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Bob Erickson would have a tough time answering one of those psychological evaluation questionnaires that asks the subject to describe himself in one word. At this point Erickson wears a number of hats: writer, graphic artist, communication technician, father, husband and most recently, that of publisher.

Erickson couldn't help himself on that last one.

He went sniffing around trying to get published his series of youth mystery novels, and came to the conclusion that "traditional publishing takes too long." He didn't want his books placed on some national publisher's two or three year plan just to hold the product in his hands-- and then cool his jets some more while distributors got into the act. "I decided to do it myself," he said over coffee last week. He hired an editor he has never met, except electronically and bought an ISBN number.

With books one and two of the Stark Files available and book three due out next month, Erickson is rolling right along.

A Lindstrom native, he graduated with the Chisago Lakes High School Class of 1983. His parents are Robert and Sharon Erickson. One of his two sisters still lives and works here.

Erickson recalls he always liked to write as a student and devoured books by mystery writers like Agatha Christie. But sports took much of his time, and "exploring" of Lindstrom and North Lindstrom Lake, where his family lived on Signe Street.

Growing up in this area fed his imagination.

The books he has published under his graphic arts company's label Quool LLC rely heavily on Erickson's adventures tooling around the lakes area some 25 years ago.

Of course the main characters in Erickson's books are boys, Brandon and Bobby.

Don't think Hardy Boys-style-stories, however. Erickson read those books and describes his plots as much more complex and modern. His Stark Files entire series (Brandon and Boby's last name is Stark) is also tied together by a "larger mystery" that will reveal itself later. So each book is a stand alone gripper while at the same time devotees of the series will be rewarded with a grand scheme resolution at the end.

Erickson thanks his family for just being the way they were as he was growing up. He says he had a wonderful childhood and always felt he was supported; yet free to make his own mistakes and find himself. His family's also been generous helping achieve this book dream as well.

Erickson has a sister character in the story line who is patterned after his own, but is named for Erickson's daughter Bre. The Brandon character is his real life son's name.

The Stark Files books are for readers in probably advanced third grade level to about seventh grade. They are published in softcover format, using a recognizable deep green color theme. A graphics guy; Erickson designed the covers himself.

Secret of Clark Mansion and Crash on Glacier Peak are on shelves now. His third book comes out next month. A Halloween related mystery is due out in October.

All totalled 30 books are "titled" and in various stages of completion with 50 books outlined in Erickson's publishing plan. We're talking a set of characters that young readers can spend hours and hours, if not years, getting to know.

Erickson said he remember good times spent with books as a youngster. He's been pleasantly surprised to find that today's kids-- with their free time presumed overcome by video, internet and other moving images-- also enjoy a good read. A friend's daughter who had read his first book met Erickson for the first time and when she was told he had written Secret of Clark Mansion, Erickson says, "Her face just lit up. I felt great just seeing that look," Erickson shared. "The gratification is in putting the stories on paper but it's also when the eyes (of the young readers) light up-- that's so great," he stated. "I remember the excitement and anticipation of a good story when I read as a kid and if I can create that now with my books that's why I am doing this."

Check into purchasing the Stark Files at www.thestarkfiles.com or www.acoolercool.com, which features Erickson's graphics services.

The books are also being sold at Snyder's in Lindstrom, Amazon.com, etc.

Erickson entered the Moonbeam Awards and is waiting to learn the outcome. A book review in Minnesota Parents Magazine is due out shortly.

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