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.

Coming in 2025, a revised CALICO LANE with a new cover and PHOTOGRAPHS

Enter the contest to receive an autographed, free copy.

Contests

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.

To Purchase a Copy

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for upcoming book events

January 2021, an excerpt from Calico Lane was a semi-finalist in the nonfiction category in the Tucson Festival of Books Literary Awards competition.

2022 Best Indie Book Award

2023 Firebird Book Award

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!

PODCASTS featuring Judy and Calico Lane

Upcoming Events 2024

Readings, Talks, and Signings

Books will be available for purchase at all events

Events will be added as they become available

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 28 3 pm - 5 pm

Library Book Club ZOOM (Private Event)

@ Valley Community Library, Peckville, Pennsylvania

Saturday, MAY 18 10 am - 4 pm

Columbia River Author Festival ~ Reading and Meet the Author

@ the Longview Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview WA

Wednesday, May 22 10:30 am

Podcast Interview on The Memoir Channel

Thursday, JUNE 6 6 pm - 7 pm

Sound Alliance of Older LGBTQs (SAOL) Happy Hour Speakers - Public Invited

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

Saturday, JUNE 22 11 am - 4 pm

Stop by the Griffin Neighborhood Association Picnic and meet the author!

I look forward to talking with you at this fun, family picnic!

Thursday, JUNE 27 9 am podcast goes LIVE in early 2025

Podcast Interview on "Hello Ernest" -- a Central Colorado Writers Podcast

Check back for the link

Saturday, JUNE 29 11 am - 6 pm

CAPITAL CITY PRIDE ~ Meet the Author @ South Sound Indie Author Booth

@ Port Plaza Booth #20, at the Picnic Area near Volunteer Booth

Monday, AUGUST 26 11:00 am - 12 Noon

Presentation "Truth in Memoir" for the writing group @ The Firs Senior Living Facility. Discussion includes: memories and how they trick us, the unrealiable narrator, and the craft to writing an authentic story about your experience. Scenes from Calico Lane will be included. Open to the Public.

Monday, NOVEMBER 4 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

First Mondays Program

United Churches of Christ (Private Event)

Author Talk "Keeping Truth in Memoir"

Youtube Link for Memoir Channel

Continue scrolling for event photos

Calico Lane

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

Lewis County readers, get your copy at

ORCA Books Co-Op

BooknBrush

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. Then, tell your friends it's in the library! More important than sales, is to put it into the hands of readers! Drop me a note via my contact form when you see Calico Lane on your local library shelf!

Every now and then I'll take a peek at my local library's web site. I gifted a copy of Calico Lane to my library in 2022. When I last checked, there were 4 HOLDS on the book! Makes my heart glad to see folk interested in reading Calico Lane!