By Brynna Williamson
Did you know that Wood County, Texas is absolutely chock-full of published authors? We’re not just talking about old-timey, historical authors, either. Even today, in 2025, each community in Wood County has more authors than we can even list here!
Mineola
Justin Kratzmeyer is one. A local tax expert, store owner, previous librarian, dad, and general jack-of-all-trades, Kratzmeyer recently published his first book, which is titled “Seeking Immanuel.” According to Kratzmeyer, the easy read is intended to be a fictional story based on the wise men who came to see Jesus. His novel, he says, has a sweet, comfy vibe that attracts kids and families.
Literature, of course, can come in different “flavors;” poetry is as abundant in Mineola’s authorship as fictional novels are. One poet who is known in Mineola is Spring Coleman, a recreational therapist who writes poetry on the side. Coleman’s 2022 book of poetry, “The Grey-Blue Sea,” has been recommended for “readers seeking a poetic journey that delves into the depths of the human condition.”
There are several notable business book authors in Wood County as well. Kent Huffman is a local entrepreneur who co-owns several businesses in the Mineola area. He co-authored a book about marketing entitled “Maximizing Your Marketing Efforts: Leading CMOs on Overcoming Budget Constraints, Positioning Your Brand, and Harnessing Creativity.” He also more recently authored another marketing book, “8 Mandates for Social Media Marketing Success: Insights and Success Stories from 154 of the World’s Most Innovative Marketing Practitioners, Authors, and Professors.”
Winnsboro
Bob Haydon, a Winnsboro musician-turned-artist-turned-author, has some interesting life stories to share. That’s why he wrote “Kensington: A Memoir About Friendship, Love, and Life in a Small Town.” After Kensington—which is about his true experience meeting and then playing with iconic music sensations Steve Miller and Boz Skaggs—Haydon also wrote several fictional books.
R.J. Setser is the pen name for the husband-and-wife duo of Rayleigh and Joshua Setser. Together, the Winnsboro, Texas couple writes “epic fantasy that you can confidently recommend to anyone (without fear of content above a PG-13 rating).” The couple states, “We write stories that shine light in the darkness and illuminate characters overcoming trials that are out of their control. Whether they embark on brave quests to restore their kingdoms to be places of peace and safety, or they’re rising up to take down a tyrannical government, you can rest assured that our stories encourage readers to keep fighting and never give up; all the while, remaining under a PG-13 rating—no smut, no cursing.”
Quitman
In Quitman, Andy Skrzynski writes science fiction/fantasy books. His books, three of which are called “The New World” series, run on themes like “thrilling, suspenseful, science fiction” and adventure. Skrzynski also published a true story called “Andy and the St. Joseph Home for Boys,” which is about his time growing up in a Catholic orphanage in Poland in the 1960s. Skrzynski says that the book imparts “waves of emotion,” ranging from “deep sadness” to an “abundance of humor, fun, and adventure.”
Kathleen A. Young, the founder of Quitman’s Whyte Dove Writer’s Group, has one of her books already published. A writer since the time she was a child, Young writes children’s books herself; her novel “Man In the Moon” is made up of several different genres. She is also working on two other novels. Young says that anyone can come to the Whyte Dove Writer’s Group meetings, which have been going on regularly since January 1999. They focus on editing, critiquing, encouraging, and helping group members polish their writing. The group has “never charged any dues.” The Wood County, Texas group meets every second Monday at 6:00 p.m. at the Quitman Public Library.
Alba/Golden
While Alba and Golden are small, they certainly do their part to contribute literature to the world.
Crystal Moore, who runs the recently-begun Writer’s Guild at the Mineola League of the Arts, is definitely in the literature world. Her book, which is a self-described “spicy romance,” is entitled “A Cold Winter’s Edge.” Moore recommends it for fans of historical fiction who are aged 18+.
Adventurist and author Brenda Hancock, who has since moved overseas to pursue other dreams, has more than her own story to tell; actually, she has the collected, true adventures of multiple generations. For instance, Hancock’s mother, a French Parisienne and courier for the French Resistance during WWII, told Hancock of the daring and intrigue of her early life. Hancock’s uncle was Robert Clary, who was incarcerated in four different Nazi concentration camps but went on to later portray Corporal Louis LeBeau in the popular television show “Hogan’s Heroes.” Hancock’s books are a collection of their stories.
Yantis
Christian motivational speaker Tracy Kelley is from Yantis. Kelley’s nonfiction book “Living Loved: Learning to Live in the Fullness of God’s Love” is written to bring “encouragement through the highs and lows of life, from cancer to hurt to the victories in life, all the while applying the Word of (God) to those day-to-day struggles we all face.”
While Harold “Tex” Midkiff unfortunately passed away in 2022, his legacy still lives on in Yantis, Texas, where Midkiff had lived prior to his death. One way that he is remembered is through his novels, the last of which is an intriguing nonfiction novel called the “Hidden History of East Texas (American Chronicles).” The novel’s description mentions Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Sam Houston, and more.
Holly Lake Ranch
Aaron M. Zook, Jr. is an accomplished author, veteran, speaker, and praise/worship leader from Holly Lake Ranch. Zook has written six novels, several of which are in his “Thunder and Lightning” series. “Zook’s Books,” which also is the name of his website, range from various young adult genres to short stories. Zook’s wife Joyce Zook has also written several nonfiction self-help books.
Kinesiologist and author Patrick Greak is not kidding when he says that he “became fascinated with all things exercise-related at age 12 while training for football.” In fact, Greak has combined his love for kinesiology and sports with his love for writing and his love for God; what came out was three different published books, all related to the three topics. His book “A Face like a Flint” is about “forging faith, fitness, and fortitude” and is a devotional specifically for kinesiologists.
Hawkins
While Hawkins local Kathy L. Murphy might really consider herself an artist before being an author, she can easily do both. In fact, you might not believe this, but Murphy’s online book club, “The International Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guy Book Club Reading Nation,” says that it’s actually the biggest meeting and discussing book club in the world. In fact, it’s got “800 chapters, including chapters in 20 foreign countries.”
Tori Radner, who also is a businesswoman in Hawkins, has written a book called “Some Mommies.“ The book, which is an easy read with pictures so that kids can follow along, is intended to be an encouragement to reading mothers that they are doing well. “’Some Mommies’ is the author’s attempt to encourage all mommies that they are good mommies,” says the book’s description. “It’s all too often that through the many decisions mothers have to make for their families and themselves, they compare, second guess, and think other mommies are great mommies, but they don’t believe it about themselves. But no matter which choices a mommy makes, the bottom line is that she loves her children and is doing the best she can and making decisions that she thinks is best!”
But That’s Not All
These are just a few of the many, many authors who call Wood County, Texas home. Look them up and buy a book to support local business and local authorship, or do research to find someone who writes in a genre you might find interesting. Knowing how many authors there are in this area, I know you’ll find something for yourself—I certainly did!