In a celebration of Iowa’s Sesquicentennial next year, Iowa authors and Iowa State Printing Services have published Family Matters, a collection of essays written about Iowa’s past, present and future — the way Iowans see it.

William Black, of ISU’s Library Development, said the book is a “collection of essays by 18 authors in an attempt to interpret Iowa for Iowans.”

The interpretations, he said, include remembrances of Iowa and hopes for the future.

“All the authors have some kind of connection to Iowa,” Black said, “even though they might not live here.”

Some of the Iowa Staters featured in Family Matters are ISU English professor Mary Swander and psychology student Erin Block, who contributed along with her mother. Among other essayists featured in the book are columnist David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register and Graceland College President Barbara Higdon.

Although many people will celebrate the Sesquicentennial by looking back over the years, David Yepsen said the focus of his piece is looking ahead.

“I think we as Iowans spend too much time looking at our past … which is fine, we have a great heritage,” he said. “What I want to do is to add a focus on the next 150 years — where we’re going, how we’re getting there, and what’s down the road in the future.”

Yepsen said he is enthusiastic about the appeal of Family Matters.

“What I like about it is that it’s sort of an eclectic thing,” he said. “Some essays are entertaining and funny. Some are sad, and some are on public and political policies. It’s a nice smorgasbord of thoughts and insights.”

Black said most of the contributors to the collection are going to be reading excerpts from their essays at a reception hosted by ISU Library Friends. Organizers said they are hoping to have somewhere between 40 and 50 people there with copies of the book for sale.

The reception and book signing will be 2-4 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Mahlstede Center of the Reimen Gardens. Refreshments will be served.

The event is free and reservations can be made by calling 294-1442 by Oct. 27.