Author Jon Katz weighed in on everything from e-books (nothing to worry about) to how to make a Shepherd-Rottweiler mix fall in love with you (beef jerky) when he entertained a crowd of 75 readers and fans Monday at The Community Library, Cobleskill.
Mr. Katz is the author of 19 books, the latest of which, “Rose in a Storm,” is the fictional account of his real-life border collie, Rose, as she struggles to keep order on a farm during a blizzard.
Mr. Katz’s belief that working dogs like Rose need jobs is a centerpiece of his writing and something readers asked about during his two-hour appearance.
“In my writing, I’m continually drawn to the relationship between people and their pets,” he said, drawing laughter when he added that “dogs have it figured out.”
Mr. Katz’s visit was one of the first stops on his “libraries tour,” and he spoke to their importance in his life, beginning when he took refuge in his hometown Providence, Rhode Island library when he was about 11-years-old.
“The librarian was one of those old-fashioned, stiff librarians, with a handkerchief tucked in her sleeve,” he said, demonstrating, “but she changed my life.
“She encouraged me to write and said someday she’d see my books on her shelves.”
And she was right, Mr. Katz said; one of the next stops on his tour will be that hometown library.
Mr. Katz and his wife, textile artist Maria Wulf, live on a farm in Hebron in Washington County and farmers, like libraries, he pointed out, are perpetually struggling.
“One thing I’ve learned is how much farmers love their animals,” something animal rights people don’t understand and something that often separates his upstate and downstate readers.
It colors the question, he continued, of how much its ethical and appropriate to spend on sick animals in a time when many people can’t afford health insurance for themselves.
“We have animal rescues, but we don’t have people rescues. If you lose your job, no nice man is going to come take you home.”
Mr. Katz answered questions about the filming of “A Dog Year,” based on one of his first books on dogs and starring Jeff Bridges.
The movie wasn’t filmed at his Bedlam Farm because “it wasn’t authentic,” he said.
Instead, armed with cappuccinos, he and producers loaded a bus to look for a likely stand-in and when they finally found a farm that would “work” were told by the owner “Jon Katz would never like this place.”
“I learned a lot about what it means to be authentic,” he said.
Before he began writing about dogs and rural life, Mr. Katz wrote about technology and as a writer, he said, he takes full advantage of it,
He’s on Facebook, has been writing a blog for the last six or seven years, and sees e-books as a way to introduce all types of people to reading.
“I don’t think reading has ever been in better shape,” he said, while admitting marketing has never been more work.
As dozens of fans lined up for a chance to talk with Mr. Katz, share phone photos of their favorite dogs, and get his autograph on “Rose in a Storm,” Ms. Wulf talked about what it’s for them to visit libraries.
‘It’s really a different atmosphere than in bookstores,” she said. “I think the people here are more passionate about books and reading. They know what they like, they have intelligent questions…It’s energizing for us to be around them and a lot of fun.”
The event packed the Community Library on a night when it’s not normally open and both retired director Christine Dickerson, who spent a couple of years convincing Mr. Katz to visit, and her replacement, Lee Ricci, agreed that only underscores the importance of libraries.
“We’re so grateful Jon fit us into his tour,” Ms. Dickerson said.
Mr. Katz joked that she left him no choice.
“If I hadn’t have come here, Christine would have come after me.”