It has been a difficult journey, but everything is turning out for the good.
First, I must praise the courageous start up, Polished Stone Publishing, for having the audacity and vision to want to publish Lone Dog Road when the majors were shying away from it. Sadly, Polished Stone did not have the infrastructure to pull it off in the way we all wanted, so they graciously returned the rights to me and have set their sights on more modest goals as they begin their journey in the publishing world.
However, their withdrawal has proved to be a fortuitous decision, as my old friends at New World Library have stepped enthusiastically into the breach. We had not originally considered working together on this book because publishing fiction is not their forte. They preferred to stay at a distance while Lone Dog Road came to fruition. But as the positive endorsements from folks like William Kent Krueger and Dan O’Brien and Leif Enger started coming in, and their distributor spoke excitedly about being able to go out with a new book from my hand, they realized that they could bring Lone Dog Road to the marketplace in the way that it deserved.
And so the homecoming has been consummated. New World Library will be publishing Lone Dog Road in the spring.
I could not be happier. I know them; they know me. We are on that rare first name basis that all writers would love to have with their publishers. It will be like working with old friends.
I will start filling in the blanks around this publishing journey in the upcoming weeks and months. You have all been patient, and I want to reward that patience with a unique look inside the experience of writing and publishing this new book that I love dearly but have had such a difficult time getting into your hands.
So here we go. Lone Dog Road has finally started its literary trek into your hands. Look for more from me as this journey progresses.
I’m so happy this book be out before we know it!! Thank you for the gift you continue to share with the world!
Chopping on the bit to read this book.
Looking forward so much for this puppy!
Another readers gift!!! Thank you!!!
Thanks so much!
thanks for the update. so glad the book is getting published. i anxiously await!
Can’t wait to get it!
I am absolutely delighted at this great news. As soon as I can I will preorder it.
Congratulations!
Looking forward to your awesome new book. Can I reserve an autographed copy?
Magic 🙏
So excited to see it is finally in the works. I am eager to be able to read it, at last. I am so glad you did not give-up but kept pushing to make sure it happened. Something to look forward to!! We all need that.
Look forward to Spring and Kent’s new book.
As the Stoics say, the obstacle is the way! So glad you not only found a publisher, but one with which you are familiar and comfortable. I’m very much looking forward to reading this book next year. Thank you.
Excellent. Congratulations! Sometimes things are worth waiting for and struggling for.
Great news!
So glad it is finally coming! I’m so looking forward to it!
Congratulations, Kent. This will be a gift to all of us.
Yay!
Great news at long last – and not just for you! As a respected and faithful follower of your work and talents, I must say this is the best of recent ‘news’ and gives so many of us something to look forward to!!
I’m so grateful to be the publisher of this book. I have read LONE DOG ROAD twice now… each time it’s brought tears to my eyes. I have read hundreds if not tousands of books over my 48 years in publishing, and this is right up there in the top 10 of the greatest novels I’ve ever read. Wait til you read it. Kent, maybe you could just post the beginning of Chapter 1, to give people a taste of what’s to come. Or maybe you could post the whole chapter.
I’m going to do that, Marc. I’m going to spool it out little by little with observations and comments about the writing and publishing experience. Sort of a weekly blog while NWL gets up to speed on the publishing and promotion. It’s going to be fun. The long wait has been worth it. I think we have a good one here.
One must believe in the big picture of things that it was meant to be this way at this time.
But I need a temple staircase to sit on to try to figure it out though.
Hard to find temple staircases anywhere of recent.
Your attempt to give birth to this book has been a labor of love on your part. Looking forward to official birthday 🍷🌝
The publication of Lone Dog Road, coincides with the 2024 reveal of the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, itself a story about the effects and affects of the boarding school era; only a writer of Nerburn’s caliber can deliver such a shot across the bow that will make people take further notice of this terrible segment of United States historical treatment of it Indigenous peoples.
Praise and congratulations, Kent! The great adventure continues, eh? For many years, your work has been a conversation topic between Steve Reynolds and me. (We are your readers from NW Minnesota. We both live more than remotely, as you may recall from our previous posts.) As you know, Steve and I have our own writing pursuits.* Seeing the number of readers who have already told you about their excitement and support is just the start of a success story for “Lone Dog Road.” We are with you and while we wait for the release date to arrive, we eagerly stand ready for what you will share about “Lone Dog Road” and this journey. As we say in my home state – Wisconsin – FORWARD!
All the best – Jack Pine Savage (Catherine Stenzel)
* One of mine, “Tears for the Samurai: Transforming the Warrior Within” may just tag along in your publication footsteps. That is, if the publishing world’s stars shine on me.
woo hoo! congrats and looking forward to the ‘teasers’
All I can say is Amen! 🙏
Lone Dog won’t be so lonely, and neither will I.
This is a must-read to join with those who suffered.
Thank You Kent, and Polished Stone Publishing.
(sounds like a good name for a pub to read books in)
Congratulations, Mr Nerburn. I know this has been a labor of love. I am looking forward to reading it. As soon as I can pre-order, I will do so. You have a wonderful gift of communication, and I’m ready to receive your next work.
This is exciting news! Looking forward the reveal! Peace!
Hi Kent:
I’m so happy you’re new book will be available soon! Congratulations- and happy for you
YAHOO!
& that was a very nice comment from Marc Allen.
Congratulations! Synchronicities are in play and now, it would seem, the world is ready for your book. I’m very excited to buy and read it. Think about a trip to Maine in the summer 2025. I’m involved in running a speaker series, in its 23rd year, and we will look at your book for sure!
I’d love to come to Maine. Most publishers don’t pay for book tours any more, so it is either on my own dime or with the assistance of the venues. Does your speaker series provide any funding for participants?
You write from your heart and what comes from the heart cannot be stopped. I look forward to your story! Congratulations!
SO glad you found a publisher. “Neither Wolf Nor Dog” was a favorite in my AZ book club. I have enjoyed both your fiction and non-fiction writing. Will the wild fire smoke chase you back to MN?