Authors Shine at Sol Treasures

Meet the artist events at Sol Treasures – intimate and collaborative – often blur the lines between presenters and audience. Such was the case on Friday evening when John Miller and I shared our books with a lively group of friends and visitors. John offered a concise though wide-ranging context for his bestseller Minecraft Lab for Kids. It was fun to see illumination bloom on attentive faces as he revealed the power of this new learning-through-play technology. I was pleased to offer a Presidents’ Day reading from my Dawn Drums. We cannot hear enough about Abraham Lincoln these days – we just can’t.

John and I have collaborated in teaching for decades. May it always be so!

P.S. Note my “Lemon Tree” shirt. Thanks, Kerry’s Mom! Your artistry endures!

Authors at Sol Treasures

John Miller and I will host kids, teachers and parents at Sol Treasures in King City on Friday evening from four to six. We’ll tell stories, talk about literacy and reveal great secrets about writing. Please come out and join us if you’re near – or even if you’re far! Wine, refreshments and good cheer will be shared.

Lincoln’s Birthday is near.

I attended a small gathering for authors at Sol Treasures on February 6th. The imminence of “President’s Day” moved me to share an anecdote about Abraham Lincoln, one that I included in Dawn Drums. I had not read that selection in public before and I was surprised that I had trouble getting through it.  Lincoln’s compassion humbles me – humbles us all – when I dwell upon all he endured. Writing the book was a great gift to me because I lived with his words in my mind for several years.  May they remain close always.

First Parting

The Society for Classical Poets published a poem of mine I began many years ago after Jo Hansen died.  I’ve been to many funerals since and each helped me shape this poem.  It feels right now.  Here’s the link:

http://classicalpoets.org/first-parting-by-robert-walton/

And here’s a photo by Jon Walton – just for the heck of it!

Meet the Author and Artists Night

Great friends and neighbors shared a fine afternoon and evening at Sol Treasures in King City.  Civil War music by Timshel, the Sol Treasures children’s chorus and YOSAL instrumentalists was enjoyed by all.  Marvelous quilts and amazing Civil War memorabilia were on display.  I got a chance to sign books, too.

Book Signing

Posted: Wednesday, Dec 8th, 2010

BY: Sean Roney (King City Rustler)

Numerous people kept Sol Treasures crowded with fans for a local author’s book signing.

Local author Bob Walton held a book signing last Thursday at Sol Treasures Arts and Cultural Enrichment Center for his latest novel, “Chaos Gate.” Though he signed books through the entire evening event, Walton’s first half hour was spent signing books from fans, many of whom had bought multiple copies. Throughout the event, he wore his author’s shirt made for him by the late Betty Anderson, featuring a dragon and a lemon tree.

“I figured this is the best venue for the arts in South County,” said Walton of Sol Treasures when asked about his choice of venue for the book signing. “I appreciate the heck out of all the stuff they’ve done.”

While Walton signed books and visited with guests, Sol Treasures volunteers provided refreshments and took care of the book sales.

When asked about his reaction to the turnout, Walton said, “I didn’t know what to expect. I just hoped everybody would come and have a good time. And it looks like they are.”

The crowd at the event not only chatted with the author, but visited with each other in the art gallery.

Walton said, “Sometimes you’ll find an author at a book store and it’s like a production line. But here all these people know each other and are friends. It’s a good chance to catch up at another friendly event. It’s one of the things that makes a small town wonderful.”

The novel on sale last Thursday was “Chaos Gate,” which was published in September by Yorkshire Publishing in Oklahoma. The fantasy novel is a sequel to Walton’s earlier work, “The Dragon and the Lemon Tree,” and continue the adventures of Mere Rowan.

Writing in the fantasy genre has something that Walton said has been an interest since he read C. S. Lewis’ Narnia stories when he was young. “I had never read fantasy before,” said Walton. “I’ve re-read those stories many times over the years to my classes and to my kids. The idea of fantasy really appealed to me. I’ve been doing it now for close to 40 years.”

Image: ‘practice’ http://www.flickr.com/photos/38895026@N02/3926529379