Writer hitting stride with anticipated third book
Staff reporter
He's been called the Mark Twain of his generation by respected cowboy novelist Don Coldsmith.
Jerry Engler of rural Marion is preparing to publish his third book about the humor and poignancy of rural life.
Author of "Just Folks: Earthy Tales of the Prairie Heartland" and "A Heartland Voice: Just Folks Two," Engler has captured the attention of readers and critics with his short stories about characters he has encountered in his life or in his mind.
"People always ask me which characters are based on real people," Engler said. "Some are elements of my imagination but all are based on real life experiences and people I've met."
The career journalist has always been interested in writing. School mates and relatives were not surprised when Engler published his folksy short stories, told in the manner of the storyteller that he is.
"They thought this was exactly the kind of writing I should do," he said.
Engler published his first book in the fall of 2005. The second book followed about a year later in October 2006.
He started traveling to book stores, fairs, and libraries in 2006, to do book signings as a way to promote his book. He did 50 that year. With his second book hitting the shelves and Internet in 2006, Engler stepped up his promotion campaign and has surpassed the 50 so far this year. He has done 13 in October alone.
With the celebrity of being a popular author, Engler also has been invited to speak at libraries, meetings, and other venues. He had two speaking engagements in October.
People seem to be hungry for the simple, down home humor of Engler's characters and life experiences.
"I sold 101 books at the Kansas State Fair in 2005," Engler said, which set a record for his first time there as an author. In 2006, he sold more than 30 but wasn't there the entire duration. This year he sold 90 books which he considered to be good since there were no more Kansas authors sharing the same booth space than previous years.
His record for signing books was 37 in one sitting at a Stillwater, Okla., book store.
One of the more notable feathers in Engler's cap is that a small college in Missouri recently chose his books as part of a short stories literature class.
Engler's books primarily are sold through Borders, Barnes & Noble, Hastings, and independent book stores.
When asked to describe his work, Engler said it's humor with history, nostalgia and poignancy. Written primarily for adults and parents to read to children, Engler has been surprised with one group of readers he hadn't counted on.
"I've been surprised that kids have taken an interest in the books," Engler said. He has noticed the interest at the state fair and book signings. Children fifth grade and older can enjoy the stories.
"I thought we were raising a Nintendo generation but there are kids out there who like to read," Engler said.
Readers seem to enjoy the different levels of the stories — humor doubling as commentary and being slapstick to subtle.
Some readers' favorite characters are two friends, Ricky and Roland, who are featured in several of Engler's stories. The two friends have a dialogue that many can identify and through thick and thin, remain best friends.
Engler's third book will include poems and more short stories about life in the Midwest. As in the previous two books, Engler's daughter, Sheri Schmidt, will provide the illustrations.
Engler grew up on a family farm southwest of Topeka. He was a farm editor for the Topeka Capital-Journal and Farm Talk at Parsons. He shared ownership of the Enterprise-Chronicle at Burlingame and the Chase County Leader-News at Cottonwood Falls.
Engler and his wife, Belinda, moved to Marion County in 1991. They lived in Marion for several years before moving to their home near Marion Reservoir.
Belinda is a special education and life skills teacher at Chapman. They have three children — Ron, Sheri, and Mark.
Ron is a chiropractor. He and wife Shanna have three children and live at Grand Junction, Colo. Sheri Schmidt, husband Carl, and their two children live on the family farm with the Englers. Carl works at Arlie's Body Shop in Marion. Mark and wife Stefanie live in Philadelphia, Pa. Mark, a 1996 graduate of Marion High School, is a musician, has recorded as a solo artist, and now is making his mark in the film industry with movie soundtracks.
About to turn 61, Engler may consider cutting back his duties as a news writer to devote more time for his short stories but for now will continue his beat.
