BOOKMARK: The latest from the local scene

RE-POSTED VIA STARTRIBUNE.COM

FIRST IN HOCKING'S 'TRYLLE' SERIES PUBS COMMERCIALLY IN JANUARY

BY LAURIE HERTZEL

Amanda Hocking, the self-published phenom from Austin, Minn., will see her first commercially published book in print soon. "Switched," the first in her Trylle series, will be published by St. Martin's in January. The Trylle series -- "Switched," "Torn" and "Ascend" -- sold briskly in self-pub formats, and film rights have already been sold.

St. Martin's Griffin will release the three books in January, February and April in trade paperback.

Hocking also has a new series coming out with St. Martin's. "Wake," the first in the four-book "Watersong" series, will be published in August.

Since wowing the establishment by making millions through her print-on-demand and e-books, Hocking has also signed an agreement with Dynamite Comics to produce a line of Hollowland Comics.

Also ...

• "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane," a novel by Carla Hagen of St. Paul, has been published by North Star Press of St. Cloud. Hagen, a Hennepin County attorney, set the book in her hometown of Baudette, Minn., during the Great Depression. It's based on stories her mother told. She will read with Susan Niz, Mary DesJarlais and S.L. Smith at 7 p.m. Monday at the Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Av., St. Paul. Hagen will also read at 4 p.m. Jan. 29 at Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis.

• "Pastor and President: Reflections of a Lutheran Churchman," David Preus' autobiography, has been published by Lutheran University Press. Preus, of Minneapolis, has long been a national leader in the Lutheran church. The book launch will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at the press, 7322 Ohms Lane, Edina.

• "The Lure-Maker From Posio: Prose Poems of Dag T. Straumsvåg," translated by Robert Hedin and Louis Jenkins, has been published by Red Dragonfly Press. Straumsvåg's poems have appeared in journals in the United States and Norway. His translators live in Red Wing and Duluth.

• "Making a Friend," a picture book by Alison McGhee of Minneapolis, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal, has been published by Simon & Schuster -- a gentle story about a boy who makes a snowman.

• "Animals and the Kids Who Love Them," published by New World Library, is the latest offering from Allen and Linda Anderson of Minneapolis. The Andersons have written a number of books, including "Dogs and the Women Who Love Them" and "Angel Dogs." A portion of the proceeds from their books is donated to animal welfare organizations.

• "Miss Priss and the Con Man," a memoir by poet Jill Breckenridge, has been published by Nodin Press. Breckenridge will read at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the University Club in St. Paul.