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Welcome to the
official web site of the
The James A. Michener Society was formed in the fall of 1998 and is composed of people who share a common interest in James Michener's life and work. The following words, excerpted from a letter by the late John Kings, James Michener's long-time friend and literary assistant, describe the purpose of the James A. Michener Society...
The Purpose of the Society is to:
* preserve the intellectual legacy of James A. Michener as a writer, teacher,
historian, public servant, patriot and philanthropist;
* ensure that future generations have full access to all his writings;
* promote the exchange of ideas and information about his writings;
* encourage fellowship among readers of his writings;
* inform devotees and members of the Society about recent publications and
critiques of his writings.
The Society accomplishes this through a number of activities. An annual meeting of members is held at locations closely associated with the life of James Michener. In the past, they have been held at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, home of the James A. Michener Library and Archives; Austin, Texas, where Michener was associated with the Writing School and lived the last years of his life; Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Michener's childhood home and the location of the Michener Art Museum; and Easton, Maryland, where Michener lived while writing Chesapeake. Society activities provide the occasion for sharing of memories and anecdotes that illuminate the Michener books and other writings in a special way. Eventually, the Society expects to sponsor seminars, lectures and other events that will provide opportunities for fellowship among members and a forum for the discussion of James Michener's writings and the many facets of his life.
If this brief description of the Society and its activities has piqued your interest, you are invited to print out and complete the membership application and to submit it to the Treasurer of the Society (1536 - 12th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631-4734).
James A. Michener Biography
Michener Autobiographical Interview (with audio)
The Bibliographers: Roberts & Rhine...and Groseclose
Michener Collection at the University of Northern Colorado
Officers for 2017-19
President - Diana Benzing - Neola, IA
Vice-President - Jay Trask - Greeley, CO
Secretary - Jane McCarter - Leesburg, VA
Treasurer - Kay A. Ferrell - Greeley, CO
Directors
Susan Dillon - Austin, TX
Don Gallagher - Lititz, PA
Laurie Guthmann - Greeley, CO
Honorary Directors
Deborah Brothers - Austin, TX
Alan K. Simpson - Cody, WY
Robert Vavra - El Cajon, CA
Newsletter all-time index (chronological) >>> 
Newsletter all-time index (by author)>>>
Other Interesting Links:
James A. Michener Art Museum
The NASA Connection - "Why Man Explores"
Working with Michener: The Making of The Covenant - Errol Lincoln Uys
JAM Photos & Comments - Roger Bansemer
and finally...,
...if James Michener has "hooked" you on Japanese woodblock prints...after reading his 1962 essay When Does Education Stop? , you might want to browse the rest of this "dangerously distracting" web site: Society Member David Bull - Tokyo Printmaker
Matador Medal of Freedom Our Naval Hero "Texian"
"Boy, I can tell a story. I can get a person, with moderate interest in what I am writing about, and if she or he will stay with me for the first one hundred pages, which are very difficult, and I make them difficult, he will be hooked. He will want to know what's happening on the next story and the next story and the next. That I have. And that's a wonderful gift. That's storytelling. And I prize it. I try to keep it cleaned up.
I try to keep it on focus."
Here's to you , new member!
