Writing archive

Why write “The Legend of the Albino Farm: A Novel”

Why write The Legend of the Albino Farm from Steven B Yates on Vimeo. WEST PLAINS, Missouri — At the 2016 Ozarks Studies Symposium, Steve Yates, author of the forthcoming novel, The Legend of the Albino Farm, answers a surprise question from Matthew J. Hernando (“Faces Like Devils: The Bald Knobber Vigilantes in the Ozarks“). […]

Reading from “Sandy and Wayne: A Novella” at the Ozarks Studies Symposium

Steve Yates reads from “Sandy and Wayne: A Novella” at the Ozarks Studies Symposium from Steven B Yates on Vimeo.

Finding the story in history: how to research for detail in the historical novel

FINDING THE STORY IN HISTORY I have heard that the best book you can buy to help you create historical fiction rich in detail is a facsimile of the Sears and Roebuck catalog. Of course, I rushed right out and got one, from 1897. I’ve pawed through it a couple of times, charmed. But I’m […]

The design of “Sandy and Wayne: A Novella,” a Q&A with Kelly Rae Bahr

Dock Street Press designer Kelly Rae Bahr was kind enough to join me in a round of questions and answers about the creation of Sandy and Wayne: A Novella. Q: Kelly, I have to tell you, this is my fourth published work of fiction, and I have never had so many book designers, booksellers, and even […]

A Q&A with the inaugural Knickerbocker Prize Winner Steve Yates and Big Fiction’s Lauren Hohle

In August 2013, Big Fiction, published in hand-set type on a letterpress and dedicated to the long short story, the novella, issued its inaugural Knickerbocker Prize. Chosen by acclaimed novelist and short story writer Lauren Groff, the first prize novella, “Sandy and Wayne,” is a love story set in the Arkansas Ozarks on the interstate […]

A Q & A with Matthew J. Hernando, author of “Faces Like Devils: The Bald Knobber Vigilantes in the Ozarks”

Matthew J. Hernando is Instructor of History and Government at Ozark Technical Community College, Hollister, Missouri. He has contributed articles and book reviews to such publications as the North Louisiana Historical Association Journal, the White River Valley Historical Quarterly, and the online journal Civil War Book Review. Faces Like Devils: The Bald Knobber Vigilantes in […]

The Golden Age: Will We Know It When We Live It?

There are very few days when I think of myself as a writer, as an artist, or a creator. As I said in this really pleasurable discussion about creativity on Marshall Ramsey’s radio show, “Now You’re Talking,” fifty hours a week I am, joyfully and willingly, the Bob Barker of Scholarly Publishing. I am Guy […]

The State Historical Society of Missouri: An Afternoon of Fiction Set in the Missouri Ozarks

COLUMBIA, Missouri — July 18, 2015 2 – 4 p.m. Research Center–Columbia Join two authors with Missouri roots for readings from their latest projects, followed by a discussion on writing with topics ranging from choosing historical fiction to literary license and historical accuracy. Steve Wiegenstein will read highlights from This Old World, which was recently […]

Novelists Jamie Kornegay and Steve Yates answer questions from the audience in the loft at Lorelei Books

The Mississippi Arts Hour, Mississippi Public Broadcasting, and the Mississippi Arts Commission

The Mississippi Arts Hour interview with Larry Morrisey I have been reminded by several Mississippians lately that a cardinal date approaches. Or maybe I should say a mockingbird date. This June of 2015, I will have lived in Mississippi for 17 years. Tammy Sue and I moved here from the Arkansas Ozarks in 1998. I […]