Author celebrates publishing deal

Paulina Springs Books will host a family storytime event with local artist and children's book author Dennis McGregor on Saturday, May 20, at 10:30 a.m.

The event celebrates the national release of his beloved book "You Stole My Name."

Dennis McGregor is a longtime Sisters fine artist, and author of three children's books. He is best known for his Central Oregon event posters, including Sisters Rodeo, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, Sisters Folk Festival, and many others.

In a celebration of a dream come true, McGregor is going to sing his children's book, "You Stole My Name," which successfully debuted at Paulina Springs Books five years ago. Its popularity spread to other local stores and eventually found its way into Barnes & Noble. That got the attention of a Bend publishing company, Blue Star Press, who signed McGregor to a distribution deal and in collaboration with Penguin/Random House are preparing for a worldwide release on August 8.

This is a milestone for a self-published book that was funded through a Kickstarter campaign. "Major distribution for an independent author is difficult," McGregor said, "but based on local sales I knew it could do well if it just got the chance! That chance has come, and I couldn't be happier about it."

As for singing the book, McGregor recalls, "I was driving over the pass to my first author visit at a Portland bookstore. I thought it would be fun if I could bring my guitar and sing something. But what, I wondered? Then it hit me - I could sing the book!"

McGregor had been writing songs for years and had inadvertently written verses that are singable in a "talking blues" style. A musical chorus with a call and response was added and the song was complete. He sang it in stores and schools around the state until the pandemic shut it down, and he hasn't played it since. That long silence will be broken this Saturday at Paulina Springs. Kids of all ages are invited to come and sing along.

Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave.