In the forward to the new short story collection, Deadly Yellowstone, editor Lise McClendon describes the stories as amusing, scary, mysterious, even fantastical. She does not mention entertaining, but they definitely are that. The collection, released this spring, is out just in time for a new season in the Park.

There are thirteen works of fiction in the anthology, written by thirteen writers of varied backgrounds. Yet all of them obviously have a close relationship with Yellowstone Park. One of the authors featured in the collection is Katie Thomas, a Bozeman native (and Bozeman Magazine contributor). Katie is here to speak about the book and her part in the process of putting it together.
Steve McGann: Hi, Katie. How did this book come to be organized and written?

Katie Thomas: Thanks, Steve. Lise McClendon, the editor of this book, is a Montana author, and someone I know personally. She received 40 submissions of mysteries that take place in Yellowstone Park, and she accepted and published 13. I did not expect mine to be chosen; some of these writers are much more accomplished and well known.

SM: How do you know Lise McClendon?

KT: I have known Lise since I was a tiny kid. She and my mother are friends. My mother is a French teacher and they share a love for France. A couple years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing the author Thomas McGuane. I post everything I publish on my social media; Lise saw that interview and reached out to me to contribute to this book. Also, at one point I edited one of Lise’s books.

SM: What was the timeline from conception to publishing?

KT: It was just over a year ago. In fact, last year on Memorial Day weekend I went to Mammoth to do my research to remind myself of where things were located. Then, the stories were submitted. The book was published in March by Thalia Publishing. It definitely happened very fast. It went by very quickly.

SM: Have you met any of the other authors?

KT: No, I hope to meet some of the other authors this summer in Yellowstone. We are going to have three signings, and booths selling the book in the Park. There are signings at Old Faithful in July and August. All the authors are invited, so we’ll see who turns up.

SM: You lived and worked in Yellowstone. When was that?

KT: I worked in various places around the Park in different years, but my first summer in Yellowstone was at Mammoth, when I was nineteen. I worked for Xanterra in 1996. I remember I made $4.35 an hour, which is crazy; I can’t believe that was my pay. I did base my story somewhat on my summer there. I was a housekeeper, just like my characters. And I did move there with a bunch of friends. I changed a lot of the details, but kept the locations all true. The thing that gives me a big kick is that I kept the name of the head of housekeeping. Her name was Flo—she looked exactly as I described her.

SM: Did your experiences working in Yellowstone give you ideas for your story?

KT: Do you know the book, Death in Yellowstone by Lee Whittlesey? He came and gave a talk during my summer in Mammoth. I don’t know what made me voluntarily attend a lecture at that age because I thought, ‘Who wants to be in school?’ but for some reason I went with my friends and that book had a big impact on me. I have been obsessed with it ever since. It is very worn on my shelf. I used it a lot when I wrote this story. It was a big inspiration. One of the first things I thought of was that I could take something from that book and fictionalize it, but then I started getting other ideas. Early in my story I did use an example, a real fatal grizzly bear attack at Old Faithful, where guys were partying and left a messy camp. That was in 1972. I set my story in 1973. In the 70s, the human and bear conflicts were not as studied or under control [as they are now]. Other than that, I made it my own. The Park is so beautiful, but it can be so dangerous. I think that is why Lee Whittlesey wrote his book. It is a morbid fascination and somewhat of a cautionary tale. People just don’t understand that it is beautiful but dangerous. It is not to be trifled with.

SM: Kind of a warning for people who think Yellowstone is a Zoo or Disneyland.

KT: That’s what we saw, people trying to pet the elk. And it is amazing that I didn’t see anyone get mauled.

SM: Your story features quite a few characters. Are they based on people you have known?

KT: Yes, that came naturally, because I’m a people person. I find character development really interesting as a reader. So it was fun to do that as a writer. And I really wanted to honor some of the people I know with some of the characters. I had some help from Lise with that; she didn’t edit me too much, but she gave me some feedback with character development. I was also just having a really good time doing it. Hopefully, that is what comes through and makes it a better story.

SM: What is the significance of your title, Terraces.

KT: That is for the geological hot springs there. It is another way to honor Mammoth. And then my character, Trevor, that was where he hung out. He wanted to be a geologist, which was kind of a nod to my college geology teacher. I was really interested in that subject, and I think ‘terrace’ is kind of a pretty word. It is the attraction at Mammoth; if people don’t know that, I want them to be curious and learn what the terraces are. It is this amazing land, the hot water formed and turned these beautiful colors. The literature is there—it is interesting and people should take the time to learn, especially if they are new to Yellowstone.

SM: How often do you get to the Park? What do you like to do there?

KT: Oh, not as often as I would like. I used to go all the time. The more adult responsibilities, the harder it is to tear myself away. What I realized when I was writing this story is that I have taken the Park for granted all my life, from growing up in Bozeman… we would go there for a school trip or for someone’s birthday. I was used to it the way I was used to the mountains outside my window. I love hot springs and used to go to the Boiling River near Mammoth all the time. But it was destroyed in the 2022 floods. I don’t think it can be rebuilt. I did have a reunion with some of my coworkers from those days. We went around the Park and visited all our old places and ended up in Jackson, Wyoming. But I go whenever I can, and I’m due. I’m ready to go again in June. I’m excited for the book signing.

SM: Do you know where the book is available?

KT: At the Isle of Books in Bozeman, the Rhinestone Cowgirl in Big Sky, and the Montana Gift Corral at the airport. On Amazon, of course, and also in the Park at different locations.

SM: Are you working on anything else?

KT: I have a million, billion ideas. There is a lot going through my head all the time. I wake up and scribble down ideas at two in the morning. My office is kind of outta control… notebooks and books everywhere. But I don’t have a lot of time, I have to make an effort every day to carve out time to write, because it’s my passion. I’m working on short stories for my own collection right now. I think if I can do that, then I might turn my attention toward a novel.

That should be enough information to let people know that the book is out there without going into the individual stories and spoiling the experience for the reader. Suffice to say that they range from the comical to the deadly serious. All of the authors make Yellowstone Park their main character. They are true to the history, geography and majesty of the Park.

Here are the dates and locations of the signings where it will be possible to meet some of the writers: July 6th – 10th at the Old Faithful Inn, and August 7th – 10th at the Old Faithful Lodge. Specific times will be posted later.

Katie Thomas is a seasoned writer and interviewer. She not only provided good answers, she helped this novice with the questions and the process. Thank you, Katie!