I first met Judy Kiehart online through the Olympia Writers Group. Judy Kiehart is a prolific writer who makes her home in Olympia. She has written short stories, plays and most recently, a book that won the Best Indie Book Award® (or BIBA®) award for her entry in the LGBTQ Memoir category.
The book is Calico Lane, a memoir about family and breaking through social and cultural norms. Now a senior citizen, her younger life was very different than that faced by the LGBTQ community today.
Judy says this book has been in her head since the 70’s, when the opening event happened. “It was an event that changed my life, and from the 70’s on I tried to put myself right.”
“The event made me think about my life and where I was going. But it was the 70’s and you weren’t coming out back then, so you had to be normal and get married and have kids and all that,” Judy explained.
“My marriage was pretty volatile and through a course of events, I didn’t become true to myself until I was in my forties. Eventually, I realized I had been lying to everyone I knew my whole life.”
Not to minimize what the LGBTQ communities are facing today; However, things were very different for Judy as a young girl and woman. Fortunately for her, she had a few friends she could confide in and depend on for support.
And now, at last, her story is being told.
The book weaves a warm and comforting fabric of a loving family, new adventures, and love lost and found. It is a story of a journey encompassing discovery and acceptance.
Today, in addition to writing, Judy enjoys life by traveling with her life partner. They recently just returned from a vacation in Holland, where they delighted in visiting historical sites and beautiful gardens.
The annual Best Indie Book Award® is an international literary awards contest recognizing self-published and independently published authors from all over the world.
Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.
They accept submissions from all over the world, but the books must be written in English. Ninety-four authors, four illustrators, and three book cover designers from around the globe are among the winners of the 2022 Best Indie Book Award.
Each winner is presented with a physical BIBA trophy, and their books are displayed on the BIBA website and social media.
It is quite an honor.
And if that wasn’t enough, she was recently notified that another award was coming her way - first place winner for Speak Up Radio Firebird Awards in the LGBTQ category, the first quarter award announcements! Go to www.speakuptalkradio.com to learn more.
She went on to explain another reason for submitting your work to Firebird Book Awards is that submission donations allow them 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. A win-win even if your submission is not selected.
You can meet Judy and other authors in person at the Olympia Arts Walk on April 28-30th at Courtyard Antiques, 705 4th Avenue E., where you can purchase a signed copy of their books and ask them about their writing. Judy will be in the lobby on Saturday from one to four.
If that date doesn’t work for you, she has a “Meet the Author” coming up at the Orca Book Cooperative at 215 5th Avenue SE, on May 7th at 5:00. Masks are required.
Calico Lane can be found in our local libraries, on Amazon and can be purchased directly from Judy at her public appearances or on her website, https://www.judykiehart.com.
Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.
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