An Interview with William B. Stickle
William Stickle is professor emeritus since 2015 in the Department of Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University. Bill earned a PhD in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan, Regina. He taught at LSU from 1972 until 2015. Bill conducted the summer LSU Marine Biology in Alaska program from 2008-2024 with 325 alumni. He has published two books: A Guide to the Fertile Fisheries Crescent with an Emphasis on Louisiana and Fascination with Alaska Beyond the Alaskan Cruise Naturalist.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
I have taught about the influence of the Mississippi River on The Northern Gulf of Mexico in an earlier book, A guide to the Fertile Fisheries Crescent with an Emphasis on Louisiana by Cambridge Scholars. This book fleshes out the influence of Mississippi River Basin on the economy, ecology. and culture of the United States.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
The cover artfully captures the Mississippi River Basin.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I wanted to summarize material that I taught in my academic career.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
College Professor, teach Oscher Life Time Learning classes, and work at a local meat market.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Summarizing material that I taught.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
None.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
Appreciate the influence of the Mississippi River Basin on the United States.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
Teaching marine biology to older adults in the Lagniappe Chapter of the Oscher Lifetime Learning Institute in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
I have enjoyed publishing two books with Atmosphere Press.
1. The Mississippi River Basin is the Backbone of the United States
2. A Fascination with Alaska Beyond the Alaska Cruise Naturalist
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