Local authors display works at Homegrown Reads program

by Mary Rupert

Authors Lisa Cindrich and Jay Sparks have found that working together on their books has made their writing stronger.

Collaborating on their recent books, “Executables” and “Whatever It Takes,” the two authors, who also are librarians at the Kansas City, Kan., Public Libraries, first get an idea and then hold a meeting to discuss the plot of their books. They make a detailed plan for the book. Then they start to write.

Cindrich said she’ll write one chapter, Sparks will write another chapter, and then they edit their work. After a while, Cindrich said, she doesn’t even remember who wrote the chapter originally. “It becomes ours,” Sparks said, finishing her sentence.

“Executables” was Sparks’ first novel, and Cindrich had previously written a solo historical children’s fiction novel, “In the Shadow of the Pali,” published in 2002 by Putnam, which was a selection by the Junior Library Guild and the New York Library’s Books for the Teen Age.

Now, Cindrich said the duo is looking at starting a publishing company for future novels.

Cindrich and Sparks were two of the homegrown authors who brought a love of writing and their latest works to the West Wyandotte Branch Library, 1737 N. 82nd, Kansas City, Kan., on Saturday.

The “Homegrown Reads” program Saturday featured more than 20 area authors visiting with the public and reading from their works.

Fanny Alaadeen wrote about her late husband Ahmad Alaadeen in “The Heartbeat Next to My Heartbeat,” a book of poems and essays. He died in 2010. Her husband was a well-known Kansas City jazz saxophone musician and teacher. She served as his manager, handling many business matters. Her book explored her grief, their love and their relationship.

Another area author, Xanath Caraza, of Kansas City, Mo., displayed five books of poetry and one fiction book. Caraza, who teaches at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, is an award-winning author.

Her book of poetry, “Silabas de viento / Syllables of Wind,” won the International Book Award for Poetry in 2015. Her work has won several other awards as well.

Other titles on display included “Ocelocihuatl,” “Noche de Colibries,” “Conjuro” and “Lo que trae la marca / What the Tide Brings.”

Randy Attwood of Kansas City, Mo., had eight novels on display plus two books with short fiction.

His experience as the former managing editor of the Olathe Daily News, for nine years from 1978 to 1987, has been useful in the background of some of his fictional characters. One of his most recent fictional works, “Heart Chants,” is set in Lawrence, Kan. The plot involves a former foreign correspondent and two Navajo students from Haskell Indian Nations University.

Attwood writes in many genres. A few of Attwood’s other titles were “Rabbletown” and “Crazy About You.” Attwood also worked 16 years as the director of university relations for the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

John Hudson, a youth pastor in Kansas City, Kan., has written about 12 books. His latest, “Fred Dexter,” was a children’s coloring book about bullying.

He said he has been writing for 15 to 20 years, and has written 12 books in the last five years.

A graduate of Stony Point North Elementary, Arrowhead Middle and Washington High schools, Hudson said he has been most inspired by Bill Cosby, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Steve Harvey.

One of the most artistically creative works at the Homegrown Reads program was “Rhapsody in Blue on Canvas.” The work of Sheron Smith, artist, and Don Smith, musician, the book is about historic nightclubs in the Kansas City area. It features original paintings by Sheron accompanied by piano sheet music gathered by Don.

Sheron Smith said she had been a teacher 31 years in the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools, with her last assignment at Eisenhower Middle School, before retirement about six years ago.

“I’m enjoying my retirement,” she said.

Sheron painted acrylic scenes of the old-time nightclubs from historical pictures. When Urban Renewal came through, many of the old buildings were destroyed and pictures of some of the old nightclubs were hard to find, she said.

“There were over 150 clubs in Kansas City,” she said. Prohibition fueled the growth of the private clubs. The town was regarded as the “Paris of the Plains” in the 1930s, she added.

Kira McConico, a Bonner Springs, Kan., resident, has written “Fixing Broken,” a memoir about her life, and how people can move through addictions and brokenness, and heal. McConico grew up in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Another of her books is titled, “Bear Much Fruit: A Godly Approach to Entrepreneurship.”

McConico, who owns a graphic arts firm called Integrity Designs and Consulting, had perhaps the best-designed table display at the event. She also is the editor of Be Encouraged Magazine.

Bridget N. Locke’s first novel, “Touch and Agree,” was on display at Homegrown Reads.

Locke, a native of Kansas City, Kan., and the major gifts manager at the United Way of Greater Kansas City, said the book is a contemporary romance.

She said she started writing poetry at age 12. When she went to college, she said she wanted to major in English but was told she should change to communications if she did not want to teach. After college graduation, she worked in corporate communications for 10 years.

“Touch and Agree” was written after Locke decided to write two hours every day in 2012. That novel took about a year and a half to finish, and now Locke is working on her second novel. It is “taking its own time,” she said, but she has a goal to complete it.

Helen Walsh Folsom, of Kansas City, Kan., was displaying her books, including the latest, “Kells, The Risin’ of the Rebellion.”

As many of her other books, “Kells” is set in Ireland in the late 1700s, and is a fictional book, the first of the Fitzmichael family trilogy. Other books in the trilogy include “Brandeen, In the Shadow of Captain Moonlight” and “Fianna, The Dark Web of the Brotherhood.”

Folsom also displayed two other nonfiction books, “St. Patrick’s Secrets – 101 Truths and Tales of Ireland” and “Ah, Those Irish Colleens!” both dealing with stories and folklore from Ireland.

Folsom said she is currently working on three projects. She had always wanted to be a writer, and she formerly worked in the business offices of The Kansas City Kansan. She also is a former executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association. She has had articles published in magazines and newspapers. To see earlier stories about her books, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/folsoms-new-book-out-in-paperback/ and https://wyandotteonline.com/kck-author-publishes-new-historical-action-adventure-novel/.

Terry W. Drake, a retired Kansas City, Kan., resident who is perhaps best known here for his work as general manager for 16 years at the Board of Public Utilities, had his latest book, “The Bones of Geronimo,” on display. Drake, a native of Pittsburg, Kan., has written about eight books during his retirement.

He said “The Bones of Geronimo” has two story lines, one about an Arizona border patrol investigating the murder of an agent, and another story line related to one of the agents telling the story of Geronimo.

Some of Drake’s other titles included “Sanctuary,” “Restitution,” “The Dark Society” and “Father Damien’s Revenge.”

Versatile author Linda Rodriguez had her latest mystery novel, “Every Hidden Fear,” on display at Homegrown Reads. It is the third in the Skeet Bannion mystery series. “Every Last Secret” and “Every Broken Trust” are other titles in the series.

She also displayed other books, including a collection of her poetry, “Heart’s Migration,” that won the Thorpe Menn award. In addition, Rodriguez has edited a book of poetry that has won an award.

Some of her books have made it to the best-selling mystery lists, and a short story by Rodriguez has been optioned for film. She has received the Midwest Voices and Visions Award.

From Manhattan, Kan., Rodriguez has lived in Kansas City, Mo., since the 1970s. She also has family on the Kansas side of the state line.

At times, retired Wyandotte High School teacher Craig Delich had the busiest table at the Homegrown Reads event. People crowded around to see the pictures in a history about Wyandotte High School.

Delich has compiled a history, “Images of Wyandotte High School,” that has received a lot of community attention in the past year. The book has been published and copies are available for purchase, he said.

To see an earlier story about his 240-page book, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/new-book-about-wyandotte-high-school-history-published/ and https://wyandotteonline.com/retired-wyandotte-high-school-teacher-compiles-new-history-of-school/.
He is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/Craig-Delich/100008105178383.

Thomas Shawver once owned a used book store, Bloomsday Books, in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City, Mo. The store has closed, but his experiences may live on in a series of three mystery books he has written about a used book dealer.

His “Rare Book Mystery” series is available only as electronic books, he said, and they are published by Random House’s Alibi imprint. In his books, a used bookstore dealer sometimes finds a very old and valuable rare book, and then the mystery begins. In “The Dirty Book Murder,” some of the action takes place at a Kansas City auction house where the book dealer finds a Colette first edition with a personal note by Ernest Hemingway.

Shawver, who attended the University of Kansas, grew up in Roeland Park, Kan., and now lives in the Brookside area. He is a lawyer and a former Business Journal writer.

He said he likes e-books because they are affordable and “they never go out of print.”

Janette Kenny has written 13 novels, with a 14th under contract. Many are romance novels, some published by Harlequin and some by Kensington Publishing.

Across the top of one of her latest books, “Bound by the Italian’s Contract,” is the phrase, “USA Today Bestselling Author.”

Kenny, from Leavenworth, Kan., said she began writing seriously in 2000. She started with nonfiction and wrote some short stories, also. Eventually she began writing western historical romance novels, and then, contemporary romance, and she also will be writing mystery romance.

Some of Kenny’s other titles include “Captured and Crowned,” “The Trophy Wife,” “A Cowboy Christmas” and “Proud Revenge, Passionate Wedlock.”

Sarah Elizabeth, age 30, has three fiction books to her credit, and her latest is “Don’t Let Me Go,” published in 2015. She is self-published and working other jobs in addition to writing. She is working on a new book now.

“It’s just what I love, it makes me happy,” she said. “It’s my passion.”

Two previous books, “Dusty Innocents” and “Dusty Delinquents,” were written with Mary Elizabeth.

The graduate of Sumner Academy and Emporia State University said she has been writing since she was a child. She credited her creative writing teacher at Emporia State, Amy Webb, with inspiring her to write. Also, she recalled the encouragement from her grade school teacher at Christ the King Grade School, Ruth Shuker, who was the first to tell her that she had a voice.

Angela Kmeck, a bank employee by day, had an idea to write a book about Kansas City for the 1 to 4-year-old age group. Kmeck had a 6-month-old at home at the time. The first-time author had noticed similar books about New York and other cities, but didn’t see one for Kansas City.

“This Is Kansas City” is the result, a little book with many illustrations of the Kansas City area, such as pictures depicting Kansas City history, jazz, barbecue and the Kansas City Royals.

The book’s illustrator was John Hare, who has illustrated other books previously.

Kmeck has a background in working at Nick Jr., Sesame Street and Word World shows. She said proceeds from the book will go to Children’s Mercy Hospital, which partnered with them.

Kmeck and Hare formed a company, Possum Trot, to publish books and plan to send future projects through it.

Pete Dulin, a well-known food writer in the Kansas City area, displayed the “Last Bite: 100 Simple Recipes from Kansas City’s Best Chefs and Cooks” and “KC Ale Trail.”

In the past Dulin had a Kansas City Star recipe column, and he currently writes about food for Feast Magazine, Visit KC and other magazines and websites.

“KC Ale Trail” is his latest book, profiling 23 breweries in the region, he said.

David Swafford, who is from Blue Springs, Mo., was at the Homegrown Reads program displaying a book he co-wrote with Ruth Saucedo Campos. The book, “My Journey in Faith,” traces Campos’ life story.

Campos, a retired teacher at Sumner Academy, grew up in the Argentine area of Kansas City, Kan., facing social barriers, and later found herself and embraced her Hispanic identity, Swafford said. In 1960 Campos became a missionary to Mexico and Peru for several years.

She was able to embrace her culture, which then enabled her to come back and teach at Sumner Academy for 20 years.

Jonathan Bender, a Kansas City, Mo., resident, is the author of “Cookies and Beer,” a combination that may at first sound humorous, but the book is filled with recipes from pastry chefs and breweries.

Bender, originally from the East Coast, began as a freelancer for a newspaper on the south side of Boston, and has been freelancing since 2000. He was a food writer for the Pitch until 2014. Since then he has launched “The Recommended Daily,” an online food publication here.

Bender was displaying three books, including “Lego: A Love Story,” a nonfiction book about adults who enjoy building with Legos, and “Stock, Broth and Bowl,” his latest book including stock recipes that have been developed by chefs.

Anola Pickett’s book, “Callahan Crossroads,” is set in Kansas City during World War I.

“The book is set in the neighborhood where my mother grew up,” Pickett said. Her mother, born in 1912, told stories about World War I.

The historical fiction novel, published in 2015, is for ages 9 and older, Pickett said. A retired teacher and librarian from Kansas City, Mo., she has written other children’s novels, including “Whisper Island,” “Wasatch Summer” and “Old Enough for Magic.”

Freddie Downs of Leavenworth said the Homegrown Reads at the West Wyandotte Library was like a homecoming for him, since he did much of the research for his book, “Shakeouts of Rock and Roll,” in that building.

Downs, who has been a radio announcer for KCLO and KUDL, as well as a clerical worker, had three nonfiction books and a novel on display. A poetry book will come out later this year, he said. His titles include “Fascinating People,” “You Don’t Live Forever,” and “Memories: A TV Journey.”

Downs said it takes him years to write a book, and he derives comfort in leaving them as his legacy.

“When I’m gone, these will be here to speak for me,” Downs said.

Berneice Williams, a retired registered nurse in Kansas City, Kan., started writing books after age 60, and started painting after age 76. An original painting was displayed next to her books. She has created more than 100 original artworks.

She had four books of poetry on display, including “A View from the Right Side of 60” and “Healing of the Memories.”

She called her book “Healing of the Memories,” she said, “because you don’t forget the memories, but you take the pain out of it.”

In her work through the years, she said she had to deal with a lot of pain and suffering. She couldn’t express her feelings about it at the time, but now she has expressed them through her writings.

When she first started writing poetry, her daughter asked if the poems could be collected in a book for the family, Williams said. That’s how her book publishing started. A woman of great faith, Williams was asked who was her publisher, and she replied, “God published it.”

Since she started writing and publishing her books, and painting her artworks, Williams has been featured in several newspapers and magazines. “It’s been a nice trip,” she said.

Originally from Peoria, Ill., Williams spent the years from 1964 to 1975 in Wichita, and has been here ever since.

Williams said she also enjoyed working on a book for the Mount Carmel Church of God in Christ for 16 mothers of the church, and in honor of the 90th birthday of the senior mother. Williams’ short autobiography and picture as a young adult was in that publication, too.

Also in the Homegrown Reads program was Joe Vaughan, who has written a pictorial history of Kansas City, Kan., as well as of some other area cities. For another story about Vaughan’s books, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/kck-native-writes-new-historical-book/.