March 27, 2018 • Page 12 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com USD Alumnus Wins Major Award For Horror Anthology VERMILLION — University of South Dakota alumnus Doug Murano has won one of the highest honors in the horrorwriting field — A Bram Stoker Award at the Horror Writers Association’s annual StokerCon meeting in March — for editing the anthology “Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders.” Ever since Murano read Stephen King’s novel “It” when he was 11 years old — “I was probably too young,” he admits — the USD alumnus was enthralled by horror fiction. “I have dreamed about what it would be like to win a Bram Stoker Award for 20 years,” Murano said in an interview after his 4,000-mile round-trip drive from the Rushmore State to Rhode Island and back. “I was born and raised in South Dakota and always felt somewhat distant from the world where people do things like this. Now, here I am.” A native of Huron, Murano graduated from USD in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and English and earned a master’s degree in English literature and creative writing in 2008. Murano worked in public relations and communications for employers in higher education, healthcare and energy after graduation. Currently, his success as a writer and editor allows him to pursue his passion full-time as a freelancer from his home in Rapid City, which he shares with his wife and four children. Even while working full-time, Murano had written and published short horror stories in the years after earning his master’s degree. With four children under six years old, however, compiling and editing anthologies of other writers’ fiction better suited the young father’s busy schedule. “It takes a totally different kind of concentration to edit a book in 15-minute spurts compared with generating original content,” he said. The “Behold!” anthology is Murano’s second anthology nominated for a Bram Stoker Award and features stories from 18 authors, including well-known writers such as Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. Murano credits his English professors at USD for encouraging him to pursue fiction writing and editing as a career. “Dr. Brian Bedard was my writing mentor and he was very patient with me. Horror wasn’t really in his wheelhouse and I think he often wished I would knock it off and consider doing something more in the mainstream,” he said. “He taught me a lot about structure and form and I still harken back to the feedback he gave me when I am critiquing the stories that come through my inbox.” Doug Murano ********************************************* In the summer of 2009, the original River Rat committee members gathered to develop a running event for the Yankton area. The race would use local trails and showcase the city of Yankton as well as the Lewis and Clark Recreation area west of town. The inaugural River Rat Marathon took place on the 4th Saturday in April, 2010. This year will mark the 9th occurrence of this annual event. The River Rat Marathon consists of several running events including a USATF Certified Marathon (Boston Qualifier), a Marathon Relay Team event, a Half Marathon, a 5K run/walk and a Kids’ Fun Run. This year however due to construction near the trail we will not offer the marathon or marathon relay due to certification issues and detours. All courses are ADA accessible. 100% of the net proceeds raised by the all-volunteer River Rat Marathon are distributed to local groups. These groups include: The Yankton Science Club- (Science Olympiad), The Yankton High School Track Club, Yankton’s Bravo Battery MWR and “The Center” in Yankton for support of meals on wheels. All ages are welcome to participate in the River Rat Races however those under the age of 18 need parental waiver. Check out our Facebook page at “River Rat Marathon” and our website at “riverratmarathon.com” for more information and to register for the race. See past race reviews at “marathonguide.com” (search river rat). This year’s race is taking place SaTurday, april 28, 2018 To register go to www.riverratmarathon.com Current Committee Members are: Bruce Schild ~ President/Race Director Tammy Matuska ~ Vice President Craig Schelske ~ Treasurer Cody Lukkes ~ Secretary Brooks Schild • Brooke Kenney Carol Hohenthaner • Pauline Rhoades Deb Lillie • Dawn Newman Mackenzie Burgoyne of Brunswick Junction, Australia as he wins a past River Rat Marathon with a time of 3:14.06. A marathon relay team crosses the finish line together! The River Rat Marathon Committee members (From Left to Right) Front Row: Bruce Schild, Brooke Kenney, Cody Lukkes. Middle row: Deb Lillie, Brooks Schild. Back Row: Carol Hohenthaner, Tammy Matuska. 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