Mankato’s literary gifts
T
he following is a collection of published and soon-to-be published titles from area authors. Included are titles published by traditional publishers as well as a few selfpublished titles with regional interest. “The Mankato Reconciliation Powwow,” by Loren Dean Boutin (nonfiction): On the 150th commemoration of the U.S.Dakota War of 1862, the psychologist-turned-author recounts the history of the Mankato Powwow in exhaustive detail. Published by North Star Press. “Beautiful Music for Ugly Children,” by Kirstin Cronn-Mills (young adult): A transgender teen named Gabe wrestles with himself, his peers and fans of his late-night radio show to unveil his truest self. Published by Flux.
siblings who are removed to their strange uncle’s farm while their mother stands trial. Helget also has a historical fiction novel, “Stillwater,” slated to publish in 2013. Published by Egmont. “Handmade Holiday Cards from 20th-Century Artists,” by Mary Savig (nonfiction): North Mankato native Savig explores the history and aesthetic of handmade holiday cards. Published by Smithsonian Books. “Collected Stories of Maud Hart Lovelace and Delos Lovelace,” edited by Julie Schrader (nonfiction): Schrader compiles 12 published short stories by Maud and Delos Lovelace between 1915-1928. Published by Minnesota Heritage Publishing. “... We Cannot Escape History ...” by Bryce Stenzel (nonfiction play): Well-known Mankato historian and Abraham Lincoln reenactor Stenzel reviews the local and national forces that led to the president’s paroning of condemned Dakota and the Emancipation Proclamation. Published by Minnesota Heritage Publishing.
“The Vatican Diaries,” by John Thavis (nonfiction): The Mankato native and now-retired Rome bureau chief of Catholic News Service delivers an inside look at the inner workings of the Vatican. Published by Viking Adult.
“The Wagon Wheel Project,” by Dave Engel (nonfiction): Engen, an MSU communications instructor, explores the sociological value of so-called “third places” by examining the regulars at the Wagon Wheel Cafe in Mankato. Published by Minnesota Heritage Publishing. “We’ll Be the Last Ones to Let You Down,” by Rachael Hanel (memoir): Hanel’s memoir about growing up the daughter of a gravedigger in Waseca is due to publish in early 2013. Published by University of Minnesota Press. “It Takes You Over,” by Nick Healy (short stories): Healy, an award-winning short story writer, offers a collection of Minnesota stories at once tender and gritty. Published by New Rivers Press. “Horse Camp,” by Nicole Helget and Nate LeBoutillier (young adult): A witty, poignant and sometimes subversive tale of
“Mni Sota Makoce: The Land of the Dakota,” by Gwen Westerman, Bruce White (nonfiction): Westerman, an instructor at Minnesota State University, collects oral histories and written records that remind readers that the history of the Dakota people begins long before 1862. Published by Minnesota Historical Society Press. MANKATO MAGAZINE • december 2012 • 25