Writer's Corner

William Kent Krueger is one of Minnesota’s preeminent writers. His 20th Cork O’Connor novel, out in August, “Spirit Crossing,” continuing the history of O’Connor and his family with sensitivity, pathos, and humanity, immediately jumped to the New York Times best-seller list.

His earlier standalone volume, released in 2023, “The River We Remember,” is almost spiritual as it steps back into post-WWII prejudices and challenges of a small Minnesota community.

Kent discussed his background, his writing method, and his latest book, to be released next summer.

MARJORIE MATHISON HANCE, who was a national sales manager for Honeywell, has spent years with her family on Pelican Lake in northwest Minnesota. She began writing “Pelican Lake” when she found herself alone at the lake following the death of her first husband, and after critical acclaim, authored two more novels set in the northwestern Minnesota area. She is working on a fourth book due out in 2025.

JJ HARRIGAN, who specializes in historical fiction, became a novelist after serving in the army during the Cold War, doing a stint in US Foreign Service in Brazil, and ultimately as a college professor at Hamline University. His novel, “Goodbye Cuba” is wrapped in intrigue about the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. His next novel, “Goodbye Bobby” is about the late Presidential candidate. Robert Kennedy, and wrapped in his pledge to end the Vietnam War. It is due out in November, 2024.

Together with Alan, these accomplished authors discussed the benefits and pitfalls of lesser-known authors, and their methods of getting their books published.

BRIAN FREEMAN, one of the nation’s most prolific authors, who has penned as many as four best-sellers in a single year, recently released his 5th volume since taking over the Jason Bourne series from the late Robert Ludlum, “The Bourne Shadow.”

He also released a stand-alone several months ago, “Break Every Rule,” a deviation from his usual psychological thrillers. He is also author of the Jonathan Stride series, and joined Alan remotely from his new home in Florida.

JOE SCHMIT, the Sports Director of KSTP-TV has won 19 Emmys in his illustrious career. He has also authored three books, the latest in a collaboration with baseball Hall of Famer Joe Mauer, “The Right Thing To Do: The Joe Mauer Story.” a children’s book based on Mauer’s reputation as the perennial “nice guy” who lives by the highest ethical standards. He discussed the book, and a little baseball, with Alan.

July features two Award-winning writers: JEFF BURTON whose latest thriller, “The Dead Years” is a new endeavor for him after a host of novels, this one featuring a brother and sister team of sleuths, and, of course, a cadaver dog, while author JAYNA LOCKE‘s “Somewhere in Minnesota” book is an anthology of award-winning short stories, beautifully describing the state in which they are set.