Craig Johnson, author of the Longmire series, is the next BHSU Presidential Lecture Series presenter

Craig Johnson, award winning author of the "Longmire" mystery stories, will speak at Black Hills State University Oct. 19 as a part of the BHSU Presidential Lecture Series. A limited number of free tickets for this event will be available. Ticket details will be announced next week at www.BHSU.edu/pls

Craig Johnson, the New York Times bestselling author of the "Longmire" mystery series, and other books, will visit Black Hills State University Thursday, Oct. 19. In addition to his public presentation scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Meier Hall for the second annual BHSU Presidential Lecture Series, Johnson will meet with BHSU students during his visit to campus.

"It's a great pleasure to host Craig Johnson as a part of the Presidential Lecture Series," BHSU President Dr. Tom Jackson said. "I'm an avid "Longmire" fan. His unique use of comedy in a crime and mystery story is intriguing and having the stories set in a nearby location makes them even more interesting. I'm happy Craig has accepted our invitation to visit the campus to speak with our students and the community."

Johnson's acclaimed books include 13 full-length novels in the "Longmire" mystery series, as well as two novellas and a collection of stories featuring the beloved sheriff Walt Longmire. His books have earned national recognition including the Western Writers of America's Spur Award, the Will Rogers Medallion Award for fiction, the Watson Award for a mystery novel with the best sidekick, and the Wyoming Historical Association's Book of the Year award. They have been named best books of the year by Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. "Spirit of Steamboat" was chosen as the first One Book Wyoming selection. The Walt Longmire series is the basis of the Netflix drama, "Longmire" starring Robert Taylor, Lou Diamond Phillips and Katee Sackoff. Johnson lives in Ucross, Wyo., population 25.

His latest book, "The Western Star," was released last week, and is already receiving enthusiastic reviews. Earlier this year, Johnson released "An Obvious Fact," which was set in the Devil's Tower area during the bike rally and includes a mention of BHSU.

The author has a full travel schedule this fall including stops in California, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Missouri, Iowa, and Wyoming.

A limited number of free tickets will be available for Johnson's presentation. Ticket information will be announced next week. Details are available at www.BHSU.edu/pls

In honor of Johnson's appreciation of librarians and their work, one row of seating has been reserved for librarians. The BHSU Jacket Zone store in downtown Spearfish will be hosting a "Dress as Your Favorite Longmire Character Contest" the week prior to his presentation. Winners of the contest will receive tickets to the presentation.