From the Publisher's Desk
Dear <<First Name>>,
When last I wrote, we were looking forward to shipping the very first issue of 105 Meadowlark Reader, our new Kansas journal of creative nonfiction.
And now it's here! It's here! Beautifully printed by POD Print in Wichita, Kansas, the first copies of the journal have been delivered to subscribers and/or are on the way to mailboxes across Kansas and beyond. You can pick up your copy from the Meadowlark bookstore or by shopping with one of our independent Kansas bookstores. We aim to get copies in all of them, and to date, we know that you can pick up a copy from Flint Hills Books in Council Grove, Watermark Books in Wichita, and the Raven Book Store in Lawrence. If your favorite indie bookshop does not yet have a copy, give us a shout and we will make sure to connect with them. The journal will become widely available for ordering from any bookstore by about the middle of May.
I promised to keep these notes short and newsy, but while we were working on the launch of 105, we received some very exciting news! (Where's the drumroll when you need one?)
Ta da!
This lovely little note of congratulations came via email, letting us know that not one, not two, but THREE Meadowlark books made the finalist list for the Midwest Book Awards. More about those books below.
Thank you for reading a Meadowlark book. You bring smiles to our faces, and we hope we bring a few to yours, as well.
--Much Love & Good Reading--
Tracy Millions Simmons
Meadowlark Press
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Editors Cheryl Unruh and Tracy Million Simmons discuss the new publication 105 Meadowlark Reader, a Kansas journal of creative nonfiction on Hornet TV, thanks to William Allen White Library Special Collections & Archives, Emporia State University.
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Thank you for reading a Meadowlark Book
When you order a book direct from a small press, you become our partner in this journey. When you order a book early--before it is released--your confidence and contribution help us to grow a bigger, stronger Meadowlark. Books purchased directly from our small press are handled by us, packaged by us, and carried to the post office by us. We hope you feel our love and dedication, to our authors and to our readers, when you open that package. We hope you enjoy our tokens of gratitude tucked within, be it a bookmark, an extra poem for your pocket, or a flash of fiction by one of our authors.
If you believe in good vibes, a package shipped direct from Meadowlark Press is full of them.
Thank you for buying a Meadowlark Book. Thank you for sharing the love.
#readameadowlarkbook #shopsmall #readlocal
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J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award Winner, 2020
"In All Hallows’ Shadows, Michael D. Graves serves up both homage and an original take on the hard-boiled detective genre. The mean streets of the novel are historic Wichita, Kansas, which Mr. Graves renders impeccably, edging in a history lesson with his mystery. Graves, an evident baseball fan, hits through the cycle of the genre’s tropes, but does so in a manner entirely his own, realizing a style entirely his own. Out of a field of strong competition, my choice for the J. Donald Coffin Book Award is Michael D. Graves’s All Hallows’ Shadows."
-William Sheldon, judge, 2020 J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award
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"Opportune describes the publication of A Time for Tears by Jerilynn Jones Henrikson. Now more than ever, we, as a society, can recognize "man's inhumanity to man" and make conscious decisions to avoid duplicating history. If you respect those who have courage and are willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of others, you will appreciate this historical WWII fictional account of children and adult Jews in France who faced extreme conditions."
-Carmaine Ternes, Librarian, Author, Presenter
"An extraordinary book to share with the world . . . The book is riveting, powerful, tender, and will touch many hearts and thirsty minds."
-Gary and Barbara Bleeker, retired Young Adult Literature Specialists, Emporia State University
"Henrikson creates characters that draw the reader in and capture your heart. She gives voice to the hundreds of English, & French who fought underground. Some were Jews fighting for their heritage and all were patriots, fighting for freedom. It is also the story of the humanity and compassion of the villagers that saved hundreds of Jewish children. This is a timely reminder that we are all simply people searching for peace and unity. Religion or race does not define us. War is vile and there are no true winners. It makes its mark on not only those that died but the loved ones left behind and all they touched in the fight for liberty and equality."
-Deb Irsik, author Heroes by Design YA series
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Opulence, Kansas, by Julie Stielstra, has been selected as a “recommended title” by the Kansas National Education Association’s Reading Circle Commission.
"Julie Stielstra does a wonderful job of getting the details of setting right ... Readers from rural communities will nod their heads at Stielstra's tributes, and other readers will make Kansas a future destination. ... the characters were generally complex and age-level realistic, and very easy to love. This is definitely a character-driven story. Opulence, Kansas has multi-generational characters who are valued, which was refreshing and unusual for a young adult book. ... it had strong themes of doing the right thing...
"If you know a YA reader who needs some hope and likes a little romance with a feel-good ending, I highly recommend this book. While reading it, I kept thinking of someone I know who will love it. And isn't that the sign of a good book? When you can't wait to share it?"
Windy City Times, Dec. 21, 2020 - reviewed by Barbara Belford
"A superbly crafted, inherently interesting, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' novel for ages 13-18, "Opulence, Kansas" by Julie Stielstra is an exceptional and unreservedly recommended addition to middle school, highschool, and community library YA Fiction collections."
-Midwest Book Review
"Bird imagery, landscape themes, the beauty of the sunrise and sunset, a dancing thunderstorm, the intensity of tornado damage, and livestock management enhance the story. 'The shape, sort of bones, and muscles under the grass' define the fascinating, scenic Flint Hills. Colloquial language transforms the reader into the setting where simple pleasures are common experiences; a church picnic unites community members; and neighbors support each other. The story leaves the reader with a sense of hope, 'Lots can happen in a short or a long time. We’ll just let it.'
"Life in Kansas is not better or worse than living in Chicago. Each person in any environment has tremendous potential to contribute and be successful. Imitating her aunt and uncle, Katie cleverly plants seeds encouraging others to follow their dream. If you appreciate characters who face disappointment and obstacles with tenacity, Opulence delivers talented, hardworking, dedicated personalities who overcome adversity and make a difference."
-Carmaine Ternes - Librarian, Author, Presenter, and Book Reviewer
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