These two authors will discuss their abiding love for the northern forests of Maine and the work that led to the books they will present. Claire and Roger will take turns telling the story of their connection to the north woods, why they love this region, what we hope to accomplish with their writing and some of the joys and challenges of the writing and publishing process.  Their books are Maine made, published cooperatively with a small press that honors individual creativity and empowerment.  

Maine Authors Publishing

Books will be available for purchase.

About Murder in the Maple Woods by Claire Ackroyd

A boy dies in the Maine woods. His death is judged an accident, but suspicions are raised.  Set in the remote maple sugar camps of northwestern Maine, the story unfolds around the maple syrup industry and its producers.

A really nifty tale that brought back many memories of being stationed on the Quebec border 50 years ago.
—John Caron, retired Maine game warden

About In the Company of Trees by Roger Greene

Set in the deep recesses of the Northern Forest, two professional foresters tend to their work, creating forests to serve many purposes. Life in a rural village offers a glimpse into the world of Sage Duff and Oracle Cambium as they endure challenging weather, rough roads, and encounters with woodland creatures of all kinds in pursuit of their dreams.

In a relatively undisturbed part of this large forest with many owners sits a tract of land containing Geezer Pond, a moderate-sized, deep body of water situated near the base of a rugged mountain. This is a story of a certain place in the Northern Forest. A bit of history, a bit of humor, and events in the lives of working people who are part of the multiple dimensions of a rural village all dependent upon a local natural resource.

About Claire

Claire Ackroyd is a landscape designer and an independent organic certification inspector in Maine.

Clare grew up in post-war England and came to the US as a graduate student. She has lived in Orono since finding her way to Maine in 1976. Her career as a horticulturist has included owning and operating her own landscape and garden center in Orono, The Growing Concern, teaching, consulting, and freelance landscape design.

Working for many years for MOFGA led her to inspections in the sugar camps in the remote woods above Jackman.  She felt that the tough, unique, and little-understood life in the sugar camps deserved an authentic portrayal and is gratified to find so many readers who have enjoyed the book.

Raised on detective novels by the greats of British mystery writers - Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers. Dick Francis and so many more--she says that a murder mystery was a natural vehicle when she embarked upon writing a story.

Visit Claire's website by clicking here.

About Roger

Roger H. Greene has been a consulting forester for over 50 years and has received his professional training at various institutions (see below). He has also practiced forest management on large private and industrial ownerships. Formerly Chief Forester for the Northern Timberlands Division of St. Regis/Champion, he then operated his own consulting firm for 16 years. Most recently employed by Mason, Bruce & Girard, he retired in 2014 and currently manages a 4,500-acre forest in Maine.

Roger is a specialist in Forest Mensuration and Biometrics; Silviculture; Remote Sensing and Forest Planning.  He is the author of 23 scientific publications.

In his 50+-year career, Mr. Greene has practiced forest management on large private and industrial ownerships and has supplied forest management advice and counsel for public agencies as well as industrial, financial and private landowners in the Northeast, Lake States, Southern and Western United States.  He has held positions in management operations, forestry research and was formerly the Chief Forester for the Northern Timberlands Division of St. Regis Corporation.  He was lastly employed as a silviculturist and business developer for the Eastern U.S. by Mason, Bruce & Girard, a venerable natural resources consulting firm in business for over 95 years. Retired in 2014, he currently manages a 4,500 acre forest in Maine for a local land trust.

Click here to visit Roger's website.

R. H. Greene, CF#476, LPF #23 (Maine)

25. Paul Smiths College, Paul Smiths, NY  (AAS – Pre-Professional Forestry)
25. University of Maine, Orono, Maine (BS – Forest Science & Management)
25. University of New Hampshire (Post Graduate Studies)
25. Yale University (Post Graduate Studies)
25. Purdue University (Post Graduate Studies)
25. Duke University (Post Graduate Studies)