Local Authors living in any rural area probably have the same problems, but this is my backyard and I know firsthand how hard it is to find like-minded writerly types and how few and far between are writerly events—unless you want to drive a couple hundred miles.
I live in a beautiful spot—deep in the piney woods of the Missouri Ozarks. The region is famous for abundant wildlife, crystal clear rivers, and—on the downside—poverty and a lack of diversity. Still, some of the most wonderful people in the world live here and among them are talented, hard-working authors.
So, to do my part to get the word out, Wednesdays are for Local Legends in Sorchia’s Universe. Since this is a new feature, the Local Legends category is thin, but soon you will be able to find more Local Legends by selecting Local Legends in the Categories widget on the right side of this page.
On Wednesdays you’ll discover authors who live and write in the most rural parts of southern Missouri. They’ll share their experiences and, of course, the buy links to their books. We don’t limit the genres in this promo feature, so you may find historical books, how-to books, or any other kind of book—even inspirational because we don’t discriminate– but they will all have been written by a denizen of the region.
If you happen to be a writer living in southern Missouri and you are interested in writing a Local Legend Post, go HERE for more information.
To show you the kind of thing you may find on Local Legend Wednesdays, let me share a wonderful book I just read.
The West Plains Dance Hall Explosion by Lin Waterhouse
West Plains, the county seat of Howell County, is a moderately sized town about 20 miles north of the Arkansas border. These days, it boasts of a Walmart Supercenter, the West Plains campus of Missouri State University, Ozarks Healthcare Regional hospital, and a plethora of businesses, churches, eateries, and shops. It’s the go the largest town for miles and miles.
Back in 1928, West Plains was already the county seat and sported, among other establishments, a dance hall where locals gathered to disport themselves and generally have a good time. On the fateful evening of the tragedy, some of the area’s most promising young people—up and coming offspring of local families—were on hand.
Lin Waterhouse presents a rigorously researched and compelling story of those whose fates were forever altered by the events of that evening.
You don’t have to be a local to appreciate this tale and to mark the way it changed the community forever.
