Author Archives: mskinnerlanier

First fan letter from reader

Nothing like receiving my first fan letter from a reader of Hardpan. Donna Markle attended my book reading at Bloomsbury Books in Ashland, Oregon in January 2016. She grew up in Casper, Wyoming, not far from Clark, the setting for Part I of … Continue reading

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Stopping by book stores in Berlin & Budapest

While visiting Berlin and Budapest in early October, I stopped by book stores to ask if they would consider adding my debut novel, Hardpan, to their shelves. They expressed a strong interest, and explained how I will need to go … Continue reading

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Early reviews of Hardpan trickling in!

From successful author Lee Gant: “Hardpan. I love the image that brings to mind: dry, cracked clay dirt…powdered earth rising from sunbaked ground with every booted step. Makes me want to dust off my jeans. Great title for this family … Continue reading

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My first novel, Hardpan, published August 1st 2015

Exciting news: my first novel, Hardpan, was published August 1st by Westerly Directions Press. E-books are now available from Apple iBooks: https://itun.es/us/fwu48.I and Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/, as well as online from B&N Nook. Print books will also be available soon. … Continue reading

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“The Paint Job,” a chapter in Part II of my novel, Hardpan

Linda squeezed her mother hard around her waist, not wanting to let go. She got a whiff of her mother’s skin, still damp from her morning shower, the fragrance of violets from the talcum powder dusted on her shoulders and … Continue reading

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Rebooting at Sixty-Four, My Husband the FedEx Man

This holiday season marks a year since my husband took the plunge. “I saw this ad on Craig’s List for a holiday job with FedEx,” Bob reported nonchalantly. “I’m going to meet a guy named Eddy for an interview at the FedEx … Continue reading

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“Kurt Looks For Work,” a chapter from Part III of my novel, Hardpan

Quiet pervaded the house before the morning crush. Only the hum of the fridge broke the silence. Soon everyone would be fighting for the only bathroom. Kurt scooped coffee grounds from the bright red MJB can into the aluminum percolator. … Continue reading

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“The Fence,” a chapter from Part I of my novel, Hardpan

Clark, Wyoming. Summer 1956 “When will you pick us up, Daddy?” Jean asked. “After mowing.” “Don’t forget us!” Linda shouted at his back as he leapt across the dry creek bed to his pickup. He glanced around. “I won’t. Now … Continue reading

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First Impressions of Provence

September 29, 2012 Bob & I are getting used to driving in France. Despite vague memories of the roundabouts and unique road signage from my trip in 1984 with my mother & sister, when we first drove the rental car … Continue reading

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First Impressions of Paris

Friday, September 21, 2012. After landing an hour early at Charles DeGaulle Airport, we took the RER B to the Chatelet train station where we transferred to the Metro line 1 in the direction of Vincennes (east-west line). Emerging from … Continue reading

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