Quincy author’s first book available during Sunday event

QUINCY — Ron Kinscherf gets goose bumps when he holds one of his books.

“The first time I saw the book with a cover, copyright page, (a letter of) thanks and the whole thing was (Sunday) night,” he said. “And I looked at Mary (his wife) and said, ‘I have a book.’

“It’s just so weird … to see the cover of a book with my name on it, and then to see the characters I created looking like how I thought they would look. It’s exciting, it’s scary. It’s in a way flattering. I don’t know how to explain it completely.”

Kinscherf quit his job in April after 30 years as an information technology consultant and started writing children’s books from his home. His first book, “The Baker’s Patio,” will be available during a book signing event from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Quincy Brewing Company, 110 N. Sixth.

The book also is available for $9.95 at Kinscherf’s website, papatellmeabook.com.

“The Baker’s Patio” introduces the reader to the imaginary world of an ant colony living under the brick patio of an older couple, whose children have grown and moved away. The colony is thriving because of a lack of activity in the backyard. Everyone must chip in for the colony to function. “The Baker’s Patio” is about how the colony survives a potentially life threatening situation.

“The ants underneath this patio face things that we face as adults and children — loss, frustration, stress, disaster. It’s all stuff that probably has happened to me. It’s lived through the lives of these ants and kind of a funny way where I think the adult will enjoy it and also the kid will enjoy.”

Kinscherf has spent the past few weeks reviewing the book as illustrator Holly Brogaard was finishing her work. As the first book nears completion, work already has started on a second book. He wants to finish three before Thanksgiving.

He wants grandchildren to first hear “The Baker’s Patio” from their parents.

“I don’t want them to know it’s (written by) me,” Kinscherf said. “I want them to see if they enjoy it first.”

He’s excited to know others will be reading the book to their children.

“That’s something I created, and someone’s going to read it to their kid. It means more for me to sell a book that somebody is going to read it to their kid, rather than just buy one to read themselves,” Kinscherf said. “It’s kind of an honor that they’re trusting me with the story to give to their kid.”