a manuscript is complete, the author submits a query letter to agents. The writer must convince an agent why he or she is qualified to write the book and, most importantly, that it’s a good story. The process can take a while depending on how many submissions the agency receives.
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4. Sign a deal Agents are the mediator between the author and the publisher. If a publisher decides to offer a contract to the author and the author accepts, terms are discussed by all parties. Agents will usually walk away with 15 percent of the total earnings, while the publisher’s cut can vary, depending on the size of the company.
6. Rest up and pen the follow-up Taking too long a break after getting that first paycheck isn’t recommended, but a planned rest period helps ward off future cases of writer’s block. Then, it’s time to write the next best-seller.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARY HILLEREN
STEP 2 LAND YOUR FIRST BOOK DEAL
Aut h
JILL ORR AUTHOR M Y S T E RY Orr’s most recent book, The Good Byline, is the first in a trilogy of murder mysteries. She also writes a parenting column for COMO Living magazine.
l l Or r • M ery • yst
Ji or
Authors must act proactively in marketing their books to agents and publishers. The first step is submitting a query letter, an overview of the author’s ability, to prospective agents. If an agent believes the book could be profitable, he or she will negotiate a deal and pitch it to publishers. From there, the publishing company evaluates if it should buy the book. If accepted, both parties sign a contract outlining who gets a cut. It sounds straightforward enough, but without persistence, even the most skilled authors may have never attained mainstream success. Speer Morgan, editor of the MU-supported, award-winning literary magazine The Missouri Review and author of five novels, says it took him seven years to finally pen a manuscript worthy of publication. Morgan was already working on his first novel while pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas in the late 1960s. He went on to earn his master’s degree in creative writing from Stanford University and worked as a journalist for outlets such as Rolling Stone, The Atlantic and Harper’s during the 1970s while also working at MU as an assistant professor. Although he published a collection of short stories through the University of Missouri Press in 1976, he wouldn’t publish his first full-length novel (his third attempt), Belle Starr, until 1979. He secured a deal with the New York-based publisher Little, Brown and Company. From that point on, Morgan “never wrote another novel he couldn’t sell,” he says. Alex George, a native of England, is somewhere on the middle of this spectrum. The Oxford graduate was practicing law in London and Paris in the early 1990s when he had the idea to pen a novel. He moved to Columbia in 2003 to start a family. “I went through a patch of reading a bunch of really bad books, and I would say, ‘These are terrible, I can do better than this,’” George says. “I kept saying it until it was genuinely suggested to me that I should try and do it, and so I did. Nobody is more surprised than I am, really, to find myself now with six books under my belt.” He took several years to finish writing his first novel and eventually earned a book deal after attending the Frankfurt Book Fair and running into a legal client who was an agent. “I sort of cornered her at this party and said, ‘I’ve got this book,” George says. “She said, ‘Do send it to me,’ and so I did. Never really expected much of it. Her assistant read it and liked it and decided to represent me.” A bidding war ensued between two publishers, and George chose U.K. Harper-Collins. He would publish four books in the U.K. before coming to the U.S. When he arrived in Missouri, he applied for certification to become
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r A le x G e o ho
Literary
a U.S. attorney with the intention to continue writing. He published his first book in the U.S., A Good American, in 2012, and followed it up this year with Setting Free the Kites (released Feb. 21). The uphill climb doesn’t always get easier after the first contract, however. Large publishers in particular aren’t obligated to remain loyal to an author they’ve previously published. To differentiate themselves from other writers, authors must have the ability to market not only their latest book but also to convince publishers that their style is unique enough to warrant a follow-up deal. “My impression is that really big authors who sell millions — like (Stephen) King — they tend to get a relationship with the (publisher) and stay there because everyone’s making so much money and wading in it,” Watts says. “But I think for authors like me, it is market driven.” As a rule of thumb, bigger presses offer less job security for all but the elite tier of authors, and much like making a choice on which college to attend, it can sometimes be beneficial to go smaller. Orr, for example, says that her decision to publish with Prospect Park Books, an independent Southern California press, ended up working to her advantage. “I get a lot more individual attention and support for the book, which is huge for a first-time author because I don’t know a lot about the process,” Orr says. “If it was (a larger company), I feel like I might have been more intimidated to ask questions.” By staying up to date with the latest publishing trends and marketing themselves accordingly, these Columbia authors have become engrained in the local literary scene. They have “made it,” so to speak, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way provide guidance for those looking to follow in their footsteps.
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STEP 3 OR, GO IT ALONE
ALEX GEORGE AUTHOR L I T E R A RY F I C T I O N
Setting Free the Kites is George’s sixth novel. By day, he works as a lawyer, and he writes in his spare time. George is also the founder of the Unbound Book Festival.
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The harsh reality of the publishing industry is that most aspiring authors don’t make it. For every book eventually published, many more are rejected. Most never even travel further than an agent’s desk. Therapy for Ghosts, for example, received only one manuscript request out of the 65 total agents to whom Praschan submitted query letters. His response was to begin positioning himself as a legitimate, talented and self-published author. Once he made that decision, there was no going back in his mind. With no true professional resources, he began conducting research on how to market his work effectively in the internet age. “With the emergence of e-reader devices and e-publishing services, self-publishing, which had a lot of stigma in the past, was beginning to lose that stigma,” Praschan says. “More than anything, I wanted to begin building a readership and start connecting with readers.”
“You don’t have to be celebrated the minute you decide to be a writer. I always say, “If I don’t sell a single copy of this book, I have done something for my children because they’ve watched me try and fail.’” jill orr
,
mystery author
Praschan has published all of the print version of his novels to date through CreateSpace. Under his current deal with the site, he receives 35 percent of the profits for every book sold, which he says is much higher than one would get with a traditional publishing deal. There is an emerging population of writers like Praschan who have found moderate success from publishing on their own. This wasn’t always the case. Traditionally, trade book publishing companies had a firm grip on the market when it came to selling books, and it used to be more difficult to share your work with others without having a deal in place. Kindle Publishing launched in 2007 and has ushered in thousands of books across all genres to the website. According to CNN, self-published books account for about one-third of the Amazon’s downloads. In the decade since the internet boom of the early 2000s, technology has given amateur artists access to a seemingly unlimited audience: the online world. Websites such as WordPress, Medium, YouTube, GitHub and SoundCloud have facilitated the rise of amateur publishers in all corners of the globe, and the content on these sites is massive. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing and Barnes & Noble’s NOOK Press are two sites that have helped Praschan sell his books in digital formats, earning him 70 percent of the profit for his efforts. Taking this route has given Praschan a new perspective on the online self-publishing industry. One of the perks he enjoys is the ability to have full control over the release schedules and price points of his books. Praschan stresses that profits are much less important to him than establishing a readership. “Book number three or four seems to be the sweet spot for a significant increase
in sales and readership, as new readers who discover your latest book can binge buy and read everything else in your catalog,” Praschan says. “The more quality books you can create and produce in a timely manner, the further your reach extends to connect with readers.” There are cons that come with being an independent author, however. It can technically fetch higher profit margins for the writer, but a book’s selling potential is greatly reduced without a publishing company to help. “You have to personally oversee all of the aspects of the book production and the book’s life cycle to get it in the hands of readers,” Praschan says. “So there’s a lot of freedom, but it’s counterbalanced by all of the responsibility that you bear.” The traditional publishing business can be brutal. If it weren’t, self-publishing wouldn’t be as popular as it is. First and foremost, a potential book must be one that can appeal to enough mainstream readers to bring in a decent profit. And, there are multiple parties who will take a cut when all is said and done.
STEP 4
Selling success
1/3 Nearly one-third of e-book sales on Amazon are self-published books, according to a 2014 survey by Publishers Weekly.
40%
Independent authors are raking in 40 percent of all e-book revenues, a 2014 Author Earnings report states.
LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES After several failed attempts at querying, Orr refocused her efforts on learning from her mistakes. “It’s very rare to find a writer who just hits it out of the park on the first swing,” Orr says. “You just have to literally almost go into a deep denial. Not let it create feelings or get you down.” Her advice for anyone looking to make the jump is simple: enjoy the process. Although she succeeded much more quickly than others have, this was at least partially due to her persistence. One of the driving forces behind her push towards a publishing contract was the fact that she did so with the intention of setting a good example for her children. “You don’t have to be celebrated the minute you decide to be a writer,” Orr says. “I always say, ‘If I don’t sell a single copy of this book, I have done something for my children because they’ve watched me try and fail.’ They watched me get rejected, and I let them in on that entire process.” After several years of writing popular short stories and journalistic pieces, Morgan was trying to make the transition to writing full-length novels. A major breakthrough followed a simple change in mindset. Short stories are often a writer’s first taste of publishing success, but Morgan says it’s important to understand that writing a good short story doesn’t always translate to a successful novel, at least at first. “Novel writing is really quite difficult,” Morgan says. “It’s much more difficult than short story writing, more demanding. Writing short stories is rock climbing; writing novels is climbing Everest.” Once he figured out how to make the climb, Morgan had the skill set required to
727,000
More than 727,000 self-published titles registered for ISBNs in 2015, which is a 375 percent growth since 2010.
$3.99
Smashwords, a distributor of independent books, reported in 2014 that the sweet spots of prices are $2.99 and $3.99 for authors earning the most money off of their works.
100,000 The same report from Smashwords found that readers prefer longer e-books, those over 100,000 words, over shorter ones.
26%
Self-published nonfiction authors earned 26 percent of Amazon e-book earnings in 2014, while established publishers raked in 34 percent. Sources: Publishers Weekly, Authors Earnings, Bowker, Smashwords
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become a working novelist. Praschan’s gradual improvement can be attributed in part to his background in theater and improvisational comedy, activities he participated in in high school and college. He still uses one of the exercises during his writing process. The “Yes, And!” game challenges the player to accept what is given in a particular scene and improvise to accommodate the scenario. The idea is to emphasize that every idea can be a good idea, either because it can be implemented into the story or because it aids in constructing an idea that is even better. For example, the plot lines found in each of Praschan’s novels can all be traced back to some sort of event from his life. His 2014 book, Blind Evil, was based on events from his honeymoon, when he and his wife, Stephanie, arrived at a cottage only to find that it was inland instead of by the beach and none of the windows had curtains or blinds. It was a disturbing setting for the romantic occasion. Praschan’s mind started running, and he started entertaining fictional scenarios based on the real world situation he was in. Even if some of his ideas were too absurd to be plausible, Praschan sees where his ideas lead him and withholds judgment until he can flesh out his entire train of thought. All of his books have materialized thanks to this mentality. “I won’t say, ‘That’s a good idea,’ or ‘That’s a bad idea,’” Praschan says. “Everything is a good idea that can be built on. I don’t want to stifle the creative process.” If he comes to the conclusion that a certain idea can’t be used in a book, he’ll try to pinpoint why that is the case and alter his manuscript accordingly. By
giving each idea a fair shake and considering a wide variety of scenarios for his stories, Praschan is constantly chasing improvement — with a breakthrough seemingly approaching, he can’t afford to discount anything too early. “Story material is everywhere, and as a writer, I think it’s my duty to find it,” Praschan says.
STEP 5 DO IT AGAIN Like many authors, Praschan is constantly working toward publication. For him, it can be an obsession at times. Applying a mindset borrowed from sports, Praschan refers to his writing as either being “in-season” or “out-of-season.’” In-season, he’ll write for an hour or two each weeknight on average. On the weekends he will dedicate around four to five hours per day, if not more. On a typical day, he’ll get home from his day job in the MU Admissions office, where his wife, Stephanie, works as the director of advising. They eat dinner together before he goes into his office to write.
The couple met while working at the admissions office at Evangel University in Springfield, which they both attended. They were friends for two years and dated for just three weeks before Praschan proposed. Because of their strong connection, Praschan has made Stephanie the initial proofreader of all of his drafts on the condition that she must be “brutally honest” in her review. Her reactions to plot twists, character revelations and storylines give him an initial idea of how the public will respond to his story. “The first time I read one of the books he wrote, he had to drag what I really thought out of me,” Stephanie Praschan says. “He had to keep pestering me to get my honest opinion, but now I’m so used to it I’ll actually kind of give him notes along the way or ask him questions.” It typically takes Praschan six to eight months to complete the initial draft of a new novel. While waiting for responses to Chasing My Shadow, which he sent to agents in November, he has kept busy by starting work on his untitled seventh book. Already, he believes this next novel is a noticeable improvement compared to his other work. His writing space is a small-but-cozy room with a large curtain-drawn window, a modest desk, two leather chairs and a pair of neatly organized bookshelves full of thriller novels by Stephen King — his chief inspiration. As he works, he’ll pull the curtains back to let in sunlight and proceed to sift through the sticky notes onto which he regularly jots his day-to-day ideas. When he’s finally ready to write, he’ll crank up the heavy-metal riffs of Alter Bridge and Metallica. Once everything is right, he will begin writing in the vein of the Missouri literary tradition.
BEYOND BOOKS Creators in every medium have taken to the internet to share their work ààWordPress Founded: May 2003 Monthly page views: 22.17 billion Percent of internet using Wordpress: 26 percent Posts in 2015: 660 million ààYouTube Founded: February 2005 Number of users: 1.3 billion, as of March 2017 Visitors per day: 30 million Videos watched per day: almost 5 billion ààSoundCloud Founded: August 2007 Number of users: 175 million, as of June 2016 Number of tracks: 125 million
Local author Eric Praschan has self published five books. Altogether, he has sold more than 25,000 copies of his work by using CreateSpace, an affiliate of Amazon. 12
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PHOTO BY MONIQUE WOO
THE SCENE
Alley cats Local businesses thrive in Columbia’s Alley A despite the secluded locations
BY MARGAUX SCOTT
“The concept of turning an alley inside out is very innovative,” says Katie Essing, executive director of The District. The Alley A project brought life and pedestrian traffic to the space instead of being a place where trash is stored, she explains. Vox talked to these businesses about what makes Alley A successful and one of Columbia’s (not-so) secret treasures.
Nestled between Ninth and Hitt Streets sits a hidden gem home to several local businesses. Since its revitalization in 2007, Alley A has gained profitable enterprises that boast a location just steps from the hustle and bustle of the main streets. Although some businesses such as Good Nature have moved from the alley, and Gidget’s Garage closed permanently, others have found it to be a perfect fit.
Alley A Realty
ALLEY A REALTY 910 E. Broadway 489-5353, columbiamo.com
The namesake of Alley A Realty was more than just a project for John Ott, owner of the company. The vision to create the alley was realized with the support of the neighborhood. “Virtually everyone bordering the alley helped financially with a portion of it,” Ott says. “The surface work was done by the adjacent neighbors.” After the restoration in 2007, Alley A Realty brought in Kampai, Günter Hans and Shortwave, as well as apartments that sit above the businesses. “We thought it would give a template or model (for other alleys) of what could be done,” he says “It’s a landmark of downtown Columbia.”
Kampai Owner Art Wultisak feels no need to advertise his restaurant, though, after seven years of business, people still call asking how to find it. “It feels more exclusive to keep it word of mouth,” says Lysaththa In, sushi apprentice at Kampai. The restaurant draws in customers on any given day with locals who know it’s a hot spot. When Wultisak opened the restaurant, he felt it was a risk. Three other businesses had just closed in the area, but he made the jump, and it has paid off. Alley A has boomed since then with an urban vibe and no cars to pollute customers’ calm patio experiences.
Shortwave Coffee
GÜNTER HANS 7 Hitt St. 256-1205, gunterhans.com
In 2014, Dale Bassham opened his small-batch roasting company in Alley A. “For our purposes, it was an ideal situation. It was already built for a coffee bar,” Bassham says. In order for a coffee place to make it in downtown Columbia, Bassham says being close to Ninth Street is a must. It is the avenue that runs straight into the heart of MU’s campus, and with two other colleges in close proximity, coffee is a major seller. Being off the beaten path might make it hard to find for some, but Bassham says those who find it love it. “As people discover the alley or different spots in the alley, they become lifelong customers; they become fans,” he says.
Günter Hans
KAMPAI 907 Alley A 442-2239, kampaialley.com
PHOTO BY LIV PAGGIARINO
SHORTWAVE COFFEE 915 Alley A 214-0880, shortwavecoffee.com
When looking for spots to open their pub, Lydia and Cody Melton made their decision based on emotions rather than rationality. They loved the exposed brick and history of the building where Günter Hans has resided since 2013. Although it also borders Hitt Street, the little taste of Europe is welcomed as part of Alley A. “For us, it’s more about when people find us,“ Lydia says. “Then, once they’ve found us it’s our job to keep them.” The location in Alley A afforded them the opportunity to grow at a sustainable rate as opposed to places that have a more populated location. “For us, it’s been slow and steady wins the race,” Lydia says.
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MUSIC
Jackie Greene: Back to Birth MOVIES EVENTS MUSIC DINING NEWS California singer-songwriter takes on CoMo BY MEGHAN LALLY EVENTSMUSIC DINING NEWS MOVIES MUSIC DINING NEWS MOVIES EVENTS DINING NEWS MOVIES EVENTS MUSIC NEWS MOVIES EVENTS MUSIC DINING
Greene has played with rock royalty such as Phil Lesh and The Black Crowes, and released seven albums over the course of his 15-year career.
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t just 36 years old, singer Jackie Greene has quite the musical resume. He’s released seven solo albums, which sound like a hybrid between rock ‘n’ roll and the blues. His most recent record, Back to Birth, was released in 2015. In the past, Greene has played for Grateful Dead guitarist Phil Lesh’s touring band, Phil Lesh and Friends. He was also the lead guitarist for the most recent reincarnation of The Black Crowes. Greene grew up listening to The Black Crowes and dreamed of one day becoming the lead guitarist of a rock band. Although many of his childhood dreams have become reality, Greene rarely sets out with specific mountains to climb. “What I really care about is what I’m already doing,” Greene says. “Just following my musical intuitions and letting that take me wherever it will take me.” Greene’s current tour makes a stop at The Blue Note on April 15. Vox took a look at Greene’s extensive career, and he explains which songs have shaped and inspired him leading up to the show on Saturday.
CHILDHOOD MUSIC INSPIRATION Fantasia and Ray Charles
On your radio dial at 89.5 fm or live streaming at kopn.org 14
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As an adult, Greene now realizes the psychedelic nature of Fantasia, and as a kid, the film mesmerized him. “I’d watch it over and over, and I’d try to figure out
the music on the piano,” Greene says. Then, as a teenager, Greene discovered his parents’ old vinyl records. One of the records was The Genius of Ray Charles. “I put that record on, and it sort of just blew me away,” Greene says.
FAVORITE GRATEFUL DEAD SONGS TO PLAY
“Wharf Rat,” “He’s Gone” and “So Many Roads” Because of the sheer number of songs Phil Lesh and Friends play, Greene had a difficult time choosing his favorite song to play as a backing member of Lesh’s band. However, he could list a few Grateful Dead songs he likes to play with his own band. “They work well for our band,” Greene says. “For me, I just connect with those songs. I feel like I can sing them well, and for some reason, it’s meaningful.”
GO-TO MUSIC ON THE TOUR BUS Jazz
Music is always playing on the bus, and often a battle ensues over the auxiliary cord. Although all band members like similar music, Greene says the bass player often opts for ‘80s dance music and Prince. When Greene is in control of the stereo, jazz is usually the sound blasting through the speakers. “Our bus could be a great radio station,” Greene says. JACKIE GREENE The Blue Note Saturday, 8:30 p.m., $15 874-1944, thebluenote.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH KRAKOFF
MUSIC
How to survive a show with the Hooten Hallers
The bluesy bar-room rockers return to Columbia for a night of wild, rowdy and good music BY LIS JOYCE
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The Hooten Hallers (Kellie Everett, John Randall and Andy Rehm) newest LP features three-part singing arrangements, an addition the band has not previously recorded.
Scratchy, gut-churning blues-rockers The Hooten Hallers are bringing an infectious performance to Rose Music Hall this Friday. The band will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary as well as a new album release. The band will be joined by longtime friends and prolific musicians the Rum Drum Ramblers, who’ll give Columbia a taste of its THE HOOTEN regional, preHALLERS: war era blues and ALBUM RELEASE string-band sound PARTY for an audience Rose Music Hall experience that’s Friday, 9 p.m., $8 sure to be full of 874-1944, dancing, cheap rosemusichall.com beer, stale smoke and good times. The Hooten Hallers’ new self-titled LP promises to be one of the band’s most ambitious feats yet. Drummer and vocalist Andy Rehm says it’s been the most writing, rehearsing and recording that the band has done to date. The Ramblers have also been playing new material that they plan to record soon after a long hiatus, says guitarist and vocalist Mat Wilson. The show at Rose Music Hall will be raucous and rowdy, so here’s a quick guide on how to survive and thrive at what is sure to be a monumental show.
don’t wear your good shoes
It’s punk-rock energy without the mosh pit — and this is dancing country. Unless you like your
suede mixed with a hint of sweat and Stag, it’s best to leave it at home. And if you don’t like cheap beer, you might not belong here. Nothing against the nice stuff; this is just a nod to the dimly lit, makeshift-stage atmosphere the Hooten Hallers and Rum Drum Ramblers are used to.
MUSIC MATTERS
when “rhythm and blues” comes on, get ready to lose your mind
Although “Rhythm and Blues” is one of 10 official tracks from the Hooten Hallers’ newest album, the band’s been playing the song about as long as it’s been a band, Rehm says. He recalls the heavy-hitter being on their first release, which is no longer in print. “That’s a song that definitely gets people amped up, going a little wild,” Rehm says. Another gem to look forward to is “Albatross,” a tribute track to the late Bob Reuter, an artist on Big Muddy Records and a beloved member of the St. Louis music scene.
get ready for a night of rowdy (but fun) music
Both bands are high energy, but with the Hooten Hallers, there’s bound to be a pool of sweat on stage and in the crowd, says Christo Baricevic, who owns and operates Big Muddy Records, the label that represents both the Hooten Hallers and Rum Drum Ramblers. There’s no doubt the Hallers are explosive, but watch for its diverse musical acumen, too. Baricevic says the band’s infectiousness is “coming from three people who have tastes that are more diverse than what they’re playing.”
PHOTO AND ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF KELLIE EVERETT, FLATICON
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ARTS & BOOKS
These authors are open books
Read up on these writers of fiction, memoirs and poetry before they speak at the Unbound Book Festival Unbound Book Festival brings authors from around the world to Columbia for a festival filled with Q&As and panels that feature authors from across all genres. This year’s event kicks off April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Jesse Auditorium with keynote speaker Salman Rushdie and continues across the Stephens College campus on April 22. Although this is only the
second year Unbound Book Festival has taken place, the schedule is booked with plenty of events from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you’ll want to get to know these authors before deciding which events to attend. We’ve got a sneak peak at 10 of the 37 authors’ genres, topics and inspirations to narrow down your personal Unbound Book Festival schedule.
Aliki Barnstone
Julie Barton
The Missouri Poet Laureate’s event at Unbound Book Festival will cover more than just her own work. Aliki Barnstone’s talk will honor Monica Hand, a friend of Barnstone’s and a fellow poet. Hand was initially set to read with Barnstone at the festival but died Dec. 16. It’s always been Barnstone’s mission as Poet Laureate to bring poetry to kids and celebrate the diversity of Missouri, but now she has the added goal of honoring the life and work of her close friend. The poets met in 2011 and, as Barnstone recalls, became friends immediately. “She taught me as much as I would think I taught her, and we were also very, very close personal friends,” Barnstone says. “We had nothing that was off limits in terms of our concerns, so we talked about everything from personal struggles to our joys.” Barnstone says she hopes audiences will come to understand these women’s deep friendship through her readings at the festival. She’ll read excerpts from her 2016 release, Dwelling, as well as select poems of Hand’s from Me and Nina, The DaVida Poems, which is the late poet’s newest collection set to release in 2018, and work from an unpublished manuscript. — ERIKA STARK
Julie Barton knows firsthand Melanie Benjamin is obsessed how dogs can help combat with what went on behind depression, a topic she wrote closed doors in history. “I’m about in her memoir, Dog fascinated by all the stories Medicine: How My Dog Saved there are that we don’t Me from Myself. know,” she says. “History is “I tried to write this as a full of facts, but as a writer novel, and I realized the only of historical fiction, I’m able reason I wasn’t to explore the writing it as emotions behind truth is them, the things that it was that have been truly scary,” hidden behind Barton says. the public The memoir stories.” explores her Her New experience with York Times depression after bestseller, The college and the -MELANIE BENJAMIN Swans of Fifth adoption of her Avenue, takes a dog, Bunker. look inside the “The biggest gift I could social life of Truman Capote, give both myself and any a famous novelist who wrote reader was to be vulnerable several classics, including and honest,” Barton says. Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In At the festival, Barton Cold Blood. Benjamin has also will speak about memoirs and written the stories behind writing about dogs. Anne Morrow and Charles “My writing is really Lindbergh in The Aviator’s Wife about the human experience, and the inspiration for Alice and dogs enlighten that with in Wonderland in Alice Have their willingness to forgive, I Been. Benjamin, whose real overcome trauma and be name is Melanie Hauser, grew joyous again,” Barton says. up in the Midwest and hails — SAMANTHA STOKES from Indiana. She now lives in Chicago with her husband and “In Dog We Trust” panel near her two sons. 10–11:15 a.m., Recital Hall — MARGAUX SCOTT
“I’M FASCINATED BY ALL THE STORIES THERE ARE THAT WE DON’T KNOW.”
Author conversation 2:45–3:45 p.m., Senior Hall Parlor Signing 4:30–5 p.m., Kimball Ballroom
Reading 10:15–11:15 a.m., Senior Hall Parlor Signing 12:30–1 p.m., Kimball Ballroom 16
Melanie Benjamin
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“Inside Publishing” panel 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Stamper Commons Author conversation 2:30–3:30 p.m., the Chapel Signing 3:30–4 p.m., Kimball Ballroom
Julia Dahl
Lyndsay Faye
Although Julia Dahl chases After moving to New York to real-life crime stories as a work as an actress, Lyndsay reporter, Rebekah Roberts Faye instead found herself investigates crime as the writing. She finished her first protagonist in Dahl’s first novel, Dust and Shadow: an novel, Invisible City. Account of the Ripper Killings Dahl, who lives in by Dr. John H. Watson, in Brooklyn, combines her 2009. The story pits Sherlock creative writing and reporting Holmes against Jack the experience in her three books: Ripper. Invisible City, Run You Down Her books are inspired by and Conviction. After working Gothic romances, but with a as a reporter at outlets such twist of murder mystery. Since as the New York Post and CBS her literary debut, Faye has News, Dahl knew that she had written several other books enough experience covering including Jane Steele, The Fatal crime to follow Flame, Seven for her dream of a Secret, The Gods writing a novel. of Gotham and is “I sort of felt on book tour for like, ‘There’s a her most recent book in this, I have release, The Whole to write about this Art of Detection: world,’” Dahl says. Lost Mysteries of She always Sherlock Holmes. wanted to write She is happy to -JULIA DAHL fiction, but says be on tour but she began working is eager to see as a journalist to make a living. her friend, fellow author and “In 2006, I picked up Sharp creator of the Unbound Book Objects by Gillian Flynn and Festival, Alex George. The I thought, ‘That’s the kind of fest will be Faye’s first time in book I want to write: a creepy Missouri. thriller,’” Dahl says. “I wanted — LIDIA MOORE to write a book that I wanted to read.” Author conversation 10:15–11:15 a.m., the Chapel — ANNABEL AMES
“I WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK THAT I WANTED TO READ.”
“Inside Publishing” panel 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Stamper Commons “Killing It” panel 2:30–3:45 p.m., Macklanburg Playhouse Signing 4:30–5 p.m., Kimball Ballroom
Signing 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Kimball Ballroom “Killing It” panel 2:30–3:45 p.m., Macklanburg Playhouse
COURTESY OF UNBOUND BOOK FESTIVAL
Nancy Horan
Nancy Horan is a historical fiction writer known for her works Loving Frank: A Novel and Under the Wide and Starry Sky. Horan lived in Oak Park, Illinois, for 24 years with her family until moving to Washington State. She was a journalist and teacher before turning to writing novels. Her first novel, Loving Frank, paints a fictional story of the real-life love affair between well-known Chicago architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney, who was one of his clients. Wright’s former home and studio are both in Oak Park, along with a number of homes he designed. One of the biggest inspirations for Horan to write her first novel was her old neighborhood. “I took walks when I was living in Oak Park, and it was almost like walking through a setting in a novel or for this particular story,” Horan says. “The big trees are still there. The houses are still there. So I could feel it, as if I had been catapulted back into 1909, when I walk through that area.” When Horan came across a story about Wright’s relationship in a newspaper, she says she finally felt moved to tell that story in her own way. “I felt this was a story that could best be told through fiction rather than biography because so many parts of the story were really mysterious, kind of unknown pieces that dealt with matters of the heart,” Horan says. — SARAH PRZYBYLA Author conversation 2:30–3:30 p.m., the Chapel Signing 3:30–4 p.m., Kimball Ballroom
Brian Katcher
Missouri-native Brian Katcher writes young-adult fiction about kids who don’t necessarily fit in. Almost Perfect is about a high school boy who falls in love with the new girl at his school and soon learns she is transgender. He won the 2011 Stonewall Award for his depiction of the LGBTQ community in Almost Perfect. His first novel, Playing With Matches, is a book about a high school loner who becomes smitten with a girl who has scarring from a tragic burn accident. His latest novel, The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zac, was published in 2015 and follows two high school students who are polar opposites but team up to find Ana’s younger brother at a sci-fi convention after he runs away. Katcher is expected to release a new work, Deacon Locke Went to Prom, later this year. Katcher is inspired by his home in the Midwest, and his books, including Almost Perfect and Everyone Dies in the End, are often set near Columbia. He was born in St. Louis and attended MU for three years. Katcher now lives in Moberly with his wife and daughter and works as a school librarian. — CHLOE WILT Author conversation 2:30–3:30 p.m., Stamper Commons Signing 4–4:30 p.m., Kimball Ballroom
Caroline Leavitt
After her first nine novels and a number of awards and bestseller lists, Caroline Leavitt, who lives in Hoboken, New Jersey, has discovered her true identity as an author. Although it took her nearly a decade to receive recognition for her work, she does not regret the journey. “I was actually really lucky it took me so long to get recognition, because if I got that recognition consistently when I was first starting out, I wouldn’t have taken so many chances,” Leavitt says. Leavitt is the recipient of a 1990 New York Foundation of the Arts Award for her book Into Thin Air. She is set to appear at the Unbound Book Festival in a conversation with Alex George, whom Leavitt considers a close friend and supporter. “He’s very concerned with family relationships, which I also am very concerned with in my work,” Leavitt says. “So we have that bond. But I also think we have a deeper bond, which is that we both think and talk about publishing a lot and what it means to be an artist.” — MEGHAN LALLY Author conversation 1:15–2:15 p.m., the Chapel Signing 3–3:30 p.m., Kimball Ballroom
“IF I GOT THAT RECOGNITION CONSISTENTLY WHEN I WAS FIRST STARTING OUT, I WOULDN’T HAVE TAKEN SO MANY CHANCES.” -CAROLINE LEAVITT
PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNBOUND BOOK FESTIVAL
Sara Paretsky
Candice Millard
Candice Millard is the author Sara Paretsky is a New York of three bestsellers in The Times bestselling author of 19 New York Times. Before she novels. She’s well known for started writing books, she her detective fiction stories, was an editor and writer for especially her series about National Geographic, a role that V.I. Warshawski, a private continues to influence investigator who solves her works. mysteries. V.I. Warshawski Her first book, The River is the protagonist of 16 of of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Paretsky’s novels. The series Darkest Journey, explores the began with Indemnity Only in president’s exploration of the 1982 and a film adaptation, V.I. Amazon rainforest and won Warshawski starring Kathleen the William Rockhill Nelson Turner, was released in 1991. Award. Work like this doesn’t Paretsky is one of only four happen overnight. It takes living writers to have received her about four or five years to both the Grand Master Award complete a book. from the Mystery Writers of “Most of America and the the time I’m Cartier Diamond working on Dagger from the a book, I’m Crime Writers’ doing research,” Association in Millard says. Great Britain. “I either V.I. reflects get to travel Paretsky’s passions for social somewhere justice through really cool or solving mysteries. go to the places Along with her where the story dedicated writing unfolded, or -CANDICE MILLARD career, Paretsky I’m just sitting has a history in my office of standing reading books, up for what she believes in. letters, journals and newspaper She worked as a community articles.” organizer on the South Side Her second book, of Chicago during race riots Destiny of the Republic: A Tale in 1966. of Madness, Medicine & the Her newest novel, Murder of a President won five Fallout, continues the life awards. Her latest book, Hero of V.I. Warshawski. In this of the Empire: The Boer War, a installment, the character Daring Escape and the Making investigates anti-war protests of Winston Churchill, chronicles in Lawrence, Kansas, the journey of Churchill and Paretsky’s hometown. was a Top 10 critics pick by — MARY SALATINO The New York Times and named Amazon’s No. 1 history book of 2016. Signing 12:20–1:30 p.m., — LILY ZHAO
“MOST OF THE TIME I’M WORKING ON A BOOK, I’M DOING RESEARCH.”
Kimball Ballroom Author conversation 10:15–11:15 a.m., the Chapel “Killing It” panel 2:30–3:45 p.m., Macklanburg Playhouse
“War Stories” panel 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 pm., Macklanburg Playhouse Signing 1–1:30 p.m., Kimball Ballroom
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ALEX GEORGE gives unbounded opportunities to the CoMo literary community
I
n a turn-of-the-century house at the end of his street, author and lawyer Alex George meets clients, writes novels and plans Columbia’s up-and-coming celebration: the Unbound Book Festival. The festival features writers from all genres who come to speak to audiences and fellow authors about their writing styles. George’s interests in law and writing grew as he attended college and started his law career in an international corporate law firm in London. His latest novel, Setting Free the Kites, made Barnes & Noble’s February Best New Fiction list. George’s passion for Columbia and reading are what tied the whole festival together, says Sarah Howard, Daniel Boone Regional Library youth services manager. “Over the years, I’ve been in other meetings,” she says. “But they haven’t gone anywhere because no one takes it to heart that says, ‘This is important to me and to the community.’” Howard says George’s passion and go-getter attitude helped Columbia fall in love with reading again. Vox talked with George about how he maintains balance and writes compelling stories. Describe your writing ritual and how you balance that with everyday life. I get up at 5 a.m. every day because I write from 5 to 7 a.m. I take my kids to school, and I get on with my life and other job. I’ve always done that in
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my 20-year career. As long as I have a coffee, I’m a morning person. I know the phone isn’t going to ring, and I won’t get too many emails, so I can do it undisturbed. I’m not one of those people who can write in coffee shops or on trains. I need that silence, and my desk faces a wall with nothing on it. How did writing from personal experience help with writing Setting Free the Kites? There are two conflicting schools about “write what you know.” Some people think it’s a good thing because you have good authority, and there are other people who think it’s more interesting to write about what you don’t know. After I arrived in Missouri, I took a job running Big Surf Waterpark at the Lake of the Ozarks. One of the first things I did when I took over was they said, “We need a mascot.” I commissioned an artist to draw a cartoon shark with a big smiley face. Then we had the shark made into a costume. However, the other two people who worked at the park year-round were 6 feet tall, and I was the only one who could fit. You’ll see this adorable shark by the wave pool, and I’m the guy in the shark suit. It was one of those things that at the time I thought was all undignified. I told myself that I would put that experience in a book, and Setting Free the Kites is that book. But then there are other things in the book, such as muscular dystrophy, that I didn’t know about. It’s a combination of drawing on experiences and putting yourself in positions that might be new to you.
What inspired you to bring a book festival to Columbia? I first got the idea back in 2012 when I was on tour for A Good American, and I was invited to attend a few book festivals. I enjoyed the experience thoroughly. You’re going to a place because people love books, so I thought, “Columbia would be a wonderful town for a festival like this.” It was really when I finished the first draft of Setting Free the Kites I began to talk to people about it. I was blissfully ignorant, thankfully, because otherwise I wouldn’t have done it. I didn’t know just how much work it was going to be. We just pushed forward and learned along the way. What do you hope the festival brings to CoMo’s literary scene? People may come because they want to see a particular author at the festival or listen to a particular poet. But I hope once they’re at the event on Saturday, they will try something new — maybe go and listen to something that they perhaps hadn’t planned to do and open their ears and their eyes to new experiences, so their horizons shift a little bit. — BY BRIANA SAUNDERS PHOTO BY ANNALIESE NURNBERG
THE TO-DO LIST
this week in Columbia
ARTS & CULTURE Casino Night
Now this is an event you can bet on. Show up for a night of glitz, glamour and some good old-fashioned card games. Have a snack, and try your luck at blackjack and Texas Hold ‘em while meeting new people. The odds of having a good time are in your favor. Tonight, 6:30–10:30 p.m., Columbia College, Free, 875-8700
MOMIX: Opus Cactus
MOMIX brings the landscape of the American Southwest to life with his signature illusionist style in Opus Cactus. This journey into the American Southwest will provide a sense of danger, sensuality and humor. The desert world of soaring cactuses, slithering lizards, snakes and frolicking insects all come to life once uncovered through MOMIX. Tonight, 7 p.m., Jesse Auditorium, $25–35, 882-3781
MUMAA Film Series: Tea with Mussolini
Tea with Mussolini blends history, art and culture to tell a tale of women raising an Italian orphan across generations and geographies. The 1999 film stars Cher, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Lily Tomlin. Friday, 7 p.m., Museum of Art and Archaeology, Free 882-3591
CIVIC Women Entrepreneurs Lunch and Panel Discussion This event is part of Columbia College’s annual ‘Trep Week. Enjoy a lunch with women leaders and entrepreneurship enthusiasts. You won’t want to miss the panel discussion afterward featuring inspiring women either. Today, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Columbia College, Free, 777-5235
TEDxCoMo presents “Citizen”
Enjoy this one-night event featuring the wide range of experiences of 14 speakers. The event will challenge attendees to consider what it means to be a citizen. TEDx events are independently organized TED events curated to offer “ideas worth spreading.” Thursday, 5–10 p.m., Missouri Theatre, $25, 268-3658
Easter Egg Hunt
Join First Baptist Church for its annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages preschool to fifth grade. The event is open to the public and includes desserts and games. Make sure to bring your Easter basket. Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, First Baptist Church, Free, 442-1149
Yappy Hour
Have you ever been enjoying a few cocktails during happy hour and felt something
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
missing? Perhaps you wished your furry friend could be there to join you. Columbia Parks and Recreation is making that dream a reality with Yappy Hour. Enjoy drinks, food trucks and the chance to win prizes while giving your dog a day of fun too. You must be 16 to participate and can only bring one leashed dog. Saturday, 3 p.m.,Twin Lakes Recreation Area, $15 per dog-human pair, $5 per additional person, 874-7460
Yoga for Charity
Take care of your body and give back to CoMo by indulging in an hour of yoga. All you need is a mat, a donation for the City of Refuge and a desire to relax. Missouri Theatre will provide live cello music and a brief midweek oasis. Wednesday, noon, Missouri Theatre, suggested donation of $10, 374-2351
FOOD & DRINK Let Them Eat Art!
Entice your taste buds and your imagination with an evening of culinary and visual artistry at the Columbia Art League. Local chefs from restaurants such as Sycamore, Bleu Catering and Room 38 are designing dishes to go along with pieces from 10 local artists. Your stomach and soul will thank you later. Tonight, 6–8 p.m., Columbia Art League, $35, 443-8838
The Air Above: A Himalayan Motorcycle Adventure
Bring adventure to your happy hour by pairing your drinks with a documentary about high-octane motorcycle travel across the Himalayas. This documentary follows seven bikers traveling thousands of miles, battling treacherous terrain and climatic hurdles in pursuit of the view of a lifetime. It’s a ride you won’t want to miss. Tonight, 5–8 p.m., Club Impulse & Rehab Room, Free, 777-9777
CoMo Chocolate for Choice
Support the Columbia Health Center while filling up on delectable desserts. There will be drinks, appetizers and a live auction to benefit Planned Parenthood. Chocolate and charity? Sign us up. Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Columbia Country Club, $20, 443-0427
MUSIC Salute to Chuck Berry
To honor the late Chuck Berry, The Blue Note has gathered some impressive groups to pay tribute to the rock ‘n’ roll legend. Those groups include The Fried Craw-Berrys and Joe & The Dawgs. Donations will support Blues in the Schools. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., The Blue Note, $5 suggested donation, 874-1944
DON’T MISS: DANIEL TOSH Get ready for Comedy Central star Daniel Tosh. The viral comedian is bringing his hit show, Tosh.0., and his best new jokes to Mizzou Arena. Make your Easter weekend one to remember with a night full of laughs. Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Mizzou Arena, $30—327, 800-854-2196
Rock-A-Thon: Jon Waltz, The Motel Brothers and DJJW
Blue Note, $18 in advance, $20 at the door, 874-1944
If you’re a lover of great music and great causes, you can rock out at this event while benefiting the American Cancer Society. Tonight, 9 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $5, 874-1944
World Percussion Concert
The MU World Percussion Ensemble will drum out at a concert for the books featuring Ghanaian musician and dancer Nani Agbeli. This event is sponsored by the MU Percussion Society. Friday, 7 p.m., Missouri Theatre, Free, 882-9472
Still playing
Artists from all over the country will show CoMo what they are made of at this show. The artists who will jam all night are Fuego Bentley, A-Game, Lucid, Evi, Darrien Safron, J. Rich, Landalin, Jhai, Iso, Wade Alexander, Tony J and Rocky Jay. Saturday, 10 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $6 in advance, $8 at the door, 875-0588
Finally freed from the confines of her old contract, JoJo is taking the music scene by storm (again) and producing the songs she has been dying to sing. Former Vine star, Stanaj, will be opening the night with new music of his own. Wednesday, 8 p.m., The
The Fast and Furious crew is back for its eighth movie. It seems like the gang has found a way to have a normal life until Dom gets involved in the crime scene again. The family will face trials it never has before. F, R RUNTIME = 2:16
A couple is working on a production of Death of a Salesman. Everything seems normal until Rana is attacked by an intruder. Chaos ensues as her husband tries to find her attacker and make sure she is okay. RT RUNTIME = 2:05
Grab your leg warmers and hammer pants because this ‘80s vs. ‘90s event is going to be as wild as the last one. DJ Requiem will return for another night on the turntables to help determine which decade gets the bragging rights. Expect songs from artists such as Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. Friday, 9 p.m., The Blue Note, $5, 874-1944
JoJo: Mad Love Tour
Fate of the Furious (R)
The Salesman (PG-13)
‘80s vs. ‘90s: Music Video Battle of the Decades
Good Vibes 7
SCREEN
Beauty and the Beast (PG) F, R Boss Baby (PG) F, R The Case for Christ (PG) R Chips (R) F Get Out (R) R Ghost in the Shell (PG-13) F, R Gifted (PG-13) R Going in Style (PG-13) F, R Kedi RT Kong: Skull Island (PG-13) R Logan (R) R Personal Shopper (R) RT Power Rangers (PG-13) F, R The Shack (PG-13) R Smurfs: The Lost Village (PG) F, R Trolls (PG) F Wilson (R) RT The Zookeeper’s Wife (PG-13) RT Theaters F = Forum R = Regal
04.13.17
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RT = Ragtag = available in 3D
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