Hank the Cowdog’s Creator is Heading to Belton!

A popular Texas author will appear at the Belton Public Library in February. 

Hank the Cowdog 

We love our dogs in Texas, so it is no surprise that a children’s book series about a Texas cowdog is so popular! John R. Erickson, author of the Hank the Cowdog series, will appear at the Belton Public Library’s Annual Author Luncheon. 

John R. Erickson 

John Richard Erickson was born in Midland, Texas in 1943. His college career sounds like mine in that he attended several universities. Erickson studied at the University of Denver, the University of Texas and Harvard’s Divinity School. He later worked as a cowboy and ranch manager in Texas and Oklahoma and it was during this time that he began to publish short stories. 

Cowdog Career 

By 1982, Erickson had received a ton of rejection letters from large publishers. Not one for quitting, he borrowed two thousand dollars and created his own publishing company, Maverick Books. Hank the Cowdog made its grand entrance in The Cattleman magazine. By 1983, Erickson published the first book of the series, which sold out in six weeks. He later recorded an audiobook, and as of today, Hank the Cowdog is the longest-running successful children's series on audio. Erickson has now written 75 books, and received numerous awards.  

Event Details 

The event is scheduled for Saturday February 28 from 10a-2p at the Christ the King Catholic Church Family Life Center, located at North Main St. and East 24th Ave. in Belton. The Author Luncheon will also feature a silent auction. Tickets are $60 per person or $450 for a table of eight.