I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out how to start this blog, and I suddenly realized the lead is sitting in my lap. Literally. For several years now, I’ve used a large scrapbook my mother gave as a small table while I write from the couch (usually with a Royals game or ID channel show on the TV).
The scrapbook isn’t something I think about all that often. It’s really just been a resting place for whatever laptop I’m hammering away on. It’s the platform I used while meticulously piecing together “Goodbye, Butterfly: Murder, faith and forgiveness in a small Kansas town.”
But it hit me tonight that this scrapbook fits right into the story. In it, Mom pasted dozens of articles I wrote in high school about football and basketball games at Burlingame. The book also contains a couple of certificates, including one for winning a state journalism competition my senior year.
It’s taken too long to get to the point, so here it is: Writing is one of the main reasons I’m on this planet. It started with a Big Eight football preview my science teacher, Steve Warner, shared with the class in eighth grade, and it continues today with the official release of my first book. As my father often said: “Everything happens for a reason.”
Many of you already have the book. Heck, we have several boxes of “Goodbye, Butterfly” in our house and have for a month now. There have been stories in several newspapers, a TV appearance, book trailers and more. There are several signing events upcoming or in the works. But, today (Sept. 17) is the official release date and will always be one of my favorite days.
THANK YOU
Make no mistake, this book took a ton of work. There were times I wondered if it was going to be finished. There was a long break as we dealt with the loss of our family patriarch, my amazing father, who battled and battled before cancer finally took his will to live. There was a move from Kansas City to Topeka and a job change. Of course, there was a pandemic, which made interviews difficult for about a year.
It took nearly eight years to get this day, including four years of research and three years of writing and editing. The original plan, at least according to a grad school paper I rediscovered last week, was to finish the book in a year. Talk about naïve.
That said, “Goodbye, Butterfly” doesn’t happen without all of you. So, thank you …
Thank you to the Kellers, notably Bob, Tracy, John and Pat. I know this was not easy for you, but thank you being so kind and patient. Thank you for opening your arms and allowing me to tell Brenda’s incredible story.
Thank you to Dover, especially the people. From Brenda’s friends and classmates, to their parents, to those who are always so kind and supportive when I visit the Dover Federated Church, you are awesome.
Thank you to the police officers, deputies, detectives and attorneys who worked the case. Your insight provided Dover and the readers with insight they didn’t know, but needed to know.
Thank you to the friends and family of Jon Mareska Jr., who shared what they knew and know about him. I wrestled with the decision to dive into his past, and while it was a struggle at times, I firmly believe it’s what Brenda would have wanted me to do.
Thank you to Clovercroft, a small publishing company with whom I was connected by my friend Martha Piland, for helping make this dream come true.
Thank you to my coworkers, including many who already purchased the book. Several have stopped by my office to have it signed. I’m truly honored to work with such caring people. Also, to my former coworkers at numerous newspapers and at my “bridge” job in Kansas City.
Thank you to all of of my teachers through the years, from the one in kindergarten who wanted to flunk me, to the awesome crew at Burlingame High, to those at Washburn.
Thank you to my Burlingame friends. I cannot possibly list you all here, or nobody will finish this blog, but I will always be a proud Bearcat. The messages and talks have made all the work worthwhile. I do want to send a special thanks to the Henderson girls. Without our conversations about this story 30 years ago, I doubt I write a book about it. Without your encouragement, I never finish it.
A special thank you to Heidi, not only for your reassurance, but also for co-editing “Goodbye, Butterfly.” The book is so much more polished because of your tireless devotion to making it that much better.
A special thank you to my parents. To my mother, who always encouraged me to write and did things moms do (like keeping my first book, a class project in the fourth grade, for nearly 40 years and giving it to me for Christmas a few years ago). And, of course, to my father, who will always be the best man I’ve ever met, and who implored me to finish “GB.”
A special thank you, as well, to the rest of my family. To my brother, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins … you make me proud to be a Webb. To my in-laws and the rest of the clan, who have taken me in as a Godderz-Curtis, like anybody else in the family. To my sons and daughter, each of whom asked for a book as soon as it was delivered and are among the biggest champions of the book.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my goddess queen. Shana and I have known each other for a long time, back to our high school days, but life brought us together many years later. She was the driving force in finishing this book. She edited the heck out of it. She pushed me to make it better. “Goodbye, Butterfly” does not happen without her.
I’m sure I’ve left somebody out. It wasn’t intentional. Thank you for being a part of the journey.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Spread the word. I firmly believe a higher power implored me to write the book because more people need to know Brenda Keller’s story. Tell your friends about “GB” and share your thoughts about it on social media.
In addition, when you’re in a bookstore, ask if they’re carrying the book. The main reason Barnes & Noble of Topeka asked me to book a signing on Nov. 23 is because so many of you asked them if they had “GB.”
Last, but not least, if you’re willing and have the time, please leave a rating and/or review about the book on Amazon.
Again, thank you all!