Ken Conklin

 

Member profile details

First name
Ken
Last name
Conklin
Organization
Kenneth F Conklin LLC
 

Personal information (200 word limit for Bio, please)

Pen Name
KEN CONKLIN
Personal photo
Bio
Ken Conklin, a native of Los Angeles, lives in Botetourt County, Virginia. His essays have been published in the Roanoke Times and elsewhere. He was awarded a 2022 Kegley Preservation Award for his debut book, NORVEL: An American Hero. Three poems from his collection, The Zen of Ken, are included in the Poetry Society of Virginia's Centennial Anthology. His career in the technology industry gave him the opportunity to travel throughout North American, Europe, and Asia. The experiences from those travels inform his writing. As a nineteen year old he was a drafted "boots on the ground" soldier in Vietnam. Ken and his wife enjoy spending time with their family, going to live music events, golfing, and hiking the beautiful trails of southwest Virginia. Ken continues, however, to root for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
 

Website and social media (please include "http://")

 

Chapter Information

VWC Chapter (if any)
None
 

Speakers' Bureau

Speaker Area(s) of Writing Expertise
  • Fiction (long form)
  • Fiction (short form)
  • Non-fiction (general)
  • Non-fiction (memoir)
  • Platform Building/Marketing
  • Poetry
  • Publishing
 

Poems, Novels, Plays, or other Works

Work 1 - Title
Norvel: An American Hero
Work 1 - Genre
(Fiction & Literature) Historical Fiction
Work 1 - Cover
Work 1 - Description
NORVEL: An American Hero tells the incredible story of Norvel Lee, a man whose unwavering determination and courage allowed him to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. Born in a time of racial discrimination. Norvel faced numerous challenges early in life. However, he refused to be defeated and used his intelligence and athletic abilities to propel himself towards success. As he grew into a young man, Norvel continued to face adversity but his commitment to his community, country, and family never waivered. His unprecedented achievements in business, sports, and military service makes him a true representation of the American dream. This inspiring and uplifting story of perseverance is a must-read for anyone in need of motivation and a reminder of the power of the human spirit.
Work 2 - Title
The Zen of Ken
Work 2 - Genre (Other)
Poetry
Work 2 - Description
The collection of poems in The Zen of Ken spans the poetic career of Ken Conklin, beginning in the late 1960s and continuing to the present day. The poems are organized into sections reflecting different periods of the author’s life: “The Dark Ages,” “The Middle Ages,” “Haiku Interludes,” and “The Age of Enlightenment.”
The early poems in “The Dark Ages” section have a somber, melancholy tone, touching on themes of war, loss, and alienation. As the collection progresses, the poems become more optimistic and celebratory, culminating in “The Age of Enlightenment” section which features love poems and poems appreciating nature and the passage of time.