Candace Simar's Blog, page 11

    It’s exciting to see Shelterbelts falling into place.  The book is written, edited, and the cover finalized.  Didn’t Chip Borkenhagen from River Place Press do a super job on the cover image?  The good folks at North Star Press tell me the new baby is at the printer with an expected due date in early […]

Some Thoughts on Historical Research           Man, I flat love good historical fiction. When it’s done right, it’s like taking a magical vacation to a different time, another land. Whether it’s Victorian London, the Australian Outback, or the American West, quality historical fiction has the ability to bring a story to life in ways […]

It's a dream come true. Thanks to Jim Norwood, Abercrombie Trail is now available in audio. Jim did a terrific job, not only reading, but performing the entire novel. I'm sure you'll agree he is amazing.

Enough of winter already!  Let’s take a break to refresh our spirits and sharpen our writing skills. On April 10,11,and 12, 2015, I will be hosting a writing retreat at Anna V’s B&B in beautiful Lanesboro, Minnesota, the B&B capitol of Minnesota.  The retreat will begin at 7pm on Friday night with a group session […]

           Last week I gave a presentation for a Women’s Christmas Tea at Light of the Cross Lutheran Church in Garrison, MN.  Several churches join together every year to raise money for the local food shelf.  It’s a dress up affair, and they asked me to come wearing hat, gloves and pearls.   A first! Thank […]

A friend steered me toward The Haymakers by Steven Hoffbeck.  It’s rare for a book to affect me as it has.  I found myself crying in every chapter!  Of course, growing up on a Minnesota farm, as Hoffbeck so beautiful depicts, means I share many common memories.  His memoir ties five generations with the never-ending […]

You just never know who might walk by at the Minot Hostfest.  It mimght be a seven foot troll, a Viking warrior or Norwegians wearing their traditional bunads.  This largest of US Scandinavian festivals starts next Tuesday night and lasts through Saturday at the State Fair Grounds. The weather forecast looks wonderful, and people from […]

Last weekend I enjoyed a wonderful reunion of our rural school in Otter Tail County.  This photo shows the 17 students of our final year before consolidation, yest that’s 17 students grades 1-6.  There were 5 in my class but my sister was the only first grader that year.  Thanks to all the locals who […]

             The Abercrombie Trail Series hasn’t been available in e-books for about the last year.  Don’t ask–it’s sufficient to say that publishing contracts are most complicated!  The good news is that Wolfpack Publishing recently picked up the ebook rights and is publishing the entire series.  I love the new cover!  A big thank you to […]

        A Facebook connection brought a distant relative into my life.  I’m still not sure but I think this Wisconsin woman is the granddaughter of my grandfather’s half brother.  She graciously shares this photo of the original Sonmor farm near Tolga, Norway (not far from Lillehammer, famous for the Winter Olympics a while back).   Evan […]