Judy Kiehart
Writer of One-Acts, Short Stories, and Calico Lane
Judy's Jermyn
Scroll down for upcoming events!
In this two-time international award-winning memoir (BIBA and Firebird), the question "How does one survive when she is not the person everyone expects?" is woven into a story about family, love, and faith.

What readers have said about Calico Lane:
* Judy gives easy, accessible insight of her Russian Orthodox upbringing without disdain or liberal sneers. Powerful!
* 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, 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.
* 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.
* 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 was the winner of the 2022 BIBAward in the LGBTQ/Memoir Category.
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!
* 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
Saturday, MAY 6 10 am - 4 pm
Columbia River Author Festival ~ Reading and Meet the Author
@ the Longview Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview WA
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
Wednesday, MAY 17 3 pm
Guest speaker at Olympia Senior Center Writing Class
Private Event
JUNE
Saturday, JULY 1
CAPITAL CITY PRIDE ~ Meet the Author
@ Heritage Park, Capital Lake area in Olympia
Saturday, SEPTEMBER 23
GRAYS HARBOR PRIDE ~ Meet the Author
@ the Historical Seaport, 610 N. Custer Way, Aberdeen WA
Sunday, OCTOBER 8
Lackawanna County Library System ~ Reading & Conversation with the Author
@ Carbondale Branch, 5 North Main St., Carbondale PA
15 minutes of fame :)


Book Launch Celebration
January 2022
me and my peeps cork-popping ceremony


Two fun books by Jermyn residents
The Blessed Town of Edgerton and The Anthracite Idiom
provided inspiration for Calico Lane.

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