Judy's Jermyn

Calico Lane
In this two-time international award-winning memoir, the question "How does one survive when she is not the person everyone expects?" is woven into a story about secrets, lesbian love, and living authentically.
Now available: a revised CALICO LANE with a new cover and PHOTOGRAPHS
What readers have said about Calico Lane:
* 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.
* Judy gives easy, accessible insight of her Russian Orthodox upbringing without disdain or liberal sneers. Powerful!
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.

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January 2021, an excerpt from Calico Lane was a semi-finalist in the nonfiction category in the Tucson Festival of Books Literary Awards competition.
Calico Lane
Thurston County readers, skip the shipping fees and pick up a copy at
Lewis County readers, get your copy at
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Washington: Thurston County Libraries
Washington: Longview Public Library
Colorado: Chaffee County Libraries
New York: Earlville Free Library
Pennsylvania: Lackawanna County Library System
Let's work on getting Calico Lane into a library near you! Just go to your librarian and ask if they could add Calico Lane to their inventory. When they see it's a two-time award-winning book (and if you tell them you know the author) they may be inspired to order it for their collection. If your library does order Calico Lane and is not listed above, let me know via the Contact Form I'll send you a gift.
Then, tell your friends it's in the library! More important than sales, is to put it into the hands of readers!

Calico Lane is available through several libraries:
Event Photos
Aberdeen
Gray's Harbor PRIDE
2022 and 2023


Griffon Neighborhood Picnic 2022

Columbia River Author Festival 2023
Reading and Signing

Orca Book Talk and Signing 2023

Olympia PRIDE 2023
with South Sound Indie Authors
Court Yard Boutique Art Walk 2023
with the Olympia Writers


Carbondale PA Library Book Talk 2023

Events without photos:
Lacey Senior Center Memoir Writers - Private Event 2022
Companion Cove Yard Sale 2023
It's been a fun first two years promoting Calico Lane.
Here's what's happened in 2024!
Columbia River 2nd Annual Author Fest May 18, 2024


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for upcoming events
Senior Alliance of Older LGBTQ+ June 6, 2024

Griffon Neighborhood Picnic, June 22, 2024

OLYPRIDE June 29, 2024

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The Firs Writing Group August 26, 2024
Truth in Memoir Presentation


Event without photos
November 4, 2024
Truth in Memoir Presentation - Private Event
@ United Churches, Olympia


2025 Promises an Assortment of Events
June TBD Griffin Pond Picnic
June 21, 2025 ASHHO @ Tumwater Pride
June 28, 2025 Olympia PRIDE
August TB D Book Reading @Orca Bookstore
Readings from Mixed Shorts
Book Sales and Signings
September 25 - October 30, 2025
A Six-Week Workshop "Let's Write a One-Act Play"
Thursdays 1:00-2:30 pm at Olympia Senior Center
to register:
A collaborative effort by attendees will decide on a theme, storyline, create characters, develop dialogue, write scenes, and perform the play! There will be homework (after all, Rome wasn't built in a day) and probable ZOOM sessions between in-person meet ups.
October 4, 2025 Author's Fair
573 Point Brown Ave NW, Ocean Shores, WA
November TBD
PFLAG Olympia Holiday Bazaar & Fundraiser
Check back in March/April for a more complete list