Area authors also join in at library’s special event
What do you see when you read? When James Joyce invites us to Dublin, when Charles Dickens sets us down in London, we come to know those cities specifically through their filters. We construct images in our minds when we are reading, because when we read we are immersed and the more we are immersed the less we are able in the moment to bring our analytical mind to bear upon an experience in which we are absorbed.”
These words were read by Octavia Fellin Library Director Tammie Moe as she introduced the “In Conversation with Local Authors” at the Octavia Fellin Public Library July 7.
Local authors discussed their works before an enthused audience. Authors Rani Divine, Ross Van Dusen, Max Early, Martin Link, John Taylor, and Essie Yazzie rounded at the list of local-centric authors.
The event, centered on a book club and group of authors, turned out to be a hit with readers. It began with a luncheon at the El Morro Second Street Events Center with an opening address by Mayor Jackie McKinney, followed by the introduction of special guest Anne Hillerman, daughter of famous American author Tony Hillerman.
Tony Hillerman is best known for his detective novels featuring Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels.
After her father’s death, Anne Hillerman continued the Leaphorn and Chee mysteries with Spider Woman’s Daughter. She followed that with two more in the series, Rock with Wings and Song of the Lion and her most recent novel, Cave of Bones.
Hillerman seemed surprised that the club chose her latest novel, and was pleased to be a part of this event as well as supporting the library.
“I was so thrilled that they chose my book as a community read,” she said. “This was a wonderful event, and to be here amongst this panel of local authors who talked about the trials and tribulations of being a writer and how living in the Gallup area has influenced their work.”
What inspired her to follow in her father’s footsteps? She said it was love, the love of her father’s books and of course the love of her father. Although she had the feeling that she may fail, she thrusted forward and has succeeded in carrying on her father’s beloved legacy.
“I loved my father’s books and I loved him, and after he died I thought not only am I missing my dear dad but I’m missing those dear stories,” she said. “I thought I would give it a try and if the worst is if I don’t succeed that would be the end of that.”
Surprisingly she found herself with a touch of her dad’s talent.
“So far readers have been receptive and appreciative of my effort,” she said.
Carrying on with her father’s writing style and storyline, Hillerman has stayed in tune with her dad’s characters. She also added her own touch to the stories with new characters.
“I used a minor character and raised her up to be a full fledge crime fighter who is ‘Bernadette Manuelito,’ so in most of my books she is the main character along with ‘Jim Chee’ and others. They’re hard at work, but Bernadette gets to have the spotlight (laughing). I love being in Gallup and I hope I have the chance to come back here,” she said.
The event proved to be an overwhelming success. Hillerman was a part of the draw, as well as the initial book club, according to a surprised library Deputy Director Betty Martin.
“I think it went very well, a lot the community was involved and I’ve never seen this much involvement of all my years here at the library,” she said. “The book club started out with 35 people in it and later expanded to 55 readers. A lot more involvement than I anticipated and it turn out great, very diverse, from kids to teenagers … somebody from every walk of life. Both the luncheon, panel, and everything else drew in over 300, this was a great turnout, fun and exciting.”
Local author John Lewis Taylor, an educator, also praised the library for the event, while discussing his works. Possessing a passion for history led to his first book Looking for Dan (2013), and a second book that he is currently working on, Taylor was proud to be amongst the collaboration of authors of great Southwestern stories.
“This is a great event to tell of my book as well these other authors doing the same,” he said. “It’s a history not a fiction book. It’s about a man named Daniel Dubois who lived in this area in the late 19th Century early 20th Century. He came to the area where Gallup is now around 1850 … he was very prominent in early Anglo-New Mexican history for a period. He was married to Rosa Manuelito, one of the daughters of Navajo leader Manuelito.”
For more information on upcoming events for the Octavia Fellin Public Library, visit their Facebook page or website.
By Dee Velasco
For the Sun