Charles City native publishes book of Iowa stories

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

A Charles City native returned home to celebrate the release of her first published book with a presentation at the Charles City Public Library on Tuesday, April 22.

“It’s just so fun to be back in my hometown library,” said Michelle Sprout Murray, who recently released “Amazing Iowa,” a compendium of stories about Iowa’s most interesting people, both famous and obscure.

“Amazing Iowa” features 80 stories about notable Iowans, from state firsts to sports stars to those with dark or curious tales. Actors, artists, and even the woman who invented the Rice Krispie Treat are featured.

Giving a behind-the-scenes peek at the process, Murray shared stories of her own, telling the audience about the different efforts that went into gathering the tales for the book. Meeting with different sources, learning about new topics, and convincing family members to allow the use of photos were all part of the process.

Meeting at the library’s Zastrow Room, audience members shared stories of their own about meeting some of the people featured in Murray’s book. The presentation also included reminiscing about area landmarks like the old library, now the Arts Center, and the Little Brown Church in Nashua.

A lifelong lover of writing, Murray has regularly been featured in magazines, periodicals, and other publications, but has only recently achieved her longtime goal of seeing her name on the cover of a book.

“I’ve written all my life, but I’ve never had a book out,” said Murray. “Having that first book out, there’s no other feeling like it.”

For those that didn’t make it to the library for the event, Murray will be returning to Charles City soon. She will have a signing at Prologue Books and Wine on Saturday, April 26, and will be the Floyd County Museum’s featured Chautauqua Talk speaker on May 17.