Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a very special Christmas event with Author Sean Covel! Covel will share his Christmas book, “Marlon McDoogle’s Magical Night” on Saturday December 13 at 11 AM. This event is suitable for kids of all ages! Books will be available for signing and purchase.

About the Book: 

Marlon McDoogle's Magical Night is a world-class Christmas adventure about a young boy finding his identity, and stepping into his place in the world. On the night of his 12th Christmas Eve, Marlon McDoogle waits for his grandpa, Angus, to “give him a gift he’ll never forget.” Marlon soon finds himself part of a secret Christmas Eve team that helps Santa deliver presents on a train while Santa's reindeer fill up on the magical hay that lets them fly. When Marlon throws a handful of hay into the boiler of the train, he unleashes a magic never before seen and finds himself flying the train high above the mountains. With quick thinking and incredible bravery, Marlon is able to get the flying train under control. Marlon saves the night, saves Christmas, and forever becomes The Boy Who Flies Trains. Marlon learns lessons of appreciating family, being true to your heart and the real spirit of Christmas along the way. Inspired by the actual Black Hills Central Railroad in Hill City, SD. The 1880's Train (as it's known) is the oldest continuously operating tour railroad in the nation.

About the Author:

Sean Covel is a Los Angeles-based Film and Television Producer who grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Covel’s credits include; 

Beneath for Paramount Pictures, The 12 Dogs of Christmas directed by Academy Award Winner, Keith Merrill, and the iconic independent film, Napoleon Dynamite.  Together, Covel’s films have won multiple awards, generated over one-quarter-billion dollars in revenue internationally and gotten nerds prom dates across the globe.  He very much wishes that would’ve been the case when he was in high school.  

Covel travels the globe on various film shoots, but maintains close ties to his small-town midwestern roots.  In 2015 he founded The 12 Days of Pizza charitable program, which supplies food insecure families with elementary school children consistent meals across the Christmas break. In its first year, the program provided 144 meals to Black Hills area families. Within the first 3 years the program grew to provide over 12,000 meals. 

Additionally, Covel’s new children’s book; Porter the Hoarder and the Ransacked Room has been developed into an interactive reading initiative for elementary aged kids. 

With the help of the United Way, Black Hills Reads, and Black Hills Special Services, over 60,000 copies of the book will be given free of charge to 1st grade students, teachers and libraries across South Dakota. The books are accompanied by a reading program designed to create parent engagement at home, and boost grade level reading successes.  

Covel holds an undergraduate degree in Broadcast Management and Acting from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where he guest lectures each spring.   Covel enjoys traveling, keynote speaking, and lecturing at universities and film festivals internationally, but he hangs his nunchucks in Deadwood, SD.

A CAPTIVATING GAME OF BLUFFING AND DEDUCTION

Blood on the Clocktower is a game of murder and mystery, lies and logic, deduction and deception for eight-to-thirteen courageous players and one devious storyteller.

A social game played in person, seated in a circle, each player receives either a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ token with their unique character on it. Good players share information to solve the mystery whilst evil players lie about who they are and what they know. The good team wins if they can piece together their knowledge, trust each other, and execute the demon. The evil team wins if the demon can sow distrust, evade detection, and wipe out the village.

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Sunday December 7th at 4:00 PM for an evening of Blood on the Clocktower, a social deduction game. Space is limited strictly to 12 attendees, so book soon! The cost is $15. Drinks and food available for purchase next door at Nonna’s.

To purchase tickets, please go to www.shophenrysbooks.com/blackhillsbloodontheclocktower

Black Hills Reads Bookstop Lesson with CAT Scratch Studios

Saturday, December 6, 2-3 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, December 6 at 2 pm for a Black Hills Reads Bookstop Lesson with CAT Scratch Studios!

Early learners, ages one year to 4+ and their caregivers are encouraged to attend this free event. Lead educator Cary Thrall will offer an interactive read-aloud of local South Dakota and Lakota author Donald Montileaux’s book “Muskrat and Skunk.” Following the reading, a rich learning activity will be shared with children. Adults are encouraged to assist. Children will receive their own copy of the book to keep.

About the book…

THUMP! BOOM! BAM!

Animals stop and listen. A new sound is in the forest. The beat vibrates through the trees and across the meadows. What is it? Where is it coming from?

Muskrat and Skunk thump on a hollow logBOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Birds begin to dance. Buffalo and Antelope join in. There is a rustle in the bushes; a large shape emerges. The animals scatter. Muskrat and Skunk drum on.

The story of the drum connects the instrument's sound to the heartbeat of Mother Eartha beat inside all of us. For the Lakota people, the drum is more than something to be played. Its rhythm is felt, and it is central to many ceremonies.

Donald F. Montileaux retells the origins of the drum, using traditional stories that Lakota people still tell today. His colorful images breathe life into Muskrat and Skunk, enhancing our understanding of the Lakota culture.

Book Signing with Lisa Fahey

Saturday, December 6, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, December 6 from noon to 2 pm for a book signing with local author Lisa Fahey and discover her newest title, “You Are Loved,” a four-week bible study for teens.

About the author…

Lisa Fahey is an author, speaker, spiritual direction coach, and publisher with over thirty years of experience working with youth, adults, and women in the Church. Her passion for inspiring and empowering others has guided her to create impactful Bible studies, courses, and personal coaching that support individuals in their journey with God.

About the Book…

You Are Loved is a four-week Bible Study for teens designed to help teens not just hear about God’s love—but truly experience it, live it, and walk confidently in it. With honest reflections, powerful Scripture, real-life stories, and space to journal and connect, this book will meet you right where you are.

Each week dives into a different part of the journey:
• Week 1: Overlooked – You are seen, known, and never forgotten.
• Week 2: Everlasting Love – God’s love has no limits or expiration date.
• Week 3: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – Learning to love yourself as God does.
• Week 4: Live Out Love – Taking that love into your world.

Whether you’re doing this study on your own, with a friend, or in a small group, this book is for every teen who’s ever wondered: “Am I enough? Am I truly loved?” Yes. A million times, yes! And this study will show you just how much.

Join us at Henry’s Books in the Community Room for a story time with Joanna Mechaley on Saturday December 6 at 10 AM. 

This month we’re celebrating the holidays with Lemony Snicket’s The Lump of Coal. Story time is open to all ages, but specifically geared towards kids aged 4-8 years old. 

About the book…

This is a story about a lump of coal who can think, talk, and move itself around.A lump of coal that wants to be an artist, but would settle for making decorative marks on a piece of grilled meat, rolls out of a forgotten bag of charcoal one winter and takes a spin through town seeking a miracle.Is there a more charming holiday tale to behold? Probably, but Lemony Snicket has not written one.

A free copy of the book will be given to the first 10 families that attend! Books provided by the Henry’s Books Foundation.

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a very special Black Friday event!

On Friday November 28 at 11 AM we will host Eliza Blue for a very special reading from her newest book, “The Adventures of Pearl and Theo”--plus some special music and singing in the round. This event is suitable for kiddos of all ages! Don’t miss out on this very special treat from a local favorite!

About the Author:

Eliza Blue is a writer, folk musician, and rancher living on the short grass prairie of western South Dakota. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, the Guardian, and NPR's All Songs Considered. Her weekly column, Little Pasture on the Prairie, is carried by nineteen different print publications, and she has written and produced seasonal audio “postcards” from her ranch for South Dakota Public Broadcasting and Prairie Public Radio. Her first book, Accidental Rancher, was chosen as the Siouxland One Book 2023. Eliza currently hosts a show celebrating rural art and culture for PBS called Wish You Were Here with Eliza Blue, and she is the director of the Kithship Collective, an organization devoted to innovative, ecosystem-specific storytelling.

About the Book:

An Unlikely Friendship on the Ranch…Pearl and Theo are two orphaned lambs struggling to find their place in a big, wide world. When they arrive at the ranch, they’re uncertain of what’s ahead. But with the gentle care of their surrogate mother, Liza, and the help of some unexpected friends—especially Franny, the spunky goat—the lambs embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever.

Told from the perspective of Pearl and Theo, this heartwarming middle-grade novel is a beautiful blend of humor and the expansive charm of life on the plains. Set against the rolling backdrop of the prairie, the land and the seasons emerge as central characters, while also introducing modern themes of bullying, belonging, and the discovery that family isn’t always defined by blood—sometimes it’s shaped by love, trust, and the friends that rally around you when you need them most.

Drawing inspiration from author Eliza Blue’s experiences adopting the real-life Pearl & Theo, as well as her experiences living and working at her ranch on the western plains, the land and the seasons emerge as central characters, rich with emotion and significance. In this book, as in Blue’s other work, the prairie is more than just a setting—it is a partner in the storytelling.

Illustrated by Karen Kinder, a fellow Dakotan whose sketches bring the characters to life with playful and whimsical artistry, The Adventures of Pearl & Theo is a book designed to be read aloud. Its tender moments and humorous antics will engage readers of all ages, making it a perfect addition to the family bookshelf. This beautiful and thought-provoking tale will resonate with children and parents alike, sparking a conversation about the value of the natural world and the role it plays in our emotional growth.

The Adventures of Pearl & Theo is ideal for young readers who crave heartfelt stories filled with adventure, animal companions, and a deep connection to the land.

Join Pearl and Theo as they discover the true meaning of friendship and family—one hoofstep at a time!

Book Signing with Noelle Davenport

Saturday, November 15, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, November 15 from noon to 2 pm for a book signing with local author Noelle Davenport and discover her newest romance, “MistleFoe.”

About the author…

Noelle Davenport is a closed-door romance author that can't get enough of happily ever afters, characters that make her swoon, and book hangovers that keep her thinking about them for days afterward! One of her favorite things in the world is a good book that lingers in the back of her mind all day long and she wants to bring her readers that same joy.

About the Book…

Black Friday is looking bleak this year…

Violet Hatch needs to snag the hottest toy of the season—it’s the key to making rent this month. Unfortunately, Dax Peters is just as desperate.

When they’re caught fighting over the last GigaBite and a store window gets broken, they’re both arrested for vandalism. Ordered by a Christmas-loving judge to do twenty community service hours by Christmas Eve or go to jail, they opt to serve. But there’s one caveat: they must work together.

Violet is all about collaboration—with a side of payback—and Dax never backs down from a challenge.

As their prank war escalates, so do their feelings for each other. But he’s a terrible distraction, and she’s in the way of a big office with a view.

With a hefty fine looming, and jail time she can’t serve, Violet must focus on what really matters. It’s not Dax. It can’t be Dax.

Because if they go from MistleFoe to Mistletoe, who wins?

Book Signing with Kathy Bjornestad and Heidi Stefanich

Saturday, November 8, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, November 8 from noon to 2 pm when we will host local author Kathy Bjornestad and photographer Heidi Stefanich for the signing of their new poetry/photography book “Let There Be Birds!”

About the authors:

Kathy Bjornestad is a retired librarian and language arts teacher. She is a Wyoming Fellowship for Creative Fiction recipient, has placed in multiple writing contests, and has published widely. She is part of South Dakota’s 2024 Speakers’ Bureau and has four books out. You can find her at redheadswrite.net.

Heidi Stefanich: Ever since her father got Heidi her first Polaroid camera when she was a young girl, she has been fascinated with photography. She even built a pinhole camera for a grade school science project! Now, after a few decades, raising two kids and living lots of life, she has returned to the craft, finding that it fills a space inside her that craves creativity and beauty. 

Recently, Heidi’s work has appeared in Wyoming Wildlife magazine (Photo Issue 2021, 2017, 2016), The Wyoming Wildlife Calendar (2017), WREN Magazine (August 2019, September 2019), The 2021 Sundance Wyoming Visitors Guide, The Dahl Art Center’s Proof of Life Online Exhibit, and The Dahl Mountain Photo Competition + Exhibit as part of the Dahl Mountain Culture Festival (2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017) in Rapid City, South Dakota. Her work has also been on exhibit at the Matthews Art Gallery in Spearfish, South Dakota in 2020 and 2021.

About the book:

A book to uplift. To comfort. To warm the soul.

The idea for Let There Be Birds sprang from a grandmother’s wish. Its pages delve into history, death and rebirth, and our connection to nature. This blend of poetry and photography celebrates our relationship with birds. The poems take many forms and are meant to be read aloud and shared with all ages, while the color photography captures moments of wonder in the avian world.

“Kathy Bjornestad’s poems are as delightful to the ear as the sweet song of a western meadowlark. Paired with Heidi Stefanich’s photographs, “Let There Be Birds” is a visual and literary feast.”

John Andrews, Editor of South Dakota Magazine

“Poems warble across these pages. Let There Be Birds somehow captures the flesh-and-blood weight of birds while celebrating the lifting wings that carry them. Study the photographs. Slowly read and allow the dropping of boundaries to pull you into the life of birds: ‘Five yellow finches bob and sway— / May expels a gusty spray, / cocks her arm / and flings . . .’ Nature the way it should be presented.”

Steve Boint, Founder of Scurfpea Publishing LLC, author of Winddance

Book Signing with Nellie Peters

Saturday, November 1, noon - 2 pm

Henry’s Books in Spearfish is excited to host local author Nellie Peters for a book signing on Saturday, November 1 from noon to 2 pm. Join us as Nellie shares her latest release, A House of Torment.

About the author…

Nellie Peters lives with her own Prince Charming and their four littles on the wild, windswept plains of Wyoming (it sounds way more romantic than it is). When she's not writing, she's chasing toddlers, cleaning up sticky messes, helping endlessly renovate the house, and dreaming up exciting adventures that may or may not wind up on paper.

About the Book…

A House of Torment is Part One of a dark fantasy/paranormal romance duology set in the same world as the Paranormal Literary Society series. Featuring an enemies-to-allies-to-lovers no-spice romance and no explicit language, this book is suitable for readers 16+ due to pervasive themes of abuse.

What if the only escape from hell was in the embrace of the demon holding you captive?

Our girls' trip to Savannah was supposed to be my first real vacation. My proof that I was healing. That the shadows of my past no longer owned me.

But instead of a journey toward recovery, a hotel mix-up lands my childhood friend and me in a hidden prison—one that feeds on tourists instead of catering to them. Now we're trapped in a house ruled by vampires, marked as nothing more than walking blood bags.

I’ve been here before. Not this place, but this feeling. Powerless. Afraid. Broken. I swore I'd never let it happen again. But old wounds have a way of resurfacing when we're least prepared.

And then there’s Varin. Ancient and untouchable, he terrifies me more than any other creature here. So why does he watch me like I’m something that matters? Is he waiting for me to slip up...or are his intentions far darker than I imagine?

Can I ever escape this nightmare—or will trusting a monster be my undoing?

A CAPTIVATING GAME OF BLUFFING AND DEDUCTION

Blood on the Clocktower is a game of murder and mystery, lies and logic, deduction and deception for eight-to-thirteen courageous players and one devious storyteller.

A social game played in person, seated in a circle, each player receives either a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ token with their unique character on it. Good players share information to solve the mystery whilst evil players lie about who they are and what they know. The good team wins if they can piece together their knowledge, trust each other, and execute the demon. The evil team wins if the demon can sow distrust, evade detection, and wipe out the village.

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Friday October 31 at 5:00 PM for an evening of Blood on the Clocktower, a social deduction game. Space is limited strictly to 12 attendees, so book soon! The cost is $15, costumes welcome but not required. Drinks and food available for purchase next door at Nonna’s.

To purchase tickets, please go to www.shophenrysbooks.com/blackhillsbloodontheclocktower

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for another Book Folding Crafternoon with Sam on Saturday October 25th from 2 PM to 4 PM. The cost is $30, all materials are provided, and your ticket includes a drink from Nonna’s Kitchen. Space is limited to 8 attendees, so please sign up soon! Tickets may be purchased at Henry’s Books or by calling the bookstore at 605-569-0991.

Book Signing with Erika Lynn

Saturday, October 25, noon - 2 pm

Join us on Saturday, October 25 from noon to 2 pm at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a book signing with author Erika Lynn as she shares “My Journey to Freedom,” her story of survival, surrender, and second chances.

About the author:

Erika Seamayer-Williamson spent sixteen years as a single mom before finding peace and joy in marrying her childhood sweetheart. Out of her journey of loss, healing, and redemption was born The Amazing Grace Lifestyle—a Ministry of relationship coaching, Amazing Grace Retreats, Amazing Grace Talk Podcast, books, and more.

About the book:

Have you ever gone through a time in your life where you felt like black clouds were just following you around? Wondering where God was through it all? You go through struggles trying everything on your own— striving to heal, to move forward and to finally forgive the person who hurt you. But instead, you find yourself stuck in the same painful cycles, longing for the joy and freedom that you sense is right around the corner. I completely understand, because I have been there too.

Eight years after my divorce, my ex-husband actually became a criminal. Can you even imagine? I walked through abandonment, fear, uncertainty, survival, heartbreak, financial ruin, and two court battles in just five years. This left me wondering... Would I ever find joy again, and live the life I had always dreamed of, or find love with a husband who would cherish me. But guess what? It happened!

When I made the decision to go “all in” and never miss church, choosing to volunteer/serve, and fully trusting God and all of His promises, I finally began to walk in true healing. I was able to release the pain of my past and embrace all of the good things God had waiting for me.

This is your invitation to begin your own journey to freedom, so that you too can live the life God has for you, I call it The Amazing Grace Lifestyle!

Book Signing with Kate Glass

Saturday, October 18, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, October 18 from noon to 2 pm when we will host local author Kate Glass for the signing of her newest release, “Erebus Unleashed.”

About the author:

Kathy Bjornestad (aka Kate Glass) is a retired public-school teacher and librarian. She has won a Wyoming Fellowship for Creative Fiction, placed in multiple writing contests, and published widely, including, most recently, in Sally Port Magazine. Kathy is part of South Dakota’s Speakers Bureau. Her portfolio includes four children’s books and an upcoming all-ages poetry and photography book. Under the pen name Kate Glass, she recently released the dystopian romance, Persephone Rising, and plans to publish a sequel this summer. You can find her at redheadswrite.net.

About the book:

Street rat. Stowaway. Savior.

One minute, Sol's in hiding. The next, she's trapped aboard a NASA space shuttle, her plan to avenge her father's death dwindling to stardust.

Now she's an unwilling passenger on a journey through a wormhole. On the other side-an uncharted planet to colonize and a new hope for humanity's survival.

The thieves who stole the shuttle don't trust her, and the feeling's mutual. But something sinister lurks aboard ship. Uncovering the truth will take teamwork.

Sol may be the only one who can prevent catastrophe ... if there's still time.

Will she become an angel of vengeance ... or savior?

Book Signing with Troy Bobbitt

Saturday, October 11, noon - 2 pm

Henry’s Books in Spearfish is excited to host local author Troy Bobbitt for the signing of his latest title, “Cartel Bands On” on Saturday, October 11 from noon to 2 pm.

About the author:

Troy Bobbitt is a retired Supervisory Border Patrol Agent who now lives in Lead, SD and is the author of 2 books.  He retired from the Border Patrol in 2023 after serving 20 years.  During his career he worked on both the southern and northern borders of the United States.  Early in his career he was a K-9 handler working with a K-9 partner performing drug interdiction activities as well as traditional border enforcement operations east of El Paso, Texas.  Prior to joining the Border Patrol he worked as a certified paralegal in several law firms in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of Minnesota.  He has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from St. Cloud State University. He is the father of 3 and grandfather of 2.  

About the books:

His second book, "Cartel Bands On, Changing American Culture through Migration, Legal and not so much" is a look into the history of emigration to the United States and today's ongoing immigration debate.  The reader will travel from pre-colonial times to the present as they follow the flow of people onto the continent of North America.  As the history is developed, the author takes the reader through the evolution of immigration laws and practices of the United States.  Through a review of legal decisions, the reader will learn how today's issues concerning immigration are not new or original, just more modern.  The author incorporates personal experiences into the material to give the reader a real life perspective to the topics covered.  Providing an inside look into the world of immigration enforcement and the legal processes that control the immigration system.  The author draws connections between enforcement efforts, increased illegal immigration and cartel involvement in the business of human trafficking.  The reader is challenged to learn more about the topic and consider several proposed changes to immigration laws to address today's continuing concerns about immigration.

Book Signing with Robert H. Bordeaux

Saturday, September 20, noon - 2 pm

Spearfish poet Robert H. Bordeaux joins us at Henry’s Books on Saturday, September 20 for a signing of his latest collection, Prairie Bones from noon to 2 pm.

About the author:

Robert Harold Bordeaux is a Siċaƞġu Lak̇ot̄a descendant and writer and activist from Spearfish, South Dakota. Growing up disconnected from his Lak̇ot̄a family, his life has been a journey of finding his way home to the Rosebud Reservation to share space and grow in relationship with his tiwahe (family). In his writing, he touches on this journey connecting with his Lak̇ot̄a roots as he learns from Uƞc̄i Mak̇a what it means to be a good relative and ancestor. He shares openly about his life through his books, content shared online, and speaking. Outside of writing, Bordeaux is active in carrying on his ancestors’ legacy of fighting for sovereignty through his activism around the abolition of harmful colonial systems.

About the books:

Prairie Bones is a collection of poems about reconnecting with Lakota kin, culture, and learning what it means to stand alongside all the relatives of this land to fight for a better future. Author Robert Harold Bordeaux grew up disconnected from his Lakota family, a disconnection caused by the continued effects of the colonial systems implemented since European contact on Turtle Island. After many years of trying to find his way home, Bordeaux connected with his father’s family and Sicangu Lakota Oyate on the Rosebud Reservation. Prairie Bones offers small glimpses of this journey as Bordeaux pieces together connection and relationship with ancestors, land, himself, and mit̄ak̄uyep̄i.

Book Signing with Whitnee Coy

Saturday, September 13, noon - 2 pm

Henry’s Books in Spearfish is excited to host local author Whitnee Coy for a children’s book reading and signing on Saturday, September 13 from noon to 2 pm. Join us as she shares her children’s books Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove, and Elsie’s Adventures to Harmony Hills: The Big Move.

About the author:

Dr. Whitnee Coy is an award-winning writer and educator based in Rapid City. With a deep passion for poetry and storytelling, she creates worlds that captivate and educate, especially through children’s books and poetry. She has published four chapbooks of poetry:Cicurate (SD State Poetry Society), Kintsukuroi (Finishing Line Press), this deep, wide, dark world (Alien Buddha Press), and A Limb Outgrowing a Weathered Tree. Her debut full-length poetry collection, We Left Constellations in Each Other, will be released by Kelsay Books in Fall 2025.

She is passionate about literature, teaching, and building meaningful connections through words and stories. Whether writing, teaching, or engaging with her community, she strives to inspire others, especially young minds, to embrace the power of creativity, resilience, and self-expression.

About the books:

Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove, hit #1 on Amazon’s New Releases for Children’s Books on Self-Esteem and Self-Respect and won the prestigious 2024 Golden Wizard Book Prize for children’s literature. Her follow-up, Elsie’s Adventures to Harmony Hills: The Big Move, continues Elsie’s journey of self-discovery and growth.

Black Hills poet Julie Gonnering Lein joins us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, September 6 from noon to 2 pm for a signing of her poetry collections.

About the author:

Julie Gonnering Lein earned her PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Utah. She is author of the chapbooks Seed (South Dakota Poetry Society contest winner, 2024) and Glacier, Perfect Tense (Dancing Girl Press). Her work was shortlisted for the Helena Whitehill Book Award (Tupelo Press), and has won a Larry Levis Memorial Poetry Prize (Academy of American Poets), the Hal Prize in Poetry, and the Winter Anthology Annual Contest among other honors. Poems have appeared in Colorado Review, Best New Poets, Bateau, Bear Review, The Laurel Review, Bellingham Review, Terrain.org, Phoebe and elsewhere. She lives in South Dakota’s Black Hills with her family. Find her on Instagram @juliegonneringlein.

About Seed:

"Seed explores the fertility of language, using words in a way both playful and provocative, reminding me simultaneously of Hailey Leithauser and Lucie Brock-Broido. These poems incant within feminine spaces, whether casting domestic fabulist spells, or singing the psalms of a mystic. I am enraptured." (Heidi Czerwiec, lyric essayist and poet)

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a fun crafternoon on Saturday August 30 at 3:00 PM! Sam Kinghorn will teach another book folding class where attendees will learn how to turn discarded books into a beautiful piece of upcycled art. The cost is $30 and includes all materials plus a drink from Nonna’s Kitchen. Call 605-569-0991 or stop in at 111 East Hudson St to purchase your ticket.

Book Signing with C.S. Kjar

Saturday, August 30, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, August 30 from noon to 2 pm for a book signing with local author C.S. Kjar for the signing of her newest title “Walkers on the Run.” 

About the author:

C.S. Kjar is an award-winning author who lives in Rapid City, SD. She writes wholesome stories set in small towns, where ordinary people are faced with tough choices that ultimately make them stronger. Her books of sweet romance, cozy mystery, and women’s fiction offer lighthearted fun with touches of humor and wisdom. Her last name is pronounced "care" which reflects her care and passion for creating good books for readers to enjoy.

To read more about the author or explore her full list of novels, visit cskjar.com.

About the book:

Winning Cozy Mystery in the National Excellence in Storytelling Competition and Finalist in the American Fiction Awards for Cozy Mystery

How did she get herself into this mess?

Elderly Leona Walker is determined to uncover who burglarized her home in Red Creek, South Dakota, and absconded with her treasured belongings. She enlists the help of her older sister Betty and their squeaky-walker-toting neighbor Clarence. Their investigative escapades land them in hot water at every corner, and Leona might even face murder charges. Her relentless quest to retrieve her late husband's wedding ring raises questions: Is she endangering herself and her companions? Does the end justify the risks? And is her sister Betty genuinely eccentric, or is it all an act? Dive into the humorous and spirited Book 1 of the 'Oldsters Love Adventure' cozy mystery series for the revelations.

Join us at Henry’s Books in the Community Room for a story time with Joanna Mechaley on Saturday August 30 at 10 AM. We will be reading Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst. This is open to all ages, but specifically geared towards kids aged 4-8 years old. A free copy of the book will be given to the first 10 families that attend! Free books provided by the Henry’s Books Foundation.

Book Signing with Dustie M. Clements

Saturday, August 23, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, August 23 from noon to 2 pm when we will host Dustie M. Clements for the signing of “South Dakota Night Sky,” an educational children’s book written by Clements with photographs by Grant Ekroth.

About the author:

Dustie M. Clements is a local author, poet, and copy editor born in Colorado but raised entirely in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She graduated from Black Hills State University majoring in Mass Communications, minoring in English, and receiving a Photography Certificate. While she collects many hobbies, writing has always been her number one passion. 

What began as a graphic design project in college has evolved into a book with a very special purpose: to make enough money for the author to buy herself a wheelchair. Dustie isn't shy about sharing and educating about her disabilities, which have caused enough damage to her spine that she can no longer walk without a cane and needs a wheelchair to travel long distances. Proceeds from “South Dakota Night Sky” will go toward the purchase of her much-needed wheelchair

Through the process of developing and revising “South Dakota Night Sky, “ she has been inspired to write her next children's book, the proceeds of which will go toward current and future medical bills. Keep an eye out for the next South Dakota-themed book by her!

About the photographer:

Grant Ekroth was born and raised in Winner, South Dakota and moved West River to attend Western Dakota Technical College, where he received a certificate in Collision Repair. However, he soon found his true passion to be photography. Grant began teaching himself the art and bolstered his knowledge with classes at Black Hills State University. 

He says, "What honestly pushed me into photography from just being a hobby was Photojournalism and the people that used it to help change the world for the better; people like James Nachtwey, W. Eugene Smith, and Robert Frank."

Night photography, for Grant, is the pinnacle of landscape photography where everything needs to be almost perfect to make a stellar image. Anyone can do it, but it takes a little bit of something extra to make it really special. 

For the next project, Grant is looking forward to making a documentary style coffee table photography book on the experience of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

About the book:

“South Dakota Night Sky” is a children's book about the night sky written by a South Dakotan, with photographs taken by a South Dakotan. Educational, fun, and beautiful, this book is intended to teach children about the night sky and introduce them to astronomy. Dedicated to the author’s nieces, nephews, and niblings, (a term for the nonbinary child of a sibling coined in 1951), “South Dakota Night Sky” is an educational book appropriate for children of all ages.

Learn about the night sky and South Dakota with this exciting, interactive book. Fun facts about our galaxy, the Northern Lights, and shooting stars make for a fun and educational read. It's never too early to introduce children to astronomy!

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, July 26 from noon to 2 pm we will host Kate Glass for the signing of her first title under her pen name, “Persephone Rising.”

About the author:

Kathy Bjornestad (aka Kate Glass) is a retired public-school teacher and librarian. She has won a Wyoming Fellowship for Creative Fiction, placed in multiple writing contests, and published widely, including, most recently, in Sally Port Magazine. Kathy is part of South Dakota’s Speakers Bureau. Her portfolio includes four children’s books and an upcoming all-ages poetry and photography book. Under the pen name Kate Glass, she has released the dystopian romance, Persephone Rising, and plans to release its sequel this summer. You can find her at redheadswrite.net.

About the book:

The Sims Tournament isn’t just a chance. It may be their only way out.

In a crumbling future Chicago, siblings Clera and Elio Diaz have learned one thing: survival means sacrifice. Clera works endless factory shifts, while Elio ditches school for dangerous jobs in the city’s sewers. But when a sudden explosion destroys their home and takes their mother, the fragile life they’ve built shatters.

Homeless and desperate, Elio sets his sights on his secret goal. A high-stakes gaming tournament with an out-of-this-world grand prize. A ticket to a new life on an off-Earth colony. He’s never played before, but he’s sure he can win. While Clera struggles to rebuild their lives, unaware of his plans, Elio bets everything on a risky gamble.

With nothing left but each other, can they evade a dangerous gang and carve out a new future amidst grief? Will they risk everything for a dream that may reach as far away as the stars?

One chance to play. One shot to win. One choice that could change everything.

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, July 19 from noon to 2 pm for a book signing with local author A. L. Fox as she shares her most recent work with us.

About the author:

A. L. Fox is an indie author, though she feels weird calling herself the "a" word. She spends her days with her two small children and her farmer husband. She enjoys 70 degree weather and rain, Starbucks and Target, and laughing. A. L. Fox was born and raised in the Midwest and likes to think her writing will reach who it needs to. She plans to continue to create but has no real, big goals while doing so. She's thankful everyday for the chance to do this whole thing. Her main goal: bring joy to others.

About the books:

From the sweet ache of first love to the whirlwind of insta-love, to the quiet resilience of healing hearts, A. L. Fox’s standalone novels explore the many faces of love. Her debut is a contemporary romance that captures the raw emotion of a young girl stepping into adulthood, navigating heartbreak, self-discovery, and the messy beauty of growing up. Her second book brings laughter and sparks in a feel-good romcom where two strangers fall fast—and hard—in a story full of heart, humor, and irresistible chemistry. Her third novel delves into the tender space between grief and new beginnings, following a woman learning to love again after profound loss. Whether you're looking for something sweet, swoony, or soul-stirring, A. L. Fox’s stories will stay with you long after the last page.

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday May 31 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a book signing with local authors Dr. Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever as they release their newest title, “CircleBridge".

About the Book:
"Interested in the kind of education that builds bridges rather than walls? That’s powered not only by time-tested ideas but by compelling storytelling? That honors indigenous voices and reaches across cultural divides? That has the potential for personal and social transformation? Then this is the book for you. Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever write first and foremost from on-the-ground practice, not theory. I can testify from personal experience how reliable their practices are when it comes to creating trustworthy space for difficult conversations and deep learning. I urge you to join them on their journey and learn about the proven potential of the CircleBridge approach."
—Parker J. Palmer (author of “The Courage to Teach,” “A Hidden Wholeness,” “Healing the Heart of Democracy,” and “Let Your Life Speak”)

CircleBridge demonstrates how storytelling can bridge cultural divides, foster empathy, and create connections within educational and community settings. By sharing personal and community stories alongside practical frameworks, the book guides readers toward understanding, relational growth, and intercultural development. Grounded in decades of educational work and collaboration with Indigenous communities, it provides actionable insights for creating safe, inclusive spaces where dialogue and learning thrive.

About the Authors:

Dr. Scott Simpson—Dr. Scott Simpson is a writer, poet, songwriter, and lifelong educator whose work centers on learning, trust, and cultural connection. As a Learning Specialist, Scott helps schools foster meaningful relationships, culturally responsive teaching, and inclusive learning environments. He is a co-developer of Circlebridge, a guiding framework for navigating differences and building trust, and a facilitator with the Center for Courage & Renewal, inspired by Parker Palmer’s work in creating spaces of deep reflection and authenticity.

Scott’s passion for storytelling and education extends into his work with Indigenous communities. He co-developed and maintains the Wolakota Project and Teachings of Our Elders websites, working closely with Indigenous Elders to bring their Essential Understandings into schools across North and South Dakota.

Before stepping into this role, Scott spent over 15 years as a high school English, drama, and speech teacher and a professor of English, theater, and education at multiple universities. He holds an M.A. in English Curriculum & Instruction and a Ph.D. in English Creative Writing from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His journey has also taken him into leadership as the Executive Director of a youth and family camp in the mountains of Northern New Mexico.

Scott is a published poet, writer, and indie music producer, crafting words and songs that explore themes of belonging, transformation, and resilience. He does most of his best thinking and creating while hiking the Black Hills with his wife, Sheryl, and their three dogs—Gandi, Gilly, and Ellie.

Sharla Steever—Sharla Steever has been an educator since 1992 - an elementary teacher, an outdoor educator, a camp director, a Christian educator and currently a learning specialist. As an elementary teacher, she received several awards for her accomplishments. She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching for Elementary Science in South Dakota, she was a Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellow for the US Department of Education, and she is a Nationally Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist. Sharla is a facilitator for the Center for Courage and Renewal and she is also a Licensed Minister in the United Church of Christ.

Sharla lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota where she and her husband, Kerry, and two dogs (Bonnie and Clyde) live near the camp Kerry manages. Her grown children also live in the area and are a huge part of Sharla's life. Sharla is actively involved in her community, her church, her husband's camp, and she travels for her work across ND, SD, NE and WY. She enjoys gardening, tending to her chickens, hiking, singing, and creating art.

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday May 17th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM as Erin Lorriane Woodward and Nick Hubbard share their debut title, “The Price of Gold: Stories from the Homestake Gold Mine.”
https://www.thepriceofgoldbook.com/

About the Authors:

Writer and creator of The Price of Gold, Erin Lorraine Woodward grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After graduating from Black Hills State University, she was a science writer at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). There, as she wrote about advancements in science and engineering, she began to overhear stories about the facility’s mining past, which led to the creation of this collection.

Erin lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband David. They met underground at SURF, where David worked as a physicist with the LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter experiment.

A photographer and videographer based in the Black Hills, Nick Hubbard captured the photos included in this collection. An alum of Black Hills State University, Nick worked at Sanford Underground Research Facility before founding his own multimedia company, Frontier Creative.

Nick lives in Rapid City, South Dakota, with his wife, Kaylee, and their children.

About the Book:

For more than a century, the Homestake Gold Mine carved drifts deep beneath the rugged mountain town of Lead, South Dakota.

But the price of gold faltered in the late 1900s. Massive layoffs and the mine's closure left the town adrift, searching for a new identity. 

The Price of Gold: Stories from the Homestake Gold Mine is a collection of portraits of former miners, electricians, hoist operators, receptionists and chemists alongside their stories of humorous pranks, harried rescue operations and the loss of loved ones to mining accidents. 

​

Created by South Dakota natives Erin Lorraine Woodward and Nick Hubbard, this collection offers "a rare window into an underground world" and tells of lives lived above and below the city of Lead.

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday May 10 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a book signing with local Author Gary Wietegrefe as he shares his newest title with us, “Lessons of an Immigrant Father.”

About the Author:
Raised on a South Dakota farm and attended one-room schools, Gary Wietgrefe became one of America’s most diverse authors. He is a military intelligence veteran and attended the University of Maryland, University of Denver, and South Dakota State University before establishing a career in agriculture. Wietgrefe is an inventor with six patents in automated equipment design, engineering and biomass processing. He is an international researcher (Turkey and Mongolia), economist, agriculturalist, systems developer, societal explorer, cyclist, hiker, outdoorsman, poet, and author of eleven books. With his wife Patricia, they travel the world from Rapid City, South Dakota.

Gary and his wife, Patricia, traveled eight years on five continents after retirement while observing and documenting his findings and experiences. Example of one trip: After turning 65, he bicycled an average of 75-miles-per-day for 40 days from Pierre, South Dakota to North Pole, Alaska. When Covid shut down their travels they rented a cabin in the beautiful Black Hills of SD and he wrote his first award winning travel adventure: Destination North Pole—5,000 km by bicycle.

Want a quick read of humorous, mostly rhyming, country poems? Enjoy Dakota Country Poems.

Do you like historical fiction? If so, enjoy Wietgrefe’s first novel, Lessons of an Immigrant Father, based on a true family story. His grandfather, age 13 along with his brother 12, and 43-year-old immigrant father could not afford train fare to ship their cattle from Iowa to South Dakota. Instead, they walked two months behind their cattle for over 500 miles, hence the subtitle: 1905 cattle drive 500 miles to Dakota.

About the book:
Migrants, wherever they move from or to, teach children the past and future. Scholars, educators, migrants, and casual readers can absorb context of what immigrant ranchers and farmers taught their sons when moving into the Dakota Plains after initial homesteading.

What would an immigrant father teach in 1905?

This exciting historical fiction novel presents subtle lessons pre-teen boys would need to find food, cook meals, wash clothes, train horses, manage livestock and poultry, and farm while explaining military conscription, Christian concepts, business and social interactions, and reminiscing about the "old country." Why? Would something happen to their father?

Wietgrefe is a dying family surname. Likely the world has less than two hundred Wietgrefes. Lutheran German surnames demised during the 19th century due to wars and religious conflicts. Wars in one lifetime: rulers 1806-1871: Holy Roman Empire (Catholic), French to Independent Kingdom, Great Britian alliance (Anglican), North German Empire, German Civil War, Napoleonic (French) Wars, and eventually Prussia.

Henry Louis "H.L." Wietgrefe, age seven, fled Hannover Lower Saxony by ship from Bremerhaven, Prussia on the SS Main August 14, 1869 with his parents and four siblings and immigrated to eastern Iowa as farmers. They sought a better life.

A legal immigrant became a U.S. citizen. With five children and unable to afford his cattle's train fare, H.L. Wietgrefe (age 43) and his two sons, ages 12 and 13 (my grandfather), looking for a land-owning future, drove their meager herd in 1905 over 500 miles to a neglected 1880s homestead in northern South Dakota. Likely it was the last long-distance cattle drive in the U.S.

Join us for a fun night of Junk Journaling at Henry’s Books on Saturday April 26 at 5:00 PM!

Bring your own journal and any “junk” you plan to add to your journal—stickers, ticket stubs, clippings, photos, etc.

Cost is $30 and includes a drink from the bar at Nonna’s, your choice of 5 stickers from Henry’s Books, free use of the craft supplies that the bookstore has on hand, and 10% off any purchases in the store. Tickets are limited, purchase as soon as possible. To purchase, stop into Henry’s Books or call at 605-569-0991.

What’s Junk Journaling?

Junk journaling is a creative practice where people make journals by repurposing and combining various discarded materials like old books, magazines, packaging, and other ephemera (like tickets or receipts), essentially turning "junk" into a personalized journal through techniques like collage, drawing, painting, and stamping, allowing for a unique and expressive way to document thoughts and experiences while upcycling materials that might otherwise be thrown away. 

Join us on Saturday April 19 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a book signing with Wyoming Author Kathryn Cluff. She will share her latest book with us, “Empowered Soul—180 Mindful Intentions, Reflections, and Practices to Help Women Develop Deeper Awareness and Capacity for Life's Challenges”.

About the book

How is it that some people come through life’s tragic events seemingly unscathed and perhaps an improved version of themselves while others become stuck in a cycle of suffering, hopelessness, and sadness?

We all have the power to shape our future through how we respond to life’s experiences, whether joyful or tragic. So, if you’re seeking to nurture your spirit, foster personal growth, and find strength in your journey, Empowered Soul will meet you where you are and guide you, one mindful intention at a time.

In Empowered Soul, Kathryn shares 180 deeply personal essays—each a powerful invitation to reconnect with your inner wisdom and strength. Written in a journal-style format, these raw and authentic reflections offer women a path to healing, growth, and self-discovery in the face of life’s challenges. As the author shares her own struggles and triumphs, she also provides practical tools, including yoga, mindfulness, and self-care practices.

This collection is intended to embolden women to navigate loss, embrace hope, and cultivate resilience. Each essay serves as both a companion and a guide, offering support through life’s most difficult moments.

About the Author

Kathryn grew up in a loving, hardworking family in Wyoming's Black Hills, where she developed a deep love for the outdoors and rural life. After years in substance abuse and suicide prevention and her own transformational journey, she founded a business to empower women through holistic healing. She offers local and virtual services, including yoga, restorative healing sessions, and group and individual programs for the mind, body, and soul. Kathryn also hosts a quarterly women’s circle event, a growing community of women supporting each other.

She resides in Sundance, Wyoming with her PFL (partner for life) and her recently disabled son for whom she is the primary caregiver. Also residing on the property are thirteen hens, and one rooster fondly called Big Daddy. She is the proud mother of four amazing adults and grandma to two fun and creative children.