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Show by KATHLENE SUTTON A Literary High Plain Press Publisher Nancy Curtis soon learned that poetry wins prizes, but history sells. Cattle rancher Nancy Curtis can name the date when she graduated from novice to professional publisher: It was the d a day her husband freeing her mornings for negoof pitching hay bales off the wholesalers and instead authors with tiating back of their pickup to feed cattle. Curtis launched High Plains Press in 1984 from her home near Glendo, Wyo., (pop. 195) after watching the last of several short-live- d publishers leave the state. Gee, she recalls thinking, if Im going to do it, nows the time." The endless chores she shares with her husband while also helping out at her mother's and brothers adjoining ranch made time tight. She was convinced that if she took it slow and steady, she could publish books that wouldn't make a lot of money, but are important. Curtis, who writes poetry, occasional prose, and even has written one book, realized she potentially had more talent as a publisher particularly an eye for work other Id rather bale-feede- r, jerry-rigge- In a typical year, High Plains Press publishes no more than four books, usually a poetry collection and three Western histories. The poetry attracts the most acclaim: Three volumes have earned the National Cowboy Hall of Fame's prestigious Wrangler Award. But Cunis soon learned that, though poetry wins prizes, history sells. Lisa Knudsen, executive director of the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association, respects Curtis achievements. Lasting 18 years in rodays market really takes extraordinary business acumen, persistand common ence, sense, as well as a sense of what the public really wants," Knudsen says. Two histories Curtis published this year illustrate her diversity. Chip Carlson's Tom Horn: Blood on the Moon key evidence in the still1 903 debate over the smoldering hanging of Horn, hired for rich bent on driving a cattlemen allegedly gun farmers business. of Weidel's out Sheepwagon: Nancy publish the sheep Home on the Range is a pictorial history of the people would buy. She earned a bachelors degree in English from the University of Wyoming and graduated from the version of an Airstream mobile home. Curtis books I can. Denver of Institute. other books document the wagons role in no Publishing University says she ads I ,0(X), $ like And West. the the liberty bought newspaper Investing recruiting taming book. first for three her times, Wyoming Reprinted poets Sheepwagons also are sparking new interest as yard " Promises proved that her instincts for choosing a modestly I love to publish what art, she says. (Nicole Kidman once gave a restored marketable book were as as they were for pinTom Cruise.) But what sheepwagon to pointing which heifer would calve first each spring. really persuaded Curtis was the passion and persistence of Weidel, who unexpectedly showed up at her ranch with mesoperation. Curtis scouted for writers, High Plains Press was a edited book lined covers, negotiated contracts, manuscripts, designed up merizing photos and anecdotes. Sometimes I just go with the heart, books her bookstores and and at stored Curtis admits. libraries, printers, personally peddled her unsold inventory in the same ranch workshop where her husband, Doug, Her authors say Curtis has more than heart to recommend her. Now r. built their Now, an assistant helps out in the winter and she working on his fourth High Plains Press history, Wyoming author Larry hires a freelance editor to wrestle some of her books into shape. Brown was skeptical before first contacting Curtis, wondering "what kind of she staff. have a book a when to on, occasionally Once, Early pretended publisher lives in Glendo?" He found her to be the consummate professional. manufacturer was scheduled to call and she needed to feed the cows, she Id do a book widi (her) on a handshake," he says now. recruited her mother to answer the phone. So why hasn't Curtis adopted the suggestions of Just tell them I'm at a meeting and take a message, many supporters that she publish more books? Id Curtis instructed her. "Okay, her mother said, I'll rather publish the best books I can. And 1 like the For more information, log onto tell them you're meeting with your production staff. liberty to publish what I love. She laughingly adds, www.highplainsprtss.com or call Ever since, Curtis announces to cows shes feeding, "As long as I don't lose too much money! 552-781- 9. Well, girls, I've called this meeting today to talk (800) about production. Katblene Sutton is a freelance uriter in Morrison. Colo. super-competiti- sheep-herde- best fine-tun- then-husba- one-wom- bale-feede- TO LEARN MORE... Page 10 American Profile rs |
