Alumni Authors

Discover the latest books written by fellow graduates of the University of North Dakota.

Did you publish a book? If you are an author and would like to be included on this page, let us know! The following works have been recently published by UND alumni. The listing is organized according to the graduating year of the alumni. 

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1940s

Robert Kyle, ’48, HON ’03, published his memoir, “A Physician’s Journey,” chronicling his career as a doctor and professor of medicine, laboratory medicine, and pathology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The memoir also highlights Dr. Kyle’s pioneering cancer research. Kyle retired in June at age 96. 

1950s

Robert Hale, ’53, and his daughter Beth (Hale) Lindsey, ’78, have published eight books, including “Jesus and His Friends,” “Honeymoon Parish,” “Grampa Hale’s Tales,” and “Imagine That!” Robert is working on a memoir of his first 21 years.

Marlin Thompson, ’57, published “A Benevolent Dictator: Restoring America to Primacy and Prosperity in One Year.” The book details concise ideas for restoring America to economic and military prominence.

1960s

James Brown, ’63, published “Jeannie: 54 Years and 10 Days, Not Long Enough,” a memoir and love story about two UND graduates. 

Robert Paletz, ’63, published “Streaming Life: A Poetic Journey,” a collection of poems that delve into the passion, pain and joy of life. 

1970s

Ronald Baesler, ’71, published “Struck Down But Not Destroyed: The Story of Rudolf Heupel, a German Russian Immigrant,” tracing his grandfather’s journey of faith in western North Dakota. 

Dennis Kastendiek, ’75, published “A Seven Month Contract at Four Thousand Per,” where a prank gone wrong lands Johnny on stage — and in the spotlight. Kastendiek also authored “… and Something Blue: 21 Tales of Love Lost & Found.”

Ron Berget, ’78, published “Montana Stranglers in Dakota Territory,” a true account of the late-1880s vigilante justice that led to 54 deaths as settlers fought back against horse thieves in Eastern Montana and Northwestern Dakota Territory. 

1980s

Suellen Palya, ’80, ’88, published “Conversations with Kris,” a mother’s journey with her son, from his adoption at age 3 to his tragic death at 48. She also wrote “Mabel” and “Spiritsong: One Woman’s Journey.”

Keith Millette, ’87, ’90, a recently retired family medicine physician, published “Pearls of Wisdom for the New, the Old, and the Burned-Out Physician.”

John Salter, ’88, published “There Will Never Be Another Night Like This,” a blend of humor and tragedy about lives in flux. His previous works include “A Trout in the Sea of Cortez” and “Alberta Clipper,” a finalist for the 2003 Binghamton University John Gardner Fiction Book Award. While at UND, he was co-editor of the literary journal “North Country.”

1990s

Peter Buffington, ’96, published “The Most Efficient Way to Publish an eBook Kindle Edition,” offering insights from his experience self-publishing best-selling aviation books.

2000s

Angela (Weseman) Penland, ’01, published “The Dead Spot” and “Frost Bite” under her pen name, Angela Sylvaine. “The Dead Spot” is a collection of 17 short horror stories featuring women and girls battling monsters, obsession, manipulation, and darkness in the world around them. “Frost Bite” is a sci-fi horror comedy about a small North Dakota town that gets hit by a meteor, which infects the hibernating prairie dogs with alien worms. Find her books at angelasylvaine.com.   

Jaimi (Silk) Erickson, ’06, published “A Parent’s Guide to School Choice: All the school options you DO have,” drawing from her experience as both a classroom teacher and homeschool educator to help parents navigate alternative schooling options. 

Joseph Henry Morsette, ’09, an online adjunct professor at Tulsa Law School, Lewis & Clark Law School, and Cameron University, published “The History of the Tribal Courts” and “The Tribal Police of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.” Morsette is a two-time #1 bestselling author in multiple categories on Amazon.