Authors
Before Jolene became an author, she taught elementary school for 25 years. Seven of those years were spent in northwestern South Dakota. Her first child was born while she and her family lived there, and her experiences with him resulted in 6 books for the special needs community. Jolene’s fiction series, the West River Mysteries, draws heavily on her years as an Iowan who landed in cowboy country, who taught country school, and who was adopted and cared for by the locals in the tiny town where she lived.
Author of the West River Mysteries
Anna Jinja was adopted from Seoul, Korea, and grew up in Iowa. Her soul is filled with love for people and their stories. By sharing her adoption story and all that she is learning as she navigates personal and professional challenges, she hopes that others will come to believe, accept, and value the inherent worthiness of all people. She has dedicated her life to non-profit organizations and causes as a volunteer and employee, which has led to a myriad of unexpected opportunities and adventures—including stepping into the role of a radio producer and host at KHOI 89.1 FM.
Author of Adopting Grace
Harriet Thomas Walker was born in 1927 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to missionary parents. In 1949, she married Harold Walker, a fellow York student and former WWII B-29 pilot. Later in life, she earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Foundations of Education. Together, Harriet and Harold devoted their careers to public education, though Harriet’s heart was always in writing. She saved carbon copies of letters she’d typed over the years and, in retirement, turned them into the books she’d long dreamed of creating. Harriet passed away in 2013 in Bishop, Georgia, leaving behind a legacy of learning and love.
Author of Your Alaskan Daughter
A true renaissance man, Tom was a musician, athlete, pastor, writer, and entrepreneur. He founded Midwestern Books to amplify voices from the Midwest. Tom's legacy extends beyond his many talents—he lived a life of faith and love, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him. Tom passed away in December 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Author of Cosmic Background Radiation
Clare calls herself a “nearly normal writer,” with just the right amount of eccentricity—something she proudly makes her New Year’s resolution each year. One of eight daughters, her earliest memories are of her mother reading aloud, and her sisters remain her closest friends. Married longer than most readers have been alive, she still remembers her first kiss, her first batch of cookies, and a crimson swimsuit with pineapples on the butt. She is the mother of 3 grown children, who’ve since brought 7 grandchildren and 1 tiny great-grandchild into their lives—each one a true delight.
Author of Stay Out of That Room