Writer's Corner

JOHN GASPARD and JIM CUNNINGHAM could also pass for “The Odd Couple.”

Gaspard is a prolific author, author of countless novellas and novels. His latest series is the Eli Marks mystery series. Eli is a magician; so is Gaspard, at least insofar as this series is concerned. The two have been partners in corporate events, among others, and Gaspard’s books are available both in soft cover and Kindle, as well as Ebooks, and on a podcast.

Cunningham is well known in the Twin Cities as an actor, producer, writer and director, and had a long association with the Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop and the Renaissance Festival, and has developed a seance. He is also the voice behind the Eli Marks series, as Gaspard’s books come to life in several formats. The latest book in the series, “Twisting the Aces”, (co-written with magician Michael Varma) is the 10th in the series. They enlivened Writers Corner with their interview.

RENEE VALOIS, who, in addition to being a prize-winning author, is a well-known poet and also served as a movie reviewer for a major newspaper. She discussed, (coincidentally, on Halloween!), her latest book titled “Collecting Spirits, life with ghosts, guardians and guides,” a collection of her own and other people’s experiences with ghosts and the paranormal.

JOSH WEBER, who is a principal of Calumet Editions, the sponsor of Writers Corner, and is also the publisher of Alan’s novels, not only had a spirited interchange with Renee, but brought in several of Calumet’s most recent books, discussed them, and noted they are available to readers. He also discussed his relationship with Afton Publications, a nonprofit that publishes historical material about Minnesota.

Colin Nelson, who has been a prosecutor, defense attorney, and adjunct professor, still found the time to write seven books before his latest, “The Havana Syndrome,” a fictional thriller focused on the mysterious syndrome which struck United States officials in Havana in 2016 and still has not been resolved.

Colin spent time in Cuba before the embargo, and got to know and like the people. He is married and lives in Plymouth, MN, and he still finds time to play the saxophone in two bands.

Annamaria Alfieri is the pen name of Patricia King, a New York City-based novelist who dreamed of being a writer since she was nine.

Alfieri has penned two historical mystery series, one set in British East Africa in the early 1900s, and the other set in South America.

Stanley Trollip is one half of a team (with Michael Sears) that writes the internationally famous Detective Kubu series.

The series features David “Kubu” Bengu, a senior police detective in Gabarone, Botswana. Kubu, the word for hippopotamus in the Setswana language, is the unlikely hero of the eight-book series.

Trollip has also just released Wolfman, a thriller set in northern Minnesota that is the prequel to a new Trollip/Sears series featuring investigative reporter Crystal Nguyen.

David Housewright is one of the nation’s top authors.A former President of the Mystery Writers of America, winner of three Minnesota Book Awards for crime fiction, and the prestigious Edgar Award.

He has two new novels for this year, “Girl in a Dumpster” in his Holland Taylor series, and “Them Bones,” the 22nd book in his Rushmore McKenzie series, due for release four days after his interview with Alan on June 20th.

He discussed the difference between the two main characters and many of the choices he faced in completing these two books, each destined to be a best seller.