News Leader columnist writes first book

August 31, 2010 in: Writing

Special thanks to reporter Jacki Wood and Kay Wilson, my first newspaper editor, for writing and publishing this news article about the release of our book.

By Jacki Wood
Nodaway News Leader

A random conversation on a mission trip several years ago sparked an idea. And that idea eventually blossomed into Susan Mires’ recently published novel, “To Seek and Save.”

Mires, a Maryville High School and Northwest Missouri State University graduate, was working as the business editor at the St. Joseph News-Press at the time.

“We were on a mission trip with my church group and we were sitting around chatting one evening,” she said. “I had mentioned how the newspaper is only good for one day til the next one comes out, then the paper – and all my hard work – gets thrown out in the trash.”

Her associate pastor, Gary Mathes, suggested that she write a book.

“He added he’d often thought of writing a story about a small town pastor,” she said. “We started trading ideas. I don’t think anyone else thought we were serious, but we were.”

After four years, with Mathes working mainly on the plot and Mires doing the writing and dialogue, the two published the fictional murder mystery this past June. Set in a small Ozark town near Springfield, the book follows a pastor’s search for a murderer.

“When we started out, it was just to write a book to see if we could,” she said. “Now, after hearing from readers, I believe this book has an uplifting message.”

And even though it took a lot of time, labor, writing and rewriting – and learning – Mires said she is pleased with the outcome and the process.

“It has been a blessing to work with Gary and his family on the project and to have so many of my friends and family help out, too,” she said. “I hope they enjoy reading it and can be entertained and enriched because of our efforts.”

Mires is a freelance writer and lives in St. Joseph. Her column, “Reflections on the River,” appears in the Nodaway News Leader, where she previously worked during college.

Prior to the book, she published a short story in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I learned from the dog.” She is also currently working on a historical novel set in St. Joseph. Mathes has served as a minister for 23 years and is currently the associate pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church in St. Joseph. He has also previously produced three music albums.

“To Seek and Save” is available at the Nodaway News Leader for $14 or a copy can be mailed for $16.50 by contacting Mires at susan@susanmires.com.