Surprises of Post Publication

by Jane Kirkpatrick

One of the surprises of being a published author is experiencing the side stories that result from the publication. A couple of my titles have resulted in watercolor artists painting their version of the story. We had events celebrating those paintings, selling them to raise money for non-profits.

Several quilting groups through the years have chosen one of my books to make fabric art. More than once I’ve had those quilters come to a book signing to share their work and their stories inspired by mine. I’ve read that many books sell outside of bookstores such as in drug stores or gas stations. I haven’t had the privilege of spying one of mine at a gas station, but recently I learned that Riecke’s Bayside Gallery (www.rieckesbaysidegallery.com) on the banks of Flathead Lake in Bigfork, MT is going to carry Beneath the Bending Skies (Revell, 2022), which is the story of an area woman who has a lake named after her, Lake Mary Ronan. I love that books are showing up in art galleries and museums as a recognition of the power of story through many venues.

Also, good news is learning from a reader that One Glorious Ambition (WaterBrook, 2009), the story of early mental health reformer Dorothea Dix, is on the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution suggested reading list for 2024. How cool is that! The DAR was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism.

Finally, I didn’t know this, but some European libraries pay a royalty to authors for having translations of their books in their libraries. My surprise check came from libraries in the Netherlands which I love not only because several of my titles have been translated into Dutch but because John Gerritse of Across the Crying Sands (Revell, 2025) was from the Netherlands. At 16, he ran away to the sea, sailed around the world jumping ship in Astoria, OR where his life truly began by meeting Mary, my heroine.

I love how stories weave together and bring in a variety of artisans from many different quarters. These are blessings that never fail to delight and give all writers something special to look forward to in addition to that publication day.

Jane Kirkpatrick is the bestselling, award-winning author of 40 titles most based on the lives of actual historical women. She thinks out lives are the stories others read first. She’s Carol award winner along with several other writing awards. Her titles have sold nearly two million copies often at the “back of the room” following her many presentations around the world about the power of story in our lives. She splits her time between Oregon and Southern California where she lives with her husband of 48 years and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Rupert. Visit Jane on her website at https://jkbooks.com/