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The Book Nook in downtown Delano plans to unveil its Halloween-themed \u201cspooky nook\u201d with a book signing by local author Pat Eichers.<\/p>\n
Eichers recently published \u201cThe Garden Ghost,\u201d a children\u2019s book about a ghost he said he saw on a frosty evening about 25 years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI finished working, went back inside, calmed down, made hot chocolate, and wrote the story in 20 minutes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The book follows two young children who venture to a neighbor\u2019s farm to pick pumpkins. Along the way, they encounter creepy sights and sounds until they meet a ghost.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s elements in the book of what I value: a little fear and apprehension, but also courage, comradery, curiosity, learning. And nature,\u201d Eichers said. \u201cNature provides so much inspiration; we all need to get outside and encounter the mystery and magic found in the outdoors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eichers said the process from handwritten notes and sketches to publication took six months, with the biggest challenge being the search for an illustrator. He eventually connected with Anna Granholm, a northern Minnesota teacher.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer use of shadows and her illustrations that she used for the children\u2019s expressions and things like that was perfect,\u201d Eichers said. \u201cI was so, so pleased with the results of the book.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Book Nook will host Eichers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Copies of The Garden Ghost will be available for $10, a discount from its $12.95 Amazon price.<\/p>\n
Store owner Azalea Bazar said Eichers\u2019 book was the perfect way to launch the nook.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a little ghost story for kids,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s one of those things that should draw parents, kids, everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
The nook itself is a small, dimly lit room with a brick wall that Bazar plans to make \u201ccreepy\u201d for October. She expects to stock it with horror titles, including Stephen King, but said she is still testing whether the space will hold books.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have thoughts about the whole dampness there, you know, it\u2019s not air conditioned,\u201d she said. \u201cSo the dampness factor could be an issue with books, having books in there.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said she\u2019s going to test it out for October to see how things go. If she can\u2019t stock books in the space, she plans to just let people go in and look at the spooky nook.<\/p>\n
Bazar has featured several authors since buying the Bridge Avenue store earlier this year, including Bruce Clark, A.W. Powers, and Pete Gallagher. She expects a strong turnout for Eichers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve already had people coming in about Pat\u2019s book, because he\u2019s a local,\u201d she said. \u201cEverybody knows Pat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eichers grew up in Minneapolis and joined the Air Force after high school. With the help of the GI Bill, he earned degrees in electrical engineering and English from the University of Minnesota.<\/p>\n
He spent 41 years as a medical device engineer and manager before retiring in 2024. He and his wife, Kris, have lived in Independence for 31 years, where they raised three children who graduated from Delano High School.<\/p>\n
Throughout his career, Eichers wrote and journaled, often drafting stories. He said writing was his calling and that he has \u201calways loved creative writing,\u201d even as a child. Now retired, he plans to publish more of the stories he has kept in notes.<\/p>\n
Eichers will also sign copies of \u201cThe Garden Ghost\u201d at the Hearthside Bookstore in Watertown from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 11, and copies will be available at Fall Harvest Orchard in Montrose.<\/p>\n