Tricia Brown Books

The Queen of Fairbanks is in demand! Thank you for all the kind words you’ve sent my way. I’m so touched by your stories. Look for me in the coming months as I’m traveling the state to present about Irene Sherman, meet readers, answer questions, and sign books, the newest one as well as the old favorites. For July, here’s my signing schedule:

Sat., July 13 – Title Wave Books, 1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage. I’ll be signing from noon to 3 p.m., but if you miss it, I’ll leave signed copies behind. Plus you can order from anywhere and have your book(s) mailed. Just call their toll-free number: 888-598-9283.

Thurs., July 18 – University of Alaska Museum of the North; I’ll be set up in the lobby and signing books from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. I’ll also have many of my children’s books along, if you want those signed and personalized. (Bring them from your home library, too–I’d be happy to sign them.)

Fri., July 19 – Pioneer Museum, inside Pioneer Park. Come over between 10 a.m. and 11:30! That’s also Campus Day during the UAF Nanook Rendezvous, so afterward I’ll be signing in the Usibelli Atrium on campus from 1 – 2:30 p.m. I’ll bring The Queen of the Fairbanks plus the children’s books and The Alaska Homesteader’s Handbook, another adult nonfiction favorite.

Sat., July 20 – The Big Day for Golden Days fans. Irene Sherman was a staple in the Golden Days Grande Parade. I’ll have my annual Tricia Brown Books booth set up in the Street Fair in Golden Heart Plaza along the Chena, along with many other businesses and organizations. Come and browse! I’m can usually be found alongside the Unknown First Family statue in the plaza. We’re there all day, so before or after the Rubber Duckie Race, come and find me!

Meantime, you can find The Queen of the Fairbanks at these locations (any of my other books can be found at your local bookstores or favorite online bookseller):

FAIRBANKS: Fairbanks Community/Dog-Mushing Museum, 2nd Avenue (upstairs in the Co-Op Plaza); Pioneer Museum, inside Pioneer Park; The Great Alaskan Bowl Company, 4630 Old Airport Rd.; with more to come! (I’ll be back in August to sign at Forget-Me-Not Books, benefitting the Alaska Literacy Council; also presenting at the Noel Wien Library from 1-2:30 p.m. on Aug. 17, so pencil me in!)

ANCHORAGE: Title Wave Books, 1360 W. Northern Lights. Readers anywhere can fulfill Irene book orders from Title Wave by mail. Call 888-598-9283. For single-copy sales, you can write the publisher at [email protected]. $22.95 per book plus $4.50 postage.

KETCHIKAN: Thank you, Parnassus Books, for ordering a supply of books! They’re in stock and on display now at 105 Stedman St. (In mid-September, I’ll be visiting both Ketchikan and Juneau for library presentations supported by the local bookstores. More details to come.)

The little town of Silverton, Oregon, celebrates the memory of Bobbie the Wonder Dog every year with its annual Pet Parade, sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club. And this year, on May 18, the parade had special significance: the 100^th anniversary of the year that Bobbie walked from Indiana to Silverton alone, crossing the Rockies in the dead of winter and appearing, frail and weak, on the main street of town six months to the day after he went missing in Indiana. Newspapers called him the “Love Dog” for his single-mindedness to walk nearly 2,800 miles back to his people. What a reunion that was! You can read his “Believe It or Not!” true story in my book, Bobbie the Wonder Dog.

Bobbie had already passed away in 1932, when the very first Pet Parade took place, led by Bobbie’s son, Pal. Since then, every year local children have decorated wagons and bikes and worn costumes as they carried hamsters and guinea pigs, rode their horses, or walked alongside dogs, goats, alpacas, and pigs. The pet pride is evident on their faces. And, of course, every year, you can see one or two Bobbie lookalikes in the parade.

This year, I received a note from Gail Diedrichsen, a Bobbie fan who volunteers for a collie rescue organization in the Midwest. She also helps with its newsletter, The Collie Nose. Gail traveled all the way to Silverton for the anniversary parade. She wanted to make it the best parade ever for some of those kids and their pets, donating four copies of my book, plus a trophy and ribbon, as prizes. Gail herself even dressed like Bobbie and was photographed with a couple of Bobbie lookalikes. She inspired me to look into another trip to Silverton. I’m ready to see that wonderful little town again. Maybe for February 18, the day Bobbie came home.

After several years of researching, writing, and editing, I’m excited to announce the birth of my latest book: The Queen of Fairbanks: Extraordinary Family Secrets & Untold Stories of America’s Farthest North Bag Lady.

Irene Sherman was well known in Fairbanks, especially if you lived there in the last half of the twentieth century. She was brash and loud, and walked or biked her three-wheeler as she greeted friends, new and old. Wearing layers of old clothes, usually topped with a parka, even in the summer’s heat, Irene was a sight. Further, it was clear that she’d been badly burned at some point. Scars covered her face and hands, the only visible parts of her body. Overs the years, many had repeated rumors of how she was scarred, why she was so forcefully friendly, and where she went at the end of each day. In 1988, I followed Irene as a freelance journalist and with Anchorage Daily News photographer Erik Hill, found answers and dissolved rumors. The resulting magazine piece appeared in both the Fairbanks and Anchorage Sunday magazines. Thirty years later, Irene and her history barged into my life again when a long-lost relative of hers emailed me out of the blue. What she had to say, what I was to learn, engrossed me for the next several years. And now it is a tangible book holding part-memoir, part-mystery, part-history, and lots of biography. In short it is the story of a community that loved and watched over this woman in the margins. She is still fondly remembered by most who shared the town she loved.

The book launch is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Fairbanks Community/Dog-Mushing Museum in downtown Fairbanks. The museum can be found inside the Co-Op Plaza at 535 Second Avenue. Our host will be offering snacks and drinks, and lots of conversation as I sign books and hear even more stories about Irene.

I’m bringing along a selection of my other books as well and can take all forms of payment. I hope you’ll come by!

ISBN 978-0-9657676-1-3; 6″x 9″, 304 pp, 93 b/w photos; 3 maps

Other appearances:

Sun., May 26 Pioneer Museum, 9 a.m.-noon, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks

Thurs., June 6 Title Wave Books, noon-3 p.m., 1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage

Sat., June 8 Forget-Me-Not Books, noon-3 p.m., 517 Gaffney Rd., Fairbanks

Pioneer Museum, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Pioneer Park, Fairbanks

Thurs., July 18 University of Alaska Museum of the North lobby, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on

the UAF Campus, 1962 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks

Fri., July 19 University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus Day festivities; call UAF Alumni

Relations for signing location: (907) 474-7081, or text (907) 891-8162

Sat., July 20 GOLDEN DAYS STREET FAIR! I’ll be set up in my usual booth space next to the First Family statue in Golden Heart Plaza on First Avenue by the Chena River. It’s an all-day affair, and I’ll have plenty of Irene Sherman books as well as many more of your favorite titles. Watch for my banner advertising “The Queen of Fairbanks.” We’re looking forward to the day.

Sat., Aug. 17 Noel Wien Library Auditorium, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks. (907) 459-1020. In my talk and PowerPoint presentation, I’ll give a behind-the-scenes look at researching and writing “The Queen of Fairbanks.” I’ll share Irene Sherman’s story as well as my work methods, and the many surprises I encountered while looking into her lifeline. A book-signing will follow.

Other signings in Anchorage are in the works now. Also, I expect to visit Juneau and Ketchikan for a similar presentation at their public libraries in early fall. I hope to visit a few schools with my children’s books while I’m traveling through Southeast.

Will keep you posted asap!

If you’re looking to break into children’s books, or just need a word of encouragement on your path to publishing, you’re invited to a special event hosted by the Interior chapter of the Alaska Writers Guild.

I’ll be joining a panel of Alaskan picture book authors and illustrators on Mon., April 22. We’ll discuss writing, illustration, publishing and self-publishing and take your questions.

Other panelists include author/publisher/illustrator Juliana Miller and author/illustrator Beth Peluso-Grassi. Hope to see you there!

When: Monday, April 22 | 7-8 pm

Where: The Bear Gallery in Pioneer Park | Fairbanks 

Cost: Free and open to the public

The Queen of Fairbanks is heading to the printer this week, and I’m ready to see it fly. It’s not too different from the Empty-Nester feeling. I’ve devoted so many years to researching and writing this book that I just can’t wait for the launch. Books will be arriving in Fairbanks in mid-May and I’m now arranging book-signings for the end of May. Watch for updated news on that. And if you want to be part of the Irene Sherman statue project, which is dedicated to having a statue of Irene installed in a prominent downtown Fairbanks location, please visit www.IreneShermanProject.com.

But before I project into May, let’s talk about April. I’ll be visiting Fairbanks later this month for a couple of engagements, and you’re invited!

On Monday, April 22, from 7-8:30 p.m., I’ll join a panel of children’s book writers for a session presented by the Alaska Writers Guild. Come to the Bear Gallery, on the third floor of the Alaska Centennial Center in Pioneer Park. Panelists will discuss their writing journey, from breaking in, to conjuring ideas and looking for publishers. Life after publishing is important, too, because so many authors feel stymied by marketing and selling their works. I find it invigorating, and being a part of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators helps in every way possible. The Alaska chapter is active, so please, if you’re leaning into writing or illustrating children’s books, look us up on www.scbwi.org, and click on “Alaska.”

Now, on Tuesday, April 23, I’m excited about presenting to the Fairbanks Genealogical Society’s monthly meeting at the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame, 406 S. Cushman. Their group opens at 6 p.m., and my talk about the mysterious life of Irene Sherman—and something of her intriguing genealogy—begins at 7 p.m. If you have questions, write [email protected].

I’m so glad to welcome the return of a favorite children’s book that’s been unavailable for a while. Epicenter Press of Seattle has picked up this gem, and its new book birthday is January 9, 2024. I hope you’ll read this true story of a purebred English bull terrier that was born in Portland, Oregon, back in 1929. Purchased by Juneau’s resident dentist for his twin daughters, the puppy came to Juneau on a steamship. The twins named their “baby” Patsy Ann, and they were confused when she didn’t come when called. Turns out, Patsy Ann was deaf from birth. But that didn’t slow her down one bit.

Patsy Ann was a wanderer—she refused to stay with that family or any other. She repeatedly ran away from anyone who tried to put a collar on her. When Patsy Ann discovered the hustle-bustle of the waterfront, along with the infinite possibilities of excellent snacks offered by dockworkers and tourists alike, she made the docks her new favorite place.

For the entire decade of the 1930s, this increasingly chubby friend greeted every ship that came into port, and became famous as postcards of the famous dog traveled the world. In fact, the mayor would finally name her “Official Boat Greeter of Juneau.”

Today a bronze statue of Patsy Ann still greets incoming ships on the old wharf where the living dog was so popular. And she stars in many vacation photos. Of course, even today there’s no collar on her neck—but there IS one lying across her paw in bronze. She still holds a place in the memories and hearts of Juneau and those who visit Alaska’s capitol even today.

Get your copy anywhere you buy books. Ask for it by title, by my name, or reference the ISBN number, which is 978-1-68492-208-6.

I guarantee you’ll fall in love with this scrappy little girl!

Alaska Book Week launched its kick-off event Sunday, October 1, 2023, at the Writer’s Block Bookstore & Cafe in Anchorage with a five-person panel of authors talking about their works in progress and reading. But before they got started, Patience Frederiksen, board chairman of the Alaska Center for the Book, graciously handed out three awards to us CLIA award-winners. The CLIA stands for Contributions to Literacy in Alaska, and the board has been designating winners for the last thirty years. I’m honored to be among them and to receive the special award remembering Alaskan children’s librarian Sue Sherif, who is sorely missed.

I especially loved seeing that this award includes a fine photograph of two children camping and reading near a glacier. I remember it well as an image in the book My Denali, and photographed by Roy Corral. Those are his children, now grown. Roy and I partnered on my first children’s book back in 1998, and many more afterward. I had to write Roy to recall all the fun creative work we’ve done together. So much talent in this state!

Still ahead in Alaska Book Week, I will be among a small group of children’s book authors reading and signing our books at Title Wave Books on Northern Lights in Anchorage. We are all members of the Alaska chapter of a national organization (actually, international) called the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Come down to see me, Brooke Hartman, Barbara and Ethan Atwater, and Matthew Lasley. We’ll have some crafty activities for the kids at various tables, too. Join us between 11 and 2 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 7.

I have a working title for my in-progress nonfiction writing, but “the Irene book” is what I’ve been calling the story of Irene Sherman. It’s so compelling and wide-ranging that I’ve been immersed in it for more than a year. One day in fall 2022, I rolled back from my desk, walked into the other room, and tentatively told my husband, “I think it’s done…” We both stared at each other, like, “Really?”

Though Irene was decades older than I, we shared her hometown of Fairbanks. An early newspaper called the gold-rush community the “haunts of the wild beast.” I loved that description, for the people and the animals, so I’m using it as my working title. My own story of settling there in 1978 is entwined with Irene’s, who arrived at St. Matthew’s Hospital (now long gone) in 1911. Irene and her family are the stars, and mine is a supporting role. It’s the story of two families, really, decades apart yet overlapping in the post-Pipeline years, the challenges she overcame, and the long-lost relatives who came to me looking for Irene, or those who knew her. The narrative is laced with mysteries that arose as I researched. Several respected readers have combed through the manuscript, and I’m genuinely proud of it.

And now, getting the Irene book published requires a different kind of tenacity. (Interesting how “tentative” and “tenacious” look like fraternal twins.) In my industry right now, a hot topic for un-agented authors is deciding whether to pursue the traditional route of signing with a publishing house versus personally investing in one’s book through indie publishing services (which might include Kickstarter).

Both routes have their benefits, but I’ve routinely published traditionally. I had a friendly relationship with a California-based publisher, and there was interest in this story, and then the floor fell out when I learned that they’d been sold. The gears stopped moving. Now I’m starting over in the search for an agent or publisher. Help!

I’ll keep you posted on how things progress, and if you have any suggestions for representation or publishing, would you let me know? I’ve had many, many requests from people who want to buy the book NOW, so there’s a wide market already. Send me an email or a PM on Facebook if you have a good lead, okay?

Can’t wait for the next steps!

P.S. In case you’re wondering, those pups on my computer screen are Flower, left, and Willow, brilliantly illustrated by my talented sister-in-law, Julie Sigwart. Thanks again, Julie.

I’d learn that Irene dressed like that pretty much every day, as she marched around Fairbanks and shouted out her greetings and enjoyed her beer stops. I always wondered about her family, and in time I would learn more.

You may know that I’ve spent the last year working on a creative nonfiction book about Irene Sherman, who called herself the Queen of Fairbanks. As I wrote, my own stories were interwoven with hers, sometimes decades apart, sometimes very similar. I’ve also included narrative about how I researched her story, digging up the long-lost details about Irene’s life.

During the July trip up to Fairbanks, I was invited to share some of my Irene research at a couple of venues, both with appreciative audiences–many of whom knew and remembered Irene well. Still, they all learned new, intriguing facts about the Queen. My talk was titled “I Think There Were Seven of Us,” and subtitled “Untold Stories of the Queen of Fairbanks.” In it, I introduced the audience to Irene’s siblings that she’d never met, when and where they were born, and what had happened to them. I recounted the true stories of how and why she was burned so badly as a child, and what happened to her in the years when she was a ward of the Territory of Alaska.

After months of deep research and amazing contributions from her old friends, I’m pleased to say the book is done. (But don’t rush to Barnes & Noble yet.) In fact, in advance of my trip in July, an advance piece in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner invited folks to my speaking engagements and included some background on Irene. Unfortunately, readers concluded that I’d have Irene books for sale, ready to sign. Well, no. Over and over, in emails and in person, I apologized that the book was still an unpublished manuscript. Still, my heart was stirred to hear from so many people, all of them eager readers.

“I’ve still got a couple more chapters to write,” I said repeatedly. “I’m sure you’ll see notice when we have a real book.”

A few days ago, on October 1, I met with an editor who is interested in the book, and our talks are beginning. At the Alaska Writer’s Guild conference that weekend, I was awarded “Most Promising Manuscript” from faculty members. For me, it was confirmation that the last year of travel and writing was well-spent.

So, what’s next? Traditional publishing takes a long time. But naturally, I want this tribute to the Queen to land in just the right hands, so I will be patient and hope you will, too. I guarantee that when we have a release date, I’ll be broadcasting it widely and loudly!

Meanwhile, thanks for your kind notes and words of support.