Western Book Roundup

Rick Bass’s Next Novel and Awards for McGuane, Skloot, and Blew

By Jenny Shank, 2-25-09

	Thomas McGuane.

Rick Bass wrote of his difficulty finding time to balance writing fiction with activism in his most recent book, Why I Came West, but he seems to be on a roll these days, with that book currently a finalist for an NBCC Award, and a new novel sale reported last week.  According to Publisher’s Marketplace, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will publish Bass’s third novel, The Lives of the Browns, in fall 2010.  The book is described as “a fictional account of three real-life 1950s era country singers from Arkansas who produced a unique and eerie harmony—the Nashville Sound—that for a brief period made them the biggest thing in country music.”

I’ve got a good feeling about this one, which sounds like a complete change-up in material for Bass—perhaps just what he needs to get his groove back.  (Personally, I never thought his groove was missing, but based on what Bass wrote in Why I Came West, he thought it was.) I don’t know what direction he’ll take this premise in, but I’m rooting for it to be a funny one, like his hilarious story “Goats” from The Lives of Rocks.

Speaking of Montana writers, the Center of the American West will honor Tom McGuane with its Wallace Stegner Award next week (February 26, 7 p.m., CU Campus, Math 100).  The annual award recognizes “a sustained contribution to the cultural identity of the West through literature, art, history, lore, or an understanding of the West.” I love McGuane’s writing and I’m hoping I can find a babysitter so I can attend.  Any takers?

Oregon writer Floyd Skloot, author of the excellent recent memoir The Wink of the Zenith, wrote in to share some good news.  His Selected Poems: 1970-2005 (Tupelo Press), won the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association William Stafford Memorial Book Award.  Plus, one of his poems will appear in the Best Spiritual Writing 2009, marking the second time he’s been selected for that honor.

The University of Idaho sent word that Mary Clearman Blew has won a Western Heritage Award for her 2008 novel, Jackalope Dreams, which was one of my favorite books last year.  The annual award is sponsored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.  The awards will be distributed in April, and Blew will be in good company, as former Major Leaguer Nolan Ryan will pick up a Chester A Reynolds Memorial Award as well.

I noticed an announcement in the new issue of Poets & Writers for the 2009 Environmental Writing Institute, to be held from May 13 through 17 at the University of Montana.  The conference will focus on “creative nonfiction about nature and the environment” and Elizabeth Grossman will lead it.  I thought this was funny: “Lodging is available at area motels or with University of Montana graduate students.” There you have it: Come to Missoula, study nature writing, and sleep on some guy’s couch.

Okay, I’m in.  Follow me on Twitter here.

Have some regional book news or events to share? 

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