Of Particular Interest
To Irritable Bozeman area readers....
Boozhoo, indinawemaaganidog! Aaniin! That is to say hello, all of my relatives! Welcome to another edition of An Irritable Métis. This is an update that probably should have happened a week or two ago but the run up to IndigiPalooza MT was quite frantic, despite how prepared we were, and I’m mightily behind. It’s also the kind of thing one might expect to appear via social media, but this newsletter is my social media, so apologies for the extra post. A more extensive one is coming in just a couple days to announce all the goings-on related, so far, to the paperback release of Becoming Little Shell.
That there even is a paperback edition of the book is a testament to the support I’ve received from all of you here. Book sales drive hardbacks being released as paperbacks and that never would have happened without you. Buying books is one way to support writers like me in a world shrinking with avenues to do so. I would like to remind you that your continued support keeps me out taking it to the people, particularly as new challenges present themselves. You have no idea how much the support I get from this newsletter via paid subscriptions means to me and how grateful I am. If you’ve got a spare $50 to throw this way for the next year, or can even scrape off $5/month, it is eminently helpful and appreciated.
A Brace of Bozeman Events This Tuesday, August 12, 2025
4:00pm – 5:30pm: Bozeman Creek Public Art Dedication
Last winter I was asked by my comrades at Mountain Time Arts1 to contribute a piece to a book that was then described to me as:
Mountain Time Arts and artist Janet Zweig are producing a public art installation, titled MORE PRECIOUS THAN, along Bozeman Creek in downtown Bozeman. As a vital part of this artwork, we will publish a beautiful book to address the value of Montana’s rivers and natural resources. Both the art installation and the book of essays will prompt questions of what we, as a community, value. Which do we value more - the health of our rivers or practices that lead us to the continued degradation of our environment?
I was all in and provided a new poem called, “Biboon: Jiigi-Ziibi (It is Winter: By a River).” Now the book is available and the public art installation is being dedicated this week. I don’t know exactly where but if you’re in Bozeman you probably know. I’m told the location is “downtown, 5 min. walk from the Country Bookshelf.” Does that sound familiar? I’m going to be there with a few other folks to speak as part of the dedication. It would be nice to have some of you join us!
6:00pm: BECOMING LITTLE SHELL Paperback Release with Chris La Tray @ Country Bookshelf, 28 W. Main St. in Bozeman
This is the official “release party” for the paperback edition of Becoming Little Shell. It’s been a few years since I did an event at Country Bookshelf and I’m looking forward to it. It’s not required but it sure helps if you RSVP in advance as well!
The event at a glance:
On August 12, please arrive early to secure your seat. Seating is general admission first come, first serve.
At 6:00pm, the event program featuring Chris La Tray will begin. There will be time for questions following the program.
After the talk, Chris La Tray will be available for book signing.
Can't attend in person? Order a signed copy of Becoming Little Shell on our website or by calling 406-587-0166. Signing requests will need to be placed 24 hours before the event.
I hope to see some of you there!
A note concerning bookstore events….
I’m not going to lie, friends: it’s getting harder and harder to get gigs in bookstores, which makes it imperative that we support those bookstores2 who still host them. I think there are many reasons for this trend. Bookstores tend to run on little more than skeleton crews and I’d say more than half of the inquiries I make while setting up tours go unanswered. There just isn’t time for everything and, leading to the second point, there is less motivation to be responsive to an event that it’s likely few people will show up for. Whatever the reason for attendance issues – ubiquitous streaming opportunities, disinterest, other activities, not even knowing the event is happening in the first place – it’s real. There is so much noise vying for our attention these days, with social media algorithms squelching outreach … it’s just hard. So I ask you to please consider showing up when you can, even when you don’t feel like it, or making events a priority now and then. Not just mine, but anyone’s. The arts in general are really taking it on the chin and need some support. These in person, face-to-face opportunities are often transformative, for both the presenter and the attendee. They have been for me on both sides of the interaction. You don’t want to miss out!
Miigwech, as ever, for all of your support. I couldn’t be doing this without you.
A shoutout to the Mountain Time Arts folks for, as donor and comrade of our IPFEST efforts, sponsored the entirety of the lunch we offered our presenters and other assorted supporters. I am very grateful for that!
Overwhelmingly indie bookstores, mind you.
Congrats on the paperback release!
Thanks for your reminder to show up at events when you can to show support ... I don't live there but I will make it a point to do it locally.