Welcome to the

official web site of the

The James A. Michener Society was formed in the fall of 1998 and is composed of people who share a common interest in James Michener's life and work.  The following words, excerpted from a letter by the late John Kings, James Michener's long-time friend and literary assistant, describe the purpose of the James A. Michener Society...

The Purpose of the Society is to:
    * preserve the intellectual legacy of James A. Michener as a writer, teacher,
       historian, public servant, patriot and philanthropist;
    * ensure that future generations have full access to all his writings;
    * promote the exchange of ideas and information about his writings;
    * encourage fellowship among readers of his writings;
    * inform devotees and members of the Society about recent publications and
       critiques of his writings.

The Society accomplishes this through a number of activities.  An annual meeting of members is held at locations closely associated with the life of James Michener. In the past, they have been held at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, home of the James A. Michener Library and Archives; Austin, Texas, where Michener was associated with the Writing School and lived the last years of his life; Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Michener's childhood home and the location of the Michener Art Museum; and Easton, Maryland, where Michener lived while writing Chesapeake.   Society activities provide the occasion for sharing of memories and anecdotes that illuminate the Michener books and other writings in a special way.  Eventually, the Society expects to sponsor seminars, lectures and other events that will provide opportunities for fellowship among members and a forum for the discussion of James Michener's writings and the many facets of his life.
[The Society operates under the aegis of the University of Northern Colorado Foundation. All funds are deposited with the Foundation for the use of the Society and all contributions are deductible by donors since the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.]

If this brief description of the Society and its activities has piqued your interest, you are invited to print out and complete the membership application and to submit it to the Treasurer of the Society (2736 So. Clayton Street, Denver, CO 80210-6444).

James A. Michener Biography
Michener Autobiographical Interview (with audio)
James A. Michener Centennial Celebration

Gallery of JAM photos

The Bibliographers: Roberts & Rhine...and Groseclose
Michener Collection at the University of Northern Colorado

 
Society Officers for 2012-13   
   President                 Edwin P. Gambs - Logan, IA   

Vice-President         Kay A. Ferrell - Greeley, CO   
  Secretary     Karen A. Groseclose - Phoenix, AZ
  Treasurer       Robert R. Matchett - Denver, CO

(For further information about the Society, please click on one of the mailboxes above.)

Directors
Ross C. Alexander - Fennville, MI

Diana Benzing - Neola, IA
Joy V. Bliss - Albuquerque, NM
Robert F. Guthmann, Jr. - Greeley, CO
Bruce F. Katsiff - Doylestown, PA

Christopher H. Miller - Des Moines, IA

Honorary Directors
Deborah Brothers, - Austin, TX
Stan Musial - St. Louis, MO
 Alan K. Simpson - Cody, WY 
Robert Vavra - El Cajon, CA

Newsletter all-time index (chronological) >>>
Newsletter all-time index (by author)>>>

   

Other Interesting Links:
James A. Michener Art Museum
The NASA Connection - "Why Man Explores"
Working with Michener: The Making of The Covenant  - Errol Lincoln Uys
JAM Photos & Comments - Roger Bansemer    
and finally...,
...if James Michener has "hooked" you on Japanese woodblock prints...after reading his 1962 essay When Does Education Stop? , you might want to browse the rest of this "dangerously distracting" web site: Society Member David Bull - Tokyo Printmaker

                                                      

Matador             Medal of Freedom      Our Naval Hero       "Texian"

"Boy, I can tell a story. I can get a person, with moderate interest in what I am writing about, and if she or he will stay with me for the first one hundred pages, which are very difficult, and I make them difficult, he will be hooked.  He  will want  to know what's happening on the next story and the next story and the next. That I have. And that's a wonderful gift. That's storytelling. And I prize it. I try to keep it cleaned up.
I try to keep it on focus."      

                                                                                   (JAM...in response to an interviewer's question)

                                

                                                                                         

                                                                                                      

On May 12, 2008 a 59¢ definitive stamp was issued to honor James Michener as part of
the Distinguished Americans series...printed in small panes of 20. This stamp was issued 
 due in large part to the efforts of Society member and past president of the American 
Philatelic Society Mercer Bristow. (Your letters of support helped, too!)
 

                                           Also of interest was the issuance in 2007 of a multicolored set of four 
                                         commemorative  postage stamps by the island Republic of Vanuatu where
                                                Michener was stationed as a U.S. Navy lieutenant during WWII.

 

2013 Annual Meeting - Easton, MD (tentatively Oct. 3-6)
 

    

           Here's to you , new member!      

Web site created 10/22/05...Dick Boera
     Updated  10/27/12 
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