Tricia Brown Books

In the summer of 2025, a team from PBS West Virginia arrived in Fairbanks to create an episode for their television series titled “Hometowns.” The group included the show’s host, producer, and camera operator, and true to their previous episodes (which are Emmy-winning), they did a great job at making advance arrangements to create a wide-ranging profile of a place and its people. Their aim is to identify what makes a community unique.

For the Fairbanks episode, producer Sara Muncy rounded up individuals from interesting aspects of Alaska life, including two Natives talking about their cultural histories, a woman who runs a reindeer farm, an expert on horticulture in the Far North, and me as a long-time Alaskan and author of the Irene Sherman biography, The Queen of Fairbanks. So while I arrived for the interview prepared to talk about Irene’s story, they were curious to learn about my own, too. Those of us who were not born in Alaska were asked why we came, and how. And of course, in Irene’s case, she was born in Fairbanks in 1911, so her history and that of Fairbanks are melded.

The “Hometowns” interview with me was conducted at a favorite Fairbanks brewery called Humble Roots Project, and why? Because they’re a local business that focuses on local history, so much so that they decided to name one of their brews–an Imperial Blonde–after Irene. What a neat tribute to a woman who loved her beer (although if you know her story, you know she was fixated on Olympia beer and no other). Me, I’ve tasted the Irene ale at Humble Roots and I can warmly endorse it. So do many other customers. It was supposed to be a seasonal offering, but now it’s year-round.

Thanks to Sara Muncy and crew at PBS West Virginia! Your hearts are in the right place.

You can watch their Fairbanks episode on PBS.org by clicking HERE.

Tis the season to gift books, and I hope that our paths cross at any one of these signings ahead this month:

Saturday, Dec. 6, Title Wave Books, Anchorage, from 12-3 pm

This sweet local bookstore has packed the month with author signings. I am but one face in the crowd, but there’ll be signage, so find my table in the heart of the store! I’d love to sign and personalize my books for you and yours. Come see us and shop at 1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd.

And then . . .

Sunday, Dec. 7, O’Malley’s on the Green, Anchorage, from 10 am – 3 pm

Click here to learn more about all of the fun that families will have at this exciting new event in Southcentral. O’Malley’s on the Green is located at 3651 O’Malley Road.

There’ll be opportunities to meet Santa, sip hot chocolate, make holiday crafts, see the reindeer, and more!

In the midst of the busyness, I’ll be reading my Christmas favorite, The Alaskan Night Before Christmas (in which I Alaskan-ized the classic family poem).

And then . . .

Friday, Dec. 19, The Workshop Community Center, Anchorage; Craft time is 10:30, Storytime readings at 11 am

This event is free and part of The Workshop’s weekly storytime that’s open to the public. I’ll be presenting three books for the littles plus their favorite grown-ups: The Itchy Little Musk Ox, Groucho’s Eyebrows, and The Alaskan Night Before Christmas. A related craft will precede the readings. Click here to learn more about The Workshop, which operates in partnership with Countdown to Kindergarten, an Anchorage School District program. Join us at 1120 Huffman Road, Suite 11.

It’s the first full week of October, so all over Alaska, writers, illustrators, agents, editors, publishers, and (happily) readers are celebrating this annual tribute to literacy in its many forms. Our organizing group is the Alaska Center for the Book. (Thank you!!)

My colleagues have been appearing all over this week. And on October 6, I visited a community on the Kenai Peninsula–Ninilchik–where I was glad to meet their enthusiastic K-5th-graders. It’s a small school with talented staff and faculty who are pouring themselves into this bunch of bright kids. My trip coincided with their “Grandparents’ Day,” so we loved seeing parents and grandparents in the audience, too.

Still ahead this Saturday, October 11, I’ll be joining twenty authors inside Anchorage’s Loussac Library’s Event Center for a mass book-signing. I’ll bring The Queen of Fairbanks, Alaska Homesteader’s Handbook, and a wide selection of my children’s books.

If you’re in town, please come. You’ll meet new, breakthrough authors as well as veterans who are still on the job. I’m betting one or more of your favorites will be there. The library is at 3600 Denali Street. In the meantime, you can learn more about APL services at anchoragelibrary.org. See you there!

Every July, Fairbanks celebrates Felix Pedro’s gold discovery that sparked the city’s founding with a festival called Golden Days. I never miss an opportunity to join the fun. (This year’s theme is “Worth Your Weight in Gold.” Wouldn’t that be nice?) I love the Rubber Duckie Race, the Felix Pedro lookalike contest, the old-timey clothes, the Street Fair, and the parade. Plus there’s opportunity to get out to Gold Dredge No. 8 for a phenomenal demonstrations of gold rush history–and you get to pan some of your own. Take a soak at Chena Hot Springs. Visit the Fountainhead museum of antique autos and vintage clothing. Eat well. Watch the Chena River roll by. That’s Golden Days!

I really miss the perennial appearance of pioneer Irene Sherman, “The Queen of Fairbanks,” pedaling through the Golden Days Grande Parade. She’s been gone since 1995, but visions of Irene and her adult-sized trike are seared in the memories of several generations of parade-goers. She never missed a chance to pedal her decorated trike and wave to us, her cheering “subjects.” Since I wrote her biography last year, I’ve heard many more stories that I wish could have made it into the book. She was a gem, and I’ll be talking about her at a special presentation during Golden Days this year (see the schedule below).

Golden Days also coincides with the Nanook Rendezvous (nanook is polar bear in Inupiaq), a homecoming for graduates of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Lots of activities on and off campus, too, including a free ticket for UAF alumni to the Goldpanners baseball game at Growden Park. I’m usually there with a grandkid or two.

This year, you’re invited to these special appearances related to Irene’s biography, The Queen of Fairbanks. Here’s the rundown:

Thurs., July 17   6-8 p.m.              Book-signing event at Humble Roots Brewery, 314 Wendell Ave. One of the hottest gathering spots in Fairbanks is pleased to offer a special imperial ale they’ve named after Irene Sherman. We’re also hoping that Explore Fairbanks’s new city mascot will join us—it’s an oversized raven named Irene!

Fri., July 18         5:30-6:30 p.m.   “The Queen of Fairbanks, the Queen of Golden Days” author talk and PowerPoint presentation about Irene Sherman, who was born in Fairbanks in 1911. The life and times of a survivor, and the love this city showed for her. Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center auditorium, 101 Dunkel Street; (907) 459-3700. Book-signing to follow; portions of sales will benefit the Irene Sherman Project, a fundraiser to install a bronze of Irene (on her trike) in a prominent downtown location. To learn more and/or make a donation, visit ireneshermanproject.com.

Sat., July 19        9 a.m.-5 p.m.     Golden Days Street Fair, one of several events sponsored by the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. I’ll be signing more than a dozen of your favorite books at the Tricia Brown Books booth. I’d love to see you! I hope to return to my usual location, next to the First Family statue and fountain at the center of Golden Heart Plaza.  You can shop at booths throughout the plaza, along First Avenue, and the Courthouse parking lot. Other happenings will liven up the week of activities, too. See more details at fairbankschamber.org.

As always, if you already own one of my books and it’s unsigned, come see me and I’ll personalize it for you or your favorite kid. I love meeting readers!

North of Anchorage, there’s this sweet bookstore set in Palmer, home of cabbages that grow to gigantic proportions thanks to the Midnight Sun (a closely followed competition at the Alaska State Fair, also in Palmer). Thank you, Fireside Books, for having me in during one of your busy Saturdays. I brought along my print titled “Miss Irene” from the original painted in 1976 by Janet Kruskamp. It depicts Irene Sherman posing by her unique living quarters in Fairbanks and holding her ever-present Olympia Beer mug.

And so begins another busy season of visiting stores and making presentations to community libraries and schools, both here in Alaska and in the Lower 48. If you live in Alaska along the Parks Highway, I invite you to any of three upcoming opportunities:

Tues., April 15 – I’m visiting the students of TriValley School (Healy, Alaska) during the day and reading my children’s books as well as hopefully exciting kids to explore creativity in their lives.

Grown-ups are invited that evening at 6 p.m., for my talk and PowerPoint presentation at the TriValley Library, 269 Suntrana Ave., Healy. I’ll uncover Irene Sherman’s unique lifeline and the evolution of my dogged work on her biography. Irene saw Healy as her second home and the railroad builders and miners as her “gang.” Irene’s father, J. P. Sherman, first came to Fairbanks in 1903, and later was a gold miner and trapper in this region. Today a power plant for Golden Valley Electric Assocation is situated on land that was once J. P.’s homestead.

Wed., April 16 – The next day, I continue up the road to Fairbanks for an in-depth presentation of the story behind The Queen of Fairbanks as I speak at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ continuing education program they call OLLI classes. I Zoomed with an OLLI group last year, discussing the secrets and rumors about Irene that were shattered with my research. This time, I’ll be speaking in person and sharing how all of my fact-finding and various revelations resulted in the decision to write a book…and then what? If you’ve ever jumped into publishing, you’ll understand this exquisite agony and anticipation. The class will be held from noon to 1:30 at Raven Landing, 1222 Cowles Street, in the dining room. Drop-ins can purchase soup and bread for $5. And I’ll be signing my books, the biography as well as an assortment of children’s books.

Later that day, from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m., come round to the Great Alaskan Bowl Company, 4630 Airport Road, where I’ll be greeting readers and signing books, the Irene Sherman story and several popular children’s books. They have been so supportive. If you can’t make it in, browse the books on their website and you can order by mail.

Finally, on Thursday, April 17, I’m lingering in Nenana, another boomtown built on the backs of railroad workers and planners in the early twentieth century. The Nenana City Library is having me in at 6 p.m. for my Irene presentation, because here, too, is a place that was dear to her. Irene’s parents lived in Nenana off and on, and several of Irene’s siblings were born at St. Mark’s Mission Hospital, which is no longer standing. But this little town is rich in history, beginning with the First People, the Athabascans, followed by the appearance of the non-Native explorers, riverboat captains, missionaries, traders, and railroad gangs. This is a beautiful little river town, well worth exploring. The Library is on the corner of E. Second and Market St. Come and say hello!

I’m back home from vacation and eager to meet readers at this popular independent bookstore in Palmer, Alaska. Thanks for the invitation, Fireside! We certainly plan to see you Mat-Su Valley readers there–but even if you’re further south, just get in the car and drive. It’s going to be a beautiful day.

Can you believe it? Half of March has disappeared! The good news is, I have indelible memories of a lengthy road trip across the Lower 48 this winter. We traveled thousands of miles by RV along the Oregon coast, then down the California coast, and then we shot east across AZ and NM before landing for a couple of weeks in Texas, visiting friends and family all along the way. Were we warm? NOOO! The Polar Vortex dipped into the south to touch us in Texas. So unfair. The idea was to escape the cold. There were few moments of warmth as we drove the Minnie Winnie north through Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and into Indiana for more lovely times with family. Finally, we parked our trusty RV in Illinois and jumped on a plane out of O’Hare. I swear I had sea legs after all those weeks in motion. Back to good ol’ Anchorage.

Now I’m so looking forward to the March 29 signing, and more scheduled for April and May. I’ll keep you posted here and on Facebook. Come by. I love visiting with readers.

And now for some (hopefully) not too boring vacation pics!

At left, Perry and I pose at the capitol in “sunny” Sacramento, Calif.; below left: A Minnie among the giant redwoods; below center: A pause in our below-ground hike while exploring the Caverns of Sonora in Texas; and below right: Leaving the RV with family in Illinois before flying home. Thanks, Mark and Michele!!

I was warmed today to learn that David James’s review of The Queen of Fairbanks appeared in both the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and the Anchorage Daily News. You can download the below clipping and enlarge for reading. Thank you, David!

Folks have been reaching out and asking where to get a copy. I’ve included retail outlets in previous blogs (scroll down), and now Barnes & Noble in both Fairbanks and Anchorage are carrying the title, too. If you’re reading this from outside of Alaska, please encourage your local library or bookstore to purchase copies through IngramContentGroup.com. They probably have an Ingram account already.

In 1970, Irene determined to clear all the debris along her street during spring clean-up. (Courtesy Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Archives)

My talk titled “The Story Behind The Queen of Fairbanks” appears in the Spring catalog for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Alaska Fairbanks. If you’re 50-plus years old and want to join some creative classes that are available in person or via distance learning, you must register online between Jan. 13 to Jan. 21. Mine is an in-person class about the terrible, wonderful, winding road to publishing and is scheduled for April 16, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Raven Landing, 1222 Cowles St., Fairbanks. For an extra $5 at Raven Landing, audience members can enjoy a cup of soup and bread during the presentation. If you want a spot, register before January 21! View the catalog and registration steps at www.uaf.edu/olli.

Still ahead in May, I’m leaving Alaska for Wolcott, Indiana, which is highlighted in the story of Bobbie the Wonder Dog as the place where poor Bobbie was run off by a pack of local dogs in August 1923, separating him from his family during a vacation. It was from Wolcott that Bobbie began his nearly 3,000-mile-long solo walk across the country to reach home in Silverton, Oregon, landing him a spot in history and in Ripley’s “Believe It or Not!” I’ve been invited to come and share his story, and my other children’s books, with the district’s students.

Finally, I’m a member of the Irene Sherman Project, a committee dedicated to raising funds for a statue of Irene by sculptor Gary Lee Price of Utah. We have our eyes on a high-traffic site in downtown Fairbanks, and Gary has created a rough draft of Irene in clay. But we need your financial support! If you are willing to join the many people and businesses who are backing the statue of the Queen, please visit the website by clicking HERE, and scroll down to the “Donate Now” button. View the list of dozens who have joined this campaign. Every donation matters. And thank you!

As the year-end approaches, it seems I’m busier than ever, and not just with shopping. But that’s a good thing. The Queen of Fairbanks has entered its second printing and I’ve been invited to visit and sign at a number of outlets in the coming weeks. Please check your calendar and see if you can make it to one of these:

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30    The 2024 Holiday Bazaar at the Hotel Captain Cook, at 939 W. Fifth Ave., Anchorage; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Their elegant ground-floor ballroom is beautifully decorated and will be filled with vendors. No charge to get in, and you can get a serious start on your shopping. My tables will be weighty with books including a soft cover reprint of Alaskan Night Before Christmas, beautifully illustrated by Alan Stacy.

Friday, Dec. 6     Off to Juneau for Hearthside Books and Toys’ First Friday event, the Gallery Walk, at their downtown location, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. This event is at 2 Marine Way, Suite 119B in the Historic Merchants Wharf. They’ll have a wide selection of my books, and I’ll be joined by two colleagues, notable Alaskan authors Joel Bennett and Marion Elliott.

Sunday, Dec. 8      I’m happy to be back at Title Wave Books, 1360 W. Northern Lights in Anchorage to sign The Queen of Fairbanks and many other titles. See wavebooks.com. I’m in the house from noon to 3 p.m.; bring your children for my reading of a favorite, Bobbie the Wonder Dog! 2024 is the hundredth anniversary of Bobbie’s famous walk across the country, nearly 3,000 miles from Wolcott, Indiana, to Silverton, Oregon. Unbelievable! (I’ve been invited to visit Wolcott, Indiana, next spring for Bobbie presentations to the locals, students and adults alike. I can’t wait!)

Saturday, Dec. 14      I’m proud to support this Barnes & Noble Book Fair to benefit Gladys Wood Elementary in Anchorage. I’ve made more than one author visit to Gladys Wood over the years, and I love the students and their smart, creative teachers…and librarian! I’m told the first-graders will have a special program at 10 a.m., so I’m geared up to get there early. I’ll be reading Bobbie the Wonder Dog in their children’s area at 11 a.m. I’d love to sign stacks of my books for their fundraiser, including my newest for adults, The Queen of Fairbanks. Please drop by 200 E. Northern Lights to join all the fun that teachers and parents have planned.

Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day this year, with Kwanzaa is just two days later. ‘Tis the season! Whatever your holiday tradition, enjoy it fully with your families and friends.

I know I will.

And August was busy as well. Attentive listeners filled the auditorium at the Noel Wien Library on August 17. Thanks, everybody, for coming to hear “The Story behind the Story,” about the arduous, yet thrilling journey of researching and writing the Irene book. (About craft, yes, but also about the difficulty of staying on task and ignoring side trails that don’t advance the story. I confess I often fail.) The line of book-buyers was long, and it was so gratifying to meet each person and hear their special memories. Also in August, I read The Itchy Little Musk Ox at the University of Alaska’s Large Animal Research Station (LARS) and stopped by Forget-Me-Not Books in Fairbanks for another signing.

Now I’m ready for my trip to Southeast Alaska, where I’ll present The Queen of Fairbanks to audiences at both the Ketchikan Public Library and the Juneau Public Library. A shout out to the community bookstores in each city for book sales support. If you get the chance, visit Hearthside Books & Toys in Juneau, or Parnassus Books in Ketchikan, Alaska. Both are favorite local, independent stores. Well-loved.

Here’s the rundown:
Thursday, Sept. 5, 6:00 p.m., Ketchikan Public Library. I’ll sign copies of the Irene Sherman biography afterward, along with a selection of my children’s books.
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Juneau Public Library, Mendenhall Valley location. Signing to follow my talk and PowerPoint presentation.

Also, stay tuned for news of a special event at the Wasilla Public Library during the first week of October for Alaska Book Week. More to come!

For now, you may ask, where can I buy a copy of The Queen of Fairbanks? Here’s a helpful list of locations:

Ketchikan: Parnassus Books, 105 Stedman; (907) 225-7690; call to order The Queen of Fairbanks; my other titles are on their website at bookshop.org/shop/parnassusak
Juneau: Hearthside Books & Toys, 8745 Glacier Hwy #245; (907) 789-2750; hearthsidebooks.com
Fairbanks: Fairbanks Community Museum; check out the Museum in the Co-Op Plaza on 2nd; Irene has her own display there. 535 2nd Ave., upstairs; (907) 457-3669
Pioneer Museum; visit the Museum inside Pioneer Park on Airport Way; and explore their amazing collections from early life in Alaska.

Great Alaskan Bowl Company (907) 474-9663, or visit woodbowl.com. Search for “Queen of Fairbanks” on their website; they ship!
Anchorage: Title Wave Books – 888-598-9283; 1360 W. Northern Lights (They ship!)

Also, on loan from your library!
Let’s not forget our dedicated libraries–Anchorage Public Libraries locations, the Wasilla Public Library, and Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Libraries all have copies in their stacks.

Find “The Queen of Fairbanks” on Facebook and follow me, please! I’ll be posting updates and news there as well.