My Place Among Them received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author J Stanion.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The name of my book is My Place Among Them. It was published on August 15, 2023.
What’s the book’s first line?
The first line of the Introduction to my book reads “The original author of this story, my great-grandfather, worked as a teacher, principal, superintendent, heirship examiner, and advocate for the Indigenous people of America for over thirty years.” I hoped this opening would establish the genuine relationships revealed in the story of John Iron Horse.
The first line of Chapter 1 reads “Murdered! Shot by his own people, if the rumors were true.” I hope this opening would draw the reader into an important historical event that set the stage for the meeting of the two protagonists in the novel.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Two young men, one a native survivor of the Wounded Knee massacre, and one a white teacher, are brought together by circumstance at a time when the native culture is collapsing due to the US government’s Indian Education program. A strong bond forms between them as the student, John Iron Horse, is immersed in the government school system and the teacher, Carter Heath, struggles to raise a family in the midst of the bureaucracy created by that same system. Can their friendship survive in a world that constantly pits red man against white?
What inspired you to write the book?
I promised my father before he died that it would be published. The original story of John Iron Horse was written by my great-grandfather.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I believe it shows the complexity of relationships, particularly between people of different races, and the importance of persistence in reaching personal goals.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character?
Iron Horse, the native protagonist, is very focused in everything he does. He looks to his heritage to support the values he believes in while at the same time embracing the opportunities to be found in a new and different world.
John reminds me of my father who focused on teaching his children the old-fashioned values of having a good work ethic, seeking a good education, always showing excellent manners while remaining open-minded to new ways of doing things.
When did you first decide to become an author?
When I was in 8th grade, my history teacher assigned a project that required us to teach our classmates about an historical event that had been documented in written form other than in textbooks. The project required an oral presentation, including visual aids. I chose “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” and illustrated it with characters adapted from a currently popular newspaper cartoon (Peanuts). I enjoyed drawing my classmates into a poem they thought was boring while teaching details about the country’s history.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
My Place Among Them is my first novel.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I manage a local farmers market and serve as the treasurer for a local non-profit that focuses on teaching people about agriculture, especially about where food comes from, the connections between good food and good health, and careers in agriculture. I also help my husband on our family cattle farm.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I spend anywhere from a couple of hours per week to six or more hours a day on my writing. I consider both reading quality books and researching about historical events part of my writing and try to do both those things consistently in small amounts. When I actually sit down at the computer to write, it’s often a marathon that goes late into the quiet of the night.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is reflecting on what I’ve written and then re-writing or editing until I’m ready to share it with a friend and hear them say, “Wow, I really loved it.”
To me, the hardest part is finding editors without spending an arm and a leg and then waiting to hear back from them and hoping I haven’t wasted my money.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
My best piece of advice is “Never give up.”
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling?
I would go with a traditional publisher if asked.
If so, why?
I would like to develop a relationship with an editor who knows my strengths and weaknesses and is willing to help bring out the best in my writing.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I believe that reading/storytelling is the best way to open a person’s mind to different ideas or points of view. Of course, a little money would be nice, too.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Despite having several “favorites” today, including Nicholas Evans and Lucia St. Clair Robson, Taylor Caldwell is the author I admire most. Besides being a phenomenal writer, she was a woman who overcame many difficulties in life while pursuing her dream of being an author.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
If I could choose a modern book to have written, it would be The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans but The Earth Is the Lord’s remains one of my all-time favorites.