Kurt J Kolka

Afraid We Are Not Kurt J Kolka

When Jan Richards loses his father just before high school, he must navigate all on his own the frequent harassment of bullies and the constant turmoil of internal negative voices in his mind. On a hunt for a roadmap through these tumultuous years, Jan turns to comics and art to survive, before he meets an unexpected mentor. This mentor points Jan toward more than a roadmap: a source for strength beyond what Jan thought would be possible. This book serves as an inspirational testimony for teens and parents dealing with bullying. Author Bio: "I suppose I am all about storytelling," says Kurt J. Kolka, an award-winning journalist who has spent 30 years sharing peoples' stories with his readers. "There is a connection which happens when people share their stories. And I love that connection." A cartoonist in his spare time, Kurt has spent decades with ideas for novels slow-cooking in his head. After a lay-off from his last newspaper job, he tried freelance writing for local publications for a few years with little success. "It took me a little while to realize God wanted to take me in a different direction. After spending a couple more years drawing closer to God through bible study, I tried my hand at novel writing. It felt so natural." Kurt lives in rural Northern Michigan, near the beautiful AuSable River, with his wife and daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys learning about history, walking in nature, reading classic literature and drawing.