Upcoming Events

Book Signing with Local Author Troy Bobbitt
Oct
11

Book Signing with Local Author Troy Bobbitt

Book Signing with Troy Bobbitt

Saturday, October 11, noon - 2 pm

Henry’s Books in Spearfish is excited to host local author Troy Bobbitt for the signing of his latest title, “Cartel Bands On” on Saturday, October 11 from noon to 2 pm.

About the author:

Troy Bobbitt is a retired Supervisory Border Patrol Agent who now lives in Lead, SD and is the author of 2 books.  He retired from the Border Patrol in 2023 after serving 20 years.  During his career he worked on both the southern and northern borders of the United States.  Early in his career he was a K-9 handler working with a K-9 partner performing drug interdiction activities as well as traditional border enforcement operations east of El Paso, Texas.  Prior to joining the Border Patrol he worked as a certified paralegal in several law firms in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of Minnesota.  He has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from St. Cloud State University. He is the father of 3 and grandfather of 2.  

About the books:

His second book, "Cartel Bands On, Changing American Culture through Migration, Legal and not so much" is a look into the history of emigration to the United States and today's ongoing immigration debate.  The reader will travel from pre-colonial times to the present as they follow the flow of people onto the continent of North America.  As the history is developed, the author takes the reader through the evolution of immigration laws and practices of the United States.  Through a review of legal decisions, the reader will learn how today's issues concerning immigration are not new or original, just more modern.  The author incorporates personal experiences into the material to give the reader a real life perspective to the topics covered.  Providing an inside look into the world of immigration enforcement and the legal processes that control the immigration system.  The author draws connections between enforcement efforts, increased illegal immigration and cartel involvement in the business of human trafficking.  The reader is challenged to learn more about the topic and consider several proposed changes to immigration laws to address today's continuing concerns about immigration.

View Event →
Book Signing with Kate Glass
Oct
18

Book Signing with Kate Glass

Book Signing with Kate Glass

Saturday, October 18, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, October 18 from noon to 2 pm when we will host local author Kate Glass for the signing of her newest release, “Erebus Unleashed.”

About the author:

Kathy Bjornestad (aka Kate Glass) is a retired public-school teacher and librarian. She has won a Wyoming Fellowship for Creative Fiction, placed in multiple writing contests, and published widely, including, most recently, in Sally Port Magazine. Kathy is part of South Dakota’s Speakers Bureau. Her portfolio includes four children’s books and an upcoming all-ages poetry and photography book. Under the pen name Kate Glass, she recently released the dystopian romance, Persephone Rising, and plans to publish a sequel this summer. You can find her at redheadswrite.net.

About the book:

Street rat. Stowaway. Savior.

One minute, Sol's in hiding. The next, she's trapped aboard a NASA space shuttle, her plan to avenge her father's death dwindling to stardust.

Now she's an unwilling passenger on a journey through a wormhole. On the other side-an uncharted planet to colonize and a new hope for humanity's survival.

The thieves who stole the shuttle don't trust her, and the feeling's mutual. But something sinister lurks aboard ship. Uncovering the truth will take teamwork.

Sol may be the only one who can prevent catastrophe ... if there's still time.

Will she become an angel of vengeance ... or savior?


View Event →
Book Signing with Local Author Erika Seamayer-Williamson
Oct
25

Book Signing with Local Author Erika Seamayer-Williamson

Book Signing with Erika Lynn

Saturday, October 25, noon - 2 pm

Join us on Saturday, October 25 from noon to 2 pm at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a book signing with author Erika Lynn as she shares “My Journey to Freedom,” her story of survival, surrender, and second chances.

About the author:

Erika Seamayer-Williamson spent sixteen years as a single mom before finding peace and joy in marrying her childhood sweetheart. Out of her journey of loss, healing, and redemption was born The Amazing Grace Lifestyle—a Ministry of relationship coaching, Amazing Grace Retreats, Amazing Grace Talk Podcast, books, and more.

About the book:

Have you ever gone through a time in your life where you felt like black clouds were just following you around? Wondering where God was through it all? You go through struggles trying everything on your own— striving to heal, to move forward and to finally forgive the person who hurt you. But instead, you find yourself stuck in the same painful cycles, longing for the joy and freedom that you sense is right around the corner. I completely understand, because I have been there too.

Eight years after my divorce, my ex-husband actually became a criminal. Can you even imagine? I walked through abandonment, fear, uncertainty, survival, heartbreak, financial ruin, and two court battles in just five years. This left me wondering... Would I ever find joy again, and live the life I had always dreamed of, or find love with a husband who would cherish me. But guess what? It happened!

When I made the decision to go “all in” and never miss church, choosing to volunteer/serve, and fully trusting God and all of His promises, I finally began to walk in true healing. I was able to release the pain of my past and embrace all of the good things God had waiting for me.

This is your invitation to begin your own journey to freedom, so that you too can live the life God has for you, I call it The Amazing Grace Lifestyle!


View Event →

Book Signing with Poet Robert H Bordeaux
Sep
20

Book Signing with Poet Robert H Bordeaux

Book Signing with Robert H. Bordeaux

Saturday, September 20, noon - 2 pm

Spearfish poet Robert H. Bordeaux joins us at Henry’s Books on Saturday, September 20 for a signing of his latest collection, Prairie Bones from noon to 2 pm.

About the author:

Robert Harold Bordeaux is a Siċaƞġu Lak̇ot̄a descendant and writer and activist from Spearfish, South Dakota. Growing up disconnected from his Lak̇ot̄a family, his life has been a journey of finding his way home to the Rosebud Reservation to share space and grow in relationship with his tiwahe (family). In his writing, he touches on this journey connecting with his Lak̇ot̄a roots as he learns from Uƞc̄i Mak̇a what it means to be a good relative and ancestor. He shares openly about his life through his books, content shared online, and speaking. Outside of writing, Bordeaux is active in carrying on his ancestors’ legacy of fighting for sovereignty through his activism around the abolition of harmful colonial systems.

About the books:

Prairie Bones is a collection of poems about reconnecting with Lakota kin, culture, and learning what it means to stand alongside all the relatives of this land to fight for a better future. Author Robert Harold Bordeaux grew up disconnected from his Lakota family, a disconnection caused by the continued effects of the colonial systems implemented since European contact on Turtle Island. After many years of trying to find his way home, Bordeaux connected with his father’s family and Sicangu Lakota Oyate on the Rosebud Reservation. Prairie Bones offers small glimpses of this journey as Bordeaux pieces together connection and relationship with ancestors, land, himself, and mit̄ak̄uyep̄i.

View Event →
Book Signing and Story Time with Whitnee Coy
Sep
13

Book Signing and Story Time with Whitnee Coy

Book Signing with Whitnee Coy

Saturday, September 13, noon - 2 pm

Henry’s Books in Spearfish is excited to host local author Whitnee Coy for a children’s book reading and signing on Saturday, September 13 from noon to 2 pm. Join us as she shares her children’s books Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove, and Elsie’s Adventures to Harmony Hills: The Big Move.

About the author:

Dr. Whitnee Coy is an award-winning writer and educator based in Rapid City. With a deep passion for poetry and storytelling, she creates worlds that captivate and educate, especially through children’s books and poetry. She has published four chapbooks of poetry:Cicurate (SD State Poetry Society), Kintsukuroi (Finishing Line Press), this deep, wide, dark world (Alien Buddha Press), and A Limb Outgrowing a Weathered Tree. Her debut full-length poetry collection, We Left Constellations in Each Other, will be released by Kelsay Books in Fall 2025.

She is passionate about literature, teaching, and building meaningful connections through words and stories. Whether writing, teaching, or engaging with her community, she strives to inspire others, especially young minds, to embrace the power of creativity, resilience, and self-expression.

About the books:

Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove, hit #1 on Amazon’s New Releases for Children’s Books on Self-Esteem and Self-Respect and won the prestigious 2024 Golden Wizard Book Prize for children’s literature. Her follow-up, Elsie’s Adventures to Harmony Hills: The Big Move, continues Elsie’s journey of self-discovery and growth.

View Event →
Poetry Signing with Black Hills Poet Julie Gonnering Lein
Sep
6

Poetry Signing with Black Hills Poet Julie Gonnering Lein

Black Hills poet Julie Gonnering Lein joins us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, September 6 from noon to 2 pm for a signing of her poetry collections.

About the author:

Julie Gonnering Lein earned her PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Utah. She is author of the chapbooks Seed (South Dakota Poetry Society contest winner, 2024) and Glacier, Perfect Tense (Dancing Girl Press). Her work was shortlisted for the Helena Whitehill Book Award (Tupelo Press), and has won a Larry Levis Memorial Poetry Prize (Academy of American Poets), the Hal Prize in Poetry, and the Winter Anthology Annual Contest among other honors. Poems have appeared in Colorado Review, Best New Poets, Bateau, Bear Review, The Laurel Review, Bellingham Review, Terrain.org, Phoebe and elsewhere. She lives in South Dakota’s Black Hills with her family. Find her on Instagram @juliegonneringlein.

About Seed:

"Seed explores the fertility of language, using words in a way both playful and provocative, reminding me simultaneously of Hailey Leithauser and Lucie Brock-Broido. These poems incant within feminine spaces, whether casting domestic fabulist spells, or singing the psalms of a mystic. I am enraptured." (Heidi Czerwiec, lyric essayist and poet)

View Event →
Book Folding Craft Class
Aug
30

Book Folding Craft Class

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a fun crafternoon on Saturday August 30 at 3:00 PM! Sam Kinghorn will teach another book folding class where attendees will learn how to turn discarded books into a beautiful piece of upcycled art. The cost is $30 and includes all materials plus a drink from Nonna’s Kitchen. Call 605-569-0991 or stop in at 111 East Hudson St to purchase your ticket.

View Event →
Book Signing with Local Author CS Kjar
Aug
30

Book Signing with Local Author CS Kjar

Book Signing with C.S. Kjar

Saturday, August 30, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, August 30 from noon to 2 pm for a book signing with local author C.S. Kjar for the signing of her newest title “Walkers on the Run.” 

About the author:

C.S. Kjar is an award-winning author who lives in Rapid City, SD. She writes wholesome stories set in small towns, where ordinary people are faced with tough choices that ultimately make them stronger. Her books of sweet romance, cozy mystery, and women’s fiction offer lighthearted fun with touches of humor and wisdom. Her last name is pronounced "care" which reflects her care and passion for creating good books for readers to enjoy.

To read more about the author or explore her full list of novels, visit cskjar.com.

About the book:

Winning Cozy Mystery in the National Excellence in Storytelling Competition and Finalist in the American Fiction Awards for Cozy Mystery

How did she get herself into this mess?

Elderly Leona Walker is determined to uncover who burglarized her home in Red Creek, South Dakota, and absconded with her treasured belongings. She enlists the help of her older sister Betty and their squeaky-walker-toting neighbor Clarence. Their investigative escapades land them in hot water at every corner, and Leona might even face murder charges. Her relentless quest to retrieve her late husband's wedding ring raises questions: Is she endangering herself and her companions? Does the end justify the risks? And is her sister Betty genuinely eccentric, or is it all an act? Dive into the humorous and spirited Book 1 of the 'Oldsters Love Adventure' cozy mystery series for the revelations.

View Event →
Storytime at Henry's Books!
Aug
30

Storytime at Henry's Books!

Join us at Henry’s Books in the Community Room for a story time with Joanna Mechaley on Saturday August 30 at 10 AM. We will be reading Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst. This is open to all ages, but specifically geared towards kids aged 4-8 years old. A free copy of the book will be given to the first 10 families that attend! Free books provided by the Henry’s Books Foundation.

View Event →
Book Signing with Local Author Dustie Clements
Aug
23

Book Signing with Local Author Dustie Clements

Book Signing with Dustie M. Clements

Saturday, August 23, noon - 2 pm

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, August 23 from noon to 2 pm when we will host Dustie M. Clements for the signing of “South Dakota Night Sky,” an educational children’s book written by Clements with photographs by Grant Ekroth.

About the author:

Dustie M. Clements is a local author, poet, and copy editor born in Colorado but raised entirely in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She graduated from Black Hills State University majoring in Mass Communications, minoring in English, and receiving a Photography Certificate. While she collects many hobbies, writing has always been her number one passion. 

What began as a graphic design project in college has evolved into a book with a very special purpose: to make enough money for the author to buy herself a wheelchair. Dustie isn't shy about sharing and educating about her disabilities, which have caused enough damage to her spine that she can no longer walk without a cane and needs a wheelchair to travel long distances. Proceeds from “South Dakota Night Sky” will go toward the purchase of her much-needed wheelchair

Through the process of developing and revising “South Dakota Night Sky, “ she has been inspired to write her next children's book, the proceeds of which will go toward current and future medical bills. Keep an eye out for the next South Dakota-themed book by her!

About the photographer:

Grant Ekroth was born and raised in Winner, South Dakota and moved West River to attend Western Dakota Technical College, where he received a certificate in Collision Repair. However, he soon found his true passion to be photography. Grant began teaching himself the art and bolstered his knowledge with classes at Black Hills State University. 

He says, "What honestly pushed me into photography from just being a hobby was Photojournalism and the people that used it to help change the world for the better; people like James Nachtwey, W. Eugene Smith, and Robert Frank."

Night photography, for Grant, is the pinnacle of landscape photography where everything needs to be almost perfect to make a stellar image. Anyone can do it, but it takes a little bit of something extra to make it really special. 

For the next project, Grant is looking forward to making a documentary style coffee table photography book on the experience of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

About the book:

“South Dakota Night Sky” is a children's book about the night sky written by a South Dakotan, with photographs taken by a South Dakotan. Educational, fun, and beautiful, this book is intended to teach children about the night sky and introduce them to astronomy. Dedicated to the author’s nieces, nephews, and niblings, (a term for the nonbinary child of a sibling coined in 1951), “South Dakota Night Sky” is an educational book appropriate for children of all ages.

Learn about the night sky and South Dakota with this exciting, interactive book. Fun facts about our galaxy, the Northern Lights, and shooting stars make for a fun and educational read. It's never too early to introduce children to astronomy!

View Event →
Aug
16

Writing Critique Group with Kate Meadows

Writing Critique Group at Henry's Books

4 sessions, each from 10 a.m.-noon:

8/16, 8/23, 9/6, 9/13

The Writing Critique Group is open to all writers who are interested in the art of creatively telling stories. Through a blend of instruction, reading time and individual critique sessions, participants will gain exposure to creative various types of storytelling, as well as engage in meaningful discussion about why we write and why stories matter. All participants will learn the value of giving and receiving feedback on their works-in-progress and will learn how to offer valuable critique of another writer’s work. A significant portion of the class will consist of critique, in which participants offer feedback on other participants' work. Participants are encouraged to bring a work in progress (4,000 words or less) OR an idea for an essay or another creative nonfiction project, to the first session. Bring your questions about writing, as well!

Register at: https://katemeadows.kit.com/products/writing-critique-group

Cost: $185, includes all four sessions

View Event →
Book Signing with Kate Glass
Jul
26

Book Signing with Kate Glass

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, July 26 from noon to 2 pm we will host Kate Glass for the signing of her first title under her pen name, “Persephone Rising.”

About the author:

Kathy Bjornestad (aka Kate Glass) is a retired public-school teacher and librarian. She has won a Wyoming Fellowship for Creative Fiction, placed in multiple writing contests, and published widely, including, most recently, in Sally Port Magazine. Kathy is part of South Dakota’s Speakers Bureau. Her portfolio includes four children’s books and an upcoming all-ages poetry and photography book. Under the pen name Kate Glass, she has released the dystopian romance, Persephone Rising, and plans to release its sequel this summer. You can find her at redheadswrite.net.

About the book:

The Sims Tournament isn’t just a chance. It may be their only way out.

In a crumbling future Chicago, siblings Clera and Elio Diaz have learned one thing: survival means sacrifice. Clera works endless factory shifts, while Elio ditches school for dangerous jobs in the city’s sewers. But when a sudden explosion destroys their home and takes their mother, the fragile life they’ve built shatters.

Homeless and desperate, Elio sets his sights on his secret goal. A high-stakes gaming tournament with an out-of-this-world grand prize. A ticket to a new life on an off-Earth colony. He’s never played before, but he’s sure he can win. While Clera struggles to rebuild their lives, unaware of his plans, Elio bets everything on a risky gamble.

With nothing left but each other, can they evade a dangerous gang and carve out a new future amidst grief? Will they risk everything for a dream that may reach as far away as the stars?

One chance to play. One shot to win. One choice that could change everything.

View Event →
Book Signing with AL Fox
Jul
19

Book Signing with AL Fox

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday, July 19 from noon to 2 pm for a book signing with local author A. L. Fox as she shares her most recent work with us.

About the author:

A. L. Fox is an indie author, though she feels weird calling herself the "a" word. She spends her days with her two small children and her farmer husband. She enjoys 70 degree weather and rain, Starbucks and Target, and laughing. A. L. Fox was born and raised in the Midwest and likes to think her writing will reach who it needs to. She plans to continue to create but has no real, big goals while doing so. She's thankful everyday for the chance to do this whole thing. Her main goal: bring joy to others.

About the books:

From the sweet ache of first love to the whirlwind of insta-love, to the quiet resilience of healing hearts, A. L. Fox’s standalone novels explore the many faces of love. Her debut is a contemporary romance that captures the raw emotion of a young girl stepping into adulthood, navigating heartbreak, self-discovery, and the messy beauty of growing up. Her second book brings laughter and sparks in a feel-good romcom where two strangers fall fast—and hard—in a story full of heart, humor, and irresistible chemistry. Her third novel delves into the tender space between grief and new beginnings, following a woman learning to love again after profound loss. Whether you're looking for something sweet, swoony, or soul-stirring, A. L. Fox’s stories will stay with you long after the last page.

View Event →
Book Signing with Dr. Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever
May
31

Book Signing with Dr. Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday May 31 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a book signing with local authors Dr. Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever as they release their newest title, “CircleBridge".

About the Book:
"Interested in the kind of education that builds bridges rather than walls? That’s powered not only by time-tested ideas but by compelling storytelling? That honors indigenous voices and reaches across cultural divides? That has the potential for personal and social transformation? Then this is the book for you. Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever write first and foremost from on-the-ground practice, not theory. I can testify from personal experience how reliable their practices are when it comes to creating trustworthy space for difficult conversations and deep learning. I urge you to join them on their journey and learn about the proven potential of the CircleBridge approach."
—Parker J. Palmer (author of “The Courage to Teach,” “A Hidden Wholeness,” “Healing the Heart of Democracy,” and “Let Your Life Speak”)

CircleBridge demonstrates how storytelling can bridge cultural divides, foster empathy, and create connections within educational and community settings. By sharing personal and community stories alongside practical frameworks, the book guides readers toward understanding, relational growth, and intercultural development. Grounded in decades of educational work and collaboration with Indigenous communities, it provides actionable insights for creating safe, inclusive spaces where dialogue and learning thrive.

About the Authors:

Dr. Scott Simpson—Dr. Scott Simpson is a writer, poet, songwriter, and lifelong educator whose work centers on learning, trust, and cultural connection. As a Learning Specialist, Scott helps schools foster meaningful relationships, culturally responsive teaching, and inclusive learning environments. He is a co-developer of Circlebridge, a guiding framework for navigating differences and building trust, and a facilitator with the Center for Courage & Renewal, inspired by Parker Palmer’s work in creating spaces of deep reflection and authenticity.

Scott’s passion for storytelling and education extends into his work with Indigenous communities. He co-developed and maintains the Wolakota Project and Teachings of Our Elders websites, working closely with Indigenous Elders to bring their Essential Understandings into schools across North and South Dakota.

Before stepping into this role, Scott spent over 15 years as a high school English, drama, and speech teacher and a professor of English, theater, and education at multiple universities. He holds an M.A. in English Curriculum & Instruction and a Ph.D. in English Creative Writing from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His journey has also taken him into leadership as the Executive Director of a youth and family camp in the mountains of Northern New Mexico.

Scott is a published poet, writer, and indie music producer, crafting words and songs that explore themes of belonging, transformation, and resilience. He does most of his best thinking and creating while hiking the Black Hills with his wife, Sheryl, and their three dogs—Gandi, Gilly, and Ellie.

Sharla Steever—Sharla Steever has been an educator since 1992 - an elementary teacher, an outdoor educator, a camp director, a Christian educator and currently a learning specialist. As an elementary teacher, she received several awards for her accomplishments. She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching for Elementary Science in South Dakota, she was a Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellow for the US Department of Education, and she is a Nationally Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist. Sharla is a facilitator for the Center for Courage and Renewal and she is also a Licensed Minister in the United Church of Christ.

Sharla lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota where she and her husband, Kerry, and two dogs (Bonnie and Clyde) live near the camp Kerry manages. Her grown children also live in the area and are a huge part of Sharla's life. Sharla is actively involved in her community, her church, her husband's camp, and she travels for her work across ND, SD, NE and WY. She enjoys gardening, tending to her chickens, hiking, singing, and creating art.

View Event →
Book Signing with Erin Lorraine Woodward and Nick Hubbard
May
17

Book Signing with Erin Lorraine Woodward and Nick Hubbard

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday May 17th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM as Erin Lorriane Woodward and Nick Hubbard share their debut title, “The Price of Gold: Stories from the Homestake Gold Mine.”
https://www.thepriceofgoldbook.com/

About the Authors:

Writer and creator of The Price of Gold, Erin Lorraine Woodward grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After graduating from Black Hills State University, she was a science writer at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). There, as she wrote about advancements in science and engineering, she began to overhear stories about the facility’s mining past, which led to the creation of this collection.

Erin lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband David. They met underground at SURF, where David worked as a physicist with the LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter experiment.

A photographer and videographer based in the Black Hills, Nick Hubbard captured the photos included in this collection. An alum of Black Hills State University, Nick worked at Sanford Underground Research Facility before founding his own multimedia company, Frontier Creative.

Nick lives in Rapid City, South Dakota, with his wife, Kaylee, and their children.

About the Book:

For more than a century, the Homestake Gold Mine carved drifts deep beneath the rugged mountain town of Lead, South Dakota.

But the price of gold faltered in the late 1900s. Massive layoffs and the mine's closure left the town adrift, searching for a new identity. 

 

The Price of Gold: Stories from the Homestake Gold Mine is a collection of portraits of former miners, electricians, hoist operators, receptionists and chemists alongside their stories of humorous pranks, harried rescue operations and the loss of loved ones to mining accidents. 

Created by South Dakota natives Erin Lorraine Woodward and Nick Hubbard, this collection offers "a rare window into an underground world" and tells of lives lived above and below the city of Lead.

View Event →
Book Signing with Gary Wietegrefe
May
10

Book Signing with Gary Wietegrefe

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday May 10 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a book signing with local Author Gary Wietegrefe as he shares his newest title with us, “Lessons of an Immigrant Father.”

About the Author:
Raised on a South Dakota farm and attended one-room schools, Gary Wietgrefe became one of America’s most diverse authors. He is a military intelligence veteran and attended the University of Maryland, University of Denver, and South Dakota State University before establishing a career in agriculture. Wietgrefe is an inventor with six patents in automated equipment design, engineering and biomass processing. He is an international researcher (Turkey and Mongolia), economist, agriculturalist, systems developer, societal explorer, cyclist, hiker, outdoorsman, poet, and author of eleven books. With his wife Patricia, they travel the world from Rapid City, South Dakota.

Gary and his wife, Patricia, traveled eight years on five continents after retirement while observing and documenting his findings and experiences. Example of one trip: After turning 65, he bicycled an average of 75-miles-per-day for 40 days from Pierre, South Dakota to North Pole, Alaska. When Covid shut down their travels they rented a cabin in the beautiful Black Hills of SD and he wrote his first award winning travel adventure: Destination North Pole—5,000 km by bicycle.

Want a quick read of humorous, mostly rhyming, country poems? Enjoy Dakota Country Poems.

Do you like historical fiction? If so, enjoy Wietgrefe’s first novel, Lessons of an Immigrant Father, based on a true family story. His grandfather, age 13 along with his brother 12, and 43-year-old immigrant father could not afford train fare to ship their cattle from Iowa to South Dakota. Instead, they walked two months behind their cattle for over 500 miles, hence the subtitle: 1905 cattle drive 500 miles to Dakota.

About the book:
Migrants, wherever they move from or to, teach children the past and future. Scholars, educators, migrants, and casual readers can absorb context of what immigrant ranchers and farmers taught their sons when moving into the Dakota Plains after initial homesteading.

What would an immigrant father teach in 1905?

This exciting historical fiction novel presents subtle lessons pre-teen boys would need to find food, cook meals, wash clothes, train horses, manage livestock and poultry, and farm while explaining military conscription, Christian concepts, business and social interactions, and reminiscing about the "old country." Why? Would something happen to their father?

Wietgrefe is a dying family surname. Likely the world has less than two hundred Wietgrefes. Lutheran German surnames demised during the 19th century due to wars and religious conflicts. Wars in one lifetime: rulers 1806-1871: Holy Roman Empire (Catholic), French to Independent Kingdom, Great Britian alliance (Anglican), North German Empire, German Civil War, Napoleonic (French) Wars, and eventually Prussia.

Henry Louis "H.L." Wietgrefe, age seven, fled Hannover Lower Saxony by ship from Bremerhaven, Prussia on the SS Main August 14, 1869 with his parents and four siblings and immigrated to eastern Iowa as farmers. They sought a better life.

A legal immigrant became a U.S. citizen. With five children and unable to afford his cattle's train fare, H.L. Wietgrefe (age 43) and his two sons, ages 12 and 13 (my grandfather), looking for a land-owning future, drove their meager herd in 1905 over 500 miles to a neglected 1880s homestead in northern South Dakota. Likely it was the last long-distance cattle drive in the U.S.

View Event →
Junk Journal Craft Night
Apr
26

Junk Journal Craft Night

Join us for a fun night of Junk Journaling at Henry’s Books on Saturday April 26 at 5:00 PM!

Bring your own journal and any “junk” you plan to add to your journal—stickers, ticket stubs, clippings, photos, etc.

Cost is $30 and includes a drink from the bar at Nonna’s, your choice of 5 stickers from Henry’s Books, free use of the craft supplies that the bookstore has on hand, and 10% off any purchases in the store. Tickets are limited, purchase as soon as possible. To purchase, stop into Henry’s Books or call at 605-569-0991.

What’s Junk Journaling?

Junk journaling is a creative practice where people make journals by repurposing and combining various discarded materials like old books, magazines, packaging, and other ephemera (like tickets or receipts), essentially turning "junk" into a personalized journal through techniques like collage, drawing, painting, and stamping, allowing for a unique and expressive way to document thoughts and experiences while upcycling materials that might otherwise be thrown away. 

View Event →
Book Singing with Author Kathryn Cluff
Apr
19

Book Singing with Author Kathryn Cluff

Join us on Saturday April 19 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a book signing with Wyoming Author Kathryn Cluff. She will share her latest book with us, “Empowered Soul—180 Mindful Intentions, Reflections, and Practices to Help Women Develop Deeper Awareness and Capacity for Life's Challenges”.

About the book

How is it that some people come through life’s tragic events seemingly unscathed and perhaps an improved version of themselves while others become stuck in a cycle of suffering, hopelessness, and sadness?

We all have the power to shape our future through how we respond to life’s experiences, whether joyful or tragic. So, if you’re seeking to nurture your spirit, foster personal growth, and find strength in your journey, Empowered Soul will meet you where you are and guide you, one mindful intention at a time.

In Empowered Soul, Kathryn shares 180 deeply personal essays—each a powerful invitation to reconnect with your inner wisdom and strength. Written in a journal-style format, these raw and authentic reflections offer women a path to healing, growth, and self-discovery in the face of life’s challenges. As the author shares her own struggles and triumphs, she also provides practical tools, including yoga, mindfulness, and self-care practices.

This collection is intended to embolden women to navigate loss, embrace hope, and cultivate resilience. Each essay serves as both a companion and a guide, offering support through life’s most difficult moments.

 

About the Author

Kathryn grew up in a loving, hardworking family in Wyoming's Black Hills, where she developed a deep love for the outdoors and rural life. After years in substance abuse and suicide prevention and her own transformational journey, she founded a business to empower women through holistic healing. She offers local and virtual services, including yoga, restorative healing sessions, and group and individual programs for the mind, body, and soul. Kathryn also hosts a quarterly women’s circle event, a growing community of women supporting each other.

She resides in Sundance, Wyoming with her PFL (partner for life) and her recently disabled son for whom she is the primary caregiver. Also residing on the property are thirteen hens, and one rooster fondly called Big Daddy. She is the proud mother of four amazing adults and grandma to two fun and creative children.

View Event →
Apr
12

Embroidery Night-Choose Your Own Adventure

Join us at Henry’s Books for another fun Embroidery Night!
Choose from any previous designs that we’ve done!

Cost is $30 and includes all of the embroidery supplies (thread, fabric, hoop, pattern, needles, instruction) plus a drink from the bar at Nonna’s.

This class is beginner friendly! Seating is very limited, please purchase your tickets as soon as possible by stopping in at the bookstore or calling us at 605-569-0991.

View Event →
Mar
29

Embroidery Night

Join us at Henry’s Books for another fun Embroidery Night!
*design is still TBD

Cost is $30 and includes all of the embroidery supplies (thread, fabric, hoop, pattern, needles, instruction) plus a drink from the bar at Nonna’s.

This class is beginner friendly! Seating is very limited, please purchase your tickets as soon as possible by stopping in at the bookstore or calling us at 605-569-0991.

View Event →
Junk Journal Craft Night
Mar
28

Junk Journal Craft Night

Join us for a fun, girly night of Junk Journaling at Henry’s Books on Friday March 28 at 5:00 PM!

Bring your own journal and any “junk” you plan to add to your journal—stickers, ticket stubs, clippings, photos, etc.

Cost is $30 and includes a drink from the bar at Nonna’s, your choice of 5 stickers from Henry’s Books, free use of the craft supplies that the bookstore has on hand, and 10% off any purchases in the store. Tickets are limited, purchase as soon as possible. To purchase, stop into Henry’s Books or call at 605-569-0991.

What’s Junk Journaling?

Junk journaling is a creative practice where people make journals by repurposing and combining various discarded materials like old books, magazines, packaging, and other ephemera (like tickets or receipts), essentially turning "junk" into a personalized journal through techniques like collage, drawing, painting, and stamping, allowing for a unique and expressive way to document thoughts and experiences while upcycling materials that might otherwise be thrown away. 

View Event →
Book Signing with Poet Nicholas Trandahl
Mar
22

Book Signing with Poet Nicholas Trandahl

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday March 22 at 12:00 PM as Wyoming Poet Nicholas Trandahl shares his most recent collection of poems with us.

About the Book:

Nicholas Trandahl's Cabin Sketches is a destination his previous work has been climbing toward. Anchored by the vast title poem, these poems explore the interconnecting weave of sacredness, wildness, and the fragility of the human condition against the dramatic landscapes where Trandahl's poems sprout like pine saplings.

About the Author:
Nicholas Trandahl is an Army veteran, author, outdoorsman, journalist, and traveler. A member of WyoPoets, Wyoming Writers, and the Bearlodge Writers. He finds inspiration in new adventures, nature, books, good food, and the understated beauty of everyday life. Trandahl lives in Wyoming with his wife and daughters.


View Event →
Henry's Books Book Club
Mar
15

Henry's Books Book Club

*This event is already sold out!

Join us for our monthly book discussion! For March, we’re reading “Tell Me What You Did” by Carter Wilson.

Cost is $10 for the ticket plus the cost of the book

About the Book:

“She gets people to confess their crimes for a living. He knows she's hiding a terrible secret. It's time for the truth to come out…

Poe Webb, host of a popular true crime podcast, invites people to anonymously confess crimes they've committed to her audience. She can't guarantee the police won't come after her "guests," but her show grants simultaneous anonymity and instant fame—a potent combination that's proven difficult to resist. After an episode recording, Poe usually erases both criminal and crime from her mind.

But when a strange and oddly familiar man appears on her show, Poe is forced to take a second look. Not only because he claims to be her mother's murderer from years ago, but because Poe knows something no one else does. Her mother's murderer is dead.

Poe killed him.

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Dead Girl in 2A and The New Neighbor comes a chilling new thriller that forces the question: are murderers always the bad guys?”

View Event →
Book Signing with Local Poet Madison Miller
Mar
15

Book Signing with Local Poet Madison Miller

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday March 15 at 12:00 PM for a book signing with local poet Madison Miller as she shares her most recent collection with us.

About the Book: 

This poetry collection is about having a parent who doesn't deserve to know you. Each chapter is a theme and each poem is connected to a memory. The hurt and the pain you feel from being forgotten about by someone who was supposed to help raise you, combined with the appreciation for the people who did raise you, the people who did everything they could so that you could succeed and feel loved. It's emotional turmoil at its finest. You will feel every poem. This book, this collection, is for the forgotten children and the grown adults who need to heal. It's for everybody who has craved love from someone who was supposed to love you and chose not to, and most of all, this book is for the people who feel like they aren't enough because of someone else's actions. You are enough as you are, just because people choose not to look at a butterfly, doesn't mean it isn't flying.

Author Bio:

  Madison Miller is a 21-year-old author who has been writing and creating art for as long as she can remember. 'He Doesn't Deserve To Know Me' is a self-published poetry collection about what it was like to grow up in a single-parent household and the emotions and internal conflicts that go along with it. She wrote this book and designed the cover while working full-time and attending Dakota State University as a full-time student studying English for New Media. She graduated High School in Newell SD in 2021 at 17 years old and  has said on record that  "Everything I write, is pure raw and real emotion. It all has layers, layers that can be felt and dissected. I feel it when I write, and my readers feel it when they pick up my work. It's powerful in the way that only words can be." -MM

View Event →
Book Signing with local Author Dave Raber
Mar
8

Book Signing with local Author Dave Raber

Join us at Henry's Books in Spearfish on Saturday March 8 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a book signing with local Author Dave Raber.

About The Disappearance of Al Vincent:
"The sleepy town of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, was rocked by a gruesome murder in 1942 that was left unsolved. With few leads, it languished in the cold case archives -- until Sheriff Conrad Sloan reopened the case and started uncovering new leads to attempt to identify the murderer a full 20 years later."

About Life and Laughter in Belle Fourche:
"Open this book to travel back to the charm of small-town America in the 1950s and 1960s. David Raber’s tales invite that bygone era hilariously back to life through 33 captivating stories that will delight and enchant you, preserving the era’s magic for readers to cherish. David shares technical mishaps and family escapades that involve quirky town characters and teenage misadventures, culminating in a memorable road trip on the iconic Route 66 with his best friend. Enjoy a laughter-filled stroll down memory lane that will leave you longing for the simple yet amusing joys of yesteryear!"

About the Author:
Gerald David "Dave" Raber grew up in beautiful Belle Fourche, SD. He graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of South Dakota, where he developed his writing chops as editor of the Volante student newspaper. He served his country in the U.S. Navy as an officer in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War, commanding three PT Boats. He worked for Ford Motor Company in Seattle, then eventually opened a successful Ford dealership in Pendleton, Oregon. Dave married his college sweetheart, Sally Semrau, and the couple raised two kids. He now calls the Black Hills of South Dakota home.

View Event →
Book Signing with Brad McKim
Feb
15

Book Signing with Brad McKim

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday February 15 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a book signing with local author Brad McKim as he shares his most recent works with us.

About the Author:

Raised in Southern California, Brad McKim spent thirty years as a lawyer living in Colorado, Texas, Alaska and London, England. Through his work and love for travel he has visited all 50 states and over 75 countries. In 2015 he retired from the practice of law to pursue other passions including his lifelong interest in presidential history. His historical novels, A Presidents Story (published by History Publishing Company out of New York) and A Presidents Story Too (Outskirts Press), are the result. Brad now lives in Wyoming with his wife Kay.

About the Books:

In the wake of the Civil War, fourteen men will succeed Abraham Lincoln and attempt to reunify the United States. As their personal tales intertwine and overlap on their way to the Presidency, they defer to Congress until it is clear that Democrats and Republicans are more concerned with the prerogatives of power and patronage than Lincoln’s pledge of freedom and opportunity for all Americans. The 19th-century Presidents battle with Congress to reform how jobs and other benefits are dispensed, while the Presidents of the early 20th century find themselves presiding over a country that has transitioned from an agricultural economy—supported by slave and immigrant labor—to an industrial economy generating the wealth that thrusts the country onto the world stage. Through it all, the Presidents continue the novel practice of handing over power peacefully, even in the face of a Depression that will challenge the United States’ newfound status as a world power. 

View Event →
Book Signing with Local Author Julia Styles
Feb
1

Book Signing with Local Author Julia Styles

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday February 1st from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a book signing with local Author Julia Styles as she shares her book, “Marriage in the Light” with us.

About the Author:
Julia Styles has spent most of her life in the Northern Hills of South Dakota. Julia has been married to Shane for 21 years, raising three sons and maintaining a successful cleaning business.

Her debut book marks her journey as an author, sharing her experiences and reflections.

About the Book:
Prepare to transform your relationship with this book, which warmly invites you to embark on a profound journey of love, growth, and understanding. It delves into the complexities of loving your spouse, offering practical advice and biblical perspectives to help you strengthen your marriage.

By recognizing subtle signs of needed change and finding ways to deepen your love for your partner, you can enhance your relationship in meaningful ways.

This heartfelt guide provides timeless principles for a fulfilling and lasting partnership, whether you're newlyweds or long-time companions. Let this book be your trusted companion on the path to a more satisfying and enduring relationship.

View Event →
Book Signing with South Dakota Author Troy Bobbitt
Jan
18

Book Signing with South Dakota Author Troy Bobbitt

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish for a signing with Troy Bobbitt for his latest title, “Mourning Bands On” on Saturday January 18 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

About the book:
Mourning Bands On is an accessible journey into the hypersensitive world of today’s American law enforcement. The reader is brought into the law enforcement world through an introduction to the history, function, and development of the American police model. With an understanding of policing’s role in American society, the reader is then immersed into the raucous and contentious cultural upheaval which American policing is currently experiencing.


Using well-known examples, the reader is challenged to consider how American culture is affected by critical incidents and the portrayal of those events in our media intensive world. The reader will review the cases in the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, as well as others. The cases are presented as a narrative of events supported by the findings and legal conclusions of the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Each incident is reviewed with a view of how the incident effected American society and brought change to American culture and thus policing.


The reader will experience how American policing has changed through legislative, societal, and cultural pressure resulting from the reviewed critical incidents. With an appetite for more, the reader is encouraged to further explore the relationship between societal norms and American policing.


The work concludes with a final challenge to the reader. How do we, as a society, reform American policing to move forward after this unprecedented period of cultural change? The author offers several possible reforms to enact, what can you add to the conversation?

View Event →
Book Launch and Signing with Author Chris Stenson
Nov
30

Book Launch and Signing with Author Chris Stenson

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish, SD on Saturday November 30th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for the launch and signing of Chris Stenson’s newest title, “Sins of the Mother.”

About the book:

A new Dark Age approaches
Evil walks unfettered between realities,
no longer content in hiding in the shadows,
feeding on the blood and souls of the innocent.
Three witches linked by blood and fate must close the doors forever.
Only one has the ability.
The war for a young girl’s soul has begun.

About the author:

“At a young age, I had success winning young author contests which gave me the opportunity to attend several regional and national conferences. My love for writing continued throughout high school and while in college I started writing my current manuscript. Marriage, work, and fatherhood put the novel and my writing on hold. While packing to move, my daughter found my novel and convinced me to finish what I had started.”

View Event →
Book Signing with Local Author Eliza Blue
Nov
29

Book Signing with Local Author Eliza Blue

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish, SD on Friday November 29th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a book signing with local Author, Eliza Blue.

Eliza Blue's new book curates ten years of her beloved Little Pasture on the Prairie newspaper columns!

Little Pasture on the Prairie celebrates ten years of Eliza Blue’s weekly newspaper column about life on a western South Dakota ranch, offering readers a selection of her essays spanning the last decade, from 2014 to the present. Journalist Christopher Vondracek provides a foreword contextualizing Eliza’s writing within the larger scope of the South Dakota literary landscape, and South Dakota poet laureate and rancher Bruce Roseland’s blurb on the back cover invites readers to grab a cup of coffee and sit down with this book as one would with an old, dear friend.

A transplant from Minnesota, Eliza Blue came to South Dakota searching for a life of fulfillment and inspiration, ultimately finding herself and so much more on her “little pasture on the prairie.” In Eliza's words, “These stories of my adventures—and misadventures—and the joy of waking up every day to the majesty of life on the northern plains, are my heart, my soul, the last of my youth, the beginning of my older age, and my offering at the altar of what it means to be human and to lead a life of service. I hope reading these columns brings you some measure of the peace and connection I received in writing them.”

About the Author

Eliza Blue is a writer, folk musician, and rancher living on the short grass prairie of western South Dakota. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, the Guardian, and NPR's All Songs Considered. Her weekly column, Little Pasture on the Prairie, is carried by nineteen different print publications, and she has written and produced seasonal audio "postcards" from her ranch for South Dakota Public Broadcasting and Prairie Public Radio. Her first book, Accidental Rancher, was chosen as the Siouxland One Book 2023. Eliza currently hosts a show celebrating rural art and culture for PBS called Wish You Were Here with Eliza Blue, and she is the director of the Kithship Collective, an organization devoted to innovative, ecosystem-specific storytelling.

View Event →
Book Launch and Signing with Local Author Johny Weber
Nov
23

Book Launch and Signing with Local Author Johny Weber

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish, SD on Saturday November 23 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for the launch and signing of Johny’s newest title, “The Rodeo Road”. She will have copies of her previous works as well that feature themes and locations in Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado.

About the book:
In the dust and grit of the rodeo circuit, rookie barrel racer Kasey Jacobs is determined to carve out a new life after her world crumbles. With her home lost and her family shattered, the thrill of the chase becomes her only solace as she navigates the treacherous terrain of the rodeo lifestyle, leaning on her two horses as her steadfast companions. But the road is filled with obstacles, and Kasey must muster the strength and resilience to chase victory on her own.

Enter Cole Sanders, a weathered veteran of the rodeo circuit, whose dreams of glory dance just out of reach. With twelve years in the saddle, qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo eight times, he enters each event battling the relentless pressure of youth and injury. As he fights to secure his legacy before time runs out, Cole embarks on a personal journey to claim the triumph he’s long desired.

As fate entwines Kasey and Cole's paths, two unlikely souls at opposite ends of their careers find themselves sharing the same rodeo road. Will Kasey's fierce determination ignite Cole's fading passion, or will his experience anchor her down? In a world where friendship, ambition, and courage collide, The Rodeo Road explores the heart of the cowboy spirit—a testament to resilience, the power of connection, and the beauty of chasing dreams against all odds.

Can they both find victory, or will the unforgiving nature of the rodeo prove too great a challenge? Saddle up for a journey filled with heart, hardship, and hope.

About the Author:
Johny Weber is a retired assistant professor at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. Since childhood, her life has revolved around horses. Marrying a rodeo cowboy, she moved with him to the plains of South Dakota where they both competed in rodeos and then turned to a ranching lifestyle. Her career in education began by teaching first grade and by retirement she was teaching graduate courses to teachers in a state-funded program. Johny and her late husband raised a son and daughter on the prairies of the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. She now enjoys time spent with her children and grandchildren and traveling with her horse and dog to ride the mountains of the west in the summer and the deserts of the southwest in the winter.

View Event →
Gathering Mushrooms--An Immersive Panoramic Art, Music, and Storytelling Experience
Nov
21

Gathering Mushrooms--An Immersive Panoramic Art, Music, and Storytelling Experience

Join us at Henry's Books in Spearfish on Thursday November 21 at 6:00 PM for a fun mushroom themed event featuring panoramic art, songs, poetry, and storytelling.

This unique event will include songs, lore and attributes of mushroom and other fungi, highlighting those in the Black Hills.

The cost for this event is $10 at the door or anytime beforehand at Henry's Books. There will be very limited seating, so please purchase or call us (605-569-0991) in advance if you're able.

View Event →
Book Signing and Launch with South Dakota Author Debra Bean
Nov
16

Book Signing and Launch with South Dakota Author Debra Bean

Join us at Henry’s Books in Spearfish on Saturday November 16th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for the launch and signing of Debra Bean’s newest title, “My Heart Echoes”.

About the book: “This work is a collection of my favorite childhood memories and life lessons. With deep roots in the west and raised with common sense and faith, my hope is you will hear and feel your own gifts from life.”

Debra was raised on cattle and sheep ranches in Wyoming and South Dakota. She is thankful that her children were raised in the ranching way of life as well. Having lived in many places and traveled extensively on “The Bean Girl Trips” with her sisters, her favorite place is still the Black Hills of South Dakota, where she resides. She’s been writing since she was a child beginning with a Big Chief tablet and a short pencil sharpened with her dad’s jackknife. Both of her grandfathers shared many of their stories and she grew to love and appreciate the family history. The family history is the backbone of two of her novels.

As a Christian author many of her stories are rooted in her own faith and belief in the Lord Jesus. Debra is the mother of three children, the grandmother of six, and the great-grandmother of two little boys.

View Event →