Your Guide to the National Parks received Honorable Mention in the 2014 Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. It received the highest score of 5 (outstanding) in all applicable categories (Structure, Organization, and Pacing; Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar; Production, Quality, and Cover Design; and Voice and Writing Style). Judge’s Commentary: “This is a very professional and impressive book.” We should have entered this awards program the year the book was released.

Here’s a podcast from an interview Michael Oswald did earlier this month.

I’ll be leading a little discussion as part of the ESFY’s (Engaging Students in the First Year) Regional Writer Series at UW-Manitowoc. I’m not sure what we’ll talk about, but chances are it will include: nature, the parks, free-spiritedness, awareness, following your dreams and maybe a little bit about book-making. And then we’re going to eat some pizza!

Normally for these types of things I just go in there and talk, but this one I’m going to take more seriously, since I’ll be speaking with students, many of whom I know aren’t sure what to do with their life, because I was once in their shoes–in their exact shoes as a matter of fact as a former student at UW-Manitowoc. I still don’t necessarily know what I’m doing, but I have a good idea of what people are capable of will just a little bit of effort.

I’ll be putting together a short piece for Don & Shelly Hafner the day before they depart on their quest to visit all 59 U.S. National Parks in a little more than a year. You can join them on their journey by following their blog at 59nationalparks.com. If you’re curious about what I’ll be doing, I think I might discuss dreaming. More of the dreams you have while you’re awake. Not the ones while asleep. Although that might be interesting, too. My old college roommate knows most of my dreams take place in the clouds, where I do something I like to call “clouding!” Apparently I talk in my sleep as well.

Our debut title brought in another award.

in a book!

We can’t help but feel terrible that thousands of visitor’s national park vacation plans were thwarted by the fiasco on Capitol Hill. It’s not the same, but hopefully paging through Your Guide to the National Parks will make a bad experience a little bit better. The first ten people to tell us your CLOSED National Parks story get a signed copy of our book! Send us your message here!

Again, we’re truly sorry. We thought the parks were for everyone, to be enjoyed at any time. Had we been bigger history buffs, we would have known that this has happened before……16 times.

ForeWord announced their Book of the Year Awards at this year’s ALA Conference. Your Guide to the National Parks took home the gold for travel guides. Click here and check out all the great books selected by ForeWord as their winners and finalists.

Listen in as Bill Leff interviews Michael Oswald about misunderstandings between grizzly bears and guidebook writers, an unconventional method of exploring our parks, and much more in this highly entertaining 30 minutes. We here at Stone Road Press absolutely love this quick-witted radio personality!

If you didn’t notice the link above, click here: http://wgnradio.com/2013/06/19/your-guide-to-the-national-parks-2/

IBPA’s Ben Franklin Awards were announced on May 29, 2013 at the Astor Ballroom in Times Square (Manhattan). The competition was stiff. Nerves were tight (and the drinks were far too expensive to loosen up). But Stone Road Press came out on top! We were also finalists for the Bill Fisher Award, honoring publisher’s first title (non-fiction). Next up: ForeWord’s Book of the Year Awards.

On January 10, 2013 President Obama made Your Guide to the National Parks obsolete by upgrading Pinnacles National Monument (near Monterey, CA) to National Park Status.

This occasion also changed the name of our next venture to 59 Parks Club, the online destination for park enthusiasts. In short, it will provide a free venue for park people to share their park experiences (in images and words), swap gear, share rides, etc.

At the moment, the only thing available is a placeholder webpage, but it’s a start.

www.59parksclub.com

Your Guide to the National Parks: The complete Guide to All 58 National Parks (Stone Road Press) is quite frankly, amazing. Mike Oswald ’03 of Whitelaw, WI, wrote, designed, and published this volume of gorgeous photos, commentary, maps, hiking tables, and thoroughly researched details. Oswald spent two years exploring and photographing the parks; logged thousands of miles hiking, paddling, and pedaling; and lived almost exclusively in a tent while doing so. It became a “communion with life and land,” he says, ” as I learned to immerse myself in nature.”

Sounds like a good book to me! Click here to check out OnWisconsin’s Bookshelf.

Check out Mike Oswald’s interview with Bill Leff of WGN Radio by following this link to the Podcast! It was a great time and we learned that not only is Mike’s book a useful guide, but it can be used as a snow-coaster to sled down snow-capped mountains, so put it in your backpacks people! Thanks WGN Radio!

URL: http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/billleff/wgnam-leff-your-guide-to-the-national-parks,0,5876782.mp3file

This has to be the giveaway everyone has been waiting for: One free night for you and a guest in this mobile luxury suite. This beautiful lady comes with three beds, one kitchen, running water, electricity, internet, handicap access, and a driver’s seat. (Bike, kayak, and scooter will also be available.) The lucky recipients of this prize will be escorted by our friendly bus driver, Mike Oswald, whose generally pleasant disposition and enthusiasm toward all things school bus related will prove contagious while you head out on the wide open roads. One night on this baby and you won’t want to leave. (Prize is subject to availability. Winner will have to compare schedules with Mike and the Stone Road Press Tour Bus’s Tour Route.)

Tell your friends to like Stone Road Press (www.facebook.com/thestoneroadpress) to be entered in this contest.

Mike Oswald will be giving multiple presentations at the 50th Annual WBAY RV & Camping Show.

Mike Oswald will be presenting at the Manitowoc Public Library for one of their Brown Bag Seminars.

Mike Oswald will be giving a pair of presentations at Campfest held at the Manitowoc County Fairgrounds. The event is put on by Wagner’s RV.

Like Stone Road Press on Facebook for a chance to win the Nook Color used to test our epubs!

After much procrastination I finally wrote down the entrants names, put them in a hat, and drew the winner. Congratulations to the winner, Eric Collins. He already gave his acceptance speech, thanking everyone from his third grade teacher who looked like a pirate to his old hamster he sold to some guy on Craigslist. Even though this was a failure I’m going to keep giving things away until you people like Stone Road Press (or I am filing for bankruptcy).

You’re invited. Click here for details.

On April 29, 2012 I made the first sale of Your Guide to the National Parks by using multiple strong-armed sales techniques on Paul & Mary Johnsrud! Really, it’s a win-win for us. I get a check to frame. They get a free book. It’s a start, 14,999 more to go.

I will be signing copies of Your Guide to the National Parks at Book World in Manitowoc from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Come visit downtown Manitowoc and be sure to pop-in at Book World to have a little conversation about our National Parks.

I’ll be signing copies of Your Guide to the National Parks at the Manitowoc YMCA from 6:30 a.m. until 10ish. Part of the proceeds will go toward the Strong Kids Campaign.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to be entered for a chance to win two Field Infield Box seats to your choice of Brewers games ($130 value). The tickets will be raffled off at our Book Prerelease Bash Spectacular!

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