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Every now and then, my research projects cross paths with each other. It’s kinda exciting when that happens. Currently, I am working on a piece for a Frank Lloyd Wright…

In mid-May, I had the opportunity to attend the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the new archives building of the Chicago & North Western Historical Society in Union, Illinois. What a…

I’ve always enjoyed exploring the older sections of cemeteries, admiring the artistry and symbolism of old tombstones (the mossier the better) and calculating life spans. I’ve noticed in the gold…

A week ago today, my new book hit the distribution warehouse in Minneapolis. Four+ years of research, writing, and the editing-and-publication work finally manifested in the final product. YAY!!! Except…….

There are many steps between initial idea and final publication of a book. Most steps can be described in a few short words, but take from several hours to uncountable…

A week and a half ago, I participated in a regional author fair at the Nobles County Library in Worthington Minnesota. My table was beside CK Van Dam, who writes…

PastWe had such a lovely community of around 800 people. Many thousands of posts over four years. Great conversations. It was a valuable and interesting resource. Then Facebook ruined it…

People often ask “how long did it take you to write this book?” The answer is never simple. The process of creating a book takes a long time. The research….

A few days ago, I went to the mailbox and pulled out the latest edition of South Dakota History, the quarterly journal of the South Dakota Historical Society. I’ve subscribed…

I’d never really given much thought to indexes until a friend (who ran a well-respected publishing organization) casually mentioned that she’d “never cared for” the index in their best-selling book….