Minot Hostfest
The books are packed, the house sitter arranged, got my flu shot early and now I am packing for our annual jaunt to the Minot Hostfest. It’s one of my favorite events of the year, and if I’m counting right, it’s my 8th time of having a book table at this huge Scandinavian festival. My […]
Dear Homefolks
Candace Simar, celebrates the release of her seventh book, “Dear Homefolks” with a reading and book talk at the Brainerd Public Library on Monday, August 28, from noon to 2 p.m.
“Dear Homefolks” is a collection of short stories using research from her popular novels. Simar says, “Some tidbits were just too good to waste and readers keep asking for more.” The stories are set both in frontier Minnesota and modern times. It contains a little more of Tolga Township for those anxious for a “Shelterbelts” sequel. The book is published by Chip and Jean Borkenhagen of RiverPlace Press who Simar states, “left their artistic imprint on this beautiful book, and I think readers will enjoy it.”
Great Writing Retreat
Making Sausage
I’m just finishing up my book of short stories titled, Dear Homefolks. Most of life is messy, and writing is no different. I’ve been working on the final edits with the good folks at Evergreen Press. I had worked hard to send them a polished copy. Sigh. They found lots of errors to correct. I […]
WWA Convention Kansas City
Just returned from another great convention put on by the Western Writers of America. This year it was held in Kansas City. My hubby and I took our 16-year old grandson, Jack Kimbler, along to share the twelve hour drive. Jack has his learner’s permit, and did very well on the trip, logging about ten […]
Writing about Laura Ingalls Wilder and more
2017 is two months gone, and today I took a moment to write down what I have accomplished in these first weeks of this year. I’m a goal setter and list maker. It’s good to also recognize what has been done already. Want to see what I’ve been doing? I’ve finished my first 2 rounds […]
Book Clubs Near and Far
Loved attending Claire Steen’s book club on a cold (brrrr!) Thursday night in January. We feasted on homemade borscht and a discussion on Shelterbelts, their book for January. It was extra special having my daughter, Faith Kimbler join the discussion. She and Claire Steen go way back, as Claire was one of Faith’s favorite high […]
School Presentations are the Best
This past week I visited 9th and 10th graders at Pillager High School. They had just finished reading ABERCROMBIE TRAIL and were enthusiastic with their questions and responses. If you’ve heard my presentations, you know that I started writing historical fiction set in Minnesota so that readers would learn more about their history. I like […]
Guest Blogger Charlie Johnson Reviews Shelterbelts
BOOK REVIEW of SHELTBERBELTS By Charlie Johnson: SHELTERBELTS By Candace Simar 267 pages Published by North Star Press My taste in reading favors people; real people. I’m not much for murder mysteries or romances. Give me ordinary folks who live ordinary lives but yet have their own stories to tell. You can’t get much more ordinary […]
Shelterbelts Named a Finalist in the Willa Literary Awards for Historical Fiction
I’m honored to be named a finalist in this year’s Willa Literary Awards for Historical Fiction. It’s like getting a silver or bronze at the Olympics, and I couldn’t be happier. The best of all is that I get to make an unexpected trip to the Women Writing the West Convention in Santa Fe, NM, […]