Queen of the Last Frontier, the biography of Emily Viaene Keaster, as told to Linda O'Connell, published by High Hill Press, is now available on Amazon.com. $15.95
http://www.amazon.com/Quen-Last-Frontier-Biography-Keaster/dp/1606530267/ref+sr_1_1?s+books&ie+UTF8&qid+1284313316&s+1-1
Emily and I met in Delta Junction, Alaska in 1969 when my former husband was stationed at Ft. Greely Army Arctic Test Center. Her husband, Walt, was a civillian who worked on post with my ex. The Keasters were pioneer homesteaders who battled the hostile environment, wild animals and the land boss.
This book chronicles the life of Emily from her birth in the back seat of a Studebaker to the present. Queen of the Last Frontier evokes a range of emotions. Readers will discover how Emily reared children and raised cattle and hell in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Emily Viaene Keaster has made numerous contributions to the town of Delta Junction. She continues to reign supreme over her homestead.
Publisher, Lou Ella Turner at High Hill Press, Cottleville, MO did a wonderful job on this book. I would highly recommend this small press publisher. My experience was pleasant and positive.
http://HighHillPress.com/
18 comments:
Wow, Linda, that is AWESOME. You must be so proud. It's like having a baby and your book is your newborn! KUDOS TO YOU! Susan
Congrats, Linda! Did you start this book when you were living there or is it an idea you returned to?
Susan,
Thank you. I wrote this book, not for myself, but for this eighty-four year old woman who wanted to pass on her legacy to her heirs, friends and members of her senior group. She is distributing her book in Alaska and is one happy camper!
Claudia,
No, I saw a call out in Alaska Magazine and asked Emily to send me something that I could write about so I could profile her. This was a labor of love that took over a year to compile, because she sent me letters for a year, but nothing was in chronological order. As I read about the unimaginable hardships she endured, I realized she had a book! She asked me to write it, and here we are. It is her story, not mine, therefore the writing itself is AS TOLD TO.
I am pitching MY book at the MO. Writer's Guild Conference in spring. Are you attending? great line up of speakers.
Congratulations to both you and Emily on this obvious labor of love. Well done!
Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com
Congrats, Linda! Looks like a good book:)
Thanks Karen, it certainly made Emily happy.
Congratulations! Miss Emily must be proud to have her story well told. Good luck with with your other book, too!
Congratulations, Linda! I'll bet it's wonderful. Are any copies being sold locally or just in Alaska? Now on to the finish line on your next book! I'm looking forward to the MO Writers Guild conference, too.
Way to go Linda, how wonderful.
Lisa,
She is like a kid at Christmas. The books arrived for her 84th birthday.
Dianna,
No, I am not promoting it locally, as it is her voice, not mine; her story, not mine. But they are selling like hotcakes in Alaska and also Amazon ordered more.
Lynn, Thanks, I can't wait for Dear Aunt Vera.
That was a little kick in the pants. Pitch it at the conference.
What a wonderful accomplishment for both of you. I'm with Dianna--will there be copies available? And good luck your book pitch! It's about time!
What a lovely and generous project you took on, Linda! Good has a way of coming back around-best of luck on your own story!
Tammy and Cathy,
Thank you, thank you!
Gee that looks like a great book - congrats to you! Sandie
Sandie, Thanks for the encouragement.
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