Such Is Life in Vacationland: Essays and Anecdotes from Ohio's North Coast

by John B. Marek

In this newly curated and edited collection of "Field Notes" columns, Anson award-winning author John B. Marek offers an evocative glimpse into his early years growing up on Ohio's Lake Erie coast. With his trademark mix of humor, nostalgia, curiosity, and life lessons, he crafts a compelling picture of life in a tourist town during the '60s and '70s. From thoughtful essays on the transcendent nature of friendship, work, and mortality to a piano-playing chicken and a discussion of pre-historic cooking techniques, you never know what lurks on the next page... or in the green-black depths of the Sandusky Bay.

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2022

About the author

I am an independently published author, rural advocate, and outdoor guide with a passion for storytelling that connects people to the natural world. Over the years, I have written numerous books, essays, and articles that explore themes of outdoor adventure, rural life, and the profound connections we share with our natural surroundings. My work has appeared in publications such as Backwoods Home, Countryside, Speckled Paw Times, and North Carolina Outdoors, and I have been honored with multiple awards for my fiction.

Before dedicating myself full-time to writing, I spent two decades as an economic and community developer, focused on fostering resilient and sustainable rural communities. That experience significantly informs my writing; especially the interplay between people, place, and purpose.

Nowadays, you can find me crafting stories inspired by the rugged beauty of the North Carolina mountains, where I maintain an off-grid camp, or exploring the wild places that fuel my creativity.

When not writing or exploring, I volunteer at my local community garden and share my love of nature through workshops and public readings.

Whether writing a novel, facilitating a workshop, or guiding a thrilling mountain adventure, my mission remains the same: to capture the raw essence of the wild and inspire others to appreciate and cherish it just as deeply.