71 Comments
User's avatar
Christopher Johnston's avatar

Yay! Congratulations on getting a deal with She Writes Press! It's exciting to see more and more people taking an interest in Lake of the Woods and the history of a unique region.

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks and I'm looking forward to reading your forthcoming novel set on Lake of the Woods!

Expand full comment
Mary Roblyn's avatar

Jill! Congratulations! My favorite Minnesota cultural historian is publishing her book. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this news ever since finding you on Substack. So excited for all of us.🎊👏🎉🌟

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Lori Olson White's avatar

Congratulations, Jill! I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this book - I know it will be fantastic.

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thank you for your enthusiastic response to my news!

Expand full comment
Lori Olson White's avatar

Please let me know when a pre-orders are available.

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

I'll be sure to do so. Thank you, Lori

Expand full comment
Jodi Kiffmeyer's avatar

Awesome! I can’t wait!

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks for the encouragement!

Expand full comment
Mariella Hunt's avatar

Congratulations! That must be the most amazing feeling!

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Pinch me! It's not quite real yet.

Expand full comment
Ginny Walters's avatar

Congratulations, Jill! I can't wait to purchase a copy of your book!

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Now I have reason to get to New Ulm's best bookstore, Lykke.

Expand full comment
Jen G's avatar

wonderful!!

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks!

Expand full comment
Heidi Lynn Adelsman's avatar

One foot in front of the other with incredibly detailed research! So happy for you.

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks, Heidi. Appreciate you as a reader!

Expand full comment
Elaine Mansfield's avatar

Terrific. You're doing the world a service and honoring Kakaygeesick and his family. Congratulations, Jill.

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

The Kakaygeesick family and many others in Warroad have been extremely generous in sharing their memories, stories, and historical artefacts with me and trusting me to tell the truth. It is my honor to share what I learned. Thank you for always being a careful listener to my stories and for hosting me on sacred land in the Finger Lakes.

Expand full comment
Mary Wagner's avatar

How wonderful your early American story of reservations, allotments, and dispossession will be available for all to read that Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is not shared by all.

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks, Mary. I'm grateful for all your support and encouragement.

Expand full comment
Peg Conway's avatar

Great news!!! I look forward to reading it. (Fellow SWP author too)

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks. I feel as though I'm joining a sisterhood of support with SWP. Greatly appreciated.

Expand full comment
Diane Burley's avatar

This is such awesome news. What a great way to start the New Year! Congrats Jill!! Can’t wait to get my hands on it and dig in.

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks, Diane. I appreciate your enthusiasm and look forward to reading more of your writing.

Expand full comment
Cathryn Prince's avatar

We do share that love. And I am so excited for you to bring your story to the world. It’s so important and through it I think we will all get a better understanding of our country and communities.

Expand full comment
Cathryn Prince's avatar

Congratulations! Such fabulous news 📚👏🏼

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks Cathryn! And congratulations on your new book deal for the biography of Pauline Newman, a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant child laborer who a century ago was an activist who helped start the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. We share a love of history.

Expand full comment
Ann Marie Ackermann's avatar

Congratulations on your book contract!

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thank you! Greatly appreciate your support.

Expand full comment
Rachael's avatar

Congratulations, Jill! This is great news. She Writes Press is fantastic!

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks, Rachael. I've watched Brooke Warner build something marvelous with She Writes Press and trust I am in good hands. Thank you for organizing and leading the writing retreats the past two Novembers on the north shore. Your support has meant so much to me. Save me a spot for November 2025.

Expand full comment
Rachael's avatar

Brooke is great! She does wonderful work. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the retreats; I've enjoyed having you there! This November you can share your publishing process...that will be great info for everyone to have.

Expand full comment