Mike Conklin, a longtime writer who grew up in Lisbon, will be hosting a reading, Q&A, and signing for his new book Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. at Cole Library. Conklin will also have a segment after the reading where he will talk about becoming a writer.

The new book is another addition to his “Town and Gown” series inspired by his hometown. Through his years spent in the area and as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Conklin has mastered the art of observing. He uses this skill for storyline ideas and to create those stories in meticulous detail.

“It’s the little things that make stories,” said Conklin, “If you’re in Mount Vernon or Lisbon, there may be nothing going on. But if you’re observant enough, by golly. Every little, small town has some sort of headache from the past that will be worth something.”

Conklin draws the main setting for each book in the series from Mount Vernon, Lisbon and Cornell College. The relationship between a small town and a college intrigues him because of how they coexist even when things may not be harmonious.

Conklin’s newest book, He Bet the Farm, will feature dual narratives that combine near the end. The book will lean on a few things inspired by the Mount Vernon and Lisbon area. Part of the story will feature a library filled with valu- able collectibles merging with the college library in town. Similar to how the Mount Vernon public library is merged with the Cornell College library.

Conklin will also look into a dystopian future in college athletics in the book. He will dissect what college sports would be like if players were to become engulfed in the sports-betting world.

He takes pride in the amount of detail in each story. As a former writer for regional news outlets, writing a novel gives him an opportunity not to be limited by space or a word count when he is telling a story. These realistic fiction books, based off some of his life experiences, are written to intrigue readers who want to learn something from what they read.

“Writing books like these allows me to have a cathartic experience,” Conklin said. “I can write stuff and get it off my chest.”

This new book and all of Conklin’s previous novels can be found at the Cole Public Library.