Friday, September 10, 2010

Queen of the Last Frontier, published by High Hill Press


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:

Susan said...

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

Bookie said...

Congrats, Linda! Did you start this book when you were living there or is it an idea you returned to?

Linda O'Connell said...

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!

Linda O'Connell said...

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.

Pat Wahler said...

Congratulations to both you and Emily on this obvious labor of love. Well done!

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

Karen Lange said...

Congrats, Linda! Looks like a good book:)

Linda O'Connell said...

Thanks Karen, it certainly made Emily happy.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Congratulations! Miss Emily must be proud to have her story well told. Good luck with with your other book, too!

Anonymous said...

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.

Lynn said...

Way to go Linda, how wonderful.

Linda O'Connell said...

Lisa,
She is like a kid at Christmas. The books arrived for her 84th birthday.

Linda O'Connell said...

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.

Linda O'Connell said...

Lynn, Thanks, I can't wait for Dear Aunt Vera.
That was a little kick in the pants. Pitch it at the conference.

Tammy said...

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!

Cathy C. Hall said...

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!

Linda O'Connell said...

Tammy and Cathy,

Thank you, thank you!

Chatty Crone said...

Gee that looks like a great book - congrats to you! Sandie

Linda O'Connell said...

Sandie, Thanks for the encouragement.