I read books but don't review them. For that, you have to turn to the many litblogs that do (see Web del Sol's "House of Blogs"). I recently read Sky Bridge by Laura Pritchett. She is part of the burgeoning field of fiction writers who lovingly yet realistically delve into the lives of High Plains people. Many are natives. Colorado's Kent Haruf and Wyoming's Mark Spragg leap to mind. Others are like Wyoming writer/editor Gaydell Collier who were raised in other places "but got here as soon as I could." Kent Nelson (Colo.) comes to mind, as well as South Dakota's Kent Meyers (what's with the "Kent" trend?). Laura Pritchett grew up on a small cattle ranch in northern Colorado. His book of short stories from Milkweed Editions, Hell's Bottom, Colorado, earned her the 2002 PEN USA Award for Fiction. To experience Pritchett's work first-hand, attend her writing workshop at the Cheyenne YMCA Writer’s Voice on Thursday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. Cost is the same as for other Y events: $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Pritchett will sign copies of her books at 2 p.m. that day at City News, 1722 Carey Ave., Cheyenne. You can sign up in advance by calling Chris Shay, 307-634-9622. Yes, Chris and I are related by marriage and are members of the Clan of Committed Readers.
- posted by Michael Shay @ 12:28 PM