Local rivers inspire new historical novel by local author James Close

Book signing scheduled for April 18th at Brewery Nonic

Local author James Close will host a public book signing open house at a restored train depot for his new historical fiction novel, The River Between Us, a sweeping story set along the Hay River and throughout the greater Red Cedar River Valley during the mid-19th century.

Born and raised in the Red Cedar River watershed, Close graduated from Menomonie High School and the University of Wisconsin–Stout and now lives along the Hay River. His deep personal connection to these waterways inspired the novel’s landscapes and themes.

Set during the logging era that transformed northern Wisconsin, The River Between Us follows two families — one settler and one Indigenous — whose lives unfold along the same stretch of river. Long before logging camps and homesteads appeared, the rivers and forests of Barron and Dunn counties were home to Indigenous communities, including the Ojibwe and Dakota peoples, whose traditions and relationship to the land shaped the region’s history.

“The river in this story is not merely a boundary between cultures — it is a witness to both,” Close said. “It carries the memory of those who walked its banks long before settlement, and of those who believed they were beginning something new.”

As towns such as Menomonie, Prairie Farm, Wheeler, and Rice Lake developed, the rivers connecting them carried more than water — they carried change. Logging camps expanded, settlements grew, and cultural misunderstandings deepened.

At the heart of the story is an oxbow bend in the Hay River, where two young people from different worlds meet. Their growing bond becomes a symbol of possibility in a valley shaped by fear, land disputes, and the distant rumblings of war and broken treaties.

Author James Close

Rich in landscape detail and grounded in regional history, The River Between Us explores themes of love, land, and legacy in a valley shaped by change. Close drew inspiration from the real geography of the region — from the headwaters near Cumberland to where the Hay River eventually feeds into Tainter Lake near Menomonie — inviting readers to see familiar waters with a new perspective. The novel is available in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats on Amazon.com.

The open house will include a book signing and an opportunity to meet the author.

Event Details: 

Date: April 18, 2026 

Time: 2:00–4:00 PM 

Location: Brewery Nonic, 621 4th St W, Menomonie, WI 

Admission: Free

The Hay River has also inspired a children’s book by Close, Once Upon a Riverside.

Born and raised in Menomonie, Close grew up along the Red Cedar River, spending countless days swimming, fishing, kayaking, and skipping stones along its banks.

Those early experiences shaped a lifelong connection to the water and the outdoors—one he continues today while living near the Hay River and exploring the surrounding woods with his children and grandchildren.

Once Upon a Riverside was originally created as a holiday gift for his grandchildren. The story is a colorful, nature-centered adventure that follows a kind young protagonist and her animal friends as they journey downstream, celebrating friendship, teamwork, and gentle lessons about the natural world.

Many of the book’s scenes and animal characters are inspired by real moments spent along the Hay River with family. The river itself is named in the story and plays a central role in the adventure. A tributary of the Red Cedar River, the Hay River runs roughly 50 miles through Barron and Dunn counties. It begins in the city of Cumberland at Beaver Dam Lake, flows past Prairie Farm and Wheeler, and eventually empties into Lake Tainter.

After graduating from Menomonie High School, Close attended UW–Stout, where he studied mathematics and computer science. After a career as an IT professional, he turned his problem-solving skills toward a creative pursuit—writing and illustrating children’s books. A husband, father, and grandfather, Close enjoys hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and exploring local trails.

Illustrated in colorful watercolor, Once Upon a Riverside weaves in simple, engaging details about animals and their seasonal habits, including how they survive the winter. The book is suggested for children ages 4 to 9 and is designed for families, classrooms, and shared reading.

Rooted in the local landscape and community, Once Upon a Riverside offers a cozy, educational story for young readers who love animals, nature, and tales inspired by real places close to home. The book is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats on Amazon. More information about the author and the book can be found at jamesaclose.my.canva.site and on his Facebook page.

Article and photos provided by the author.