A man is blessed to have one area of interest in life that he loves passionately. Manke has passionately loved three. He greatly enjoyed playing soccer. Teaching and writing also have been his passions for many years. His first soccer coach remarked that he played the game with fire in my eyes. From early school days on he’s loved to write. It was a love bestowed on him by his mother. “The great teacher inspires,” William A. Ward wrote.  Werner’s mother didn’t teach in a school, but she was such a teacher. His first memories were of her reading poetry and stories to his siblings and him with dramatic flair.  Manke began writing poetry and short stories in high school.

Two senior secondary English teachers encouraged him to teach and write.  Their influence led him to change thoughts of premed school and aim for a teaching career. Equipped with a B.Ed. and major concentrations in English, literature and history, he began what he calls, “Wonderful years in education.”  During those years in teaching and administration he completed a Masters degree at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. 

Now, he looks back on 31 fulfilling years in education as a teacher, principal and Director of Instruction.  Writing was part of most days then, but he longed to write just for the enjoyment of it. Early retirement in 2002 allowed him to do that. Since then he’s taken a two year course in writing short stories and articles. He’s written several of them, completed four novels and has continued to write poetry for his satisfaction and for others who’ve asked him to write a poem for them. The second novel he completed, Secrets of Hawking Manor, he decided to submit to one publisher. To his delight American Book Publishing accepted it. He hopes to publish one more this fall and the others next year.  A new mystery thriller is in the works too. 

To stay in touch with the directions in education he offers his experience to the Board of Education as school board trustee. He volunteers in schools and his community. He serves on committees promoting early literacy and post secondary community initiatives and gives workshops on writing. Manke also teaches an adult Sunday school class. Staying mentally and physically active are important to him. Reading, coaching soccer, collecting, skating, skiing, swimming, golf and fishing are satisfying past times for Werner. In 1972, wanting to escape city traffic, he moved his wife and young family to beautiful North Vancouver Island. Werner and his wife have four children and eight grandchildren. All make splendid subjects for stories.  He hopes he can help them to learn to love learning and to find joy in reading and writing.