Tingley book to be released July 30

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The Front Page

Book update

Sunday, June 13, 2021

By Ken Tingley

For all of you that have been faithfully reading my newsletter over the past few months, I you to be the first to get an update on my first book.

A collection of my columns from my years at The Post-Star is tentatively scheduled to be released on July 30 from Something or Other Publishing. It has been long haul to get to this point.

The book is divided into six sections: People, Hometown, USA, Life and Death, Sports, The World and My Life. It includes over 80 columns. My goal was to publish the most memorable stories from the newspaper columns written over the past 30 years. I am happy to report that the columns have stood the test of time. 

As I reviewed the columns and gradually pared them down, I wanted to know more about the people I wrote about and how life turned out for them afterward. I searched the internet and Facebook to find information about them. I found some information in the pages of The Post-Star, but others I had to search a little harder. Some I emailed. Others I talked to personally.

There were many happy endings and lots of life that came afterward. At the end of each column, I included a “P.S.” feature to update the subjects about lives afterward. I believe it is the best part of the book. It gives the columns context, and closure in many cases.

With the help of my book publisher, family and friends, we decided on the title, “The Last American Editor.” It isn’t referring to me as much as it is to the state of newspapers today, and maybe more importantly, the lack of commentary that is appearing in many newspapers.

I looked at my column writing as entertainment for our readers, a way to connect our lives. I’m afraid this is the end of an era.

The book cover has been designed and we are talking about marketing the book and finding a way for all readers to connect with it. I’m hoping to have some kickoff events in the future and hopefully connect with many of you again in person.

So stay tuned for what is next.

As far as what you can do now, I’m asking each of you to share this posting with five of your friends and family and ask them all to vote my publisher’s website for the book. This will allow them to received the latest information about when the book goes on sale and events are scheduled.

Most of all, I believe the book is a great example of story telling about people in small towns and villages. I’m hoping you agree as well.