Dale Hom publishes graphic novel!

Dale Hom, former APAEA Chair and former Olympic National Forest Supervisor, recently published a graphic novel, "Walk Don't Run: Growing Up Asian in Seattle"!

A message from Dale:

Hi! It's been four years since I retired from the USFS after more than three and half decades of public service and resource management in three regions. So, when I was recently asked about how my retirement was going---I kinda grinned and said, "I'm doing graphic novels now". WHAAAT? I've always had an itch for doodling even when working for the USFS. I created a cartoon slide show on avalanche control techniques for a snow ranger workshop in the mid-70s; produced cover art for a Forest Timber Resource Management Plan (before EISs were mandated); illustrated a first generation Forest L&RMP; self portrait for the cover of a regional timber cruising handbook. That may have been the first depiction of cultural diversity in an agency document (LOL). A mischievous drawing of a three dimensional character pointing north on a timber sale contract map that I had created generated a minor scolding from the Forest Timber Staff Officer---for such a thing on a legal contract document. I'd love to find that map in the FS archives!

In retirement, I've taken to the pen to write, illustrate, and publish a graphic novel, "Walk, Don't Run: Growing Up Asian in Seattle". It's a fictional story about a Chinese-American boy in 1961. Wallace has just finished the fifth grade and looks forward to summer vacation. He's about to find out that there's more to Seattle than the Beacon Hill neighborhood and Chinatown. But being a Chinese-American boy is filled with ambiguity and contradictions from all directions. Wallace's quest leads him beyond his familiar surroundings to unexpected discoveries.

At book signing events, the most prevalent comment was, "This sounds like the same challenges facing new immigrants today." A few folks asked if my previous co-workers are aware of this graphic novel? One of my pals (whose name I will not disclose) said she didn't know that I had any artistic talent. LOL. So, now it's out there. My FS extended family knows now that I have shifted to the Arts from Sciences!

Although I don't miss all of the leadership team meetings, budget discussions, and mandatory refresher courses---I continue to admire the people who dedicate themselves to the FS mission. It is important work. Thank you!

DALE HOM

"Walk Don't Run: Growing Up Asian in Seattle" by DALE HOM ISBN: 978-0-9969523-0-9

Contact me for a signed copy or Available online: http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/walk-dont-run Third Place Books (Seattle area) Visit FB: DALE HOM, Graphic Novels