Durant Poet Ron Wallace had a book signing recently at Sundrop Books in downtown Durant for his latest poetry book, “Life is a Disappearing Act.”
It is published by Motina Books of Van Alstyne, Texas, and is Wallace’s 10th poetry book. He also has published a novel and a second one is in the works.
The theme of “Life Is a Disappearing Act” is reminiscing about one’s younger years as we grow older, and the fact that we often have no idea how time can move so swiftly. Wallace remembers beloved pets, his parents and the nephew who was more like a brother. This book is dedicated to him.
“The title is, ‘Life is a Disappearing Act’ and it’s just what it says,” Wallace said. “It comes from a Gretchen Peters’ song. A line in the song says, ‘People leave and they never come back. Life is a disappearing act.’ That’s mostly what it’s about. It’s about loss and the people disappearing just through natural circumstances and everything else.”
Among those Wallace remembers fondly who are no longer with us are Dennis and Billie Letts and Howard Starks, all of whom inspired and encouraged Wallace.
“It’s a natural part of things so I tried not to make it sad, just more or less serious although there’s some humor in it,” Wallace said. “I’ve made a couple of people smile with a couple of lines so it’s not all sad and dismal.”
Diane Windsor, publisher of Motina Books, was pres- ent at the signing.
She said she met Wallace last September when she visited Sundrop Books to give a presentation about publishing.
“So we just started talking and I had not published poetry before but I really enjoyed his work and he was kind of looking for a new publisher at that time too, so I suggested we work together,” Windsor said. “It’s great.”
She said the book is already doing well.
“I’m very excited about it,” Windsor said. “We have an E-book, a paperback, hardcover and an audio book. He narrated the audio book and it’s really wonderful in his deep, cowboy voice. I love it.”
Wallace is an Oklahoma native and currently an adjunct instructor of English at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Five of his of 10 books of poetry have been finalists in the Oklahoma Book Awards with “Renegade and Other Poems” winning the 2018 Oklahoma Book Award.
Wallace co-hosts the monthly poetry gatherings at Lost Street Brewing Company at 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month.
This event attracts poets from across the state, and features other award-winning poets, in addition to those just getting started. He supports all poets, encouraging them to read their work aloud and submit to various poetry publications.
