Local authors' books win awards

Grace Larson's book becomes award-winning screenplay

A screenplay based on the non-fiction book by local author Grace Larson titled, “Once in a Lifetime Comes a Man,” has won the Best Unproduced Script Award by the LA Independent Women Film Awards. The screenplay was written by Anne Gold.

LA Independent Women Film Awards is an emerging international festival, now in its fifth year, which has dedicated itself to selecting and promoting female talents from the U.S. and all over the globe. The team consists of award winning jury members, working as women in film in media.

Larson, who grew up in the Hot Springs/Lonepine area, wrote the book in memory of her husband Lyle Larson who died in 2013.

Other books by Larson include “An Immigrant, Homesteader, and Sheep,” “The Making of a Con,” “Grace,” “Fay” and a children’s book, “Bum Lambs.” Written sparingly and honestly, Larson’s books convey the hardships and values of ranch life, hard work and Larson’s determination to live a good life. Larson’s books are available online at www.montanagracelarson.com.

John Fraley wins Westerner History Award

Kalispell author John Fraley has been recognized for his latest book by Westerners International.

Fraley won third place for “Heroes of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.” The book covers the lives and times of old timers like Joe Murphy, Smoke Elser, and more modern characters. Also covered are a moose-lassoing rodeo, and a rooster named Bob Marshall. The book has a four-and-half star rating on Amazon, and is available at local bookstores.

Westerners International is based at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum on the campus of West Texas A & M University in Canyon, Texas. Dedicated to fun and scholarship, the organization has over 60 chapters nationally and 20 aboard. Among the chapters is the Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners, which meets monthly in Kalispell.

Fraley was the local public information officer for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Before that position he worked as fish biologist in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area and elsewhere in Northwest Montana. He is author of several other books of local history, including “Wild River Pioneers,” “A Woman's Way West,” “Rangers, Trappers and Trailblazers.”