Two years ago I published A KNUCKLEHEAD IN 1920s ALASKA, a memoir of my father’s experiences when he went to Alaska hoping to earn money for college expenses. I’ve now published it as a Kindle e‑book.
Here’s the blurb: At age eighty-eight, William (Bill) Collins recorded his adventures as a young man who traveled to Alaska to earn money for college. In the 1920s he found adventure, but not much money working in the railroad yards, in mines, as a pearl diver (dishwasher), and anything else between.
During three summers and one winter, Bill survived hunger, earthquake, stomping caribou, and icicle frost. He learned about stopes, sluice boxes, powder smoke, and the Festival of the Midnight Sun. He found friends who would face a bear for him and enemies eager to knife him or smash him with a twenty-pound sledge. Bill had one lucky day and more than a few really bad days.
This is the story of one hot-headed young man determined to earn his own way. In his own words, he was a true knucklehead.
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I’ve included a bonus short mystery at the end, “Yesterday’s News,” previously published by Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine. Even better, the entire e‑book is free for those who purchase, or have already purchased, the paperback from Amazon.
Now for a question: Do you know any interesting stories from your parents or grandparents that your children might be interested in?
And another question: Have you ever considered telling that story to a wider audience?
And a hint: Those were the questions I asked myself a few years ago, and with a bit of encouragement, this was my answer.
Your Dad sounded like he was quite the adventurer as a young man. Congratulations for publishing his story.
I hadn’t heard these stories until my dad turned 88 and he gave me six audio tapes to write up for him. He did have a quick temper when he was young, which is why he had so many different jobs. (Maybe why he ended up as a farmer?) Actually, I only saw evidence of his temper about twice in my whole life.
Fascinating stuff!