Jane Kirkpatrick, Biography

Short Version:

Reviewers and readers alike acclaim Jane's work as unique in a world of storytellers. “Kirkpatrick's books enfold the reader. They whisper "let me tell you about a woman who…. They find a secret place in each of us and bring it gently to the surface.” The Statesman Journal, Salem Oregon. Moving from being a rancher, writer and rattlesnake fighter to full time writer has produced 29 books from bestselling and award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick. She has 24 novels and five non-fiction titles to her credit. Creating stories from the lives of actual historical women or events, Jane's focus is on telling stories that inspire. “I like helping people from the distant past step from their generation into our own to teach us and touch us with their lives.” Jane lives with her husband Jerry and two dogs near Bend in Central Oregon. Her works have sold over a million copies, been translated into foreign languages, won literary awards such as the Wrangler, WILLA Literary and Carol as well as being a New York Times bestseller. A mental health professional, she's a lively presenter who has spoken about the power of story throughout the world. Enjoy receiving her Story Sparks newsletter by signing up at http://www.jkbooks.com/

Long Version:

Jane Kirkpatrick is a best-selling, award-winning author of essays for such publications as Decision Magazine and Daily Guideposts and 50 others as well as three non-fiction books and twenty historical novels including A Light in the Wilderness based on the life of one of the first African American women to cross the Oregon Trail. Her first novel, A Sweetness to the Soul was named to Oregon's Literary 100:1800-2000 as one of the one hundred titles best representing Oregon published in the past 200 years. It also won the Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center (1995), an award won previously by James Michener. Barbara Kingsolver and Larry McMurtry. Her works have been a Finalist for national Reader's Choice for Best Inspirational Novel (2000); a Finalist for the Ken Kesey Award for the Novel through the Oregon Book Awards (2002, 2010); a Finalist for Best Novel of the West (2005) from Western Writers of America and Finalist for the Desert Quill Award for Best Inspirational Novel (2005) and a WILLA Literary Finalist in 2007 and 2011 for Best Historical Novel. The Daughter's Walk won the USABestBooks.com award for general fiction, 2011. She has won the WILLA Literary Award for Best Original Paperback Novel (2008 and 2010) and been a finalist for that award for both historical fiction and creative nonfiction. Where Lilacs Still Bloom earned the CAROL Award for Christian Historical Fiction in 2013. the Literary Guild, Doubleday, Crossings and Book of the Month book club have featured her titles. Several of her novels have been translated into foreign languages. Her memoir Homestead, tells the story of her journey to move with her husband to “rattlesnake and rock ranch” to begin a new life. The story has inspired thousands to follow their hearts and trust that they are not alone on their journeys. Jane is a former mental health director, therapist and administrator. For seventeen years she worked with Native American families on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation as a mental health and early childhood specialist. Her speaking and teaching also reflect stories of inspiration and courage believing that our lives are the stories other people read first. Her many historical novels most based on the lives of actual people, speak of timeless themes of hardiness, faith, commitment, hope and love. She speaks internationally, was a featured speaker for the European Council of International Schools in Nice, France, Sorrento, Italy and for the Word Guild in Guelph, Canada and Edmonton, Alberta. In 2005 she was named by the largest writer's group in the Northwest USA as the Distinguished Northwest Writer of 2005, an honor earned previously by Ursula LeGuin and Ken Kesey. She is the recipient of the Caldera Special Recognition Award from The Nature of Words. Previous honorees include Ursula LeGuin and Barry Lopez. She teaches writing classes throughout the country. For 26 years Jane and her husband Jerry ranched along the lower John Day River in rural Oregon. They now live on small acreage between Bend and Redmond in Central Oregon with two dogs. Look for her next novel in the fall of 2015. Her Story Sparks newsletter is available monthly at http://www.jkbooks.com/

updated 8.25.2015

Jane Kirkpatrick’s Bestseller List A Light in the Wilderness, CBA bestseller, Spur Award Finalist 2014 and WILLA Literary Award Winner, 2015

Homestead - 1991 (Christian Booksellers)

A Sweetness to the Soul - 1995-96 (Christian Booksellers Association List)

All Together in One Place - 2001 (Christian and Pacific Northwest Booksellers list)

No Eye Can See - 2002 - PNBA list (Pacific Northwest Booksellers List)

What Once We Loved - 2002 - PNBA

A Name of Her Own - 2003 - National Booksense 76 Independent bookstore pick and PNBA

A Land of Sheltered Promise - - 2005 PNBA

A Clearing in the Wild - 2006 - PNBA

The Daughter's Walk - 2011 PNBA

Log Cabin Christmas - 2011 New York Times Bestseller

Where Lilacs Still Bloom - 2012 PNBA

A Sweetness to the Soul - 1995 Western Heritage Wrangler Award (also won by Barbara Kingsolver and Larry McMurtry)

Oregon 100: One of the best books about Oregon published between 1800-2000 (Oregon Humanities Award)

Oregon 150: chosen by state library as one of the best books about Oregon for 150th anniversary of statehood

All Together in One Place - Finalist, Reader's Choice Award

A Name of Her Own - Finalist, Oregon Book Award

A Land of Sheltered Promise - Finalist, Western Writers of America Spur Award

A Clearing in the Wild - Finalist, WILLA Literary Award, Women Writing the West

A Tendering in the Storm - Finalist, Christy Award Winner, WILLA Literary Award, Women Writing the West

Aurora (non-fiction) Finalist, WILLA Literary Award, Women Writing the West

A Flickering Light - Finalist, Christy Award Winner, WILLA Literary Award, Women Writing the West Library Journal Best Books of 2009

An Absence so Great - Finalist, WILLA Literary Award, Women Writing the West

The Daughter's Walk - USABestBooks.com - general fiction winner

Mid-Wife's Legacy -"A Mother's Cry" -Finalist novella for ICRS

Where Lilacs still Bloom - ACFW 2013 Carol Award Winner

Reviews "A soaring novel of love, compassion and duty." Sandra Dallas, Bestselling author of The Sisters and The Quilt Walk. [Review of: One Glorious Ambition: The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix] "...Kirkpatrick’s research is excellent and she writes about difficult issues with honesty and respect.” (4 Stars) Romantic Times [Review of: One Glorious Ambition: The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix] “Read this book and have Dorothea Dix transform your life. Be uplifted not simply by the grand trajectory of Dix's singular journey but by the irresistible voice that Jane Kirkpatrick compels you to hear. A deeply sensitive and intelligent young woman overcomes trenchant pain and social barriers to fight tirelessly for those who have neither a voice nor an advocate. Her impossible life is unraveled and liberated in this novel. And read with a sense of urgency, for the battles fought by Dorothea Dix more than a century ago are very much in need of being waged again.” Charles Kiselyak, director and producer of award-winning films including Completely Cuckoo, Fearful Symmetry, and A Constant Forge. [Review of One Glorious Ambition: The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix] “Dedicated to the ‘almost-famous everywhere.’ I’m used to the historical novels from Jane, so reading a contemporary story from her was a surprise! If I get another chance to interview her, I want to know the challenges of writing historical fiction vs contemporary fiction. I love how Annie’s friends worked together to ‘help’ her get success! In the end, their prayers for success were answered---just not in the way they expected. This is an insightful and entertaining journey on Annie’s road to fame. Kudos to JBarcelona Calling] "Kirkpatrick is a master at using fiction to illuminate history's truths. This beautiful and compelling work of historical fiction deserves the widest possible audience." [Publisher’s Weekly Starred review The Daughter’s Walk] “The historically accurate details are woven in with care, and the characters are fully imagined…A truly fine book.” [The Denver Post, reviewing A Name of her Own] “Kirkpatrick follows her well-received All Together in One Place with this rich and engaging sequel that could easily stand alone…a thoughtful exploration of human character and community.” [Publishers Weekly, reviewing No Eye Can See] Kirkpatrick, Jane. A Flickering Light. Inspired by the life of Kirkpatrick’s grandmother, this coming-of-age tale about a photographer’s assistant in love with her married boss is a beautifully told narrative of temptation and God’s redeeming grace. [Library Journal 4/1/09] “Homestead is a rich, compelling story that combines the spirit of adventure with the warmth and humor of a James Herriot tale…it’s an uplifting testimony to love, hope, family, friends and faith.” [Oregon Historical Quarterly] “Impossible to put down…authenticity characterizes this book both historically and spiritually. Kirkpatrick’s prose is shieled in graphic wrenching images that draw one into the story and engage one’s senses.” [Persimmon Hill Magazine, Western Heritage and National Cowboy Museum reviewing Love to Water My Soul.] “Masterful storytelling continues in this real as rain portrayal of the Oregon-California 1850s frontier. A compelling tale.” [Craig Lesley, author of The Sky Fisherman commenting on What Once we Loved

Kirkpatrick (A Sweetness to the Soul) fictionalizes events surrounding the Whitman Massacre of 1847 in the Oregon territory through the voices of Eliza Spalding Warren and her mother Eliza Hart Spalding, wife of missionary Henry Spalding…Kirkpatrick provides empathetic characters and historical elements that ring with accuracy. This is a fine interpretation of a little-known group of pioneering Christians. Agent: Joyce Hart, Hartline Literary Agency (Sept., 2015) Publisher’s Weekly on The Memory Weaver. Storyteller Jane Kirkpatrick puts flesh and blood on the bones of history.” Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author.

The Memory Weaver: Top Pick for Romantic Times: Based on real events, this novel has adventure, mystery and romance. Characters are well defined and trying to let go of the past to move toward a happier future. Kirkpatrick is a talented author who writes about historical events that have been forgotten throughout the generations. A Light in the Wilderness: Kirkpatrick exercises her considerable gift for making history come alive in the real-life tale of a freed slave…Kirkpatrick draws an indelible and intriguing portrait of Letitia Carson…who is fully imagined and Kirkpatrick skillfully relates Letitia’s thoughts, cementing a bond of empathy between character and reader….persuasive and poignant. Publisher’s Weekly

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