Jan Karon, author of the Mitford Years book series, coming to Wichita

New York Times bestselling-author Jan Karon is scheduled to be in Wichita on Friday to talk with fans and sign books.

“Here’s the deal, I am excited about Kansas,” Karon said Tuesday.

“My daughter and I drove through Kansas a few years ago. … We would take these exits off of main highways and go to these wonderful towns with real cafes and diners and real post offices and people.

“I absolutely fell in love with Kansas. It was the route so many pioneers took.”

Karon, 77, is author of the Mitford Years series, which uses Christian themes and real-life struggles in a fictional small-town setting. The first book in her series was published 20 years ago, “At Home in Mitford.”

“Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good” is the first book in 10 years and the latest book in her fictional series.

St. James Episcopal and Watermark Books are hosting the event, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the church, 3750 E. Douglas.

Tickets are $29.95 for two people, with one ticket redeemable for a signed hardcover of Karon’s latest book. The book rolled off the presses Tuesday. Kansas is one of Karon’s first stops.

The Friday night event will include a conversation with Karon and Rev. Dawn Frankfurt, the St. James rector, with questions from the audience.

Tickets can be purchased at Watermark Books. Owner Sarah Bagby said seating for the event is limited.

“I think my books are about life in Kansas and really about life all over the country,” Karon said. “When I was in Kansas, I remember a smaller bookstore in a small town where somebody brought to the event cookies still warm from the oven …

“I entered that into my journal.”

This story was originally published September 3, 2014 at 6:48 AM with the headline "Jan Karon, author of the Mitford Years book series, coming to Wichita."