Back in school, we called it Soup-Town (but they don’t like that)

Another book mention to share:

Maria Lockwood of the Superior (Wis.) Telegram writes a story today about my publisher Lindsy O’Brien and the first book under her Red Step Press imprint, which happens to be my book, “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range.” Lindsy and I met each other at the University of Wisconsin-Superior and kept in touch, mostly for writing feedback. Then she starts a publishing company and WHAM, after two and a half years of frenetic discussion about “tone,” I am an author and she is a publisher. Basically, the list of people who worked on the book reads like a UWS alumni list, which is why later this month we’ll be profiled again in the UWS alumni magazine. I’ve long contended that the Iron Range and Superior should be considered blood brothers anyway. When we Range radicals succeed in raising our well regulated militia to cast off our urban oppressors, we shall convene under the Highway 2 overpass across the bridge and name our new state/nation/rogue province “Superior.”

Anyway, check out the story. Here’s an excerpt:

“It’s a really substantial book” with great depth, said Barton Sutter, author and UWS English professor. Pieces range from the personal to the historical, with an eye toward the humor in situations.

“I don’t know how many voices of this type have been heard,” Sutter said. “People need to see their own identity and their own history reflected back at them. That is one of the reasons why art exists.”

For Brown, the book is about home.

“Beyond that, it’s about being a young adult in a place with a rich history, a place that’s on the brink of change,” he said. “You have the option of staying. You can do what fits your life.”

While pulling together old articles and penning new ones for the piece, he and his wife welcomed twin sons into the world.

“The result, I think, is better,” Brown said. “It now reflects the busiest time of my life.”

And his need to pass his legacy down to the next generation.

“You’re part of a chain,” he said. “Part of something that came before.”

Three signed copies of “Overburden” sit in Brown’s home, waiting to be passed to his sons — Henry, Douglas and George. For everyone else, the wait for the book ended with its official release Tuesday. Copies are available at Barnes & Noble as well as most bookstores in Duluth and on the Iron Range. The marketing push continues with a book signing event from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Howard Street Booksellers in Hibbing. A November event is also planned at Barnes & Noble in Duluth.

“It’s been a long process, but it’s really been a lot of fun,” O’Brien said. And it helped to have an author who is a friend.

“We were both out for each other’s best interests,” she said. “I want him to be successful; he wants me to be successful.”

Every connection along the way was important, O’Brien said, especially the many ties to UWS.

“I find good writers here,” Sutter said, yet “in 20 years of teaching, only one of my students has gone on to publish a book.”

At the same time, another launched a business.

“I think that’s a wonderful story,” Sutter said.

Comments

  1. Damn you, Sutter! Rubbing it in my face!

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