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In this two-time international award-winning (BIBA and Firebird) memoir, the question "How does one survive when she is not the person everyone expects?" is woven into a story about secrets, love, and finding yourself.

Calico Lane

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Thurston County readers, skip the shipping fees and pick up a copy

at

      315  5th Ave. SE Olympia

     

Lewis County readers, get your

copy at 

 

    518 N. Market Blvd, Chehalis

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What readers have said about Calico Lane:

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 * Judy gives easy, accessible insight of her Russian Orthodox upbringing without disdain or liberal sneers. Powerful! 

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* Judy’s memoir transported me to Calico Lane and made me not want to leave. The Lane is as much a character in her book as the human ones she so deftly renders. This coming-of-age tale will rivet readers, not only because the author combines heartbreak with humor, but because she tells her story with love. 

 

* The excerpts I have read of Judy’s memoir have delved into the emotional tangle of family relationships: the expectations, demands, rules of right or wrong, and choices made in the name of duty and love. Introspection is dealt with realistically and the reader comes to know Judy as a unique, funny, loving individual. 

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* Judy has chronicled a particular segment of a generation of immigrants, the great migrations of the 20th century, and then the great attempts to homogenize and blend – it’s all here in Calico Lane. 

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* I also got a sneak peek at       Calico Lane and could not put it  down! Having had a similar      childhood, it was a walk down  memory lane in some respects.   Judy writes with her heart which  draws one into the book and    shows her warm, loving          personality. She is indeed brave 

to have shared her story. A         memorable memoir, to be sure! 

Calico Lane won a BIBAward in the LGBTQ/Memoir Category.

Calico Lane won the Firebird first quarter book award in the LGBTQ category.

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Submission donations allow Firebird to send hundreds of happy handmade pillowcases, pillows, colorful totes, and children’s books to women and children in long-term shelters, including Enchanted Makeovers.  It's a win-win to submit your work to Firebird, even if your book does not place!

If your copy of Calico Lane does not have the BIBA and Firebird Book winner emblems, use the  contact me  form, and I'll send one or both to you!

Don't miss out!
 

     Join my mailing list to receive monthly posts.       

* My best friend in school was gay, a secret I kept for him... Judy Kiehart’s memoir of growing up knowing she was attracted to girls and not boys ...brought me closer to an understanding of my friend’s struggle. 

Calico Lane Reviews:

Upcoming Events 2023

Readings, Talks, and Signings

Books will be available for purchase at all events

Check back as events will be added as they become available

Saturday, APRIL 29   1 pm - 4 pm

Olympia Arts Walk ~ Meet the Author

@ Courtyard Antiques Lobby, 705  4th Avenue E, Olympia WA

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Saturday, MAY 6    10 am - 4 pm

Columbia River Author Festival ~ Reading and Meet the Author

@  the Longview Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview  WA

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Sunday, MAY 7   5 pm - 7 pm

ORCA Books Cooperative ~ Reading, Book Talk, and Q & A time with the Author

@ ORCA Books, 315 5th Avenue  SE, Olympia WA

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Wednesday, MAY 17   3 pm

Guest speaker at Olympia Senior Center Writing Class

Private Event

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Saturday, JULY 1   

CAPITAL CITY PRIDE ~ Meet the Author

@  Percival Landing, the Marina boardwalk in Olympia

11:30 am - 6:00 pm

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Saturday, JULY 22

Companion Cove Farmer's Market

Sexton Drive NW, Olympia at Steamboat Exit off Hwy 101

@ Steamboat exit off  11:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Saturday, SEPTEMBER 23   

GRAYS HARBOR PRIDE ~ Meet the Author

@ the Historical Seaport, 610 N. Custer Way, Aberdeen WA      

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Sunday, OCTOBER 8 

Lackawanna County Library System ~ Reading & Conversation with the Author

@ Carbondale Branch, 5 North Main St., Carbondale PA

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15 minutes of fame :)

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Book Launch Celebration

    January 2022   

       me and my peeps                                                      cork-popping ceremony              

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Two fun books by Jermyn residents

The Blessed Town of  Edgerton and The Anthracite Idiom

provided inspiration for Calico Lane.

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Memory Triggers were prompted by the 1980 Fedorchak Family Newsletters, lovingly researched and put together by Paula Tapyrik.

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