Local Voices, Lasting Stories: Streator Authors Write On

Streator has always had a thing for storytelling. Maybe it’s the long winters or the wide porches. Maybe it’s something in the Vermilion River. Whatever the cause, this city has produced more than its share of wordsmiths—and not just the famous ones.

Most folks know Clarence Mulford as the man behind Hopalong Cassidy, the Western hero who shot his way across dime novels and the silver screen. Born right here in Streator in 1883, Mulford helped put our city on the literary map long before Hollywood got wise. But we’re not here to dwell on the past. This town’s still got stories—and some of them are being written right now.

Let’s meet a few local authors carrying the torch forward, each in their own unique style.

Tessa King: Love, Loss, and a Whole Lot of Sarcasm

Tessa King might not be a household name—yet—but her debut novel My Wingman is already turning heads. It’s a story about courage, grief, and finding joy again. Not the sugar-coated, everything-is-fine kind of joy, but the hard-won kind that comes after loss.

Tessa’s professional background in laboratory science gives her storytelling a sharp, analytical edge, but her writing isn’t clinical—it’s rich with emotion. When she’s not writing, she’s supporting her husband at the dragstrip, cuddling her German Shepherd Preacher, or baking something dangerously sweet. Also, she’s a Detroit Lions fan, which tells you everything you need to know about her resilience and eternal optimism.

You can follow Tessa’s journey online, but be warned—she’s also mastered the dark arts of sarcasm and caffeine. Proceed with a sense of humor.

Copies of her book are currently available at Refurbished Treasures at 306 E Main St in Streator.

Kyle Van Duzer: The Memory Keeper

Born and raised in the cornfields of Central Illinois, Kyle Van Duzer writes like a man who’s seen things—and remembered everything. His book The Eidetic Evidence kicks off the Dr. Brian Jaims detective series, which Kyle calls “memories.” And fittingly so. These aren’t just mysteries—they’re snapshots of lives, frozen in time, waiting to be unlocked.

Van Duzer’s fascination with the mind is clear in every chapter. The result is a mix of crime fiction and psychological depth that fans of true detective tales will devour. He’s just getting started, too. With his own kids grown and out of the house, Kyle’s got nothing but time—and memory—on his hands. Expect more from him in the years ahead.

To read his work is to sift through memory itself. You won’t forget it.

Larry Thomas: A Lifetime of Words, Not Just Haircuts

Some might know Larry Thomas from his days running Old Stogies Cigar and Barbershop on Main Street. But behind the easy banter and steady hand with the clippers was a writer quietly gathering stories.

Larry’s love of writing began in third grade, scribbling short stories at an old wooden desk. Over the years, he devoured books of every kind, dreaming of one day adding his own to the shelf. Life took him in other directions—journalism was a maybe, then barbering became the career—but the writing never stopped. It just went underground, like so many good Streator tales.

Now retired, Larry’s returned to writing with new energy and purpose. His latest novel, Deadman’s Cache, wrestles with moral choices and secrets that won’t stay buried. His previous book, Road to Redemption, was inspired by Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” and explores resilience, regret, and the stubborn hope that we might still change paths.

Larry’s books are thoughtful, honest, and grounded—just like the man himself. Turns out, he’s been telling stories all along. Now he’s just doing it on paper.

Writing Our Future

Streator’s story isn’t over—it’s just turning another page. Authors like Tessa King, Kyle Van Duzer, and Larry Thomas are proof that this town still inspires. They write from different backgrounds, in different genres, with different voices—but they’re all rooted in a place that knows the value of a good story.

So the next time someone says, “Nothing ever happens in Streator,” just hand them a book. Chances are, one of our own wrote it.

And trust us—it’s worth the read.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can find all these books on Amazon, or simply Google the author's name to purchase a copy and start exploring their work.

📚 Know a local author we missed? Drop us a line. The shelves of Streator’s story are still wide open.